Colorado Springs is known for its natural beauty. Being surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains and fairyland-like names of natural destinations (Garden of the Gods Park and Cave of the Winds Mountain Park), it’s no wonder people want to live here. But what’s it really like to live in Colorado Springs?
Residents of every town will tell you — there are things here that only the locals understand. We’re going to shed some light on some fascinating Colorado Springs facts that will help you get to know the personality of the city you’re considering moving to. We might even share some juicy Colorado Springs secrets, too!
30 interesting Colorado Springs facts only residents know about
1. Nikola Tesla built his Experimental Station in this city back in 1899. Some dispute the location but the alleged location of his lab is in what is now known as Memorial Park. Residents of the city weren’t crazy about his experiments as they caused power surges throughout the city. He was even sued in 1904 by his landlord for unpaid debts and the lab was eventually torn down.
2. Bear sightings happen but, contrary to popular belief, bear attacks are rare. Over the past century, there have only been five fatal bear attacks. While even one fatality is too much in our book, most residents of Colorado Springs are cautious, though not fearful, of a bear attack.
3. Locals don’t always hike on the most famous trails in the area, like Garden of the Gods Park. While this area and others are drop-dead gorgeous, they’re often inundated with tourists. Not only is it hard to find a place to park but you don’t get the peace and quiet that most hikers enjoy while trying to be at one with nature. Locals tend to hike in non-touristy areas like Section 16 of the Black Forest north of Colorado Springs. This is a square-shaped loop that’s available to hikers and horseback riders but not to motorized vehicles.
4. The most heavily armed man in the United States lives in Colorado Springs. Mel Bernstein (a.k.a. The Dragon Man), a Vietnam vet from Brooklyn, runs a shooting range, motorbike track and a paintball course on his compound. He also owns and operates one of the most complete military museums, not just in the U.S. but in the world.
5. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is home to the largest herd of reticulated giraffes in the entire country. The reticulated giraffe species — also known as the Somali giraffe — is native to the Horn of Africa. There are around 8,500 living in the wild. More than 200 have been born in this zoo.
6. Poet Katharine Lee Bates spent a summer teaching at Colorado College in 1893. Why is this interesting? It’s because Ms. Bates was so inspired by a trip to Pikes Peak that she penned what would later become the lyrics to “America the Beautiful.”
7. The Wyndham Grand Hotel & Spa is home to a luxurious spa, two bars and a fine dining restaurant. The truly interesting feature of this destination is that it once was a stock exchange for local mining companies in the early-1900s, called The Mining Exchange.
8. Famed fashion designer Ralph Lauren owns a home near Colorado Springs, as well as over 15,000 acres of property. His luxurious, fully staffed home is his “July home.” Yes, he only lives there one month out of the year.
9. Ruth Etting, a famed singer and actress in the 1920s and 1930s, called Colorado Springs her home. The “Shine On, Harvest Moon” singer and her husband owned an eight-acre farm just outside of the city and at one point even owned/operated a restaurant. They’re both interred at the Shrine of Remembrance Mausoleum.
10. In 1918, the Frank Lewis-Dale Jones Gang struck the city and had multiple shootouts with officers. Though some went on the run, eventually every member of the gang was either arrested or killed between September 13 and November 20.
11. Colorado Springs was once a haven for people trying to recover from tuberculosis, including famed Doc Holliday. Doctors thought the natural mineral waters, mountain air and dry climate would cure the disease. While it did not cure tuberculosis, it did help with recovery.
12. If you’re a fan of boating, hiking and fishing, visit Crystal Creek Reservoir, which has over three miles of shoreline. But shhh…it’s a Colorado Springs secret. Most visitors head to Pikes Peak, which means you’ll get to enjoy your activities here without having to deal with a crowd.
13. Locals are proud of the Broadmoor Seven Falls because it’s the only waterfall in the state to earn a spot on National Geographic’s list of must-see international waterfalls. Be aware: Getting to the falls’ hiking trails requires a 224-stair climb.
14. “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” was set in Colorado Springs. However, the show was not filmed on location in Colorado. Instead, the filmmakers shot it in Agoura Hills, California.
15. The overall cost of living in Colorado Springs is higher than the U.S. average — except for food. You can definitely save some money on food. And isn’t that the most important thing? It is if you’re a foodie — and who isn’t these days?
16. If you don’t want people to know you’re new to the area or a tourist, refer to this city as “The Springs.”
17. Despite the city’s close proximity to Denver (only 70.9 miles away), locals never root for Denver sports teams. They’re diehard Colorado Springs sports team fans.
18. Residents of Colorado Springs are some of the healthiest in the country. It’s no wonder when the great outdoors is beckoning. Thankfully, if you’re looking for apartments in Colorado Springs, you won’t be at a loss to find ones near some of the best hiking and outdoor activities in the city.
19. Don’t try to travel on I-25 on Air Force Falcons game days or graduation days. On these days, the Thunderbirds fly overhead. It’s an awesome sight and one everyone should witness. And one that everyone does — while sitting (not actually driving) on I-25, where you’ll get a great view of the event.
20. If you’re going to spend a lot of money on a vehicle, it’s most likely going to be a bike, not a car. The city has over 100 miles of bike lanes, 120 miles of paved bike paths and over 60 miles of mountain biking trails. The Springs also has multiple bike-share/bike-rental options.
21. Colorado Springs is dog-friendly with numerous dog parks throughout the city — at least nine of which are off-leash parks.
22. At the base of Pikes Peak, you’ll find The North Pole – Santa’s Workshop, a Christmas-themed amusement park founded in 1956. The Park has panoramic views of the city and more than two dozen rides. And, of course, you get to meet the jolly big man himself!
23. The Cave of the Winds is definitely a tourist hot spot. It’s still enjoyed by local adventure-seekers who enjoy a ride called the Terror-Dactyl, which drops riders off a 200-foot cliff into Williams Canyon, 150-feet of which is a freefall that reaches speeds of 100 miles per hour. If you’re not one for free-falling terror, try the Bat-a-Pult – a fun zip-line ride that takes you across the canyon in a much less terrifying manner.
24. If you love laser tag, you’ll love Battlefield Colorado. It’s the only outdoor laser tag course in the state — and it takes up an entire block. The company offers military simulation technology, as well as sniper rifle-type lasers that shoot up to 1,000 feet. You’ll also have access to the laser tag equivalent of rapid-fire submachine guns and 50-caliber mounted guns.
25. The Garden of the Gods is a natural landmark at the foot of Pikes Peak. It’s a gorgeous place to visit and is a natural tourist destination due to the massive red rock formations. However, there’s another reason to visit this landmark: dinosaurs. Well, one, to be precise. Back in 1878, a Colorado College professor found a dinosaur bone (a skull to be exact), which was later (in 2008) identified as the only known Theiophytalia kerri in the world.
26. Olympic hopefuls often travel to The Springs in order to train. The U.S. Olympic Training Center is home to the U.S. Olympic Committee (and has been since 1978). The committee chose Colorado Springs as their training destination because of the high elevation, which many believe improves the effectiveness of an athletes’ training. The Training Center offers tours, allowing visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with elite athletes.
27. Colorado Springs is heaven for meteorologists. Weather around the front range of the Rocky Mountains is extremely chaotic, with exhilaratingly dramatic weather changes happening frequently. Scientists from all over the world come here to study the weather, including the intense, sometimes violent, winds.
28. The Antlers Hotel has had many incarnations over the years. First built in 1883, the hotel boasted Turkish baths and music rooms. Unfortunately, the original hotel burned down. In 1901, the owner wanted the hotel rebuilt, this time with Italian Renaissance architectural details. The hotel was bigger (with over 200 rooms) and more impressive. It was host to prestigious personages, including Theodore Roosevelt. In the 1960s, the hotel was demolished and rebuilt in the name of modernization.
29. Colorado Springs has a castle. It was built in 1896 as the personal home for a Catholic priest. Then, it was a sanitarium for patients with serious chronic illnesses. The castle is now a museum. It’s also haunted. Employees and guests regularly witness paranormal activities and apparitions.
30. California wasn’t the only state that witnessed a gold rush. Colorado had its fair share of gold miners, too. And visitors today can experience what mining life is like by visiting the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine, which descends over 1,000 feet into the Cripple Creek mountains. The mine is basically the height of the Empire State Building.
How you can learn about even more Colorado Springs facts
Learning about a new city is fascinating. Some people are so intrigued by the secrets they learn that they even decide to move to that city! Is that how you feel about Colorado Springs? If so, as a resident of Colorado Springs, you’ll get the inside scoop on some of the best-kept secrets and surprising features of this gorgeous, popular Colorado city.
