Manitou Springs, Colorado

Last updated

Manitou Springs
Home rule municipality [1]
Manitou Springs City Hall.JPG
The Manitou Springs City Hall
Flag of Manitou Springs, Colorado.svg
Flag
Motto: 
At the foot of Pikes Peak
El Paso County Colorado Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Manitou Springs Highlighted 0848445.svg
Location of the City of Manitou Springs in El Paso County, Colorado.
USA Colorado location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Manitou Springs
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Manitou Springs
Coordinates: 38°51′27″N104°54′46″W / 38.85750°N 104.91278°W / 38.85750; -104.91278
Country Flag of the United States.svg  United States
State Flag of Colorado.svg  Colorado
County El Paso County [2]
City Manitou Springs [1]
Incorporated January 25, 1888 [3]
Government
 • Type Home rule municipality [1]
 • MayorJohn Graham [4]
Area
[5]
 • Total3.15 sq mi (8.16 km2)
 • Land3.15 sq mi (8.16 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
[6]
6,412 ft (1,920 m)
Population
 (2020) [7]
 • Total4,858
 • Density1,500/sq mi (600/km2)
Time zone UTC-7 (MST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code [8]
80829
Area code 719
FIPS code 08-48445
GNIS feature ID2411021 [6]
Website www.manitouspringsgov.com

Manitou Springs is a home rule municipality located at the foot of Pikes Peak in western El Paso County, Colorado, United States. The town was founded for its natural mineral springs. The downtown area continues to be of interest to travelers, particularly in the summer, with many shops and restaurants, as well as a creekside city park. The main road through the center of town was one of the direct paths to the base of Pikes Peak. Barr Trail, which winds its way up Pikes Peak, is accessible from town. The subdivision Crystal Hills was added to the municipality in the 1960s.

Contents

The city population was 4,858 at the 2020 United States Census. [7] Students are served by Manitou Springs School District 14 and Manitou Springs High School.

History

General William Jackson Palmer and Dr. William Abraham Bell founded Manitou Springs in 1872, intending the town to be a "scenic health resort". Bell's home, Briarhurst Manor, is open to the public as a fine dining restaurant, which is listed on the National Register of Historic places. In 1876, the town was incorporated. [9] "Manitou Springs has been the quintessential tourist town since the 1870s, when visitors discovered the healing waters the Ute Indians had been drinking for years. Many of the town's mineral springs still function today and the water is free." [10]

Historic district

In 1980, the Manitou Springs Historic District was formed by the Historic Preservation Committee to manage development, renovation and preservation within the town. [9] It is a National Register of Historic Places listing [11] and one of the country's largest National Historic Districts. [12]

Waldo Canyon fire

In June 2012, the entire city was evacuated due to the Waldo Canyon fire nearby. Parts of western Colorado Springs were also evacuated. Manitou Springs did not suffer any fire damage, and the city was under evacuation orders from only 1:30 a.m. Monday until 8 p.m. the same day. There was no fire damage visible from Manitou Springs, and all businesses reopened. [13]

Waldo Canyon flash flood

On the afternoon of August 9, 2013, the city was inundated by a flash flood entering the northern edges of the city via roadways and natural channels as it descended from the flooded-out US Hwy 24. Traffic was stopped in both directions as the highway barriers formed a river drifting several occupied cars down a runoff ditch. The strong current made a path down Manitou Avenue from Cavern Gulch, as well as Canon Avenue, meandering turbulently through streets, homes, businesses, and spillways, damaging 20 homes, 8 of them significantly. The flood water threatened buildings and parking lots along Fountain Creek, and closed a portion of Manitou Avenue, which reopened later that evening. [14]

Geography

Situated directly along U.S. Route 24 just west of Old Colorado City and Cave of the Winds, the town is bordered by Mt. Manitou to the west, Red Mountain to the south, and Englemann Canyon, south and west. It is near Garden of the Gods, with the same red stone as Red Mountain, [15] and is at the base of Pikes Peak. [12] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.2 km2), all of it land. [16]

Climate

Manitou Springs has a humid continental climate (Koppen: Dfb), categorized by four distinct seasons. Summertime is hot, and wintertime is cool, sometimes cold. Spring and fall are generally very pleasant.

Climate data for Manitou Springs, Colorado
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °F (°C)73
(23)		76
(24)		81
(27)		87
(31)		94
(34)		100
(38)		100
(38)		99
(37)		94
(34)		86
(30)		78
(26)		77
(25)		100
(38)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)43
(6)		45
(7)		52
(11)		60
(16)		69
(21)		79
(26)		85
(29)		82
(28)		75
(24)		63
(17)		51
(11)		42
(6)		62
(17)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)18
(−8)		20
(−7)		26
(−3)		33
(1)		43
(6)		51
(11)		57
(14)		56
(13)		47
(8)		36
(2)		25
(−4)		18
(−8)		36
(2)
Record low °F (°C)−26
(−32)		−27
(−33)		−11
(−24)		−3
(−19)		21
(−6)		32
(0)		42
(6)		39
(4)		22
(−6)		5
(−15)		−8
(−22)		−24
(−31)		−27
(−33)
Average precipitation inches (mm)0.32
(8.1)		0.36
(9.1)		1.00
(25)		1.42
(36)		2.03
(52)		2.50
(64)		2.84
(72)		3.34
(85)		1.19
(30)		0.82
(21)		0.40
(10)		0.34
(8.6)		16.56
(421)
Source: Weather.com [17]

Government

Manitou Springs is a local government and a home rule city located within the Colorado Springs metropolitan area. [9]

City council

Manitou Springs is managed by the elected mayor and six city council members. The mayor is elected to a two-year term. Council members are elected to 4 year, overlapping, terms. Three council members are "at large" members and three members represent one of each of the 3 wards in Manitou Springs. [18] [19] Manitou Springs residents may attend the following meetings or working sessions held each month at the Council Chambers at 606 Manitou Avenue. [20]

1st Tuesday2nd Tuesday3rd Tuesday4th Tuesday
City Council meetingWorking sessionCity Council meetingOptional working session

City boards and commissions

The Manitou Springs City Boards and Commissions include: [21]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880 422—
1890 1,439241.0%
1900 1,303−9.5%
1910 1,3574.1%
1920 1,129−16.8%
1930 1,2056.7%
1940 1,46221.3%
1950 2,58076.5%
1960 3,62640.5%
1970 4,27818.0%
1980 4,4754.6%
1990 4,5351.3%
2000 4,9809.8%
2010 4,9920.2%
2020 4,858−2.7%
U.S. Decennial Census

Attractions and community events

Attractions

Attractions include: [33]

Mineral springs and parks

Events

Annual events include: [46]

Inns and hotels

A view overlooking the city from the foothills Overlooking the city of Manitou Springs Colorado.jpg
A view overlooking the city from the foothills

Notable people

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colorado Springs, Colorado</span> City in Colorado, United States

Colorado Springs is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. It is the most populous city in El Paso County, with a population of 478,961 at the 2020 census, a 15.02% increase since 2010. Colorado Springs is the second-most populous city and the most extensive city in the state of Colorado, and the 39th-most-populous city in the United States. It is the principal city of the Colorado Springs metropolitan area and the second-most prominent city of the Front Range Urban Corridor. It is located in east-central Colorado on Fountain Creek, 70 miles (113 km) south of Denver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garden of the Gods</span> Protected rock formation near Colorado Springs, Colorado

Garden of the Gods is a 1,341.3 acre public park located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States. 862 acres of the park was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pikes Peak Cog Railway</span> Tourist cog railway to Pikes Peak, Colorado

The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway is a cog railway that climbs one of the most iconic mountains in the United States, Pikes Peak in Colorado. The base station is in Manitou Springs, near Colorado Springs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cave of the Winds (Colorado)</span>

Cave of the Winds is a cave in the Pikes Peak region of Colorado. It is located just west of Colorado Springs on U.S. Highway 24, near the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. Tours of the complex of caves are given daily.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cascade, Colorado</span> Unincorporated community in State of Colorado, United States

Cascade is an unincorporated community and U.S. Post Office in El Paso County, Colorado, United States. The ZIP Code of the Cascade Post Office is 80809.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Colorado Springs, Colorado</span> Place in Colorado, United States

Before it was founded, the site of modern-day Colorado Springs, Colorado, was part of the American frontier. Old Colorado City, built in 1859 during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush was the Colorado Territory capital. The town of Colorado Springs was founded by General William Jackson Palmer as a resort town. Old Colorado City was annexed into Colorado Springs. Railroads brought tourists and visitors to the area from other parts of the United States and abroad. The city was noted for junctions for seven railways: Denver and Rio Grande (1870), Denver and New Orleans Manitou Branch (1882), Colorado Midland (1886-1918), Colorado Springs and Interurban, Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe (1889), Rock Island (1889), and Colorado Springs and Cripple Creek Railways. It was also known for mining exchanges and brokers for the Cripple Creek Gold Rush.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Colorado City Branch Carnegie Library</span>

The Old Colorado City Library is a currently operating branch library of the Pikes Peak Library District. It is housed in a 1904 Carnegie Library that has been in continuous service as a library since opening December 7, 1904. The library is located at 2418 West Pikes Peak Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80904, in the historic district of Old Colorado City. Current hours of operation, policies, and programming can be found through the Pikes Peak Library District website.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uncompahgre Ute</span>

The Uncompahgre Ute or ꞌAkaꞌ-páa-gharʉrʉ Núuchi is a band of the Ute, a Native American tribe located in the US states of Colorado and Utah. In the Ute language, uncompahgre means "rocks that make water red." The band was formerly called the Tabeguache.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manitou Springs Historic District</span> Historic district in Colorado, United States

Manitou Springs Historic District in Manitou Springs, Colorado is roughly bounded by US 24, Ruxton Avenue, El Paso Boulevard and Iron Mountain Avenue. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, it is one of the country's largest National Historic Districts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cliff House (Manitou Springs, Colorado)</span> United States historic place

Cliff House in Manitou Springs, Colorado is a Queen Anne style hotel in the Manitou Springs Historic District. It is a National Register of Historic Places listing. The Cliff House at Pikes Peak is a member of Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manitou Mineral Springs</span> United States historic place

Manitou Mineral Springs are natural mineral springs in Manitou Springs, Colorado and Cheyenne Spring House is on the National Register of Historic Places. The springs are located in one of the country's largest National Historic Districts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manitou Bathhouse</span> United States historic place

Manitou Bathhouse or Manitou Spa is a historic building located along Fountain Creek in Manitou Springs, Colorado. Once used as a mineral water bathhouse or spa, the building is now used for stores and other businesses on the first floor. The second and third floors hold residential units. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. Located in the building is Adam's Mountain Cafe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crystal Valley Cemetery</span> United States historic place in Manitou Springs, Colorado

Crystal Valley Cemetery is a cemetery located on Plainview Place in Manitou Springs, Colorado. Since its establishment in 1882, it has been the principal cemetery in Manitou Springs. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Roswell, now annexed into the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was a coal mine settlement near the northern bluffs of Colorado Springs and a 19th-century railroad junction. The town was located at roughly the present intersection of Fillmore Street and North Nevada Avenue in Colorado Springs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iron Springs, Colorado</span>

Iron Springs, a neighborhood in Manitou Springs, Colorado, was an area named for one of Manitou Mineral Springs. The Manitou area had been frequented by Native Americans who considered it a sacred and healing place before European Americans settled in Manitou.

Englemann Canyon is a valley along Ruxton Creek, in Manitou Springs, El Paso County, Colorado. It is one of three canyons in Manitou Springs, the others are Ute Pass and Williams Canyon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruxton Park</span> Park in Manitou Springs, Colorado, US

Ruxton Park is a park in Manitou Springs, El Paso County, Colorado at 9,078 feet (2,767 m) in elevation. The Manitou and Pike's Peak Railway, which departs from the depot at 6,570 feet (2,000 m) in elevation, climbs into Englemann Canyon along Ruxton Creek. It passes by the site of the Halfway Hotel and then Ruxton Park at mile marker 3 on the 8.9 mile trip to Pikes Peak summit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colorado Springs and Interurban Railway</span> Electric trolley system in Colorado, US

The Colorado Springs and Interurban Railway was an electric trolley system in the Colorado Springs, Colorado area that operated from 1902 to 1932. The company was formed when Winfield Scott Stratton purchased Colorado Springs Rapid Transit Railway in 1901 and consolidated it in 1902 with the Colorado Springs & Suburban Railway Company. It operated in Colorado Springs, its suburbs, and Manitou Springs. One of the street cars from Stratton's first order is listed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Active Colorado Municipalities". State of Colorado, Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Division of Local Government. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Colorado Counties". State of Colorado, Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Division of Local Government. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Colorado Municipal Incorporations". State of Colorado, Department of Personnel & Administration, Colorado State Archives. December 1, 2004. Retrieved September 2, 2007.
  4. ↑ "City of Manitou Springs website". City of Manitou Springs. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  5. ↑ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  6. 1 2 "City of Manitou Springs". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  7. 1 2 United States Census Bureau. "Manitou Springs city; Colorado" . Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  8. ↑ "ZIP Code Lookup". United States Postal Service. Archived from the original (JavaScript/HTML) on November 4, 2010. Retrieved November 17, 2007.
  9. 1 2 3 "Welcome to Manitou Springs". City of Manitou Springs. Archived from the original on October 6, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Manitou Springs". Colorado Tourism Office. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  11. ↑ National Register of Historic Places in El Paso County, Colorado. American Dreams. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  12. 1 2 Eric Peterson (January 29, 2009). Frommer's Denver, Boulder & Colorado Springs. John Wiley & Sons. p. 197. ISBN   978-0-470-46523-3 . Retrieved May 4, 2013.
  13. ↑ "Fire at 3,600 acres -- and growing | fire, county, canyon - WALDO CANYON FIRE - Colorado Springs Gazette, CO". Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved June 30, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Waldo Canyon flooding causes damage to 20 homes". Denver Post. July 2013. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  15. ↑ Manitou Springs Historic District Nomination Form Archived 2013-11-12 at the Wayback Machine . History Colorado. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Manitou Springs city, Colorado". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved January 25, 2016.[ permanent dead link ]
  17. ↑ "weather.com" . Retrieved October 26, 2012.
  18. ↑ "City Council". City of Manitou Springs. Archived from the original on January 5, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  19. ↑ "Manitou Springs Ward Map" (PDF). City of Manitou Springs. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 19, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  20. ↑ "City Council Meetings". City of Manitou Springs. Archived from the original on January 1, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  21. ↑ "City Boards and Commissions". City of Manitou Springs. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  22. ↑ "Business Improvement District". City of Manitou Springs. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Restore Fountain Creek". Fountain Creek Restoration Project. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  24. ↑ Historic Preservation Committee. City of Manitou Springs. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  25. ↑ "iManitou". City of Manitou Springs. Archived from the original on October 6, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  26. ↑ "Metro Parking District". City of Manitou Springs. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  27. ↑ "Mineral Springs Foundation". Mineral Springs Foundation, Manitou Springs, Colorado. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  28. ↑ "Open Space Advisory Committee". City of Manitou Springs. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  29. ↑ "Park and Recreation Advisory Board". City of Manitou Springs. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  30. ↑ "Parking Authority Board". City of Manitou Springs. Archived from the original on May 8, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  31. ↑ "Planning Commission". City of Manitou Springs. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  32. ↑ "Urban Renewal Authority Board". City of Manitou Springs. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  33. ↑ Historic Manitou Springs, Colorado - 2013 Visitors Guide. The Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce, Visitors Bureau & Office of Economic Development. 2013. pp. 19–24.
  34. ↑ "Iron Springs Chateau Melodrama Dinner Theatre". Colorado Tourism Office. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  35. ↑ Iron Springs Chateau Melodrama Dinner Theatre Archived 2013-05-16 at the Wayback Machine . Pikes-peak.com Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  36. ↑ "Discover History, Explore the Past at the Manitou Cliff Dwellings". Manitou Cliff Dwellings. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  37. ↑ Manitou Springs Cliff Dwelling Museum. Retrieved May 14, 2013
  38. 1 2 3 Janet Kolb. "Manitou Springs: Arts, history, entertainment founded on pure mineral water [July 21, 2002. Corrected 08/14/02]." Colorado Springs: The Gazette. 2002. HighBeam Research. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
  39. ↑ Pikes Peak Cog Railway. Manitou & Pike's Peak Cog Railway. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  40. ↑ Manitou Springs Food Tours. Colorado Springs Food Tours. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  41. ↑ Manitou Springs Heritage Center. Historic Manitou Springs, Inc. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  42. ↑ Historic Manitou Springs, Colorado - 2013 Visitors Guide. The Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce, Visitors Bureau & Office of Economic Development. 2013. pp. 10–11, 40–41.
  43. ↑ Historic Manitou Springs, Colorado - 2013 Visitors Guide. The Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce, Visitors Bureau & Office of Economic Development. 2013. pp. 13, 40–41.
  44. ↑ Manitou Springs Park and Trails map. Manitou Springs Government. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  45. ↑ "Manitou Mineral Springs". Visit Colorado Springs. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  46. ↑ Historic Manitou Springs, Colorado - 2013 Visitors Guide. The Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce, Visitors Bureau & Office of Economic Development. 2013. p. 13.
  47. ↑ Manitou Springs Fruitcake Toss. Visit Colorado Springs. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  48. 1 2 3 4 Historic Speakers Series [ permanent dead link ]. Manitou Springs Heritage Center. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  49. 1 2 3 Travis Duncan. "Calendar Benefits Library; Work of 17 local artists is showcased in '09 'Historic Manitou Springs' calendar." Colorado Springs: The Gazette. September 28, 2008. HighBeam Research. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
  50. ↑ 9Health Fair Archived 2013-05-02 at the Wayback Machine . 9Health Fair. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  51. ↑ Manitou Springs Colorado Wine Festival. Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  52. ↑ Garden of the Gods 10 Mile Run. Garden of the Gods 10 Mile Run. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  53. ↑ About. Clayfest. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  54. ↑ Overview Archived 2013-08-13 at the Wayback Machine . Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  55. ↑ Good ol Sumertime Ice Cream Social and Pie Baking Contest Archived 2013-09-18 at the Wayback Machine . Historic Manitou Springs. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  56. ↑ Pikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb. Summit Cycling Productions. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  57. ↑ Buddy Walk. National Down Syndrome Society. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  58. ↑ Craft Lager Festival. Colorado Springs Craft Beer Festival Inc. May 14, 2013.
  59. ↑ Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  60. ↑ Mountain Music Festival. Visit Colorado Springs. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  61. 1 2 3 National Register of Historic Places in El Paso County, Colorado. American Dreams. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  62. ↑ Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon Age-Group and Course Records, Skyrunner.com

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