Manitou Springs is a home rule municipality located at the foot of

Pikes Peak Pikes Peak is the List of mountain ranges of Colorado#Mountain ranges, highest summit of the southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in North America. The Ultra-prominent peak, ultra-prominent fourteener is located in Pike National Forest, ...

in western El Paso County,

Colorado Colorado is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States. It is one of the Mountain states, sharing the Four Corners region with Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. It is also bordered by Wyoming to the north, Nebraska to the northeast, Kansas ...

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

. 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

. 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. Students are served by Manitou Springs School District 14 and Manitou Springs High School.

History

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. "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."

Historic district

In 1980, the Manitou Springs Historic District was formed by the Historic Preservation Committee to manage development, renovation and preservation within the town. It is a

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...

listingNational Register of Historic Places in El Paso County, Colorado.
American Dreams. Retrieved May 3, 2013. and one of the country's largest National Historic Districts.

Waldo Canyon fire

In June 2012, the entire city was evacuated due to the Waldo Canyon fire nearby. Parts of western

Colorado Springs Colorado Springs is the most populous city in El Paso County, Colorado, United States, and its county seat. The city had a population of 478,961 at the 2020 census, a 15.02% increase since 2010. Colorado Springs is the second-most populous c ...

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.

Waldo Canyon flash flood

On the afternoon of August 9, 2013, the city was inundated by a

flash flood A flash flood is a rapid flooding of low-lying areas: washes, rivers, dry lakes and depressions. It may be caused by heavy rain associated with a severe thunderstorm, hurricane, or tropical storm, or by meltwater from ice and snow. Flash f ...

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.

Geography

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,Manitou Springs Historic District Nomination Form
. History Colorado. Retrieved May 3, 2013. and is at the base of

. According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...

, the city has a total area of , all of it land.

Climate

Manitou Springs has a

humid continental climate A humid continental climate is a climatic region defined by Russo-German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1900, typified by four distinct seasons and large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers, and cold ...

(

Koppen Koppen is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Dan Koppen (born 1979), American football offensive lineman * (1929–1990), German literary scholar * (1855–1922), German author * Otto C. Koppen (1901–1991), American aircraf ...

: Dfb), categorized by four distinct seasons. Summertime is hot, and wintertime is cool, sometimes cold. Spring and fall are generally very pleasant.

Government

Manitou Springs is a

local government Local government is a generic term for the lowest tiers of governance or public administration within a particular sovereign state. Local governments typically constitute a subdivision of a higher-level political or administrative unit, such a ...

and a

home rule Home rule is the government of a colony, dependent country, or region by its own citizens. It is thus the power of a part (administrative division) of a state or an external dependent country to exercise such of the state's powers of governan ...

city located within the Colorado Springs metropolitan area.

City council

Manitou Springs is managed by the elected

mayor In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a Municipal corporation, municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilitie ...

and six

city council A municipal council is the legislative body of a municipality or local government area. Depending on the location and classification of the municipality it may be known as a city council, town council, town board, community council, borough counc ...

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. Manitou Springs residents may attend the following meetings or working sessions held each month at the Council Chambers at 606 Manitou Avenue.

City boards and commissions

The Manitou Springs City Boards and Commissions include: * 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." * Fountain Creek Restoration Committee * Historic Preservation Commission manages development, restoration and preservation of the Historic District.Historic Preservation Committee
City of Manitou Springs. Retrieved May 18, 2013. * Housing Advisory Board * iManitou including the Chamber of Commerce, Office of Economic Development and Visitors Bureau. * Metro Parking District, which operates parking lots. * Mineral Springs Foundation was organized to "restore, protect and publicize the natural mineral springs". * Open Space Advisory Committee was formed to acquire open space. * Park and Recreation Advisory Board is charged with the enhancement and promotion of the local parks and trails. * Parking Authority Board * Planning Commission, with the objective of "guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, well adjusted and harmonious development of the City and its environs." * Urban Renewal Authority Board to oversee the "redevelopment of the east end of Manitou Avenue."

Demographics

As of the

census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...

of 2000, there were 4,980 people, 2,452 households, and 1,255 families residing in the city. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: Standing stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geog ...

was . There were 2,654 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 93.98%

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...

, 3.65%

Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...

or Latino, 0.50%

African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...

, 1.06% Native American, 1.12% Asian, 0.12%

Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe th ...

, 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 Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...

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 Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...

for the city was $24,492. About 4.7% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.

Attractions and community events

Attractions

Attractions include: * Cave of the Winds, cave complex; tours given daily * The Iron Springs Chateau Melodrama Dinner Theater, located on Ruxton Avenue, is a dinner theatre for families and adults. * Manitou Cliff Dwellings, a full-size replica of Anasazi Indian cliff dwellings, as well as a museum. The cliff dwellings were built in the early 1900s, using materials from ruined cliff dwellings in the Four Corners area. * Manitou and Pike's Peak Railway, extending from Manitou Springs to the top of

*Manitou Springs Food Tour *Manitou Springs Heritage Center * Miramont Castle and Manitou Springs Fire Department Museum * Rainbow Falls (aka Graffiti Falls) is a

waterfall A waterfall is any point in a river or stream where water flows over a vertical drop or a series of steep drops. Waterfalls also occur where meltwater drops over the edge of a tabular iceberg or ice shelf. Waterfalls can be formed in seve ...

on Fountain Creek where there is a large amount of colorful

graffiti Graffiti (singular ''graffiti'', or ''graffito'' only in graffiti archeology) is writing or drawings made on a wall or other surface, usually without permission and within public view. Graffiti ranges from simple written "monikers" to elabor ...

painted on the canyon walls and bridge overpass. *

Mineral springs and parks

*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. *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. *There are a total of eight springs throughout town, each with their own mineral properties. * Manitou Incline, a former incline railway bed that rises over 2,000 feet above Manitou Springs is a popular hiking and fitness activity.

Events

Annual events include: January * The Great Fruitcake Toss * Historic Speaker series February * Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo cook off * Mardi Gras ParadeTravis 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. * Historic Speaker seriesHistoric Speakers Series
Manitou Springs Heritage Center. Retrieved May 14, 2013. March * Historic Speaker series April * 9 News Health Fair * Historic Speaker series June * Colorado Wine Festival * Garden of the Gods 10 Mile Run * Clayfest, Potter's competition *

Pikes Peak International Hill Climb The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC), also known as The Race to the Clouds, is an annual automobile Hillclimbing, hillclimb to the summit of Pikes Peak in the U.S. state of Colorado. The track measures and has over 156 tur ...

* Summer concert series at Soda Springs Park July * July 4 Fireworks * Ice Cream Social and Pie Baking Contest * Pikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb * Summer concert series at Soda Springs Park August * Buddy Walk * Craft Lager Festival * Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon * Mountain Music Festival * Summer concert series at Soda Springs Park September * Commonwheel Arts and Crafts Festival * Pikes Peak Challenge * ArtWalk Weekend October * Emma Crawford Memorial Coffin Races.Janet Kolb. "Manitou Springs: Arts, history, entertainment founded on pure mineral water uly 21, 2002. Corrected 08/14/02" Colorado Springs: ''The Gazette''. 2002. HighBeam Research. Retrieved May 5, 2013. * 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

Inns and hotels

Overlooking the city of Manitou Springs Colorado

* Barker House, (a private Residential Apartment building for many decades) was one of the first hotels in Manitou Springs and due to its long history, Barker House is on the

.National Register of Historic Places in El Paso County, Colorado.
American Dreams. Retrieved May 3, 2013. * Briarhurst Manor, Victorian manor house built by the founder of Manitou Springs, Dr. William Bell * Cliff House at Pikes Peak, a small luxury hotel and dining room, on the National Register of Historic Places

Notable people

* Justin Armour, NFL football player for the

Buffalo Bills The Buffalo Bills are a professional American football team based in the Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area. The Bills compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East div ...

and

Denver Broncos The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver. The Broncos compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC West, West division. The team is headquartered in E ...

* Matt Carpenter, athlete in the Pikes Peak Marathon.Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon Age-Group and Course Records
Skyrunner.com *Actors George Stults and Geoff Stults attended Manitou Springs High School. * Clarence R. Wallace, Brigadier general, USMC; was born in Manitou Springs * Atiba Jefferson, photographer

References

External links

*
Manitou Springs Chamber of CommercePikes Peak Country AttractionsCDOT map of the City of Manitou Springs
{{authority control Cities in El Paso County, Colorado Cities in Colorado Spa towns in the United States Pikes Peak Tourism in Colorado National Register of Historic Places in El Paso County, Colorado 1888 establishments in Colorado Populated places established in 1888