COLORADO SPRINGS, a low-density city 194 sq miles in size, is the business and cultural center of the spectacular Pikes Peak Region. Several smaller communities offer a wide variety of lifestyle and housing options within an hour's drive of the city: MONUMENT & PALMER LAKE to the north towards DENVER; MANITOU SPRINGS, CASCADE, CHIPITA PARK, GREEN MOUNTAIN FALLS, WOODLAND PARK, DIVIDE and CRIPPLE CREEK in the mountains to the west; SECURITY, WIDEFIELD and FOUNTAIN in the southern valley; FALCON, PEYTON, ELLICOTT and CALHAN on the eastern prairies.

Military installations include the US Air Force Academy, Ft. Carson, NORAD, Schriever AFB and Peterson AFB.

Hot link to Colorado Springs Attractions

Colorado Springs Colorado Facts and Figures Description: Colorado's second-largest city Elevation: 6,035 feet above sea level Population:  City: 374,344  Metro Area: 541,491 Founded:  1871, by General William Jackson Palmer County:  El Paso Square Miles:  183 Climate:  Moderate temperatures throughout the year. Colorado Springs is protected from harsh weather by two natural barriers: the Rocky Mountains to the west and Monument Divide to the north. Average Yearly Precipitation:  17.4 inches ("Alpine Desert") Average Yearly Humidity:  63% morning, 40% afternoon Average Yearly Days of Sunshine:  250 Average Yearly Snowfall:  37 inches Airport: 100 flights daily - Allegiant Air, American, America West, Continental, Delta, Mesa, Northwest, United Major Highways:  Interstate 25, U.S. 85/87 and 24, Colorado 83, 94, 115, 122 Hotel/Motel Rooms:  13,500 Hotel/Motel Single Room Rates:  $30 to $300 Average Number of Visitors Per Year:  6 million Area's Number-One Attraction Man-made: US Air Force Academy  1.4 million visitors per year Area's Number-One Attraction Natural:  Garden of the Gods   1.7 million visitors per year Average Per Family Cost to Visit:  $150 daily Pikes Peak Elevation:  14,110 feet above sea level Average Yearly Gross Income From Visitors:  over $1 billion Tourism-Related Employment:  16,000 jobs Shopping Centers:  36 Hospitals:  5 (with approximately 1040 beds) Golf Courses:  7 18-hole and 5 9-hole (public); 2 private; 3 military courses Parks:  156 City and County Parks (12,000 acres) Major Area Attractions:  50 Median Household Income:  $46,693 Universities/Colleges:  12/8 Graduate Schools:  4 Major Industries: Tourism, Military, Space Technology, Computers & Electronics, Printing & Publishing, Manufacturing Major Newspapers: The Gazette, The Colorado Springs Independent  Television Stations: KOAA-5/30, KKTV-11 (CBS), KRDO-13 (ABC), KXRM-21 (FOX); KTSC-8 (PBS), over 50 cable channels available Radio Stations:  16 FM Stations; 7 AM Stations  Courtesy of www.pikes-peak.com