Previous Issues

Today, military personnel, college students, high-tech employees, evangelical Christians, old money families and retirees all call the city home, and it makes for an eclectic, generally conservative, population.   Downtown Colorado Springs is clean and marked by wide streets (so designed in the early days to make it easier for horse-drawn wagons to make U-turns), parks, office buildings, banks, coffee shops, bookstores, Palmer High School, Penrose Library and very long traffic lights.  Although there is not much traffic (parking spaces are plentiful), there is plenty of activity.   Pikes Peak Avenue runs east/west through the middle of downtown, and as one stands in the center of the street and looks west, purple and pink Pikes Peak looms above the Antlers Hotel and nearly takes one's breath away.  

Shopping is more than adequate, although downtown does not have a lot of shops and no grocery stores.  There are several malls, including The Citadel, beyond downtown that have almost anything one might want.   In the early days, when gold was being discovered just west of the city, some shady characters set up shop here, and it seems as though some are still here operating tourist attractions, of which there are many because Colorado Springs is still a tourist destination to this day.  Some of these are good fun, but some are rip-offs, plain and simple.   A few of the attractions include the Cog Railway, which is enjoyable (if one is not afraid of heights) and takes very brave people to the top of Pikes Peak; the Flying W Ranch, a dude ranch; the Manitou Cliff Dwellings, a phony representation of the homes of the ancient Anasazi; and Seven Falls, a privately-owned tourist trap showcasing seven "amazing" waterfalls along a canyon wall (they are indeed along a canyon wall, but they are not amazing by any known standard).   

Those with more sophisticated tastes enjoy attending musical events at the Pikes Peak Center and listening to the Colorado Springs Symphony Orchestra.  The U.S. Air Force Academy Band, playing just north of town, presents free concerts.  Senior also enjoy the Colorado Opera Festival, the Colorado Dance Theatre and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, as well as attending theatrical events at the Broadmoor International Center, plays at Colorado College and dinner theater at the fun Iron Springs Chateau.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is on the side of the mountain that houses NORAD and is only for those in good shape.   A real jewel of the area is awe-inspiring Garden of the Gods Park, home to gorgeous scenery and beautiful, somewhat mystical, red sandstone rock formations.   Nearby Pike National Forest provides opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing and cross-country skiing.    The city has a handful of 18 hole golf courses.  And, of course, one can always hike along the Barr National Recreation Trail to the top of 14,115 foot tall Pikes Peak.  Or one can be realistic and just drive to the top.  

Health care is not outstanding but is adequate.  The primary, full-service  medical facilities are Memorial Hospital and Penrose Hospital, both with critical and emergency care, oncology and cardiac care.  Denver is located roughly 65 miles north along I-25 and offers an extensive array of medical care if needed.

The 17,000 square foot Colorado Springs Senior Center (719-385-5933) provides programs and services to those 55 or older and features an art gallery, a ceramics room, a computer lab, an exercise room and more.   The Center publishes a 32-page guide outlining the programs available and is a great place to volunteer.   The Colorado Senior Network User's Group helps seniors learn about computers.   Meals on Wheels is active as well.

This part of the country has a four season climate.  Winters bring a mixture of stunningly beautiful days with sparkling blue skies and occasionally cloudy, snowy days.  Most snow melts within a day or two, although heavy blizzards are not uncommon.  Summers are usually not too hot (the elevation helps keep the temperature cool) and are dry.   Colorado Springs is currently in a drought, as is much of the West, and water restrictions often occur.   Springs can be stormy but not always, and autumns are spectacular.  The sun shines roughly 75% of the time.   

The city has a few drawbacks.  It can become crowded with tourists in the summer, although it is large enough not to be overwhelmed by them.  The overall crime rate is about average, but property crimes are above the national average.  Local authorities say much of this crime takes place around the Fort Carson army base south of town.  Public transportation is very limited.  Although downtown traffic is not a problem, in other parts of the city, particularly along the edges and along I-25, traffic can be terrible.  On the highway to Denver, a section of the road called Monument Hill can present truly nightmarish driving conditions if even the slightest snowstorm hits.  And the worst drawback, in our opinion, is that a mining company years ago opened a large quarry pit half way up Pikes Peak and created a very visible, very unattractive, beige-colored "scar on the mountain" that can be seen for miles.    Zebulon Pike would cry if he saw it.

Return to Page 1

Great Retirement Spots Newsletter is published weekly by Webwerxx, Inc.  2770 S. Elmira St., #152, Denver, CO  80231. (303) 358-0512.  Copyright © 2006.  All rights reserved.  No part of this electronic publication may be reproduced without the express written consent of Webwerxx, Inc.  All attempts were made to verify the accuracy of the information contained in this bulletin, but some information may have changed since publication. Webwerxx, Inc. cannot be held responsible for information that has changed since this publication appeared online.  Please contact us at staff@greatretirementspots.com if you have questions or comments.  To unsubscribe or change your subscription information, click here.