Colorado Springs is the second biggest city in all of Colorado! That means a lot of people live here—and even more love to visit. It’s a busy city, but it still feels friendly and welcoming.

One of the coolest things about Colorado Springs is that it sits right at the bottom of a giant mountain called Pikes Peak. This mountain is so famous, people from all over the world come to see it. You can even take a train or drive to the top to look out over the whole area!

The city is really high up—over 6,000 feet above sea level. That’s even higher than Denver, which is called the “Mile High City.” So when you’re in Colorado Springs, you’re actually living high up in the mountains!

About 440,000 people live in Colorado Springs. That means it’s big enough to have everything you need—like schools, stores, parks, and restaurants—but it still feels cozy like a hometown.

Every year, millions of visitors come to Colorado Springs to explore the outdoors, hike the trails, and enjoy the sunshine. People love the mix of city life and nature all in one place.

Colorado Springs has a really cool history!

The city was started way back in 1871 by a man named General William Jackson Palmer. He thought this would be a great place to build a town because of the beautiful views, fresh mountain air, and wide open land. He was right—people loved it!

In the 1890s, gold was discovered in the nearby hills around Pikes Peak. When people heard about the gold, they rushed to the area hoping to find some for themselves. The town grew fast with new homes, shops, and families moving in.

Did you know the song “America the Beautiful” was written right here in Colorado Springs? A woman named Katharine Lee Bates visited Pikes Peak and was so inspired by the view that she wrote the words to the famous song. People still sing it all the time today!

In the 1940s, the U.S. Army built a military base here called Camp Carson, which is now called Fort Carson. Since then, other military bases have also been built nearby. Today, Colorado Springs has a strong connection to the military and is home to many military families.

🌄 Cool Places to Visit

There are so many exciting places to see in Colorado Springs! Whether you’re here for a visit or moving in for good, you’ll love exploring these spots with your family:

• Garden of the Gods – This is one of the most famous places in Colorado Springs. It has huge red rock formations that were made by nature a long, long time ago. You can hike, take pictures, and even watch rock climbers!

• Seven Falls – A beautiful waterfall that flows down seven levels of rock. You can climb stairs to see the view from the top, or take an elevator inside the mountain to a lookout spot!

• Pikes Peak – This is the big mountain you see from the city. You can drive or ride a special train to the top. When you get there, you can see for miles and miles—sometimes even into other states!

• Cheyenne Mountain Zoo – This zoo is built on the side of a mountain! It has giraffes, elephants, lions, and so many more animals. You can even feed the giraffes by hand!

• United States Air Force Academy – This is a special college where future Air Force officers train. It has cool buildings, a chapel with pointy towers, and beautiful trails all around.

🗣 What People Call Things Here

Colorado Springs has some nicknames and local terms that people here use all the time:

• “The Springs” – Lots of people just call the city “The Springs” instead of saying the whole name.

• The Front Range – This means the area where the Rocky Mountains meet the flat land. Colorado Springs is right along this edge.

• I-25 – This is the big highway that goes through the city. People drive it every day to get to work, school, or fun places.

🚴 Fun Things To Do

If you like being outside, Colorado Springs is the perfect place to live! There are mountains to climb, parks to play in, rivers to visit, and trails to walk, hike, or ride bikes on.

Here are a few popular outdoor spots people love:

• Pikes Peak Recreation Area – A great place to hike, fish, or camp near the famous mountain.

• Palmer Park – A big park right in the city with hiking trails, picnic spots, and awesome views.

• Seven Bridges Trail – A fun hike that crosses seven wooden bridges over a stream.

• Pulpit Rock Park – A trail that leads to a big rock where you can see the whole city from up high!

🛍️ Where to Shop

Colorado Springs has tons of places to shop—whether you need clothes, toys, home items, or something fun!

Here are some of the top spots:

• The Promenade Shops at Briargate – An outdoor mall with lots of cool stores and yummy places to eat.

• Chapel Hills Mall – A big indoor mall with clothing shops, games, and snacks.

• The Citadel – A fun place with stores for shoes, sports, and more.

• First & Main Town Center – A big shopping area with stores, restaurants, and even a movie theater.

🎓 Schools and Colleges

Families love living in Colorado Springs because there are so many great schools for kids and teens. Here are some of the school districts you might live near:

• Academy District 20 – Known for strong academics and good sports programs.

• Cheyenne Mountain District 12 – A small but popular district with great schools.

• Falcon District 49 – One of the fastest-growing districts with lots of new schools.

• Fountain-Fort Carson District 8 – Great for military families near Fort Carson.

• Widefield District 3 – Friendly schools in the southern part of the city.

For college students or adults, Colorado Springs also has excellent colleges and universities:

• Pikes Peak State College – Offers many career programs and classes.

• University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS) – A large college with lots of majors and activities.

• Colorado College – A small, private college known for its unique teaching style.

• United States Air Force Academy – A college and military training school for future Air Force leaders.

Military Bases in the Area

Many people move to Colorado Springs because of the military. The city is home to several important military bases:

• Fort Carson – A big Army base located in the southern part of the city.

• Peterson Space Force Base – A base near the airport, focused on space and defense.

• Schriever Space Force Base – A high-tech base about 10 miles east of the city.

• Cheyenne Mountain – A famous base built inside a mountain! It helps track things in space and defend the country.

• U.S. Air Force Academy – A place where young men and women train to become Air Force officers.

Military families can find lots of great neighborhoods close to each base, with homes that fit all kinds of needs—big homes, small homes, quiet areas, or places full of activity.

🏡 Popular Neighborhoods

Colorado Springs has many neighborhoods, each with its own feel. Whether you’re looking for something quiet and cozy or big and beautiful, there’s a place for you.

Here are some top neighborhoods people love:

• Downtown – Full of charm! Walk to coffee shops, stores, and parks. Many homes are older with unique style.

• Old Colorado City – A cool area with history, art shops, and great restaurants. Homes here are one-of-a-kind.

• Manitou Springs – A cute town near the mountains with springs, trails, and small stores. It feels like a vacation spot!

• Broadmoor – Fancy homes with big yards and beautiful views. It’s great if you’re looking for luxury.

• Briargate – A family-friendly neighborhood with parks, schools, and lots of shopping nearby.

• Northgate – A newer part of the city, close to the Air Force Academy. Homes are modern and great for families.

• Fountain – A growing town just south of Colorado Springs. It’s affordable and close to military bases.

• Powers – A busy and popular area with good schools, newer homes, and lots of stores and restaurants.