photo by gusto

Colorado Springs, which sits at the basin of the Rocky Mountains’ Front Range, serves as a gateway to Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods—a spectacular formation of sandstone rocks and crimson turrets that has been preserved in a 1,350-acre city parkland, 6 miles from downtown.

The old city of Colorado Springs was founded 5 miles west in 1859, during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush.

Now merged with neighboring Manitou Springs, the prosperous city’s population has grown to a staggering 346,000, with a steady stream of newcomers arriving every year to work in the technology field or at one of the city’s five regional military bases.

Downtown has all of the attractions of a city—shopping, bookstores, and a host of museums and galleries, including the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum, the Fine Arts Center, the Western Museum of Mining and Industry, the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, and the Museum of the American Cowboy. However, it is the famed US Air Force Academy, set against the backdrop of the Front Range, that most people come to visit.

The Cadet Chapel, featuring massive 150-foot spires, reflects a progressive, modern image. There’s also a World War II B-52 bomber on display.

From the air, Colorado Springs is outlined with numerous military posts. In the boom years of the 1950s, the town used its naturalsanctuary status to pull in the Defense Force to safeguard its economy.

The Broadmoor Hotel is Colorado Springs’ most famous landmark. Built in 1918, its lavish Italian Renaissance style is complemented by the framework of Cheyenne Mountain. There are hiking and cycling paths, including the challenging North Cheyenne Canyon Trail.

The road to Pikes Peak twists around treacherous hairpin curves for 19 miles and finally reaches the summit at a breathtaking 14,110 feet. There are views of Colorado Springs, the distant Denver Metro, and the rugged peaks of the Continental Divide.

Another way to climb to the top is to hop aboard the century-old Pikes Peak Cog Railway from Manitou Springs.

The Colorado Springs Municipal Airport is located 67 miles south of Denver by I-25. There are shuttle services between the cities.