A Peek at the Summit

Sesquicentennial. It’s a mouthful meaning it’s time to celebrate a significant event from 150 years ago. Colorado Springs, which has been reinventing itself for several years, is ready to celebrate!

This year, the city invites visitors to explore its histor y, and it has jumped on the opportunity to polish up one of its gems. The new Pikes Peak Summit Complex will provide a modernized experience for firsttimers and veterans alike when summiting the beautiful fourteener that shadows the historic town.

The Pioneers Museum is offering exhibits that are informative, interactive and interesting to all ages. And speaking of histor y, one of the city’s historic firehouses was converted into a taphouse that has escalated the scene. Read on ... and stay tuned for the next 150 years.

Rendering: GWWO/RTA Architects Courtesy City Communications

Renovations will transform the experience of exploring America’s Mountain

By Kristian DePue

Author Katharine Lee Bates stood atop Pikes Peak in 1893. Looking out over the “enameled plain,” poetic lyrics filled her mind. Soon after, she put pen to paper in a room at the original Antlers Hotel. Her poem was eventually revised and put to music, becoming “America The Beautiful.”

The famous peak still attracts visitors from all over the world. This summer they will find an entirely new experience at the summit.

Nicknamed “America’s Mountain,” Pikes Peak is officially named after explorer Zebulon Pike. The 27-year-old Pike led a militar y party into the area to investigate the land. Although he never summited the peak during the 1806 expedition, the prominent mountain found a name.

More than a centur y later, mining millionaire and philanthropist Spencer Penrose established the highway for the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, and he began to promote the new competition. Launched in 1916, the international auto-race, also known as “The Race to the Clouds,” has been held each year except during wartime.

This summer, Pikes Peak will re-open with a completely new Summit Complex. One of the primar y players involved in the project is Colorado native Sandy Elliott. She’s been the operation administrator for Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain for a decade. It’s an appropriate occupation for someone whose grandfather was a driver in the Hill Climb’s 1963 race.

“ Wi t h o u r c o m p l e t e r e d e s i g n , w e w i l l p r o v i d e a n e n t i r e l y n e w e x p e r i e n c e f o r a l l g u e s t s , i n c l u d i n g t h o s e w h o h a v e p r e v i o u s l y s t o o d o n t h e p e a k ,” E l l i o t t s a y s . “ T h e o l d ’ 6 0 s v i s i t o r c e n t e r w a s o u t d a t e d i n s e v e r a l r e s p e c t s … a n d t h e n e w S u m m i t C o m p l e x i s A DA a c c e s s i b l e ( A m e r i c a n s w i t h D i s a b i l i t i e s A c t ) . T h e r e n o v a t e d c e n t e r o f f e r s t h e c h a n c e t o l e a r n a b o u t t h e h i s t o r y, c l i m a t e a n d g e o g r a p h y o f A m e r i c a ’ s M o u n t a i n .”

The exhibit in the visitor center is a minimuseum that will include interactive, digital features.

“ We endeavored to (be) mindful of our carbon footprint,” Elliott adds. “The new building will be LEED certified.” Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a globally recognized program of sustainability.

In addition to the new summit center, the Pikes Peak Cog Railway is being entirely overhauled with newly laid tracks, new train cars and a different rack rail system.

Even with all the changes, some things will remain the same: the decorative plaque honoring lyricist Katharine Lee Bates will stay – but be moved to the new eastern overlook.

Rendering: DHM Design, Courtesy City Communications

Born and raised in rural Indiana, Kristian DePue works as a contributing writer in Colorado Springs. In addition to writing, he enjoys travel, watching films, and a good cocktail.