Woodland Park, CO 2009 Relocation and Tourism Guide

Welcome

BY AIRONN BISHOP

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BY AIRONN BISHOP

Table of conTenTs

Take a Peek! pg.

7

If Woodland Park is a perfect town for tourists, it’s an even better place to live.

pg.

18

Excellent health care is essential to a community’s quality of life.

pg.

28

Music, theater, and art thrive in Woodland Park year-round.

2 Greater Woodland Park chamber of commerce

Table of conTenTs

Table of Contents

What's Inside Welcome to Woodland Park!

The “City Above the Clouds”.............................................................. 6

Demographics

We’re Proud of Our Growing Reputation............................................ 7

Business & Commerce

New Additions to an Already Flourishing Community........................... 9

Tourism & Recreation

Amazing Vistas Open Before You...................................................... 12

Health Care

Woodland Park Welcomes Hometown Hospital.................................. 18

Education

Confronting Contemporary Challenges.............................................. 21

Real Estate

No More Desirable Place to Call Home.............................................. 24

Government

Regional Pride and Service............................................................... 26

Worship

Dedication to Neighbors and Community........................................... 27

Culture

The Arts Above the Clouds............................................................... 28

Woodland Park Events Calendar

Where and When to Be.................................................................... 30

Close

The Feeling of Coming Home........................................................... 31

Index of Advertisers.............................................. 32 4 Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce

210 E. Midland Avenue | Ute Pass Cultural Center | P.O. Box 9022 | Woodland Park, CO 80866 Office: 719-687-9885 | Fax: 719-687-8216 | Debbie Miller – President, IOM, ACE | debmiller@gwpcc.biz Visit us on the web @ www.woodlandparkchamber.com

BY AIRONN BISHOP

CHAMBER EVENTS:

• Monthly Business After Hours • Annual Dinner & Silent Auction • Annual Membership Breakfast • Chamber Business Expos (April & November) • Annual Golf Tournament • Rocky Mountain Oktoberfest Plus • Monthly Lunch and Learn Seminars

VISITOR CENTER:

Winter Hours: (Labor Day–Memorial Day) Monday–Friday: 8:00 AM–4:00 PM Summer Hours: Memorial Day–Labor Day) Monday–Friday: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 AM–2:00 PM

TOP WAYS THE CHAMBER WILL HELP YOUR BUSINESS: • Networking Opportunities • Tourism Liaison • Advocacy – A voice for business (Local, State and Federal) • Educational Opportunities • Business Referrals • Staffed, full time office and 24/7 website

Welcome To Woodland PaRk!

CommunityLink.com

1 800-455-5600

production production manager director of publication design managing editor copywriting proofreader director of photography photography provided by lead design web site creation & support director of media purchasing

MATT PRICE AMANDA WHITE LAURA WILCOXEN KATHERINE FORTUNE CHRISTINA REESE LISA LEHR KATHERINE FORTUNE KENNETH WYATT KELLY FRIEDERICH JOSH CHANDLER DIANA VAUGHN

business development director of business development director of outside sales business development manager marketing consultant customer service director customer service representative

GEORGE PRUDHOMME DEBBIE MOSS BONNIE EBERS CHRIS ROGERS KATHY RISLEY KACI ROBINSON

advertising director of ad development ad research ad traffic ad design

KACEY WOLTERS MARY KOPSHEVER AMY SCHWARTZKOPF CAROL SMITH JOSH MUELLER

administrative support administrative support

BY AIRONNaccount BISHOP support human resources assistant mailroom technician

KATHY HAGENE CAROL SMITH TERRI AHNER TRICIA CANNEDY TERESA CRAIG MELINDA BOWLIN

information technology publishing systems specialist

CHRISTOPHER MILLER

executive leadership chairman and founder chief financial officer

CRAIG WILLIAMS RHONDA HARSY

ABOUT This book is published by CommunityLink and distributed through the Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce. For advertising information or questions or comments about this book, contact CommunityLink at 800-455-5600 or by e-mail at info@CommunityLink.com.

The "city above the clouds"

O

n behalf of the residents of Teller County and the Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce, I would like to welcome you to our paradise. We thank you for your interest in our community and region.

In the following pages you will learn of a place we call home. We have prepared this publication to offer you a glimpse of Teller County and all we have to offer. Our members and our community leaders believe in this region and have made a considerable investment in it, as you will soon discover throughout this book.

Teller County is a region with proximity to a major metropolitan area, a dedicated workforce, and a quality of life that is second to none. We truly are the “Base Camp” for tourists seeking the best in hospitality amenities of the area. You can enjoy the natural splendors of Colorado and the Rocky Mountains right here in Teller County. With the Pike National Forest area abundant within the boundaries of Teller County, there is no lack of outdoor activity for family and friends — no matter what time of year.

Woodland Park sits at an elevation of 8,465 feet and is known as the “City Above the Clouds.” We experience over 300 days of sunshine a year. Cripple Creek serves as the county seat for Teller County and is home to many casinos as well. Just outside of Victor is one of the largest gold mining operations in our country. The Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mine is a true “gem” for our region. Scattered throughout Teller County we have several other pastoral communities, each with its own character and history. Although Teller County is just 557 square miles and has a population of approximately 25,000, we host within our borders thriving businesses, proactive governments, modern amenities, excellent schools, a state-of-the-art hospital, and extensive cultural heritage.

Indeed, Teller County has much to offer. You will find a kindred spirit when you arrive that will entice you to spend time visiting with the locals, exploring our pristine outdoor beauty, and wondering how soon you can relocate here.

Whatever your interest, the Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce believes you will find the Teller County region to be a vibrant backdrop for business, education, or culture, making it the perfect place to live, work, and raise a family.

I invite you to stop by and chat with us when you’re in the area. Let us help you to make the most out of your exploration of Woodland Park and the Teller County region.

Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce, Ute Pass Cultural Center, 210 East Midland, Woodland Park, CO 80866, 719-687-9885, Fax 719-687-8216, www.woodlandparkchamber.com

FOR INFORMATION

© 2009 Craig Williams Creative, Inc., 4742 Holts Prairie Road, Post Office Box 306, Pinckneyville, IL 62274-0306, 618-357-8653. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher.

6 Greater Woodland Park chamber of commerce

Debbie Miller, IOM, ACE President Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce

Demographics

We’re Proud of Our Growing Reputation

W

oodland Park, Colorado. The name conjures up images of a land where spruce branches stretch to the sky and sweet-smelling pines stand sentinel in your front yard, a place where the wind flutters through delicate aspen leaves. In your mind’s eye, you may see a herd of elk grazing in a mountain pasture dotted with wildflowers.

You might imagine a playground where hikers can follow rugged trails through fragrant forests and up the sides of soaring mountains, revealing breathtaking vistas, and where fishers are lured by the promise of what lies in the depths of crystal waters. It’s a paradise that even in winter beckons explorers with its sparkling snows and all the possibilities they bring.

Surrounded by the magnificence of Pike National Forest, Woodland Park lies in the shadow of Pikes Peak, Colorado’s most famous mountain. The area’s natural beauty and recreational opportunities have helped Woodland Park evolve from a bedroom community to a center of

shopping option for the residents of Woodland Park. Late 2007 also saw the opening of Pikes Peak Regional Hospital, a state-of-the-art facility and the first hospital in Teller County.

Throughout its growth, the town has worked hard to maintain its natural beauty. While growth is encouraged, citizens and leaders work together to ensure the growth of the town has minimal impact on the mountain ecosystem and does not exceed the area’s Surrounded by the magnificence of natural resources.

To learn more about the Pike National Forest, Woodland Park unparalleled quality of life in Woodland Park, the Greater lies in the shadow of Pikes Peak, Woodland Park Chamber of Colorado’s most famous mountain. Commerce offers you this guide to the community. In metropolitan areas. Perhaps due in part this book, you will find some of the reato this easy access, Woodland Park is sons so many people who visit Woodland enjoying a steady growth rate, and ser- Park end up moving here. But to truly vices that enhance the residents’ quality understand the appeal, you have to see it of life are being added constantly. In late for yourself.

Hope to see you soon!

2007 the town welcomed Wal-Mart to the neighborhood, adding another affordable commerce and leisure. Located just 18 miles west of Colorado Springs in beautiful Teller County, the town is now home to almost 8,000 people, all proud of their growing reputation as the ideal base camp from which to explore the region.

If Woodland Park is a perfect town for tourists, it’s an even better place to live. Since the town is situated along two major highways, commuting is easy for residents who work in nearby

www.woodlandparkchamber.com 7

demoGRaPhIcs

demographic/Important Information

Phone numbeRs To knoW Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce ........................................................719-687-9885 City of Woodland Park City Hall (utilities) ..................................................................................................719-687-9246 Police Department (non-emergency)......................................................................719-687-9262 Parks and Recreation ............................................................................................719-687-5225 Ute Pass Cultural Center ........................................................................................719-687-5284 Teller County Administrative Office .............................................................................................719-689-2988 Sheriff’s Office.......................................................................................................719-687-9652 Assessor’s Office ...................................................................................................719-689-2941 Public Works and Facilities ....................................................................................719-686-7950 Woodland Park School District RE-2 .........................................................................719-686-2000 Fire Department........................................................................................................719-687-1866 Woodland Park Public Library ...................................................................................719-687-9281 Utilities Black Hills Energy (natural gas) .............................................................................800-303-0752 Intermountain Rural Electric Association ................................................................719-687-9277 Qwest (telephone, television, and Internet) ............................................................800-475-7526 US Cable (television and Internet) ..........................................................................800-480-7020

COMMUNITY SNAPSHOT* Population

Total as of 2000 .................................6,515 Estimate as of 2008 ...........................7,950 Density .......... 1,175 people per square mile Gender .........................................Total ......Percent Female .............................3,251 ..........50.1 Male .................................3,264 ..........49.9 Age .................................... Total ..........Percent Under 5 years.................407 .................6.2 5–9 years .......................473 .................7.3 10–14 years ...................603 .................9.3 15–19 years ...................544 .................8.3 20–24 years ...................210 .................3.2 25–34 years ...................709 ...............10.9 35–44 years ................1,435 ...............22.0 45–54 years ................1,212 ...............18.6 55–59 years ...................292 .................4.5 60–64 years ...................208 .................3.2 65–74 years ...................284 .................4.4 75–84 years ...................110 .................1.7 85+ years ........................28 .................0.4 Median age ..........37.5 years 8 Greater Woodland Park chamber of commerce

Education

Completed ............... Percent of Population Less than 9th grade ...............................1.0 9th–12th grade, no diploma ...................2.1 High school graduate ...........................21.8 Some college .......................................29.4 Associate degree ....................................9.5 Bachelor’s degree.................................24.8 Graduate or professional degree...........11.5 Households ............................................Total ...Percent Households .........................2,476 ........100 Family households...............1,884 ..........76 Non-family households ......... 592............24

Average household size ........2.63 Average family size ..............3.03

clImaTe Elevation 8,465 feet

Temperature Summer (June–Aug.) High .............................................. 75.3°F Low.................................................. 39°F Warmest month..................................July High .............................................. 78°F Low .............................................. 41°F Winter (Dec.–Feb.) High .............................................. 39.7°F Low.................................................... 4°F Coolest month ............................. January High .............................................. 38°F Low ................................................ 3°F Precipitation Annual average .......................24.05 inches Wettest month .................................. August Average precipitation ..................4 inches Driest month .................................. January Average precipitation .............0.57 inches

Income (By Household)

Income..................... Percent of Population Less than $15,000 .................................6.0 $15,000–$24,999 ................................11.6 $25,000–$34,999 ................................13.6 $35,000–$49,999 ................................16.9 $50,000–$74,999 ................................22.1 $75,000–$99,999 ................................18.3 $100,000–$149,999 ..............................9.1 $150,000–$199,999 ..............................2.1 More than $200,000 ..............................0.3 Median Income (estimated 2005) .........................$52,300 Housing Median mortgage .............................$1,258 Median rent .........................................$780 Median home value (estimated 2005) .......................$192,600

*Source: 2000 U.S. Census

Business & Commerce

New Additions to an Already Flourishing Community

T

eller County Commissioner Jim Ignatiuas says it is Woodland Park’s industrial diversity that gives it such a solid economy. Unemployment rates in Teller County stay well below the national average, according to Ignatiuas, averaging 3.5 to 4 percent. The low rates are partially due to Woodland Park’s steady economic growth in 2007 and 2008. Several business developments have contributed to Woodland Park’s recent economic progress.

Woodland Park Wal-Mart After nearly three years in the making, the Woodland Park Wal-Mart opened in September 2007. The 161,000-square-foot building also houses a nail salon, a bank, a hair salon, and a Subway restaurant.

While some Woodland Park residents were apprehensive about the retail giant coming to town, many say the economic impact has been positive. The Wal-Mart employs more than 300 people, and nearly all of them, according to Manager Adam Linder, live in Teller County, which means they also spend their paychecks there.

“When we create 300 jobs, we’re helping Woodland Park’s economic growth,” says Linder. “And with the majority of

those 300 people spending their paychecks in Teller County, we’re strengthening it too.”

Wal-Mart has positively impacted the economy in other ways. Before the Woodland Park Wal-Mart was built, Teller County residents drove to the Wal-Mart on 8th Street in Colorado Springs, where they made up 40 percent of the customers.

Now that money stays in the Teller County economy instead of going to neighboring

Wal-Mart has not exhausted its potential for bringing economic growth to Woodland Park, either. The store, located on U.S. Highway 24, is sure to attract the attention — and business — of travelers, further solidifying Woodland Park’s reputation as a service community and the base camp for visitors to the region.

The Wal-Mart campus includes five other lots, each holding the promise of future development.

“When we create 300 jobs, we’re helping Woodland Park’s economic growth. And with the majority of those 300 people spending their paychecks in Teller County, we’re strengthening it too.”

— Adam Linder, Woodland Park Wal-Mart Manager El Paso County. The City of Woodland Park says it is earmarking the tax revenues it receives from Wal-Mart for city street improvements, with talk about using some of the revenues to produce other recreational opportunities. And at a dinner held the night before their grand opening, the store gave more than $33,000 to local nonprofit organizations.

Downtown Woodland Park Downtown Woodland Park also saw exciting growth in 2008, as talks of developing the open space in the middle of town have seen significant progress. The Woodland Station development project is being directed by the Woodland Park Downtown Development Authority (DDA), a city-sponsored organization responsible www.woodlandparkchamber.com 9

busIness & commeRce

The City of Woodland Park is proactively supporting DDA efforts by designating downtown as a Tax increment Financing (TiF) district.

for revitalizing downtown. The development plans include a 122-room hotel and a conference center, with several lots open for other businesses.

Initial drawings for Woodland Station show a flexible plaza design with street fronts running on both sides of a mixeduse development and on-street parking.

The Downtown Development Authority is working with three development teams to secure their interest via contracts. When the economics and markets permit, the project will move forward.

in the community, and downtown is a great place to visit and do business,” says Beth Kosley, DDA and Economic Development Director for the City of Woodland Park.

The City of Woodland Park is proactively supporting DDA efforts by designating downtown as a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district. In TIF districts, revenue from business development goes into a special fund used for infrastructure improvements and other incentives. This allows commercial improvement without raising the community’s tax rate.

Pikes Peak Regional Medical Center

Meanwhile, the DDA is also working on programs to enhance other areas of the downtown. “I find the variety and mix of restaurants, shops, and services to be fascinating. Add on the vibrant music and art found 10 Greater Woodland Park chamber of commerce

Another major impact on the Woodland Park economy in 2007 was the opening of the Pikes Peak Regional Medical Center. When the 20-acre campus opened its doors in October 2007 it created a payroll of $4.5 million, the majority of which stays in Teller County, according to Pikes Peak Regional Medical Foundation President Curt Grina.

The economic impact of the hospital doesn’t stop with its payroll — better health care makes for a stronger economy.

“People have to take less time off work when they can receive immediate care at Pikes Peak Regional, rather than having to drive all the way to Colorado Springs,” says Grina. “And less time off work means

Business & Commerce more money goes into the Teller County economy.”

The hospital will contribute even more to the economy when it opens the Legacy at Pikes Peak, a 36-unit assisted living center. The center is expected to bring roughly 50 jobs to the area, and most are expected to go to Teller County residents. Grina believes the economic impact of the hospital could eclipse that of the two largest employers in the area, the Cripple Creek and Victor Gold Mining Company and the Woodland Park RE-2 School District.

“In my opinion this is the most important economic project that’s been done since I’ve been here,” Grina says.

Wal-Mart, Woodland Station, and Pikes Peak Regional are just the newest additions to an already flourishing community. WalMart is across from a business park that contains several successful enterprises, including several real estate agents, restaurants, and medical offices. Woodland Station will enhance a downtown that features many unique shops, such as specialty clothing and furniture stores. As the community continues to grow and more businesses locate in Woodland Park, it becomes an even more inviting place to live.

www.woodlandparkchamber.com 11

Tourism & Recreation

Amazing Vistas Open Before You

T

eller County residents will tell you — they’re not often bored.

“There is so much to do here,” says Susan Griswold, who has lived in Woodland Park for over a decade. “You can wake up in the morning and know that whether you want to go hiking, camping, fishing, or boating, there is somewhere within a 15- or 20-minute drive to do any — or all — of those things.”

Mueller State Park Located just south of Divide on State Highway 67, Mueller State Park offers visitors breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and native wildlife. Visitors can start their exploring at the Mueller State Park Visitor Center, where they can enjoy the nature and local history exhibits, pick up maps and park information, and browse through the bookstore. A gazebo just outside the Visitor Center offers a panoramic view of the Rockies with glimpses of several of Colorado’s tallest summits, including Mt. Harvard, the third-highest peak in the state.

Inside the park, 50 miles of trails, varying from short, leisurely walks to more arduous full-day treks, await hikers. All trails are open to those on foot, while 12 Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce

“No matter where you go in the campground, these amazing vistas just open up before you,” says Michaels. “This is one of the most beautiful, serene places I have ever been.”

And winter might be even more exciting than summer at Mueller State Park.

“The park doesn’t close just because the leaves fall off the trees!” says Susie Yost, park administrator. “Winter is when you can have the most fun in the “This is one of the most beautiful, park.”

Eighteen of the park’s electrical camping sites stay open serene places I have ever been.” through late fall and early winter, — Paul Michaels, and guests can also stay in one of annual visitor at Mueller State Park the park’s three log cabins. Open year-round, the cabins, available and spruce trees. All campsites are avail- with one, two, or four bedrooms, are espeable from mid-May through mid-October cially inviting during the winter.

“The cabins all have fireplaces, fully and include walk-in tent sites, multi-use RV sites, and the RV Group Campground, furnished kitchens, and comfortable cusall of which, except the walk-in tent sites, tom furniture, giving them a very cozy, have electrical hookups. The camps also homey feel,” says Yost.

Mueller offers activities besides campinclude modern restrooms, coin-operated ing after the snow falls, including crossshowers, and a coin laundry.

Most appealing to Paul Michaels, a country skiing and snowshoeing on park Californian who camps at Mueller State trails, and sledding, tubing, and snowPark every summer with his family, is the boarding on designated hills. camp’s scenery.

27 miles are available for horseback riding and 19 miles for mountain biking. Trailgoers may also see some of the area’s native wildlife, such as elk, black bear, mountain lions, hawks, and mule deer. The park also contains 115 species of migratory and resident birds, including raptors, songbirds, and woodpeckers.

Campers will enjoy the park’s 132 campsites, nestled among fragrant fir, pine,

Tourism & Recreation

Eleven Mile State Park Eleven Mile State Park features a 3,405surface-acre reservoir on the South Platte River just a few miles north of Lake George. Known for its outstanding fishing, the river offers anglers rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout; pike; and kokanee salmon year-round. But the park is more than just a fisher’s dream — Eleven Mile features all kinds of recreation throughout the year.

Eleven Mile is home to nearly 200 camping sites, including 10 sites with electric hook-ups and 25 wooded backcountry sites perfect for campers willing to pack or boat in their supplies. Many sites are lakeshore sites, while others are tucked away among trees and rocky outcrops. All campers can access the park’s Camper Services Building, which houses flush toilets, coin-operated showers, and coin-operated laundry facilities, as well as the park’s main entrance station and administrative offices.

Once you set up camp, you can go exploring some of the park’s five miles of trails. Several of Eleven Mile State Park’s trails loop into the park’s rolling hills and open meadows, and one takes hikers out to the backcountry peninsula. The trails vary in difficulty from easy to moderate and are open to both hiking and biking.

They are excellent for bird-watching, as many species of birds inhabit the park, either seasonally or year-round.

The reservoir at Eleven Mile is also perfect for water activities. The lake’s vast surface area is ideal for motor boats, with

plenty of room for canoes and kayaks to play and explore the shores of the backcountry as well. Ideal wind conditions also make the park a popular destination for sailing and windsurfing.

Those who come to the park in the winter months are in for a special treat, says Kevin Tobey, an administrator at the park.

“In the winter months, the reservoir’s surface is covered with miles of uninterrupted ice,” says Tobey. “It’s the perfect place to go ice fishing, ice skating, ice boating, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.”

Hunting is permitted in the park with a valid hunting permit during legal hunting seasons. Big game hunters will find deer, elk, bear, and mountain lion in the mountains, and pronghorn antelope can be found on the plains. Small game hunters will find cottontail rabbits, jackrabbits, and coyote, both on the plains and in the mountains, with the occasional bobcat, badger, or weasel. Eleven Mile also offers excellent waterfowl hunting each fall, as a number of species migrate through the area. Mallards, buffleheads, gadwalls, widgeons, and many more challenge duck hunters seeking a different hunting experience in the mountains.

Dome Rock State Wildlife Area Dome Rock State Wildlife Area is named for the spectacular 700-foot granite face at the halfway point of the Dome Rock trail. The trail, an out-and-back seven-mile round-trip jaunt, includes seven small stream crossings and a 600-foot ­elevation

www.woodlandparkchamber.com 13

Tourism & Recreation

change. Hikers and horseback riders enjoy many small treasures on the trail, including beaver ponds, the remains of old ranch buildings and old mines, and unique wildlife, such as the dusky blue grouse and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.

Dome Rock is also hunting ground as well, with deer, elk, rabbit, and grouse hunting available (in season) in select parts of the park’s 7,000 acres. Fishing is also permitted in the cold-water stream that runs through the wildlife area.

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument The Florissant Fossil Beds is a 6,000-acre wonderland, with sprawling meadows and fragrant forests that house some of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world. Visitors can see fossil displays at the visitor center, learn the geology behind the region’s petrified wood and abundant fossils through plaques in the outdoor exhibit area, or just take a moment to appreciate the world’s only known trio of petrified redwood trees.

The monument houses more than 15 miles of trails ranging in difficulty from easy to moderate, and many of the trails are handicap-accessible.

“We want people of all capabilities to enjoy the awe-inspiring features of the monument,” says Chief Ranger Rick Wilson.

14 Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce

Facilities include two self-guided nature trails located near the visitor center and 14 miles of other hiking trails on which visitors can soak up the scenery or perhaps catch a glimpse of wildlife.

“Hikers have reported seeing a number of elk while on the trails, and a few even report seeing a black bear or two hiking along the trails themselves,” Wilson shares.

The monument offers other activities, including interpretive talks and guided tours from the monument’s rangers, archaeological digs, a Junior Ranger program, and other special events, such as the annual Hornbek Homestead Days. In the winter the monument remains open and visitors can snowshoe or cross-country ski through the monument’s sparkling trails.

For information on park hours, programs, and admission fees, visit the monument’s Web site at www.nps.gov/flfo or call 719748-3253.

Pike National Forest: Rampart Reservoir While only part of Pike National Forest is in Teller County, that part includes some of the forest’s most popular recreation areas, including the lovely Rampart Reservoir.

The winding road to Rampart Reservoir not only offers travelers dramatic views of Pikes Peak, but also gives them the chance to see some of the area’s best-known wildlife. A 500-surface-acre lake surrounded by sturdy mountains, soaring conifers, and strong aspens ideal for wildlife habitation, Rampart Reservoir is an ideal spot for all sorts of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, camping, picnicking, and watching for wildlife.

While the reservoir is currently closed to boating, it still offers excellent fishing, as it is regularly stocked by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. During the winter, Rampart Reservoir is open for ice fishing, snowshoeing, and crosscountry skiing, making it a desirable destination year-round.

Tourism & Recreation

Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center The only Colorado animal sanctuary certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center (CWWC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that is home to more than a dozen wolves, as well as several foxes and coyotes. Founded in 1993 as a rescue center

socialized wolf, often getting thanked with a few wolf kisses.

The CWWC conducts educational programs at schools throughout Teller, El Paso, Park, and Summit counties, as well as outreach programs to inner-city children in the Denver metropolitan area. The center also holds several ­fundraising events each

year. 2008 saw both a “Mexican Fiesta,” which raised money to build a special enclosure for the center’s new Mexican grey wolves Ciro and Rio, and the “Howls and Hogs Benefit Ride,” in which participants received a mini-tour of the Visitors may feed and play with the center and had occasion to meet Koda, the wolf pup, center’s socialized wolf, often getting born March 30, 2008. A new timberwolf pup arrived thanked with a few wolf kisses. in May 2009 — a must-see!

The new pup is occasioninforms visitors about the center’s residents ally available for viewing and, possibly, for through staff-guided educational tours. The interaction.

For more information about tours, tour, which lasts about an hour, takes visitors throughout the park, visiting each enclosure classes, and events, call 719-687-9742 or to introduce guests to all of the CWWC’s ani- visit the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Web mals. The tour includes the rescue story of site at www.wolfeducation.org. each animal as well as general wolf and wild canine information. Each tour ends with a Rocky Mountain howl — literally! — as the tour guide leads Dinosaur Resource Center guests in a howling session, which usually The Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource prompts the wolves to join in.

Center (RMDRC), located in the heart of The center also offers visitors a chance Woodland Park, is one of the city’s greatto step inside an enclosure and interact est treasures. Founded in 2004 by Mike with one of the CWWC’s wolves with and J.J. Triebold, the 20,000-square-foot their Alpha Membership VIP Tour. Along RMDRC houses more than 30 awe-inspirwith the standard tour, there are several ing specimens — including visitor favorite enclosures to choose from, including a Tyrannosaurus rex — as well as a fossil “split” half wolf and half fox enclosure. lab and gift shop. Visitors may explore the Visitors may feed and play with the center’s center through daily educational tours and for wolves and wolfdogs, the CWWC’s mission has evolved from rescue to education, preservation, and conservation.

The CWWC, which relocated to a 35-acre facility just outside Divide in late 2007,

hands-on activities, or just look around on their own.

“We are very proud of our educational opportunities at RMDRC,” says J.J. Triebold, president and owner of the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center. “One of these is the fact that you can watch us work in the lab and see specimens in different stages of restoration.”

The working fossil lab is one of the most popular attractions of the RMDRC. Visitors who peer through the safety glass lab window will likely see staff working on projects that usually find their way into the museum’s exhibits. In 2008, the lab finished a 15-foot archelon turtle that became part of the museum. Other projects scheduled for completion in 2008, such as an Apatosaurus exelsus and a Daspletosaurus (known as “Pete 3”), are slated for installation in either the RMDRC or other museums worldwide.

The Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center also hosts many annual events, such as a Dino Art contest, which runs during their anniversary celebration, and Critter Fest. Information on hours of operation, events, and tours can be found on their Web site at www.rmdrc.com or by calling 719-686-1820.

www.woodlandparkchamber.com 15

BY AIRONN BISHOP

Health Care

Woodland Park Welcomes Hometown Hospital

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vailability of health care services is essential to a community’s quality of life, and in this regard Teller County surpasses its residents’ expectations now more than ever. For many years, residents received excellent health care from a small network of family practice physicians and area clinics but had to travel to Colorado Springs for hospital procedures. In late 2007 that all changed, as a top-quality hospital opened just west of Woodland Park.

Pikes Peak Regional Hospital When Pikes Peak Regional Hospital opened the doors in October 2007, it became the first hospital along the Ute Pass corridor. Pikes Peak Regional is a state-of-the-art primary care hospital that has some of the most advanced medical technology available anywhere. The completely digital imaging department includes ultrasound, CT, MRI, and mammography. Full-service analytical laboratory services are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

According to Curt Grina, president of the nonprofit Hospital Association, a driving goal for planning this hospital was to provide world-class technology in a hometown setting. Enthusiastic feedback from 18 Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce

hundreds of patients lauds the impressive technology and staff skills combined with the special neighborly caring that is not available elsewhere. Grina credits that to Brim Healthcare, the operator of the hospital and a national leader in running this kind of facility.

The hospital has brought another vital service to the county — its certified trauma and emergency services. The emergency department has six private treatment areas and is fully staffed around the clock. The hospital treats an average of 500 people a month in the emergency room, a testament to the community’s need and to the improved quality of life the hospital brings to the county.

Kurt Wever, M.D., family practitioner and chief of the medical staff, reports that a good number of those who visit the emergency room come in with chest pain, and immediate action on the part of emergency room personnel has saved many lives since the hospital opened its doors.

Two large surgery suites, outpatient scope rooms, and same-day surgery areas are used for orthopedic, general, vascular, gynecological, plastic, and podiatric surgery. Physical, occupational, and speech therapy are available for inpatient and

outpatient treatment. Transition Care provides skilled nursing care for patients requiring additional recovery and rehabilitation before returning home after an inpatient hospital experience, whether that experience is at Pikes Peak Regional Hospital or elsewhere.

The newest addition to outpatient treatment is Infusion Services.

“Staying close to home for this vital care is much appreciated by patients,” remarked local family practitioner Matthew Young, M.D. The hospital’s Specialty Clinic is available in the attached medical office building. Specialists in medical oncology, allergy, cardiology, obstetrics, and gynecology maintain satellite offices for the convenience of Teller County patients.

Owners of the medical office building have plans for expansion with an addition to provide room for several more specialties.

Pikes Peak Regional Medical Center Foundation, largely responsible for raising the funds to build PPRH, continues to have a presence on the campus with landscaping projects and a volunteer-run retail gift shop and art gallery featuring local and regional artists.

Health Care

www.woodlandparkchamber.com 19

Health Care

Peak Vista Community Health Centers Family Health Center at Divide Peak Vista Community Health Centers is a nonprofit federally qualified health center dedicated to providing primary medical, dental, and behavioral health services to low-income, uninsured, and underinsured individuals and families within the Pikes Peak Region. Peak Vista operates 12 outpatient centers, including a family health center for Teller County residents located in Divide.

The Family Health Center at Divide offers primary medical, dental, and behavioral health care to persons of all ages through physician Christine Jenson-Fox, M.D., certified physician assistant Douglas Duncan, and other dedicated health care professionals. The center offers a range of services, from preventative physical exams and immunizations to same-day treatment of acute illness and injury, as well as ongoing primary care and follow-up for chronic health conditions. When patients need specialty care, clinic staff will refer them to qualified community providers.

In 2007, the Family Health Center at Divide extended their hours to more than 50 per week to help accommodate a 35 percent increase in individual patient appointments. The clinic is now open Monday– Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., helping more families access affordable, quality health care. To register as a patient or make an appointment with the Family Health Center at Divide, call 719-687-4460.

The Family Health Center at Divide offers primary medical, dental, and behavioral health care to persons of all ages.

20 Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce

Education

Confronting Contemporary Challenges

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t’s easy to see that Teller County communities are committed to their children’s education. They provide a safe learning environment, and they work hard to fund educational projects. But perhaps most important, Teller County communities are actively involved in education, from Parent-Teacher Association members attending committee meetings and giving input on new programs to classroom volunteers around the county. Maybe that is why many people who move to the area cite excellent schools as a major factor in their decision to live in Woodland Park and Teller County.

Cripple Creek-Victor School District RE-1 Formed in 1898, the Cripple CreekVictor School District RE-1 currently encompasses roughly 255 square miles of Teller County, including Cripple Creek, Victor, and the southern half of unincorporated Teller County. The district, which served more than 475 students in the 2007–2008 academic year, consists of five schools: the Cripple Creek-Victor Schools Early Childhood Education and Head Start, Cresson Elementary School, Battle Mountain Middle School, Cripple

Creek-Victor Junior-Senior High, and Mountain Alternative School.

The district offers many different kinds of academic and vocational opportunities because, as Marta DeJesus, the principal at Cresson Elementary, puts it: “It is impossible to know exactly what kind of jobs our children might have some day, but there is a good chance they will need creativity, communication and problem-solving skills, self-direction, and technology skills.” District teachers therefore work diligently to incorporate global awareness, civic and health literacy, and creativity into their everyday lessons. Students also have access to state-of-the-art equipment to help them develop the technology skills vital to 21st-century success.

Successful learning also requires facilities in which students can be comfortable.

Toward that goal the Cripple Creek-Victor Junior-Senior High, originally constructed in 1975 to house kindergarten through 12th grade, is being remodeled beginning in 2008, expanding its classrooms to accommodate junior- and senior-high students.

“There are classrooms in the building that are sized for very young children, so many of our classrooms are very

small,” says Sue Holmes, superintendent of Cripple Creek-Victor Schools. “All the rooms will be set to a standard of approximately 850 square feet.”

The renovation will also add to the north side of the building, install a fire sprinkler system, and the replace outdated windows and lighting with energy-efficient products. There are also plans to add an enclosed stairwell and an elevator.

“Students and teachers alike are thrilled about the facelift the school will receive,” says Holmes. “They just can’t wait to get into their ‘new’ school.”

For more information on the Cripple Creek-Victor RE-1 District, call the district office at 719-689-2685 or visit them online at www.ccvschools.com.

Woodland Park School District RE-2 The original Woodland Park schoolhouse, built in 1890, was a two-story white frame building that employed only two teachers. Today the Woodland Park School District has three elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school serving more than 2,600 students from Woodland Park, Divide, Florissant, and northern Teller County. www.woodlandparkchamber.com 21

Education

Woodland Park School District offers several special programs, including a gifted and talented program; independent, individualized learning plans for each student; Advanced Placement and honors-level classes for high school students; and extracurricular activities for all age groups.

Woodland Park Schools are doing all they can to prepare students for the challenges that await them in the 21st century.

“Information turnover is much higher now than in the past,” says Guy Arseneau, superintendent of the Woodland Park RE-2 School District. “We can’t continue to teach kids the way we’ve always done it. They’re going to need new skills for the 21st century. We have to produce kids who have critical thinking, problem solving, and work ethic and communication skills.”

To address the challenges of educating students in the 21st century, the school district started the Woodland Park High School 21st Century Committee in September 2008. The committee’s purpose, according to Arseneau, is to investigate research, propose, facilitate public forums, and give input on what steps educators and the community need to 22 Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce

Education take to effectively prepare students for the 21st century. Already the committee has discovered that one of the keys to success will be providing a quality education in the core subjects, especially math and science, which focuses on application as well as content.

“We need to make sure our students know what to do with the content they receive,” Arseneau says.

To that end, the committee has focused on a group of 10 skills identified by national education organizations as essential to students in the 21st century. The skills — critical thinking, problem solving, innovation, effective communication, effective collaboration, self-directed learning, information and media literacy, global awareness, civic engagement, and financial and economic literacy — will allow students to adapt to a world that continues to change increasingly faster.

“So even when the information changes, the skills won’t,” says Woodland Park High School Principal Jo Spry. “They’ll carry over into whatever the students will be doing in the future.”

Another significant change took effect in fall 2008, as the district’s elementary schools converted to full-day kindergarten.

“If we want to move our curriculum up we have to start at the lowest level,” Arseneau says.

While the district offered a full-day kindergarten program before fall 2008, it charged tuition for students enrolled in the program. The new program provides fullday kindergarten free of charge.

“Full-day classes allow the students a greater depth of learning,” says Cris Gammill, principal at Columbine Elementary. “This is what we want for all students.”

To learn more about the Woodland Park School District RE-2, check out their Web site at new.wpsdk12.org or call 719-686-2000.

Colorado Springs Christian School of Woodland Park Parents who want to educate their children in a Christian atmosphere can turn to Colorado Springs Christian School (CSCS), an independent, nondenominational school with a campus in Woodland Park. The school, founded in 1971, is dedicated to providing an outstanding academic, physical, emotional, and spiritual

environment in which students can realize their spiritual, intellectual, social, and ethical potential. CSCS graduates have been accepted to prestigious universities all over the country, including Boston University, Columbia University, Duke University, and Vanderbilt University, among many others.

CSCS also teaches students to act ethically, to care for and serve others, and to practice Christian stewardship of human and natural resources by weaving those principles into the fabric of all their programs.

The Woodland Park campus offers academic, artistic, and athletic programs for all age groups and is quickly becoming the premier Christian-based school in the area. For information on tuition, enrollment and the school’s programs, call the Colorado Springs Christian School of Woodland Park at 719-686-0706.

CSCS graduates have been accepted to prestigious universities all over the country, including Boston University, Columbia University, Duke University, and Vanderbilt University, among many others

www.woodlandparkchamber.com 23

Real Estate

No More Desirable Place to Call Home

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any people who visit Woodland Park end up wanting to live there, and it’s easy to see why. Residents enjoy incredible views of the surrounding mountains year-round, through gentle, mild summers and gorgeous, sparkling winters. There are also the abundant recreation, the excellent school system, the growing economy, and the first-class local services. As Shawn Keehn, a lifelong Woodland Park resident, says, “I cannot think of a better place to live!”

Keehn isn’t the only one who feels that way. The population of Woodland Park and the surrounding area has been increasing 2 percent per year, according to Teller County Commissioner Jim Ignatiuas, with the majority of the homes sold being primary residences.

“Approximately 15 percent of the homes in Teller County are used as seasonal or secondary residents,” says Ignatiuas.

“Most of the people who move here plan on staying here.”

Now is a better time than ever to move to Woodland Park, according to resident and local real estate agent Dave Brown.

After several years of home prices increasing an average of 10 percent per year, home prices are modestly declining, falling 24 Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce

c­ ountry. Since the economy will continue to grow, says Brown, now is the perfect time for buyers and investors alike.

Buyers in Woodland Park have numerous options. Besides existing homes, which include several luxurious multimillion dollar homes, the area is still undergoing a good amount of new home construction, says Keehn. There are many new developments in the planning stages that will make several hundred new home lots available over the next few years. Many new developments will require that “Most of the people who move lots be a minimum of one-third of an acre, giving residents plenty of here plan on staying here.” room to construct their dream home.

Other developments have already — Jim Ignatiuas, begun construction on single-family Teller County Commissioner homes, with an average sales price of $350,000, and many of the new Peak Regional Medical Center Association, homes are built by local contractors whose explains, “Some people say the only reason quality work complements the natural they chose to live here was because they beauty of the region.

Those looking to purchase homes in knew the hospital was on the way. A house that has access to this service is worth Woodland Park have a wide selection not only of homes, but also of finance options. more than one that hasn’t.”

Dave Brown attributes the moderate While plenty of lenders offer low-interest decline to the diverse economy of the conventional loans, other loan programs region, which continues to grow in spite provide opportunities for buyers to purof economic woes in other parts of the chase at very low interest rates with little about 5.5 percent since early 2007, making buying a home in Woodland Park more affordable than ever. The average price of a home in Woodland Park now stands at $264,500. Brown notes that while the declining prices are following a national trend, the region has experienced a much gentler decline than the vast majority of the country.

The addition of Pikes Peak Regional Hospital is supporting local property values. Curt Grina, president of the Pikes

Real Estate or no money down. One such program, the USDA Rural Development Housing and Community Facilities Program, offers eligible buyers two loan options: the Loan Guarantee Program, which allows purchasers to borrow up to 100 percent of the appraised value of the home, eliminating the need for a down payment, and the Direct Loan Program, which offers low-interest loans to those who may not otherwise qualify for conventional loans. Other opportunities available to qualified buyers include Federal Housing Authority (FHA) programs and financing through the Veterans Administration.

Woodland Park offers more than just single-family homes. Woodland Park and Teller County government officials have been working for the last several years on increasing the number of multi-family units available in the area, resulting in a boost in the number of affordable apartments and condominiums available.

And Woodland Park real estate development isn’t limited to the housing market. The downtown area, under the leadership of the Downtown Development Authority, is experiencing great commercial real estate growth, with plans for a hotel and conference center under way. Further development is expected in the empty commercial lots surrounding Wal-Mart.

With a growing economy and a buyer’s real estate market, there is no more desirable place to call home than Woodland Park.

www.woodlandparkchamber.com 25

Government

Regional Pride and Service

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oodland Park and Teller County residents feel fortunate to have government officials who take as much pride in their region as they do.

Woodland Park The Woodland Park municipal government is composed of a city manager who administers day-to-day city affairs and City Council, composed of a mayor and six Council members who enact and enforce city ordinances. The city holds elections every two years by mail-in ballot. Council members serve four-year terms, coming up for election on a rotating basis, and the mayor is re-elected every two years.

Several municipal committees and departments help preserve and enhance the Woodland Park’s beauty, including the Historic Preservation and Keep Woodland Park Beautiful committees. The Woodland Park Planning Commission plays a crucial role in preserving city aesthetics while encouraging new growth, developing and upholding construction ordinances that prevent overly intrusive or disruptive construction. Residents point to the town’s Wal-Mart as evidence of the commission’s success. The building has a log façade and hunter green roof that blends in with the 26 Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce

conifer-covered mountain in the distance, and the extensive landscaping, including a bronze mule deer sculpture and a creek, make it seem a natural part of the scenery.

Woodland Park’s government has been successful in maintaining safety. Woodland Park has a very low crime rate, and the Woodland Park Police Department is there to ensure it remains that way. The Police Department, led by Chief Robert Larson and Deputy Police Chief John Gomes, includes 18 sworn officers in patrol, investigations, and administration, as well as 10 support staff.

Teller County Teller County officials, elected to fouryear terms, include three county commissioners, a county clerk, a county treasurer, a county assessor, a county sheriff, and a county coroner. County office elections are held every two years, with elections for two of the commissioner positions held together and the other six positions held two years later.

Teller County services include marriage licenses, driver’s licenses, voter ­registration, vehicle registration, property tax assessment, and animal control, but they also do a lot more. Besides regular

911 service, Teller County offers “Reverse 911” service. The “Reverse 911” allows residents to register their home and/or cell phones to be notified of emergencies that may affect their homes or businesses.

Teller County also offers services to counter one of the unique challenges of living in the area: forest fires. “Fires are a natural hazard when you live at such a high elevation, because lightning is much closer and can strike more frequently,” says Chris Adams.

Teller County is home to eight fire protection districts. Staffed primarily by volunteers and equipped with more than 15 engines and several brush trucks, the fire protection districts respond to brush, home, and business fires. The districts use the latest technology to gather data on vegetation and fuel conditions, home fire susceptibility, available water supply, and emergency vehicle access to form districtwide wildfire plans that allow the districts to customize their response to each home when fire strikes. The Northeast Teller County Fire Protection District, which serves the area that includes Woodland Park, has recently acquired state-of-the-art software to help them finetune their wildfire plan.

Worship

Dedication to Neighbors and Community

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any Woodland Park parishioners confess that the splendor of their environment makes worship easy.

“With all the breathtaking beauty that surrounds us, praise just comes naturally,” says Vicki Rector.

Expanding to Serve Over the last few years many Woodland Park churches have surged in membership, causing several churches to expand their facilities and others to consider expansion.

Mountain View United Methodist Mountain View United Methodist Church broke ground on a new structure in June 2007, and in April 2008 the church consecrated their new sanctuary. Church officials say the new building benefits more than just their congregation.

“We offer space for many types of community organizations to meet in our building. This building project will help us continue to be a welcoming and serving church in Woodland Park,” says Betty France, Mountain View senior pastor.

The church also recently added an associate pastor and a new children’s ministry director to their staff in to help meet the needs of their growing flock.

Woodland Park Christian Church Woodland Park Christian Church also moved into their new building in March 2008. The new building has a larger sanctuary and a bigger youth center to accommodate their upward youth ministry. “We have so many opportunities for young people, from Bible studies to special activities, like paintball and trips to Six Flags,” says new Student Life Pastor Joshua Lewis.

Lady of the Woods Catholic Lady of the Woods Catholic Church is another ministry growing beyond their current building. The church has conducted a study to determine the feasibility of raising a new building and has started a Capital Stewardship Drive to help them raise the necessary money.

Community Outreach The churches of Woodland Park may worship in different buildings, but they have a common mission. Area churches often allow the community to use their facilities. Mountain View United Methodist Church allows many groups, including local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, to meet in their facility at no charge. And Lady of the Woods Catholic Church hosts

regular blood drives and meetings of the local chapter of the La Leche League.

Different area churches also work together on many community programs.

• Teller County Habitat for Humanity was started by members of St. David of the Hills Episcopal Church, but the program is now supported by several different congregations.

• The Woodland Park Community Cupboard, which helps families by giving them three to five days of emergency food when they have no other means of support, is another program that receives assistance from many different churches.

• Help the Needy, a nonprofit organization that assists individuals and families with clothing, utilities, rent, and other needs, also benefits from volunteers and donations from multiple congregations.

The churches in Woodland Park include Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Episcopal, Church of Christ, and nondenominational congregations. Despite the variety in denomination, Woodland Park churchgoers are united in their desire to help the needy and bring people closer to God. www.woodlandparkchamber.com 27

Culture

The Arts Above the Clouds

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isitors are often surprised that Woodland Park is home to a flourishing arts community.

“People see a town the size of Woodland Park and assume we’re too small to have any culture,” says Gary Dimig, an active member of the Mountain Artists. “But then they’re amazed at the variety and quality of the art we have.”

Music, theater, and art thrive in Woodland Park year-round, adding another dimension to this mountain town.

Ute Pass Cultural Center The city-owned Ute Pass Cultural Center is a multi-use facility that hosts many of Woodland Park’s cultural events. The center’s three rooms are often rearranged to accommodate everything from concerts to art exhibits.

Facilities Manager Debbie Pinello says, “Our largest room, called simply ‘The Main Room,’ has a stage and can seat 250 people, so it’s an ideal entertainment venue.” The smaller rooms, Pinello says, are often used for art exhibits, classes, and meetings.

The Ute Pass Cultural Center hosts dozens of events throughout the year, including concerts, plays, and festivals.

28 Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce

Many performances at the center are annual Woodland Park traditions, but patrons are advised to get schedule updates either by contacting the event’s sponsor group, calling the center at 719-6875284, or visiting the center’s Web site at www.utepassculturalcenter.itgo.com.

jewelry, woodwork, photography, and pottery made by local and national artists.

The festival, which marked its 24th anniversary in 2009, attracts thousands of visitors each year.

Pikes Peak Christian Artist Festival Galen Beaver, the worship pas“People are amazed at the variety tor at Woodland Park Community Church, held the first Pikes Peak and quality of the art we have.” Christian Artist Festival in 2006 as a way for local Christian musi— Gary Dimig, cians to connect with one another active member of the Mountain Artists and the people of Woodland Park outside the church. The festival, which celebrated its third year in 2008, Events and Festivals has become an incredible success, drawWoodland Park is the perfect scenic backdrop for many festivals held through- ing musicians and artists from all over the country to Woodland Park each June. out the year.

While the festival still aims to join artists together, the mission has expanded to benMountain Arts Festival The Mountain Arts Festival is spon- efit several area ministries, including The sored each year by the Mountain Artists, Children’s Ark. Held at the Ute Pass Cultural Center, a nonprofit organization that promotes visual arts appreciation and awareness in the festival features fine arts exhibits from Teller County. The festival, held annually local and national artists, live Christian the first weekend of August at the Ute Pass music, and food vendors. The 2008 festiCultural Center, includes displays from val included performances from Christian more than 70 artists. Visitors can enjoy live singer/songwriter Danny Oertli and critimusic and food as they browse paintings, cally acclaimed singer Geoff Moore.

Culture “This is one of the few festivals of its kind in the country,” says Beaver, “and the beautiful setting certainly does its part to draw people here!”

For more information about the Pikes Peak Christian Artist Festival, visit www. ppcaf.com or contact Galen Beaver at 719687-9235.

Symphony Above the Clouds The Ute Pass Symphony Guild has been bringing the Colorado Springs Philharmonic Orchestra to Woodland Park for its July 5 Symphony Above the Clouds concert since 1985. The concert is the biggest event of the town’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration and drew almost 10,000 people in 2008.

“People come from out of state just to hear this concert,” says Ute Pass Symphony Guild Board President Connie Joiner.

Concertgoers bring picnic baskets, blankets, and lawn chairs to spread out on the football field at Woodland Park Middle School and just enjoy the atmosphere, says Joiner. Pre-concert entertainment is usually provided by a local band. In 2008, funk band Oil Change, an up-and-coming group whose members include several Woodland Park High School students, opened the event.

“Several of the guild’s members heard Oil Change perform at the Woodland Park Music Market and were blown away,” says Joiner. “We felt more people should hear them.”

The Philharmonic takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. and plays a variety of music before concluding with patriotic music set to a fireworks display sponsored by the City of Woodland Park.

“People thrill to the orchestra’s pop and show tunes, and they can’t wait for the concluding rendition of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture with the bells, Fort Carson cannon, and fireworks,” says Joiner.

For more information on the event, call the Ute Pass Symphony Guild at 719-6873288 or 719-686-5250.

Woodland Music Series

Summer also brings the concerts of the Woodland Music Series. The series is held June through September on the second weekend of the month at the Ute Pass Cultural Center and features well-known and emerging rock ’n’ roll, bluegrass, blues, big band, and jazz artists. The series began in 2003 as a way to bring greater musical diversity to Woodland Park.

“Before the Woodland Music Series the only thing we really had was the Pikes Peak Jazz Festival,” says Bob Powell, president of the Woodland Music Series organization. “We restructured the festival to make the Series, and it has become even more successful than the jazz festival was.”

Each weekend starts on Friday night with indoor performances at the Ute Pass Cultural Center. Tickets must be purchased for the Friday night performances, which are conducted cabaret-style and feature a cash bar.

The performances continue on Saturday afternoon with a free “On the Green” performance on the grassy area between the Woodland Park Public Library and the Ute Pass Cultural Center. The Saturday performances are more family-oriented.

“We usually have a mime, face painting, a clown, and other activities for children,” says Powell. “The Saturday performances also have food and drink vendors.”

For concert schedule and other information about the Woodland Music Series,

contact Debbie Pinello at the Ute Pass Cultural Center 719-687-5284 or visit www.woodlandmusicseries.com.

Woodland Park Wind Symphony Many artists, perhaps drawn to the area’s natural beauty, call Woodland Park and the surrounding communities home.

Individual artists display their work throughout the region, and several local organizations add their own vibrancy to the area.

Among them is the Woodland Park Wind Symphony, a 50-member orchestra sponsored by the City of Woodland Park that is volunteer-based and free to join.

According to symphony director Craig Harms, no audition is required to join.

“We accept anyone who wants to play, no matter what their experience level,” says Harms. “We even have several whole families who play for us.”

The open policy does not diminish the symphony’s performances, however.

Harms says people often seem amazed at how good the symphony sounds.

“It seems like someone comes up after every show to compliment us on how professional we sound,” Harms says. “One year we stood in for the Colorado Springs Philharmonic Orchestra at the Symphony Above the Clouds, and it was such a high-quality performance that most people didn’t notice the switch.”

www.woodlandparkchamber.com 29

Woodland Park Events Calendar

Where and When to Be Monthly • Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours Third Tuesday of every month except December (held the second Tuesday in December)

Spring March • Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner April • Teller County Public Health Fair • KidsFest • Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce Business Expo

Summer • Woodland Park Farmer’s Market Every Friday, June–September • Woodland Music Series Second weekend of the month, June–September June • Pikes Peak Christian Artist Festival • Lost Dutchman Music Festival July • City of Woodland Park Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration • Symphony Above the Clouds

30 Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce

• Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament • Teller County American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life August • Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center Critterfest • Mountain Arts Festival

Fall September • Cruise Above the Clouds Classic Car Show • Rocky Mountain Oktoberfest Sponsored by the Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce October • Annual Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce Membership Breakfast

Winter December • Holiday Home Tour • City of Woodland Park’s Lighter Side of Christmas Parade

close

The feeling of coming home

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r. David Schafer first visited Woodland Park when he was stationed at Fort Carson in the 1990s.

He says the minute he crested the hill on westbound U.S. Highway 24 leading into town, he knew it was where he wanted to live. He moved to Woodland Park in 2006.

His story is similar to those of many Woodland Park residents. People who visit Woodland Park are drawn to the area. Some

say it’s the beauty of the region that attracts them, from the vibrant colors of the spring wildflowers to the tranquility of the snowcovered winter slopes. Others say it is the people, so friendly and hospitable that you can’t help but feel comfortable. Some cite the recreational opportunities, such as the outstanding, scenic hiking trails and the abundant fishing. And still others say it is the unparalleled quality of life: the

award-winning schools, the flourishing arts community, the active economy.

But perhaps it really is just a feeling; an intuition or kindred spirit that this is where you should be, this is where you belong.

It’s the feeling of coming home.

It can’t really be explained; it’s just something you have to experience for yourself. So come to Woodland Park. See what it feels like to come home.

www.woodlandparkchamber.com 31

Index of Advertisers

Advertiser................................................................................................................. Page Number American Family Insurance – Frank W. Gundy Agency Inc.......................................................................... 6 Bristlecone Lodge................................................................................................................................ 16 Carter Realty, Inc. – Tina Albillar........................................................................................................... 19 Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center........................................................................................................... 13 Compassion Animal Hospital................................................................................................................. 10 Country Lodge.................................................................................................................................... 14 Electric Service of Colorado LLC............................................................................................................ 31 Flood Realty, Inc. – Kathy Flood........................................................................................................... 31 Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce....................................................................................... 5 Home and Lifestyles of Colorado – Susie Norton.................................................................................... 13 Kenneth Wyatt Photography, LLC......................................................................................................... 13 The Law Office of Julie D. Myers, LLC................................................................................................... 11 Mountain Artists.................................................................................................................................. 29 Paradise Condominiums....................................................................................................................... 30 Paradise of Colorado............................................................................................................................. 1 Pikes Peak Regional Hospital and Surgery Center........................................................... Outside Back Cover Pikes Peak Workforce Center............................................................................................................... 20 Pizza Hut............................................................................................................................................ 20 Rampart Library District........................................................................................................................ 6 RE/MAX Performance, Inc.................................................................................................................... 25 Summit Salon & Beauty School............................................................................................................. 19 Tall Timbers Tree and Shrub Service...................................................................................................... 30 Teller County Public Health.................................................................................................................. 19 Teller County Regional Animal Shelter................................................................................................... 10 Teller Senior Coalition.......................................................................................................................... 20 Vectra Bank Colorado.......................................................................................................................... 11 Woodland Hardware & Rental.............................................................................................................. 11 Woodland Park Office of Economic Development................................................................................... 11 Woodland Park School District Re-2...................................................................................................... 22 32 Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce

BY AIRONN BISHOP