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SENIOR LIVING
A BEDROOM COMMUNITY Rapid Recovery Physical, Occupational & Speech Rehabilitation Long-Term Skilled Care Memory Care Inpatient Hospice
Accept Medicaid, Medicare, Private Pay, Some Private Insurance Locally Owned & Operated
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ore Hotchkiss
Photo by Len
Creative Commons Teller County Colorado Mountains by David Shankbone, used under CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ Cropped
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WELCOME TO TELLER COUNTY
Our Own Piece of Heaven
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n behalf of the Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce, I would like to welcome you to our “piece of heaven.” In the following pages, you will learn of a place, we call home. This region with proximity to a major metropolitan area, a dedicated workforce and a quality of life that is second to none is truly a base camp for visitors seeking the best in hospitality amenities of the area. At an elevation of 8,465 feet, the city of Woodland Park truly is the “City Above the Clouds.” We experience 300+ days of sunshine a year. Cripple Creek serves as our county seat and just outside of Victor is one of the largest gold mining operations in our Country. Scattered throughout Teller County we have other pastoral communities, each with its own character and history. Although we are just 557 square miles and a population of approximately 24,000, we host within our borders thriving businesses, proactive governments, modern amenities, excellent schools, a state of the art hospital and extensive cultural heritage. Indeed, Woodland Park/Teller County has much to offer. You will find a kindred spirit when you arrive that will entice you to spend time visiting with locals, exploring our pristine outdoor beauty and wondering how soon you will 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 a perfect place to live, work and raise a family.
We can help you make the most out of your exploration. Stop by and visit with us or check out our website at www.woodlandparkchamber.com. Debbie Miller, IOM, ACE President Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce
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12 28 Want to go deeper in the Word of God, but you’re not sure if it will fit your schedule? Charis has an option for you.
WAYS TO STUDY AT CHARIS:
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1
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On Campus Charis has more than 40 locations across the US.
2 Online Study anywhere you have Internet access.
3 Charis Hybrid Take advantage of self-study and face-to-face time with instructors and students!
For more information, visit
OneCharis.com or call 844-360-9577 today!
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live
produced by
woodland park & teller county copywriting Laura Wilcoxen
ad design Laura Wilcoxen
layout design tivoli design + media group
website support Josh Chandler
business development Craig Williams Special thanks to Lenore Hotchkiss Photography
FOR INFORMATION Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce, 210 East Midland Avenue, Woodland Park CO 80866-9022, Telephone 800-551-7886, Fax 719-687-9885, www.woodlandparkchamber.com Special thanks to Debbie Miller, CEO of the Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce, as well as to each sponsor who has chosen to support this publication and the community it serves. Š2018 White Hat, a service of Tivoli Design & Media Group, LLC. 7407 Stratford Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, 314-287-3624. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without the express written consent of the publisher.
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live | woodland park & teller county
inside
6 NEWS & NOTES
Here’s what’s happening in Teller County.
8 THE POWER OF POSSIBILITY
Teller County is a resourceful region in a thriving state.
12 HEALTHY BY HABIT
Active lifestyles in Teller County are supported by top medical options.
16 A SAFE &
HEALTHY VISIT Teller County travel tips.
18 NATURE’S PLAYGROUND
Teller County offers experiences to be found nowhere else.
28 PIKES PEAK PULSE
38 FAITH FAMILIES Congregations support members and community.
40 SCENES OF TELLER COUNTY One last look before we go.
Feel the Woodland Park/ Teller County vibe.
32 REACHING NEW HEIGHTS
Regional schools boost student achievement.
34 MAKE THE MOVE You know this is where you want to be.
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MEMBER
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News & Notes
NEWS & NOTES
Here’s what’s happening in Teller County. SAFARI COLORADO STYLE USA Today has selected the Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center in Divide the “Best Zoo and Wildlife Safari Park in the United States.” Visitors to the Center can select from a variety of personalized tours guided by knowledgeable and experienced wolf handlers. Some tour packages give visitors the chance for hands-on interaction with select members of the resident wolf, coyote and fox packs, Photos provided by Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center who live in habitats closely resembling their natural homes in the wild. Nominees for the honors were chosen by a group of USA Today editors and zoo industry experts, with the winners being chosen by popular vote of the newspaper’s readers. Read more about the Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center on page 27.
A COHESIVE CAMPUS
Photos provided by Andrew Wommack Ministries
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In 2018, Andrew Wommack Ministries is moving its headquarters from the Garden of the Gods area of Colorado Springs to Woodland Park. Their new home is the former Sturman property located on Sturman Parkway, a 336-square-acre parcel adjacent to Charis Bible College. From 1994 until 2014, Andrew Wommack Ministries (AWM) and Charis Bible College always shared the same space. That is because they share a founder — Andrew Wommack. With AWM in Colorado Springs and Charis in Woodland Park, the organizations were approximately 23 miles apart. But in the second half of 2018, that will come to an end. The nearly 200 staff members remaining in the Springs will be moved to the property adjacent to the college, forming a united headquarters in the City Above the Clouds.
News & Notes
PPRH SUPPORTS SENIORS
Photo by Lenore Hotchkiss
MEMORIAL REMASTERED Woodland Park’s oldest park is new again. Memorial Park, the city’s premier green space, has been upgraded. Funded in part by a grant of $350,000 from the Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) board, the project was completed with a grand re-opening in June 2017. “Memorial Park did not increase in overall acreage, but it now provides more open, usable space,” says Cindy Keating, the city’s Parks and Recreation Director. Highlights of the revamped park include indoor bathrooms and benches throughout the park, as well as a new flagpole with memorial pavers. New picnic shelters with tables include two larger shelters boasting fireplaces and chimneys constructed with local granite. A picturesque new performance/wedding shelter overlooks the park’s pond. For active enjoyment there’s a new basketball court and and updated playground area with new equipment. The park pond received special attention, with the inclusion of a new splash stream and sand beach. A new fishing dock serves anglers looking to hook the stock provided by the Division of Parks and Wildlife. When sufficiently frozen in winter, the pond will also be open for skating. Of course, Memorial Park still boasts its most beautiful feature — spectacular views of Pikes Peak. “The community is thrilled with the improvements to Memorial Park,” says Keating. “Last summer the park hosted several weddings, birthday parties and family and friend gatherings. Everyone loves the park!” That includes GOCO, which awarded the completed project its Starburst Award for Excellence. Regular community events held at Memorial Park include the Last Day of School Celebration, Farmers Market, the Arts & Craft Fair, Fourth of July celebrations, National Night Out, Cruise Above the Clouds, Vino and Notes, and Winter Day in the Park.
Pikes Peak Regional Hospital (PPRH) is active in several community organizations. One of their most popular offerings provides seniors not only with the information and services they need to manage their health, but also with opportunities to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle unique to this region of Colorado. Boasting over 750 members, PPRH’s Senior Circle is making its mark as a national leader in wellness promotion for adults 55 and older. “We do different education programs every month,” says PPRH CEO Kim Monjesky. “We’ll bring physicians in to talk to folks about different health situations — like managing diabetes, or what to expect if you’re getting a hip replacement, and so on.” Periodic health screenings and medication checks are also provided, as are roundtable discussion groups with medical professionals. But PPRH is also determined to fostering an active, healthy lifestyle for members. “We do quarterly field trips to different areas of the state, and we have a summer dinner and a holiday dinner,” says Monjesky. “Plus our Senior Circle just got national recognition in a hiking magazine for their Fourteeners hiking group. They’re not going up and down the mountain, but they’re putting in the equivalent number of miles.” Additional Senior Circle benefits include support groups, cafeteria discounts and the VIP (Very Important Patient) program, which provides a small welcome gift and a cafeteria coupon to pass along to a visiting friend or family member upon inpatient admission. A lifetime membership in Senior Circle costs just $5. For more information, call 719-686-5802, email seniorcircle@pprh.net, or visit the hospital website at www.pikespeakregionalhospital.org.
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The Power of Possibility 2017 Teller County Job Fair Photo provided by Newmont Mining Corporation
Aerial view of Cripple Creek & Victor Mine Photo provided by Newmont Mining Corporation
The POWER of POSSIBILITY
Teller County is a resourceful region in a thriving state. We’re Hiring The Colorado Department of Labor & Employment projects that the Colorado Springs MSA, which includes El Paso and Teller counties, will produce thousands of new jobs in a variety of industries between 2015 and 2025, including: Computer & Mathematical .................. 4,378 Architecture & Engineering ...................... 1,856 Healthcare & Healthcare Technology .....5,566 Construction & Mining .........5,032 Education & Library............... 4,282 Business & Financial Services ...............3,845 Management .........................2,857
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olorado finished strong in 2017, ending a prosperous year among the top five states with the lowest unemployment rates (2.9 percent in November 2017, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In its annual ranking of top-performing states, U.S. News & World Report selected Colorado as the No. 1 Overall State Economy in the nation for 2017, citing plentiful jobs, booming businesses and the high number of younger people moving to the state as factors in Colorado’s top ranking. Woodland Park and Teller County were no exceptions to this thriving economic atmosphere. In April 2017, the Pikes Peak Workforce Center hosted a job fair boasting more than 3,000 open positions, showcasing the region’s strength in a variety of employment opportunities.
“It’s a great time to live in Teller County and run a business!” says Traci Marques, Interim Executive Director and CEO of Pikes Peak Workforce Center. “Unemployment remains low, and we have skilled and educated workers in the region.” High-skills industries dominated the job market in Teller and El Paso counties in 2017, according to state- and county-run entity Connecting Colorado. The region saw more than 5,000 openings in mathematics and technology, nearly 5,800 openings in health care and health care support, and more than 1,950 openings in architecture and engineering. Other robust industries in the region in 2017 included business and finance, management, and sales.
The Power of Possibility Evidence of the region’s thriving economy can be seen in the variety of expansions, improvements and new projects currently under way or coming up in Woodland Park. In addition to adding needed resources to this growing city, these projects also bring steady employment opportunities: • The 25-bed/19-unit Woodland Park Assisted Living Facility is currently under construction off Sunny Glenn on the city’s east side. • Nine units in the old Loft House Hotel are under renovation by Habitat for Humanity. This will become Clock Tower Condos, with occupancy in early 2018. • Located on Highway 67 will be the new, 24-unit Valley View Apartments, offering attainable housing. • An expansion of the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant is expected to be completed by July 2018. • The City of Woodland Park recently approved Stone Ridge Filing #3, which will add 28 lots to the housing development off Highway 67.
• Construction is ongoing on the new Microtel Hotel, expected to open in late 2018. It’s located between Gold Hill (City Market) and Country Lodge on the west side of Woodland Park.
IMPORTANT RESOURCES
New residents and businesses coming to Woodland Park and Teller County will find the resources in place to quickly find the workplace, or worker(s), they’re looking for. The Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce promotes the regional community and local businesses, provides educational and networking events, and works with the City of Woodland Park and other regional government and economic development agencies to promote continued growth and prosperity. The Chamber also produces informational materials, such as this viewbook and regional maps, that are distributed throughout the community and to the many businesses and individuals who contact the Chamber for information and references. ➨
Did You Know?
There are more than 35 Fortune 500 companies in the Pikes Peak region.
COLORADO PROJECTED ECONOMIC RANKINGS AMONG THE STATES 1 YEAR
3 YEARS
5 YEARS
10 YEARS
Real GDP Growth ............ 3 ...........9 ............ 5 ........... 7 Labor Force Growth ........ 1 ...........4 ............ 4 ........... 4 Population Growth .......... 7 ...........4 ............ 4 ........... 3 Personal Income .............. 7 ..........16 ........... 2 ........... 5 Source: 2018 Colorado Business Economic Outlook, Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder
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The Power of Possibility
CRIPPLE CREEK & VICTOR MINE
Photos provided by Newmont Mining Corporation
Teller County’s largest employer is also one that’s a unique feature of the region. Only a few areas in the United States sustain large-scale gold and silver mining operations; one of the most productive and profitable in Colorado is Teller County’s own Cripple Creek & Victor Mine.
For more than 125 years gold has been mined in the Cripple Creek area. The Newmont Mining Corporation’s Cripple Creek & Victor Mine (CC&V) was formed as an operating company for mining operations in 1976, with mining in its Cresson Project starting in 1995. The operations at CC&V currently consist of four high-tech surface-mining operations conducted within a 7-square-mile, 30-million-year-old volcanic-intrusive deposit. Gold and silver are among the most valuable minerals mined in the modern era, not only due to their importance in international financial markets, but also due to their versatility, with the metals being used heavily in diverse industries like healthcare, electronics and even space travel. Colorado’s mining industry is booming. According to the most recent data available from the Colorado Geological Survey, it’s estimated that the 2016 production value of gold, silver and molybdenum was $673 million, a 22 percent increase over 2015 — growth the CGS credits to increased gold production at the CC&V mine. In addition to providing tremendous economic benefit to its home region, CC&V diligently strives to be a good neighbor in terms of community service, environmental responsibility and historic preservation. The company uses industry best practices to manage stormwater runoff, prevent pollution and protect wildlife. In 2017, for the second year in a row, the Cresson Project received the “Best of the Best” Environmental Stewardship Award from the Colorado Mining Association. Cripple Creek staff volunteer hundreds of hours in community service projects, and the company has donated generously to regional and state historic, tourism, educational and arts ventures. CC&V even contributes directly to regional tourism efforts, offering public mining tours late May through early September (see page 29).
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On the Chamber’s website, www.woodlandparkchamber. com, consumers can browse the membership directory for needed services, visitors can access tourism information, and businesses can find state and local resources, as well as view information on upcoming events. Pikes Peak Workforce Center provides a variety of free services. Businesses and employers can access layoff resources, including benefit and re-employment assistance for workers; analytical and labor market research; onthe-job training; apprenticeship programs; and customized assessments of hiring needs. Job seekers can benefit from aptitude assessments, career and employment action planning, resume review, mock interviews, apprenticeship and internship opportunities, case management and advocacy, and tuition reimbursement. Pikes Peak Workforce Center also hosts several regional job fairs each year, as well as multiple hiring events every week. For more information on all the Pikes Peak Workforce Center has to offer, visit www.ppwfc.org. ♦
Colorado Top 10s • #1 Overall State Economy, U.S News & World Report, 2017 • #1 State Job Market, Wallet Hub, 2017 • #5 for Startup Activity, Kauffman Foundation, 2016
The Power of Possibility
ECONOMIC PROFILE
Highest Educational Level Attained Percent of Population 25 Years and Older
Annual Income $80,000
U.S. Teller County
70,000
$77,866
U.S. Teller County
$79,950
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Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012-2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
$63,723
60,000 50,000
30
20
$55,322
15
40,000 30,000
10
20,000
5 10,000 0
Median Household
Median Family
0
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012-2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
Population 2010 2016 Estimate
24,043
5
20,000
4
15,000
3
10,000
United States 4.1% Colorado 3.0%
Teller County 3.1%
2 7,200
5,000
0
Some Associate Bachelor’s Graduate College Degree Degree Degree No Degree
Unemployment Rate, November 2017
25,000 23,350
High School Diploma
7,390
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Teller County
Woodland Park
0 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Cost of Living, Colorado Springs MSA 3Q2017 U.S. Average for All Indices = 100
Colorado Springs MSA
Composite Index = 95.4 Grocery Index = 95.7 Housing Index = 96.6 Utilities Index = 75.9 Transportation Index = 99.4 Healthcare Index = 105.1 Miscellaneous Goods & Services Index = 97.6
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Source: Council for Community and Economic Research, Cost of Living Index 3Q3017, published October 2017
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Healthy by Habit
Photo provided by Pikes Peak Regional Hospital
HEALTHY by HABIT Active lifestyles in Teller County are supported by top medical options. Feeling Good For several years running, Colorado has been named in the top 10 of healthiest states in United Health Foundation’s annual report, “America’s Health Rankings.” In 2017, Colorado ranked among the top for low incidents of heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and stroke, and the state was No. 1 for lowest obesity rates and No. 2 for highest levels of physical activity.
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olorado is known for healthy living. The state’s residents have ranked among the healthiest and most active in the nation for several years — small wonder in a paradise for outdoor activity. Teller County residents are fortunate to not only be surrounded by great places for outdoor recreation, but also to have easy, nearby access to awardwinning healthcare facilities. Whether providing preventive care, treatment for everyday sickness and injury, or care for more serious illness, the following medical facilities offer the best in quality care.
PIKES PEAK REGIONAL HOSPITAL
Pikes Peak Regional Hospital and Surgery Center (PPRH) opened in October 2007 just outside Woodland Park. In just 10 short years, PPRH has grown to encompass a well-rounded group of inpatient and outpatient services and established a reputation as one of the nation’s leading critical access hospitals. PPRH received a number of prestigious honors in 2017, including a nod to CEO Kim Monjesky as one of the “Top 60 Critical Access Hospital CEOs to Know.” Presented by Becker’s Hospital Magazine, a
Healthy by Habit
PIKES PEAK REGIONAL HOSPITAL SERVICES Emergency Services Family Medicine Imaging Services Inpatient Facility Laboratory Orthopedic Services Outpatient Infusion Services Physical Therapy Services Pulmonary Lab Sleep Study Center Specialty Services Clinic Stroke Services Surgical Services Transition Care
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leading magazine for hospital business news and analysis, this recognition comes not only because of Monjesky’s work as PPRH CEO and her position on the Colorado Healthcare Affordability and Sustainability Enterprise (CHASE) board, but also because of the overall high performance of the facility she oversees. “The award recognizes our quality metrics,” Monjesky says. We participate in Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and System surveys (HCAHPS). Our hospital consistently ranks above the national average in our patient satisfaction numbers and patient safety core measures.” Of particular pride to Monjesky is another designation that’s only earned by the best critical access hospitals and hospital staffs in the nation. In 2017, for the second year in a row, Becker’s named PPRH as a Top 60 Critical Access Hospital, placing it among the top 5 percent of hospitals of its type in the United States. Critical access hospitals are smaller, rural hospitals with 25 or fewer inpatient beds that offer 24/7 emergency care. Hospitals named to this list were chosen based on superior performance and reputation, including awards and rankings from respected organizations like iVantage Health Analytics, Healthgrades, the National Rural Health Association, Women’s Choice Award, Leapfrog Group and Medicare. For Monjesky and the PPRH staff, providing the best possible service isn’t just about winning awards; it’s about sustained, thoughtful growth in the number of high quality services offered to the community. “I’m committed to continuing to add services, so that the folks in our community can get their healthcare locally,” Monjesky says. “We added ENT services in May 2016, cardiac rehab in June 2017, pulmonary services in November 2017 and gastroenterology services in December 2017. “We also continue to expand on our family practice,” Monjesky adds. “Making sure that we have consistent, excellent providers at Pikes Peak Family Medicine Clinic is very important. Not only are we here from a hospital standpoint — when you get sick or have an injury — we have the family practice, which brings a focus on preventative wellness care.” ➨
Pikes Peak Family Medicine
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Healthy by Habit
The highly trained and skilled team members of Ute Pass Regional Health Service District provide 24/7 emergency 911 response in fully staffed Advanced Life Support Ambulances based at stations in Woodland Park and in Florissant. The district, which also offers community health and education programs, serves Woodland Park, Florissant, Divide, Green Mountain Falls, Lake George and Westcreek. Photo courtesy of Ute Pass Regional Health Service District
PENROSEďšşST. FRANCIS HEALTH SERVICES
Penrose-St. Francis Health Services, part of Centura Health, operates Penrose Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center in nearby Colorado Springs. These full-service hospitals provide a variety of services, including emergency, cancer care, cardiac care, orthopedics, women’s care, a birth center, stroke care and pediatric care. Penrose St. Francis operates multiple family medicine and urgent care centers throughout the region, including Penrose Mountain Urgent Care in Woodland Park. This center offers treatment for minor illnesses and injuries as well as limited outpatient laboratory and X-ray services. Rehabilitation services are provided in Woodland Park by Colorado Sports & Spine Center, also part of Centura Health.
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DAVITA MEDICAL GROUP
Founded by a group of six World War II veterans to meet the health care needs of their community, Colorado Springs Health Partners (CSHP) became a DaVita Medical Group upon acquisition by DaVita Inc. in 2015. Since its beginnings, it has provided comprehensive, accessible, cost-effective care to residents of the Pikes Peak region since 1946. DaVita operates multiple family and internal medicine centers throughout the Pikes Peak region, including a facility in Woodland Park, staffed by three primary care physicians and providing laboratory services. In addition to primary care, DaVita offers care and services for allergy and immunology, bariatrics, cardiology, dermatology, ENT
Healthy by Habit (otolaryngology), general surgery, hematology and oncology, hospital medicine, neurology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, podiatry, pulmonology, radiology, sleep medicine, and urology.
MOUNTAIN VIEW MEDICAL GROUP PIKES PEAK
Located in the Woodland Medical Center next to Pikes Peak Regional Hospital, Mountain View Medical Group Pikes Peak is a full-service pediatric and family practice office providing complete wellness and disease management care. To better serve patients, MVMG offers pediatric acute care seven days per week, with sameday and Saturday appointments available. Parents and caregivers can take advantage of MVMG’s Pediatric Acute Care Clinic hotline when they have questions about a child’s medical issue after hours.
PEAK VISTA COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS
Nonprofit Peak Vista Community Health Centers operates 26 outpatient centers in Colorado’s Pikes Peak and East Central regions, with a focus on providing needed services to those facing barriers to health care access. Through the Family Health Center at Divide, Peak Vista Community Health Centers offers primary care; preventive care; behavioral health care; pediatric care; women’s services, including prenatal care; dental services; lab; and pharmacy to patients of all ages. Patients requiring specialty care are referred to qualified community providers. ♦
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Creative Commons by Osajus, used under CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
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A SAFE & HEALTHY VISIT Teller County travel tips.
ALTITUDE SICKNESS/ WEATHER
The thinner air of the Rocky Mountain region can present challenges to visitors not accustomed to higher altitude. It can lead to altitude sickness, characterized by headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath and loss of coordination. People with pre-existing heart or lung problems are most at risk, although otherwise healthy people can also be affected. Minimize the risk of developing altitude sickness by spending a day or two at lower elevations to gradually acclimate your body to the altitude difference. Drink plenty of water, abstain from alcohol and take frequent breaks while engaging in physical activity. Mild altitude sickness often resolves on its own as the body adjusts. If symptoms persist, seek medical attention immediately. Colorado averages more than 300 days of sunshine per year, so be sure to wear sunscreen and lip balm every time you go out. Weather conditions can change rapidly, so it’s a good idea to dress in layers for rapid temperature changes.
WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS
The chance to observe a variety of species in the wild is part of what makes this region of Colorado so special — and that includes bears and mountain lions. It’s
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important to always heed warning signs and keep your dog on a leash. If you’re entering bear or mountain lion habitat, it’s recommended that you make noise to lower the chances of taking an animal unaware. If you encounter a bear or mountain lion: Do: • Remain calm. • Talk to the animal in a firm voice to show you are not their usual prey. • Leave a clear path for the animal to move away. • Back slowly away and leave the area, facing the animal but avoiding eye contact. • If attacked, fight back: Both bears and mountain lions have been driven away when humans fought back with rocks, sticks or even fists. Don’t: • Appoach any closer. • Turn your back on the animal. • Run — that can trigger a chase and attack instinct in both bears and mountain lions. • Try to distract the animal with food, which can teach it to approach humans for food. You can purchase bear spray, proven an effective deterrent to bears and, in some cases, mountain lions. Just be sure to look for EPA-approved spray, and only use it if the animal continues to approach
as you back off or if it attacks. The National Park Service offers tips for safe bear spray use at nps.gov/yell/learn/ nature/bearspray.htm.
SAFE DRIVING TIPS
If you’re visiting Teller County in the winter, remember that Colorado’s conditions can go from sunny to blowing snow within an hour. To stay safe, you must be prepared for any situation. There are two important Colorado laws visitors should be aware of: During an active Traction Law, motorists need to have snow tires, tires with the mud/snow (M+S) designation, or a four-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicle. All tires must have a minimum one-eighthinch tread. If your tires aren’t adequate, you can install chains or an alternative traction device (like AutoSock) to be in compliance with the law. During severe winter storms, the Department of Transportation will implement a Passenger Vehicle Chain Law. This is the final safety measure before the highways are closed. During a Passenger Vehicle Chain Law, every vehicle on the roadway is required to have chains or an alternative traction device (like AutoSock). For current information regarding road conditions and travel alerts, visit cotrip.org or call 511.
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Creative Commons Pikes Peak Colorado June 2015 003 by Wasif Malik, used under CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ Cropped
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NATURE’S PLAYGROUND Teller County offers experiences to be found nowhere else.
W
hen you come to the
home of “America’s Mountain,” you’re undoubtedly expecting beautiful scenery and great outdoors experiences. Teller County certainly doesn’t disappoint. Pikes Peak is the gem in the regional crown, and you’ll find plenty of ways to experience it. If you prefer, you can reach the summit in the comfort of your own car, or opt for a breathtaking train ride to the top. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can bike back down. But you’ll find much more to explore in Teller County. From historic fossil beds, to wildlife sanctuaries, to gorgeous state parks, to some of the best fishing to be found in the lower 48, you can enjoy sights and experiences here that simply can’t be found anywhere else. ➨
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Nature’s Playground
PIKES PEAK/ PIKE NATIONAL FOREST/ BROADMOOR PIKES PEAK COG RAILWAY
Photo by Martin Wilcoxen
MAKING A SPLASH: NEW AQUATIC CENTER Completed in 2017 Woodland Park’s new Aquatic Center features water fun for everyone, whether you’re just looking to beat the summer heat or if you’re swimming for fitness. The facility includes two pools, lap lanes, a diving well, a leisure pool with water features and a lazy river, as well as locker rooms and family cabanas. The Woodland Aquatic Center is an indoor facility and is open year-round. Photos provided by City of Woodland Park Parks & Recreation
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Reaching a height of 14,115 feet, Pikes Peak takes its name from Zebulon Montgomery Pike, a U.S. brigadier general and explorer. Whether traveling by car or railway, it takes about 1.5 hours to reach the top, where you’ll find spectacular views and a visitors center with food, souvenirs and restroom facilities. Pike National Forest, which includes Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods, is part of the Pike and San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands (PSICC). Encompassing two national forests and two national grasslands, the PSICC areas are among the most diverse of all national forests. They’re also home to the majority of 14,000-foot peaks in Colorado. Pike National Forest encompasses over 1.1 million acres. In Teller County, picturesque Manitou Park is a popular base camp for visitors to the region, with campgrounds booked to capacity all summer. Manitou Lake Picnic Ground is heavily used year-round for fishing and picnicking. Visitors will find multiple trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Barr Trail, starting at Manitou Springs, is the best-known hiking trail, but hiking Pike’s Peak from the Crags Trailhead, accessible from State Highway 67, is easier and generally less crowded. The Business and Professional Women’s Club Nature Trail is designed for wheelchair accessibility and features signage in Braille. Families interested in camping, picnicking or sightseeing may want
Nature’s Playground to check out the Gold Camp and Rampart Range Roads. These popular recreation roads, just west of Colorado Springs on the Front Range, also offer circle trips connecting Colorado Springs, Cripple Creek, and Woodland Park. You can travel to the summit of Pikes Peak via the Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the world’s highest cog railway. Average grade of the railway is 12 percent, although it’s as steep as 24 percent in places. The threehour round trip includes 30 to 40 minutes at the summit and takes riders past waterfalls and through aspen and pine forests. Big horn sheep are a common sight. The railway operates seasonally beginning in springs and departs from Manitou Springs. ➨
Did You Know? Public land constitutes more than 45 percent of Colorado’s acreage.
Pike National Forest’s Devils Head Trail begins in the picnic area by Devils Head Campground and ends at a flight of stairs leading to Devils Head Lookout Tower, the last of seven original Front Range lookout towers still in service. Creative Commons, Devils Head Stairs by Wasif Malik, used under CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Cropped
Photo by Martin Wilcoxen
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Photo by Matt Inden/Miles Provided by The Colorado Tourism Office
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Nature’s Playground
BIKING
Presenting thousands of miles of trails ranging from easy going to challenges for the most seasoned rider, Teller County is one of the U.S. Olympic bicycle team’s training areas. In addition to bike trails in Pike National Forest and other public areas, enthusiasts can enjoy the Cripple Creek Mountain View BMX Bike Track, a free track offering challenging BMX excitement. The track is open for use year-round, weather permitting. Road cyclists can explore the Cripple Creek Loop, which takes riders along Highway 24 into Florissant, then north on Teller 1 to Cripple Creek, then north on Highway 67 to Divide, then east on Highway 24 to Woodland Park.
FISHING
The Pikes Peak region’s clear streams, lakes and reservoirs are famed for gold medal trout fishing. Late April sees the start of the season at the North and South Catamount Reservoirs, located in the North Slope Recreation Area on Pikes Peak. The waters here are home to rainbows, cutthroats, mackinaw and a few brook trout. Neither reservoir has been over-fished, so anglers can find larger catches in both lakes. North Catamount has a fliesand-lures restriction, and an access fee for the Pikes Peak Highway is required to fish both lakes. Additional local spots include Eleven Mile State Park, in nearby Park County; Manitou Lake, north of Woodland Park; and Skaguay Reservoir, off Phantom Canyon Road near Victor. For information on fishing opportunities in Teller County, visit the website of The Teller County Vacation & Visitors Bureau at tellerlinks.com. To purchase a fishing license online, visit Colorado Parks and Wilfldife at cpwshop.com.
Photo provided by The Colorado Tourism Office
A Florissant Fossil Beds outdoor exhibit: “This family circle of fossilized stumps grew out of the single trunk of an older parent tree. The three trunks are ancient clones, or genetically identical copies, of that parent tree.” Creative Commons, Ancient Clones Redwood by daveynin, used under CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ Cropped
FLORISSANT FOSSIL BEDS NATIONAL MONUMENT
One of Colorado’s five national monuments lies in a scenic Teller County valley. One of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world, Florissant Fossil Beds provides a deeper understanding of Colorado’s prehistory, offering glimpses of more than 1,700 different species of plants, insects, birds and animals, including everything from massive petrified stumps of redwood trees to tiny fossils of spiders and seeds. ➨
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Nature’s Playground The visitors center includes hands-on displays indoors as well as an outdoor exhibit space. In addition to ranger-guided activities in the summer, Florissant offers three self-guided trails, with educational signage, that are open year-round. The park is home to 14 hiking trails that show off its spectacular scenery and wildlife. Some trails are open for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter, and some allow horseback riding. There’s more to learn at the park, too. Florissant offers a spectacular night sky, with clear views of the Milky Way, planets, constellations, comets and more. The park’s night sky programs feature a presentation by a park ranger followed by stargazing and telescope viewing. History buffs will want to explore the Hornbek Homestead, built by pioneer Adeline Hornbek in 1878. A trailblazer in more ways than one, Adeline challenged traditional gender roles of the time, building and running a prosperous ranch, working in the local general store and serving on the school board. The Hornbek house was unusually large and luxurious for the time and region, featuring two stories, double glass windows and ornate
Lodge
Cabins
Tiny Homes
RV Park
510 Highway 67 • Woodland Park, CO 80863
719-687-9518
www.bristleconelodge.co
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furnishings. The Homestead is open for self-guided exploration at any time; guided tours featuring docents in period costume are held regularly.
MUELLER STATE PARK
Spanning over 5,100 acres of meadows, forested ridges and massive rocks, Mueller State Park is home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, mule deer, bears and mountain lions. More than 115 migratory and resident bird species can be found in the park. There are abundant recreational options in Mueller State Park, including 44 miles of hiking trails, 36 miles of biking trails, and 34 miles of equestrian trails. The park also offers geocaching and seasonal hunting and when the winter weather cooperates, sledding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Year-round camping options include RV and tent camping, and there are three beautiful cabins for rent in the park. Leashed dogs are welcome in several areas throughout the park.
Nature’s Playground
DOME ROCK STATE WILDLIFE AREA
At 6,962 acres, Dome Rock State Wildlife Area is named for the spectacular 700-foot granite face at the halfway point of the Dome Rock Trail. The area is a prime spot for hiking and horseback riding and wildlife viewing; however, certain trails are closed from December 1 to July 15, as Dome State Wildlife Area serves as a prime calving ground for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. Coldwater stream fishing and hunting in season for deer, grouse, elk and rabbit are permitted at Dome Rock State Wildlife Area. The site is for day use only, and dogs, camping and fires are prohibited. Access to the Dome State Wildlife Area is free, but most visitors will be required to purchase an annual Habitat Stamp for $10. The Habitat Stamp program provides the core operating funds for the Colorado Wildlife Habitat Protection Program, a conservation effort to protect Colorado’s important fish and wildlife habitats. ➨
Rocky Mountain bighorn ewes and lambs in spring, Dome State Wildlife Area Photo by David Hannigan, provided by Colorado Parks & Wildlife
Did You Know? Colorado is home to: • 4 National Parks • 5 National Monuments • 1 National Historic Site • 1 National Recreation Area
Mueller State Park Photos provided by Colorado Parks & Wildlife
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Nature’s Playground
ROCKY MOUNTAIN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION
Rocky Mountain Wildlife Foundation Creative Commons, by Michele Ukleja, used under CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ Cropped
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The Rocky Mountain Wildlife Foundation is a nonprofit organization in Guffey offering sanctuary, rehabilitation and housing for abused, neglected or injured wolves and wolfdogs. The foundation also works to educate the public about the important role humans have in ensuring the continual survival of wolf populations. Admission to the sanctuary is free, but donations are accepted. Visitors may also choose to join the Adopt-A-Wolf program, which earns them a certificate of appreciation, a photo of their wolf, and other items based on the size of the donation. Visits to the sanctuary are by appointment only.
Nature’s Playground
COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER
Certified by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Rescue Center serves as a sanctuary for rescue wolves and other wild canids while working to raise awareness of the threats these apex predators face due to misguided human actions. Visitors who want to see these beautiful animals up close can reserve a spot in an hour-long walking tour. Feeding tours and full moon tours are also available for those who want a more immersive experience. If you want to bring back a special souvenir from your trip, photo sessions are available with the wolves and foxes. A wolf photo session is for adults ages 18 and up, while fox photo sessions are for children ages 8 and up. There’s also a gift shop featuring plush toys, T-shirts, postcards and more.
Photos provided by Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center
Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center Thescelosaurus skeleton Creative Commons, by J Spencer, used under CC BY 2.5 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ Cropped
ROCKY MOUNTAIN DINOSAUR RESOURCE CENTER
The Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center makes molds and casts for museums all around the world.
The Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center features more than 40 awe-inspiring dinosaur, and marine skeletons. Fossil skeletons and life-size restoration sculptures help visitors visualize the animals and the environments in which they lived. The facility is owned by Triebold Paleontology Inc. and crews regularly search for new fossils to add to the exhibits. At certain times, visitors can watch paleontologists prepare new skeletons for display through a large viewing window into the center’s working fossil lab. The Resource Center offers guided tours throughout the day, which are included with the admission price. Tours are approximately one hour in length and considered appropriate for the entire family. There is also a children’s learning center with special hands-on activities for preschoolers and elementary school children. To remember your trip, stop by the Resource Center’s Prehistoric Paradise Gift Shop, featuring a large selection of dinosaur-themed items, including clothing, toys, posters, party supplies, and miscellaneous home decor. ♦
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Pikes Peak Pulse
Photo provided by Butte Theater
Photo by Lenore Hotchkiss
Photo provided by Ute Pass Brewing Company
PIKES PEAK PULSE Feel the Woodland Park/Teller County vibe. Photo by Wayne Johnston; provided by Pikes Peak Historical Society
T
here’s more to Teller County than just its beautiful face. Having fun here is an outdoor and indoor affair. Those looking for grown-up time will enjoy Cripple Creek’s nine casinos, featuring thousands of gaming machines and a variety of themes and decor, all located in the town’s historic downtown. Or, taste test at local breweries — the Colorado craft beer industry has exploded in recent years. Fun takes an educational turn at local museums and through unique tours offered by the Cripple Creek & Victor Mine. Talented professionals and locals put on a great show in regional theater, and yearly festivals offer
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The Bristol Pub, located inside the historic former Ivywild School, offers a friendly, laid-back vibe, BREWERIES with a classic shuffleboard table; There are breweries distilling a large, sunny patio; and a tasty unique blends throughout the menu paired with Bristol beers. Pikes Peak region. Two of the Woodland Park’s own awardmore successful are Bristol winning craft brewery, Ute Pass Brewing Company, located in Brewing Company, has a selection Colorado Springs, and Woodland of taps starring its own unique Park’s own Ute Pass Brewing beers, like 50 Mike’s Blonde, Company. Kickback Irish Red and AppleFrom light and fruity to dark of-My-Eye Apple Wheat, as well and full-bodied, Bristol Brewing as other great local selections. offers a beer for every palate, The brewery serves American including award winners Laughing favorites at lunch and dinner, Lab Scottish Ale, featuring nutty, including burgers, homemade chocolate tones, and Beehive, chips and corn fritters. Ute Pass a golden American wheat with also hosts live music and comedy Black Forest honey adding depth. performances. culture and excitement in the truly great outdoors.
Pikes Peak Pulse
CRIPPLE CREEK & VICTOR MINE TOURS
Photo provided by Bristol Brewing Company
At Teller County’s Cripple Creek & Victor Mine (CC&V), the Newmont Mining Corporation provides guided tours of mining operations. Visitors can get an up-close look at modern mining as well as insights into the history of this vital regional industry. Twice daily, May through September, visitors are shuttled to the mine site, where they can safely view industrial-scale rock-crushing equipment and haul trucks at work. Visitors observe and learn about socially and environmentally responsible mining activities at all stages of the mine life cycle, from exploration, environmental monitoring and permitting to production, ore processing and reclamation. In May 2017, CC&V gave the public access to the historic Ajax Mine Site, fully renovated and complete with new safety and accessibility features, by extending the popular Battle Mountain Trail. CC&V has taken the lead in preserving the iconic, 1890s-era Independence Mine Headframe. The ongoing project includes stabilizing the ground as well as significant reconstruction of the structure itself, reusing as much of the original timber and hardware as possible. All proceeds from mine tours support activities at the Victor Lowell Thomas Museum, which honors famous broadcaster Lowell Thomas.
MUSEUMS
Operated by the Ute Pass Historical Society (UPHS), Woodland Park’s Pikes Peak Museum at History Park tells the story of Ute Pass from the days of the nomadic Utes to early community settlers. In addition to UPHS offices and a gift shop, the Museum Center houses archives and a historic photograph collection. The 1940s Immer Cabin features exhibits about early schools, churches, hotels, dude ranches and rodeos, and the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, while the Brockhurst Cabin depicts the lifestyle of early pioneers with a large collection of local household antiques. The Woodland Park Calaboose is the original town jail from 1891, and the Steffa Cabin holds a collection of Ute artifacts, as well as exhibits that highlight the industries that supported the fledgling communities of Ute Pass. The Carroll Den houses Colorado Midland Railway artifacts and art, including paintings by Erwin Stock. ➨
Above: Visitors tour the Cripple Creek & Victor Mine. Below: The 1890s Independence Mine Headframe, currently under restoration by Newmont Mining Corporation. Photos provided by Newmont Mining Corporation
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Photo by Lenore Hotchkiss
CRIPPLE CREEK CASINOS BRASS ASS CASINO
264 Bennett Avenue 719-689-2104 • Largest selection of nickel slots in town; video poker • Tables open 24/7: High-Five poker, craps, roulette, blackjack • Miner’s Pick restaurant, featuring salads, pizza and specialty beverages
BRONCO BILLY’S CASINO
233 E. Bennett Avenue 719-689-2142 • Slots and video poker • Blackjack, craps, poker and roulette tables • Daily cash drawings • Five restaurants: Home Café, steak and eggs, burgers and sandwiches; Baja Billy’s, fresh Mexican cuisine; The Steakhouse, fine dining; The Crippled Cow, wood-fired pizza and craft brews; and Pho 54, Vietnamese, Chinese and Thai cuisine
CENTURY CASINO
200-220 E. Bennett Avenue 719-689-0333 • Penny slots, video poker, classic reel games • Table games include roulette, blackjack, and wild six card draw poker • Mid-City Grill serves salads, homemade soups, sandwiches, appetizers, and a generous all-day breakfast • Non-smoking hotel rooms for guests ages 21 and over
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COLORADO GRANDE CASINO & HOTEL
300 E. Bennett Avenue 719-689-3517 • $5, quarter, nickel and penny slots; video poker • Live action blackjack and three card poker • Maggie’s Restaurant, offering quality steaks, seafood and burgers; Jack’s Coffee Bar, offering specialty drinks, sandwiches and pastries • Lucky 7 Hotel
DOUBLE EAGLE HOTEL & CASINO
442 E. Bennett Avenue 719-689-5000 • Live table action includes blackjack and roulette • 500 slots; video poker • Four restaurants: fine dining at Winfield’s, casual dining at Lombard’s, fresh pizza at the Parrot Dice Grill, and fresh-brewed coffee at the Prospector’s Perk Coffee House • Hotel
MCGILL’S HOTEL & CASINO
232 Bennett Avenue 719-689-2446 • Irish-themed hotel and casino • Coin games, video poker, slots and progressive machines • McGill’s Pint & Platter serves allAmerican choices and is the only place in town to get Guinness on tap
MIDNIGHT ROSE HOTEL & CASINO
256 Bennett Avenue 719-689-0303 • Victorian-era decor • Over 300 slot machines • Poker room with live tables of Texas Hold ’Em, 7-Card Stud, Hi-Lo • Dining options include Dynamite Dick’s, offering salads, soups and sandwiches and The Down Under, fine dining with a prime rib and seafood buffet Thursday through Saturday. • Hotel
WILDWOOD CASINO & HOTEL
119 Carbonate Street 719-244-9700 • Vegas-style casino • 500 new and classic slots; video poker • Blackjack, craps and roulette • Dining includes Woody’s Sports Bar & Grill and Joe’s Diner
On Cripple Creek’s historic Bennett Avenue, The Cripple Creek District Museum complex is home to the original Midland Terminal Railway Depot and the Colorado Trading and Transfer Co. building, with an eclectic collection of mining memorabilia, maps, paintings, glass and china, children’s items, furnishings, a photograph gallery, mineral displays, and two Victorian apartments. The complex also has two miner’s cabins, an assay office, the original Pinnacle Mine headframe and original mining equipment. In Florissant, the Pikes Peak Historical Society operates two museums. The Pikes Peak Historical Society Museum offers visitors an entertaining and educational tour of the Pikes Peak region, from the Ute peoples, to early explorers, to mountain men and early pioneers. There are exhibits on local railroads and the gold rush, as well as unique rocks, minerals and fossils from the Florissant Lineament. The Florissant Schoolhouse Museum, located in a turnof-the-century teacher’s residence, houses a vintage collection of 1800s school desks, books and other schoolhouse memorabilia. In addition, it is home to a collection of over 50 miniature historic buildings.
LIVE THEATRE
Located in Cripple Creek’s historic Imperial Hotel, the Gold Bar Room Theater has hosted popular dinner theater shows off and on since 1946. The theater currently has live shows every Friday and Saturday night, featuring everything from comedy, music and magic shows to educational and entertaining impersonators of historical figures like Wyatt Earp.
Pikes Peak Pulse
FESTIVALS SAMPLER Summer Woodland Park Farmers Market
Listed among the top 100 farmers markets in the country, Woodland Park Farmers Market features plants, fresh produce, baked goods, food and drinks, arts and crafts, and more
Donkey Derby Days - Cripple Creek Donkey race and other fun family activities
Woodland Music Series - Woodland Park
Performances by Woodland Wind Symphony and Swing Factory, in addition to jazz, bluegrass and big band acts
Gold Rush Days - Victor
Mining games, street dance, vintage baseball, kids’ games, vendors, live performers, burro races, bike races and Victorian Olio
Old Fashioned Fourth and Symphony Above the Clouds - Woodland Park Live symphony music, fireworks and firing of Fort Carson canons
Salute to American Veterans Rally - Cripple Creek Veterans’ motorcycle rally along with special events
Once Upon a Time in the West - Cripple Creek Week-long celebration of Western art, featuring Native American, cowboy and wildlife pieces
Victor Celebrates the Arts - Victor
Plein air artists from around the country create works of art inspired by the town’s historic natural beauty
Fall Cruise Above the Clouds Car Show Woodland Park
Hundreds of classic, custom and special interest vehicles
Rocky Mountain Oktoberfest - Woodland Park Traditional celebration with family-friendly activities and authentic German food, beer and wine Performance of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, Butte Theater Photos provided by Butte Theater
Also in Cripple Creek, the Butte Theater presents melodramas, musicals and comedies throughout the year. In addition to a full season of professional performances by Mountain Repertory Theatre, each year Butte Theater hosts movie nights, professional touring acts and shows featuring local talent. The experience is enhanced by period chandeliers and Victorian-era wallpaper, as well as state-of-the art movie projectors and sound equipment. ♦
Winter Lighter Side of Christmas Parade Woodland Park Themed, lighted floats
Holiday Home Tour - Woodland Park
Tour of festively, professionally decorated homes
Christmas in the Gold Camp Cripple Creek / Victor
Scavenger hunt, skating around the Christmas tree, gingerbread ornament decorating, s’mores and marshmallows roasting on an open fire, and free hot chocolate or cider
Cripple Creek Ice Festival - Cripple Creek
Display of large sculptures created by ice artists from around the country
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Photo provided by WPSD
REACHING NEWRegional schools boost HEIGHTS student achievement.
Photo provided by WPSD
WOODLAND PARK RE2 SCHOOL DISTRICT
Woodland Park RE-2 School District (WPSD) is one of the county’s largest employers, with 330 employees. The district employs both elementary and secondary teachers, as well as administrators, support personnel, counselors, IT techs, social workers, professionals, and maintenance staff. WPSD is made up of five schools: Columbine, Gateway and Summit (located in Divide) Elementary; Woodland Park Middle School; and Woodland Park High School. WPSD has over 2,400 students in grades K–12. It’s large enough to offer comprehensive programs at all levels, yet small enough to offer personal attention and the comfort of a caring community. WPSD understands the importance of educating the whole child, placing a high priority on ensuring students have opportunities to develop interests and talents in a variety of areas,
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including the arts, athletics, leadership and career pathways. WPSD is committed to high academic achievement for every child, with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). Additionally, the district partners with Catamount Institute and Pikes Peak Community Foundation to provide hands-on, environmental education to all elementary and middle school students. WPSD also provides choice options for all grades, including Homeschool Enrichment Academy and online programs. WPSD is the first middle school in Colorado to adopt the Summit Learning Platform, an online tool that personalizes learning and empowers students to be selfdirected learners.
CRIPPLE CREEKVICTOR RE1 SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Cripple Creek-Victor RE-1 School District (CC-V) is small in size, but big in opportunity. Offering small-group instruction,
AP and gifted programs, vocational programs, and concurrent enrollment, the district continues to improve and expand programs for student success. One of only a few in the state that hold a four-day school week, the district promotes a flexible education experience. Options include an online curriculum for homeschool students and the Mountain Alternative School for nontraditional students. CC-V’s Concurrent Enrollment enables high school-aged students to take college-level classes and earn both high school and college credit in general education classes (mathematics, science). The Mountain Afterschool Program (MAP) offers a variety of programs for students in grades 6 through 12, including tutoring, drama club, creative writing, literary magazine, art projects and cooking classes, as well as a chess club that’s open to students of all ages. To ensure a healthy learning environment, CC-V’s School Based Health Center provides free
Reaching New Heights health care to students and their siblings ages 0 to 21.
COLORADO SPRINGS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS
Striving to provide an excellent education from a Christ-centered and biblical perspective, Colorado Springs Christian Schools (CSCS) serves students from kindergarten through grade 12 at the central campus in Colorado Springs and students from kindergarten to grade 5 at its Woodland Park campus. The non-denominational curriculum prepares students to becoming lifelong learners with moral integrity and a passion for serving others. Daily Bible courses, weekly chapel services, and regular opportunities for student volunteer service are offered as a way to promote Christian character building. Students also learn teamwork, perseverance, and other key character lessons through participation in various athletic programs, art, and music activities. High school students complete a rigorous curriculum that leaves them well-prepared for college, with 100 percent of the class of 2017 having taken at least one AP, honors or dual-credit course. Additionally, the class of 2017 earned $4 million in scholarship funds. As a private school, CSCS charges tuition based on a child’s grade level. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify, with 37 percent of the current student body receiving some form of tuition discount.
CHARIS BIBLE COLLEGE
Charis Bible College was founded in 1994 by Bible teacher Andrew Wommack. The college’s new campus, The Sanctuary, rests on a 157-acre parcel nestled in the
southwest corner of Woodland Park. The school enrolls over 750 students yearly in its first-, secondand third-year programs. Charis students are actively involved in their local communities. In the 2016-2017 school year, more than 350 students volunteered in excess of 25,000 hours at over 40 organizations in our region. For second-year students, the focus turns international, with all second-year students contributing time and raising money to serve on international missions teams. American students serve abroad, while international students attending Charis fulfill their mission requirement by going to destinations within the United States. However, whether in Woodland Park, Colorado Springs or beyond, you will find students volunteering in places like senior facilities, crisis centers for women, prisons, food pantries, homeless centers, churches and more. Beyond ministry venues, Charis graduates who complete one of the seven Third-Year Programs use their training to serve in every walk of life. For example, upon returning home to Uganda, one graduate of the Third-Year Business School utilized a business plan developed at Charis to win funding for a Uganda farm model. Successfully competing with 90,000 other applications, this graduate’s farm model will provide his community with more affordable food and will help transform the local economy. Wherever they come from and wherever their experience takes them, Charis graduates are touching the world from right here in our region. ♦
SUMMIT LEARNING PLATFORM AT WPMS
Photo provided by WPSD
Woodland Park Middle School’s new Summit Learning Platform initially started as a trial run, but due to its overwhelming success, it is now the culture for 245 students in WPMS. Principal Yvonne Goings researched the program after seeing WPMS students begin to plateau in test scores and received a grant to fund it. Summit Learning is an online tool that personalizes learning and empowers students to be self-directed learners. The platform allows teachers to personalize instruction with the use of real-time data and gives teachers access to resources and support from across the country. “The focus is not on the subject but the cognitive skill; it’s not on the grade, but on mastering the concept at hand before moving to the next level,” says Goings. “If they don’t understand a concept, students have choices to either watch a video or do some practice problems, for example. Skills tests show what they have learned — it’s not memorizing, but critical thinking, making them better learners.” Students are supported by a team of teachers: two who teach math; two in language arts; two science teachers; two who teach social studies; and one special education teacher. They are available to coach and support the students while continuing to run the class. Teamwork is a large part of the Summit Learning Platform, with students working together during lessons, projects, and labs. The curriculum is aligned to Common Core State Standards. One of about 120 schools across the nation to try the Summit Learning Platform, WPMS was also the first middle school in Colorado to adopt it. A group of students from the Class of 2023 were the first to try it. Woodland Park High School is now looking at the program before that class enters as freshman in the fall of 2019.
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Make the Move
MAKE THE MOVE You know this is where you want to be. H
ealthy living, gorgeous nature, a thriving economy — there’s never been a better time to move to Teller County. And that’s just what people are doing. According to the “2018 Colorado Business Economic Outlook” report, prepared by the Leeds School of Businesss at the University of Colorado Boulder, just over 3,500 single-family building permits were issued in the Pikes Peak region between October 2016 and September 2017, a figure that’s expected to hold steady in the year ahead. The report also noted an estimated 16,200 home sales in the region in
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2017, with that number expected to grow to just over 17,000 in 2018. Home values are growing, too, with the average sales price in 2017 rising to $311,965 in 2017, a 9 percent jump from 2016. No matter what your budget, the benefits of mountain living are within reach. Teller County’s Strategic Housing Plan and Woodland Park’s Comprehensive Plan both encourage developers to create housing in all price ranges. This makes moving to Teller County affordable for single millennials as well as parents with young children and retirees in search of the perfect place to enjoy their golden years. ➨
Make the Move
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Make the Move
Local properties include simple log cabins and A-frames as well as luxury homes with breathtaking mountain views. If you’d prefer to build your dream home from scratch, you’ll find open lots waiting for just the right home design. You’ll also find rural land suitable for sheltering riding horses, with properties ranging from one or two acres to 35 acres or more. ♦
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FAITH FAMILIES Congregations support members and community. It’s little wonder that the beauty of Teller County inspires spiritual faith. The churches of the region are true community neighbors, not only serving members in worship, but also reaching out to provide needed amenties and programs to fellow residents. Congregations include Baptist, Catholic, Church of Christ, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Episcopal, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Lutheran, Methodist, and Seventh Day Adventist. There are also various non-denominational churches welcoming anyone who wishes to attend worship services. Local churches’ commitment to helping those in need can be seen in their active support for organizations such as Teller County Habitat for Humanity, Help the Needy, Community Cupboard, Storehouse Ministries, and Little Chapel Food Pantry. Several churches also run their own private charitable programs, providing assistance for seniors, low-income families or people experiencing a health crisis.
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Woodland Park Community Church has been a part of the community since 1880 This nondenominational evangelical church offers special regular Sunday worship services as well as special small group services for people over age 55, adult couples, and singles of both sexes. The church also run programs that provide firewood, medical supplies, food, and miscellaneous goods to those in need throughout Teller County. Religious retreats in Teller County take advantage of the scenic beauty of the area to promote quiet reflection and a renewed sense of purpose. El Tesoro de los Angeles Retreat Center sits on 70 acres amid the Pike National Forest, welcoming parish groups, community church organizations and individuals. Potter’s Inn is a Christ-centered, nondenominational, nonprofit ministry offering retreats to individuals, groups and churches at Aspen Ridge, a 35-acre ranch in rural Divide with scenic views and abundant wildlife. ♦
Faith Families
CHARIS BIBLE COLLEGE
Opening Its Arms to the Region and the World
Charis Bible College is not just an educational institution; it’s a good neighbor. As a college, Charis plays an active role in the Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce and participates in community activities, such as sponsoring a float in the annual Christmas parade. But the main way Charis reaches out is by offering opportunities for residents of Woodland Park and southeastern Colorado to join them on campus at The Sanctuary, Charis’s 157-acre property situated just off Highway 24 in Woodland Park, Colorado. Every Monday and Wednesday at 8 a.m., the public is invited to attend a worship service with the student body. It is an exciting time of uplifting music, with the director of the Worship School, the Charis choir and third-year Worship School students leading. Visitors often remark that it’s a great way to start the day. The public is also free to visit the campus on Thursdays at 1 p.m. for Healing School, when Charis instructors and guest speakers teach about healing. In addition, anyone interested in learning about Charis can get a five-day visitor’s pass to attend one week of Charis’s first-year classes when in session. Charis also welcomes visitors to their theatrical productions. For the past four years, the college has held Christmas and Easter productions that rival the quality found on any stage. In reference to the 2017 Heart of Christmas musical, one employee of the Woodland Park police force remarked, “The writing, coordination and talent that went into this musical is beyond my comprehension!” From the 70-member cast and the set creators to the parking lot attendants, greeters and ushers, students are the engine behind these productions. Upon viewing the show, a local reporter wrote, “All aspects of [the] performance were top notch.” In addition to the Christmas and Easter musicals, various other events are also available to local citizens, such as the annual men’s and women’s conferences, Summer Family Bible Conference, Healing is Here Conference, and the Charis Business Summit. There is something for everyone on the Charis campus. And one thing’s for sure: neighbors feel welcomed with opened arms! Find event information at www.awmi.net/ events.
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SCENES OF TELLER COUNTY All photography by Lenore Hotchkiss
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INDEX OF SPONSORS
Thank You!
American Family Insurance Frank W Gundy Agency, Inc. ............... 5 Banana Belt Liquors..........Inside Back Cover Bristlecone Lodge ..................................24 Carter Realty, Inc. .................................... 5 Charis Bible College ................................ 4 Circle H Smokehouse BBQ ....................22 City of Woodland Park...........................11 Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau ............... 3 Cripple Creek Care Center.................... 17 Dinosaur Resource Center .....................26 Forest Ridge Senior Living ....................... 1 Richard Y. Harris, M.D........................... 14 Home Town Garage of Woodland Park................................11 Kelley & Chulick Certified Public Accountants ................. 5 Lenore Hotchkiss, Real Estate Broker ...............................36
Merit Co. Real Estate Inc. ......................37 Michael Harper Real Estate ..................35 My Sweet Escape ..................................22 Newmont North America ........................ 9 Park State Bank & Trust .........................22 Peak Realty & Consulting LLC Barbara Asbury ..................................35 Pikes Peak Family Medicine .................. 13 Pikes Peak Regional Hospital .................................Outside Back Cover Pikes Peak Workforce Center ....................................Inside Back Cover Scott Homes Ltd. ....................................36 TDS Telecommunications ......................... 2 Woodland Park Community Church..............................39 Woodland Hardware and Home ..........34 Woodland Park School District............ Inside Front Cover
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