FYI 2023

A GUIDE TO THE PIKES PEAK REGION A U T U M N

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Downtown Colorado Springs. Parker Seibold, The Gazette

Gazette Leadership PUBLISHER Christopher P. Reen EXECUTIVE VP/GENERAL MANAGER Rich Williams EXECUTIVE EDITOR/VP OF CONTENT Vince Bzdek EDITOR John Boogert

FYI Credits SECTION EDITOR Jerry Herman DESIGN Nichole Montanez

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Colorado Springs: A great place to live, work and play

BY THE GAZETTE

Among the beauties of living in Colorado Springs is that feeling of being a tourist even after having called the city home for several years. Admit it — we’ve all had those days.

Whether it’s finding a new hiking trail or hidden dining gem, the city equally offers visitors and longtime residents a lot to savor.

Here in this year’s FYI magazine you’ll get a sampling of what makes “Olympic City USA” a prime place to live, work and play — and why we again earned the plaudits of U.S. News & World Report in its annual top cities rankings.

The national news publication, which in May selected Colorado Springs as No. 9 in its annual ranking of Best Places to Live, tabbed the city as No. 4 in its Best Places for Young Professionals to Live list for 2023-24 that was released in June.

In its rankings, U.S. News described Colorado Springs as a place where young professionals can find “easy access to loads of recreational opportunities in the foothills and mountains.” At the same, the Springs already had a No. 2 desirability ranking as part of U.S. News’ bigger-picture Best Places to Live list released in May. Also, Colorado Springs offers competitive wages, with average annual salaries “roughly on par with the national average and a monthly average unemployment rate of 3.63%,” U.S News said.

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What’s up Sporting, entertainment events draw thousands to Colorado Springs each year

BY O’DELL ISAAC

odell.isaac@gazette.com

In addition to being a popular tourist attraction and one of the country’s most scenic places to live and work, the Colorado Springs area boasts some of the most exciting and unique annual events in the U.S. From stock car racing to the summit of “America’s Mountain,” to bronco-busting competitions and a Labor Day hot-air balloon festival, the region offers something to pique just about any interest.

SEE PAGE 5

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The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Timothy Hurst, Gazette

The following is a partial list of the city’s biggest annual events:

The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

One of the most demanding challenges in motorsports — for both car and driver — the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb draws both fans and drivers from across the U.S. and beyond. Founded in 1916 by entrepreneur Spencer Penrose, the Hill Climb is a winding and ascending 12.42-mile trek featuring more than 150 turns.

Each June, race fans camp out hours before daybreak to stake out the best vantage points to watch drivers navigate the course — one at a time — in their quest to be crowned “King of the Mountain.”

Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo

Top rodeo competitors from across the country, as well as Canada and Mexico, bring their riding and roping talents to Colorado Springs each July for the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. Dating back to 1937, the signature Western event features bareback riding, breakaway roping, barrel racing, bull riding, mutton busting and much more.

The annual rodeo is preceded by the Western Street Breakfast, which typically attracts thousands of revelers to Tejon Street for an early-morning Western-style feast.

Pikes Peak Marathon and Ascent

Founded in 1956, the Pikes Peak Marathon is the oldest continually held marathons in the U.S. and is easily one of the most grueling. Hundreds of runners climb about 7,800 feet up the east face of the mountain to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak before heading back down to the foothills — a 26.2-mile round trip over a nearly vertical landscape dotted with rocks and other natural obstacles. Winning race times are typically just under four hours — nearly twice as long as marathons completed on flat land.

The sister race to the Marathon, known as the Ascent, climbs 13.3 miles to the summit. Both races used to be held on the same day until the 1980s, when the Ascent was given its own day due to its popularity.

Labor Day Lift Off

Dozens of hot-air balloons from across the U.S. converge on Colorado Springs each September to participate in one of the nation’s largest and most festive balloon events. Formerly called the Colorado Balloon Classic, the Labor Day weekend festival at Memorial Park has mushroomed in size and scope since its 1977 inception and now includes a broad spectrum of events and entertainment, from concerts to a skydiving performance by the Air Force Academy Wings of Blue.

Territory Days

Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. Parker Seibold

Territory Days is a three-day festival than runs Memorial Day weekend in historic Old Colorado City, on the west side of Colorado Springs. It’s been a tradition for 48 years and is one of Colorado’s largest street fairs.

Territory Days helps celebrate Old Colorado City as the first territorial capital of Colorado and highlights its connection to the Pikes Peak or Bust mining days.

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BY O’DELL ISAAC

odell.isaac@gazette.com

Whether you live in the Colorado Springs area, or are just visiting, the region offers a multitude of hiking and biking options with a variety of terrain for the whole family. Statuesque rock formations, peaceful lakes, colorful meadows, breathtaking waterfalls, and a host of other sensory pleasures are there for the taking.

What follows is just a portion of the trails available within a short drive around Colorado Springs:

GREAT HIKING, BIKING TRAILS IN AND AROUND

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ART(full) Cottonwood Center of the Arts. Christian Murdock, The Gazette

Catch a comedy, symphony or art walk among Colorado Springs’ vibrant entertainment scene

BY BROOKE NEVINS

brooke.nevins@gazette.com

In the mood for a good laugh — or a good cry — and a vibrant art scene among some of the region’s most historic districts? There are musicals, comedy shows, ballets, symphonies and art galleries galore in downtown Colorado Springs and Old Colorado City, an area steeped in colorful history with a walkable art, music and dining scene.

Check out just a few of Colorado Springs’ favorite performance and fine arts experiences below.

SEE PAGE 13

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FROM PAGE 6

trails wind through the red rock formations that make Garden of the Gods a perennial top tourist destination. The trails don’t offer much of a challenge for serious hikers, but outdoor enthusiasts looking for walking trails with breathtaking views should consider Garden of the Gods.

Helen Hunt Falls

A popular, family-friendly hiking trail located within North Cheyenne Cañon Park, Helen Hunt Falls offers a pleasant forest hike alongside a waterfall and a cascading stream.

Red Rock Canyon

The open space at Red Rock Canyon offers a variety of trails that connect to several other trails in the area, allowing hikers a multitude of options. The trails offer stunning views of the Garden of the Gods red rock formations and is a popular venue for trail running, mountain biking and rock climbing.

Horsethief Park

Located in Divide, Horsethief Park offers a broad range of outdoor recreation activities including bicycling, hiking, camping and horseback riding. The main trail, which heads north to Pancake Rocks, is a popular venue for snowshoers and cross-country skiers during the winter months.

Seven Bridges

A 3.7-mile round trip featuring seven wooden bridges, the popular Seven Bridges trail includes a portion of the old Midland Railroad line. Its gradual elevation provides a moderate challenge for hikers looking for a little exercise.

Seven Falls

This stunning waterfall reaches a height of up to 181 feet and can be easily accessed by the 224-step staircase adjacent to the falls — leading visitors to nearby hiking trails, glistening streams and zipline excursions. Ticket purchase is required, but a free shuttle takes visitors from the Broadmoor East lot at 6 Lake Ave.

Rampart Reservoir Trail

This trail takes hikers and cyclists on a long loop around the Rampart Reservoir, with wildflower-filled meadows and unique rock formations. A great location for fishing, camping, snowshoeing, mountain biking and trail running.

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Lulu’s Downstairs. The Gazette File

ROCK ON BEST MUSIC

OPTIONS AROUND COLORADO SPRINGS OFFER SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE 10

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BY ABBEY SOUKUP

abbey.soukup@gazette.com

Whether you’re looking for a new favorite artist or a night out on the town, Colorado Springs has proven itself to boast a burgeoning music scene for the young, and the young at heart.

Music venues across the city offer something for rock fans, country devotees, indie lovers and acoustic enthusiasts alike.

Here’s a list of some of our favorite stages large and small, old and new, featured across the Colorado Springs area.

Lulu’s Downstairs

On the edge of Manitou Springs, Lulu’s Downstairs offers an eccentric scene for foodies and live music lovers equally.

Open Wednesday through Sun-

day nights, the unique and colorful establishment at 107 Manitou Ave., features a patio and full-service restaurant and bar on the main floor, and venue space throughout the basement level.

Have a seat at the venue’s retro bar and enjoy one of many crafted cocktails like the Galaxy 500 — a sweet, strawberry take on the classic gin and tonic, or a Keith Moon, a spunky combination of prosecco and tequila.

Offering Japanese cuisine from Tenko Izakaya, patrons can enjoy refreshing menu items like the seaweed or cucumber salad, or pick from an array of simple sushi rolls.

With the upcoming performance schedule loaded with local favorites, out-of-town delights and comedy open mics, Lulu’s downstairs will not disappoint those seeking live entertainment with a quirky twist.

The Black Sheep

A notable rock venue, the Black Sheep on Colorado Springs’ east side offers music spanning several genres from local favorites to national headliners.

Imagine Dragons, Mac Miller and Daughtry are among the performers who played the Black Sheep on their way to the big time.

The Black Sheep opened in 2005.

Located on East Platte Avenue, patrons are greeted by a painted array of daring sheep and can expect a classic

communal concert experience.

Vultures

Neighboring the Black Sheep at 2100 E. Platte Ave., Vultures offers a more low-key, dive-bar atmosphere for a cozy concert experience in the heart of the Knob Hill Arts District.

Comparable to the vibe of a coffee shop or small basement show, Vulture’s intimate space is perfect for a casual gathering with friends or a simple excuse to get out of the house.

Whether you’re looking to grab a quick drink or hang out for a meal, the menu at Vultures offers comfortable favorites from spinach and artichoke dip to several panini sandwiches.

Featuring open mics, drag shows and indie-musical performances, you can visit Vultures seven days a week from 4 p.m. to midnight.

Armadillo Ranch

Located in the heart of downtown Manitou Springs, family-owned Armadillo Ranch is a fun spot for families, intergenerational townies and out-of-towners.

Inhabiting the space previously known as the Ancient SEE PAGE 12

The Black Sheep. The Gazette File

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FROM PAGE 12

Proposed nighttime view of Sunset amphitheater. Lifang Vision Technology

Mariner, Armadillo Ranch took over in 2019 after a 35-year run by the Mariner.

Welcoming for all ages, the restaurant and venue space offers foods of traditional pub fare and can easily accommodate families and kids during the day. Kids are welcome to stomp around to the music on stage. When the sun goes down, minors will need to be joined by an adult to enter.

Featuring a full-size stage that can hold upward of 12 musicians, the venue is known as a home for artists looking to be heard, with live music sometimes up to six nights a week.

Notes

Found on Colorado Springs’ north side at 13141 Bass Pro Drive, Notes neighborhood bar offers a nightlife experience featuring hints of nostalgia.

Notes has live music Friday through Sunday, a jazz brunch buffet on weekends, and the occasional music bingo and karaoke night.

Decked from ceiling to floor in musical memorabilia from stars across the decades, Notes offers craft cocktails, beer and cuisine for an upscale twist on classic bar eats. Themed drinks include the Dolly Pardon Me and the Uptown Girl.

Notes is open Thursday through Sunday.

Stargazers Theater

From the outside, this building looks more like a planetarium than a music venue. But under its unique dome at 10 S. Parkside Dr., bands of all genres, including rock, country, Celtic, bluegrass and more take the stage.

Shows are typically held Thursday through Saturday nights but it can vary.

Sunshine Studios Live

With a heavy dose of rock, the events calendar is busy at the 3970 Clearview Frontage Rd., venue. Sunshine Studios Live is also known for its state-of-theart sound equipment used by artists during recording sessions.

Coming Soon: The Sunset Amphitheater

Expected to open its doors to concertgoers in summer 2024, the 8,000-seat amphitheater is coming to Colorado Springs’ north side, breaking ground in early July this year.

The state-of-the-art venue is set to host 30 to 40 of some of the nation’s top performers annually.

With a backdrop of Pikes Peak and the Rampart Range, the $55 million state-of-the-art entertainment campus on Polaris Pointe will join the area’s array of restaurants, stores and entertainment venues. Amenities are expected to include VIP stadium seating and fireplace suites.

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Colorado Springs Youth Symphony.

The Gazette

FROM PAGE 8

First Friday Art Walks

Every first Friday of the month, participating art galleries, bookstores, breweries, cafes and more keep their doors open late from 5-9 p.m. to welcome downtown Colorado Springs strollers year-round. Old Colorado City features its own self-guided First Friday art walk 5-8 p.m. along Colorado Avenue between 23rd and 27th streets from April to December.

Head a little farther west on U.S. 24 to explore the studios and eccentric street art in Manitou Springs, which for the third year in a row has been recognized as one of the best small-town art scenes in the nation. That First Friday walk runs 5-9 p.m. from March to November.

Whatever your favorite art style — modern, Western, abstract — something is sure to catch your fancy.

Stay awhile and pair light refreshments, wine tastings and live music with your window shopping experience or a new addition to your own art collection. You may even catch a local creative in action during a live painting or open mic extravaganza.

Pikes Peak Center

Whether you’re new to the Springs or have called it home for decades, the Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts of-

fers up an abundance of musicals, ballets, philharmonic performances, concerts and comedy shows that never get old.

Support the local talent of the much-revered Colorado Youth Symphony or Colorado Springs Philharmonic, who bring to life everything from new movie scores to beloved and timeless classics, like “The Nutcracker.” Perhaps catch that touring big-name musician or comedian you’ve been waiting to see in the large hall known for great acoustics.

Hunter-Wolff Gallery

Recently voted Colorado Springs’ top art gallery, the Hunter-Wolff Gallery, 2510 W. Colorado Ave., offers an eclectic exhibition of paintings, sculptures, jewelry, pottery and more at a variety of price ranges and art styles by various artists.

Oxymorons

Do you miss the hilarious and classic TV show “Whose Line is it Anyway?”

Look no further than Colorado Springs’ very own five-person troupe that does improv games like those featured on the show, plus it’s all in good, clean fun. Check around a local venue near you to catch a fan-favorite, family-friendly performance by the Christ-following group.

If you’re looking to get out of your shell or put your hidden funny bone to use, another group, Stick Horses in Pants, hosts both an “Improve 101” and an advanced improv class that are open to the public.

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DAY TRIP Green Mountain Falls. Gazette File

7 ways to spend a perfect day along Ute Pass

BY JESSICA VAN DYNE

jessica.vandyne@gazette.com

For those looking to escape the daily bustle below Pikes Peak whether it be from work, school or simply needing a change of scenery, a day trip up Ute Pass along U.S. 24 is sure to satisfy.

The breathtaking views that surround travelers as they ascend the road above Manitou Springs can steal even the most veteran commuters and mountain-goers’ gaze.

Here are a few must-see sights, hidden gems and trusty favorites any day-trippers won’t want to miss.

North Pole

Christmas festivities never end at The

North Pole Santa’s Workshop in Cascade at 5050 Pikes Peak Highway. Featuring toys, sweets and rides, the park is free to enter in summer and fall with the option for visitors to buy ride passes. Reservations are required on peak days in November and December. Winter bookings for the wonderland begin mid-September.

Pikes Peak Pickle Shack

The face of “Mr. Pickle,” an anthropomorphic vegetable on a billboard advertisement, beckons drivers to Cascade’s Pikes Peak Pickle Shack, which sells an array of pickles and other jarred goodies. At 4675 Fountain Ave., shoppers can stop in and grab a special treat or

gift a friend a jar of fruit cobbler, sweet potato butter, avocado tomatillo salsa, blueberry jalapeño preserves or quail eggs.

Green Mountain Falls Gazebo

At every turn in Colorado’s mountains there is usually a photo opportunity waiting, and the Green Mountain Falls Gazebo won’t disappoint with its smalltown charm. Green Mountain Falls’ Victorian-era gazebo sits at the end of a wooden bridge on an isle in the middle of a quaint man-made lake. Across the shore kids can romp around a small jungle gym set. Playing or relaxing, the gazebo area is the ideal getaway spot to breathe in fresh air.

SEE PAGE 14

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FROM PAGE 14

Pantry Restaurant

Take a stroll across the parking lot of the gazebo in Green Mountain Falls to the Pantry Restaurant and enjoy a breakfast filled menu served seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 6980 Lake St. Hint: Don’t miss the Signature Cinnamon Roll French Toast.

Skyspace

Take a 15-minute hike from the center of Green Mountain Falls to a short trail up Red Butte to experience James Turrell’s Skyspace. The permanent installation at 10392 El Paso Ave. is an observatory-like light chamber where the ceiling opens for an hourlong show of the sky.

Donut Mill

Follow the road to the windmill to find doughnuts, at least that’s how it works in Woodland Park. The Donut Mill at 310 W. Midland Ave., serves staple snacks from bear claws to the the jelly doughnuts and everything in between. Those who don’t want a doughnut can try the shop’s variety of Blue Bell Ice Cream flavors.

Memorial Park

It’s time to turn around and take in majesty of Pikes Peak. What better place to do that than Memorial Park in Woodland Park at 220 W. South Ave., where there is green space galore? The park is laced with pathways that lead between the pond, fishing dock, basketball court, pavilion and picnic areas. The perfect spot to end the day.

The Pantry Restaurant meal. Jeff Kearney For The Gazette

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The Whiskey Baron Dance Hall & Saloon. Jon Eddy Productions

Big-city options, small-town feel

BY BROOKE NEVINS

For those looking for a date night excursion, Colorado Springs offers both the diverse options of a big city and places to find your niche with the locals. With dance halls, a wide assortment of cuisines, dive bar comedy and more, there’s something for everyone planning a night on the town.

room, variety of cocktails and array of appetizers, burgers and entrees can keep you busy once you exit stage left.

Don’t wait for the weekend to give this bar a try — bring your friends to trivia night at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays or to daily happy hours.

Whiskey Baron Dance Hall & Saloon

Painting with a Twist

brooke.nevins@gazette.com

Grab hold of that Western feel at Colorado Springs’ top-rated honky-tonk, Whiskey Baron Dance Hall & Saloon. Located at 5781 N. Academy Boulevard south of Woodmen Road, the hall offers pizza pies, stuffed jalapenos, burger sliders, wings, tater tots and other fried bites as well as an assortment of beers and cocktails to enjoy between your favorite line-dancing songs.

Grab your dance partner and participate in twice-weekly beginner and advanced line dance lessons on Wednesdays and Fridays, or couples lessons on Thursdays. Depending on the week, you may find yourself learning the two-step, polka or swing dance.

Wednesdays offer free covers on college night for those aged 21 and up, ladies get in free — plus a free drink — on Thursdays, and active and veteran military members, first responders and law enforcement officers get in free on Freedom Fridays. Many residents say it’s the best place to catch country artists and go country dancing in the city.

Thunder and Buttons II

Take your shower or car concerts to the stage at Thunder and Buttons II, a karaoke bar located at 2415 W. Colorado Ave. in Old Colorado City. The mic stays hot beginning at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, plus a pool 16

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Online

See thebestofthesprings.com for more of the best dining, A&E and shopping around the city

Paint the town with some wine in hand at Painting with a Twist, where you can be guided through crafting your own masterpiece step-by-step with a bar nearby. With three locations in north, west and east Colorado Springs, it’s accessible from where you live or stay.

No experience is required to paint, and talented local artists are on-hand to instruct participants in a relaxing and inspiring setting. Grab your date, friends or parents, bring your favorite snack and head to the Inspiration Bar for a glass of wine, a beer or soft drink and water.

Let your kids in on the fun during monthly family-friendly painting sessions or book a birthday, bachelorette, retirement or any other kind of party.

Atmosphere Gastropub

Highly rated by residents for its drinks, menu and overall hip feel, Atmosphere Gastropub is much more than a pub with bar grub. Here, you get a true gastro experience with dishes like lobster tots, duck poutine and tuna tartare and options for lunch, dinner, happy hour from 3-6 p.m. and Sunday brunch.

Located at 1327 Interquest Parkway in north Colorado Springs, there’s plenty of nearby activities like movies, bowling, laser tag and more to jump to next.

First Baptist Church, at 317 E. Kiowa St., Colorado Springs. Gazette File

CLASSICAL STRUCTURES

Classical structures offer a unique look into Colorado Springs history

BY O’DELL ISAAC

odell.isaac@gazette.com

While some of Colorado Springs’ most beloved historic structures have fallen victim to the wrecking ball in recent years, many of the city’s earliest buildings remain intact. Tourists and residents alike can visit churches, chapels and other city structures and view them the way the earliest residents did after Gen. William Jackson Palmer established the city more than 150 years ago.

Industry and technology have expanded and changed Colorado Springs SEE PAGE 19

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Getty Images

Stop and smell the hops

BY STEPHANIE EARLS

stephanie.earls@gazette.com

Keeping abreast of Colorado Springs’ evolving beveragescape can feel like trying to nail a Jello shot to a wall (which, incidentally, is the only way we will ever again engage with a Jello shot).

If you haven’t noticed a new brewery or craft drink-focused establishment opening in your neighborhood or along your commute recently, just give it a minute.

When the Springs’ Bristol Brewing Co. helped kick off Colorado’s taproom boom in the late 1990s by opening a production brewery that (gasp!) also poured pints, the city was home to just a handful of professional beermakers. It now has more than 30 breweries and dozens more craft taprooms and pubs, as well as distillers, cider and mead makers.

While 2023, uncharacteristically, has seen more breweries close than open in the Springs — which bid a sad adieu to Smiling Toad Brewing Co. and Rocky Mountain Brewery, saw Battle Mountain Brewing’s relocation to Castle Rock, as well as the abandonment of several long-anticipated projects (Dauntless, WeldWerks) — more projects are on the horizon. And the year’s not over yet.

Lakewood-based WestFax Brewing’s new taproom, at 31st Street and Colorado Avenue, is on track to open in the coming months. According to a roundup by the Colorado Brewery List, which tracks the state’s beer landscape, two new Springs breweries are in planning, Gunslinger Brewing and The Kilted Fitz Irish Pub, with two more in the concept phase, Brushwood Brewing and Kirk and Dahl’s Craft Brewing.

Until then, let’s enjoy the opportunity to stop and smell the hops, with a recap of the newish beer game in town: Last year was a busy one for brewery startups in the 18

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Springs, which rang in 2022 with the grand opening of Bell Brothers Brewing in a portion of the remodeled Zeezo’s building on North Tejon Street.

Not far on its heels, in February, came BATCH/Slapped Brewery and Cidery, with its dual concept taproom at 5859 Palmer Park Blvd.

The following month, Trinity Brewing Co. opened a Forge Road taproom down the street from its flagship spot on Garden of the Gods Road. The address previously housed Red Leg Brewing Co., which now operates out of a new, multimillion-dollar brewing complex about two miles west, on Garden of the Gods Road.

Father & Sons Tap Room and Brewery started pouring its own suds last summer north of the airport, at Highway 24 and Marksheffel Road and down the street from its older, sister retail operation, Private Label Distillery.

In September, Mike Centanne, the brewer/co-founder of (now-closed) Iron Bird Brewing who went on to help launch Metric Brewing, rounded out his local trifecta with the opening of Urban Animal Beer Co. off Broadmoor Bluffs Drive.

And in October, Wackadoo Brewing became the first brewery to officially hang its shingle in Rockrimmon (as far as postal codes are concerned), where it’s been quietly redefining what it means to be a designated driver in the Springs.

“One of the beers we have on tap now, we’re only the second (brewery) in America to make a barrel-aged non-alcoholic porter,” said owner and head brewer Steven Fuller.

On the flip side, Wackadoo also boasts the “largest flight board in Colorado.”

“All 20 of our beers are on tap, so you can sample all of them at once,” Fuller said.

FROM PAGE 17

in many ways, but public and private endeavors have helped save some of the city’s buildings so that the city retains much of the Gothic and Romanesque architecture that serves as a visual reminder of the city’s rich history.

What follows is a partial list of historical structures in and around Colorado Springs:

First Baptist Church

Founded in 1872 in downtown Colorado Springs, the First Baptist Church was established in the city’s infancy; Colorado Springs was only about a year old at the time and had roughly 300 residents. In 1890, as the city and congregation grew, a cornerstone was laid for a new, larger structure on East Kiowa Street. Since then, a few additions have been made to the church, including an education building in 1955 and the most recent renovation in 1991.

ple Creek area and, later, in Colorado City. By 1942, the home had been converted into lodging rooms for teachers at nearby St. Mary’s School. A two-story addition was added in 1952-53. The building was again transformed in the 1980s to its current usage as a soup kitchen for needy residents.

Grace and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church

Grace and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church was founded in 1872, but construction wasn’t fully completed until 1926, when the tower building was added. The double name is attributed to a group that left the Grace Church in 1893 to form St. Stephen’s. The two parishes later merged to form the Episcopal church that stands today.

First Presbyterian Church

Also founded in 1872, First Presbyterian Church now hosts one of the downtown area’s largest congregations.

The church was established by the Rev. Sheldon Jackson, a missionary who organized dozens of churches in the central and western U.S.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church

The Gothic-style cathedral opened in 1891 and was renovated in 2003. Considered the “mother church of the Pikes Peak Region,” St. Mary’s has held services for Catholic followers for more than 100 years, according to the church’s official website. Construction was completed in 1898, with bell towers being added in 1902. The church has an outreach program to the Hispanic community that started in 2007.

Pioneers Museum

Established as a collecting institution in 1896, the Pioneers Museum was eventually moved to the former El Paso County Courthouse. The move helped save the judicial building, which was built in 1903, from demolition.

Meet Winston, our resident “good boy.”

Hagerman Carriage House

The former Hagerman Mansion, at 610 N. Cascade Ave., is one of five buildings that comprise the current Cascade Park Apartments. It was originally built by iron magnate James J. Hagerman, who came to Colorado Springs in 1884 in hopes of finding relief from his tuberculosis.

Penrose House

Built as a single-family residence in 1910, the home was purchased by Spencer and Julie Penrose in 1916. The Penroses added second and third stories to the home.

Spencer died in 1939 and Julie lived alone in the home before moving into The Broadmoor hotel in 1944. Now known as the Penrose House Conference Center, the house was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.

At Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, I can: Get licensed Get a wellness exam & vaccines Get found if I go missing Get a new home

Marian House

Marian House was built between 1890 and 1892 for Charles L. and Josephine Tutt. A boyhood friend of Spencer Penrose, Charlie Tutt partnered with his friend in mines, reduction mills and related ventures in the CripFollow along with Winston at HSPPR.org FYI

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