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Manitou Springs, Colorado

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Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Template:Manitou Springs, Colorado

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.

The city population was 4,858 at the 2020 United States census.<ref name="Census 2020" /> Students are served by Manitou Springs School District 14 and Manitou Springs High School.

History

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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.<ref name="MS Welcome">Template:Cite web</ref> "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."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Historic district

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Template:Main In 1980, the Manitou Springs Historic District was formed by the Historic Preservation Committee to manage development, renovation and preservation within the town.<ref name="MS Welcome" /> It is a National Register of Historic Places listing<ref name="NRHP HD">National Register of Historic Places in El Paso County, Colorado. American Dreams. Retrieved May 3, 2013.</ref> and one of the country's largest National Historic Districts.<ref name="Peterson p. 197">Template:Cite book</ref>

Waldo Canyon fire

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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. <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Waldo Canyon flash flood

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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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Geography

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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,<ref name="History Colorado">Manitou Springs Historic District Nomination Form Template:Webarchive. History Colorado. Retrieved May 3, 2013.</ref> and is at the base of Pikes Peak.<ref name="Peterson p. 197"/> According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert, all of it land.<ref name="Census 2010">Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref>

Climate

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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. Template:Weather box

Government

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Manitou Springs is a local government and a home rule city located within the Colorado Springs metropolitan area.<ref name="MS Welcome" />

City council

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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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Manitou Springs residents may attend the following meetings or working sessions held each month at the Council Chambers at 606 Manitou Avenue.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

1st Tuesday 2nd Tuesday 3rd Tuesday 4th Tuesday
City Council meeting Working session City Council meeting Optional working session

City boards and commissions

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The Manitou Springs City Boards and Commissions include:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

  • Business Improvement District sponsors events and promotions to encourage tourism and business within Manitou Springs. It was also formed to "improve the cleanliness, safety, and marketability of the Downtown Historic District."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Fountain Creek Restoration Committee<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Historic Preservation Commission manages development, restoration and preservation of the Historic District.<ref name=HPC>Historic Preservation Committee. City of Manitou Springs. Retrieved May 18, 2013.</ref>
  • Housing Advisory Board
  • iManitou including the Chamber of Commerce, Office of Economic Development and Visitors Bureau.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Metro Parking District, which operates parking lots.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Mineral Springs Foundation was organized to "restore, protect and publicize the natural mineral springs".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Open Space Advisory Committee was formed to acquire open space.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Park and Recreation Advisory Board is charged with the enhancement and promotion of the local parks and trails.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Parking Authority Board<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Planning Commission, with the objective of "guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, well adjusted and harmonious development of the City and its environs."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Urban Renewal Authority Board to oversee the "redevelopment of the east end of Manitou Avenue."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Demographics

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Template:US Census population As of the census<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2000, there were 4,980 people, 2,452 households, and 1,255 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 2,654 housing units at an average density of Template:Cvt. The racial makeup of the city was 93.98% White, 3.65% Hispanic or Latino, 0.50% African American, 1.06% Native American, 1.12% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.94% from other races, and 2.27% from two or more races.

There were 2,452 households, out of which 22.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 40.2% were married couples living together' 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present; and 48.8% were non-families. 38.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.03 and the average family size was 2.73.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 18.6% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 32.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $40,514, and the median income for a family was $57,260. Males had a median income of $39,102 versus $24,286 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,492. About 4.7% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.

Attractions and community events

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Attractions

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Attractions include:<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Mineral springs and parks

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  • The Springsabouts Walking Tours, a tour of nine of the Manitou Mineral Springs sites offered by the Mineral Springs Foundation. People can also take their own tour of the springs by visiting The Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau to pick up a free mineral-springs brochure, content chart and a sampling cup.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
  • Parks, from east to west along Manitou Avenue, include Schryver Park, Memorial Park, Mansions Park, and Soda Springs Park. Fields Community Park is located on El Paso Boulevard. Seven Minute Gazebo is located behind Mansions and Memorial Parks.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Manitou Springs Park and Trails map. Manitou Springs Government. Retrieved May 14, 2013.</ref>
  • There are a total of eight springs throughout town, each with their own mineral properties.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Manitou Incline, a former incline railway bed that rises over 2,000 feet above Manitou Springs is a popular hiking and fitness activity.

Events

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Annual events include:<ref name="Guide p. 13">Template:Cite book</ref> Template:Col-begin Template:Col-break January

February

  • Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo cook off<ref name=Duncan />
  • Mardi Gras Parade<ref name=Duncan>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.</ref>
  • Historic Speaker series<ref name="Historic speakers">Historic Speakers SeriesTemplate:Dead link. Manitou Springs Heritage Center. Retrieved May 14, 2013.</ref>

March

  • Historic Speaker series<ref name="Historic speakers" />

April

  • 9 News Health Fair<ref>9Health Fair Template:Webarchive. 9Health Fair. Retrieved May 14, 2013.</ref>
  • Historic Speaker series<ref name="Historic speakers" />

June

July

Template:Col-break August

September

  • Commonwheel Arts and Crafts Festival
  • Pikes Peak Challenge
  • ArtWalk Weekend

October

  • Emma Crawford Memorial Coffin Races.<ref name=Kolb>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.</ref><ref name=Duncan />
  • Emma's Wake
  • Ghost Tours
  • Authorfest of the Rockies

November

  • MSVFD Turkey Shoot
  • Salvation Army Community Dinner
  • Victorian Christmas at Miramont

December

  • Breakfast with Santa
  • Santa at the Town Clock
  • Salvation Army Community Dinner

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Inns and hotels

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

Notable people

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</ref>

See also

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References

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Further reading

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Template:El Paso County, Colorado Template:Colorado Template:Protected areas of Colorado Template:Authority control

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