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	Mountains in Colorado

Situated at the base of Pike's Peak is the beautiful city of Colorado Springs. Just south of Denver, Colorado Springs was originally intended as a tourist resort destination prior to the Gold Rush. With it's lush greenery, stunning mountain vistas, and crisp air, its easy to see why tourists would be drawn here.

HISTORY

The first settlers in the Colorado Springs area were the Arapahoe, Cheyenne, and Ute Native tribes. General William Jackson Palmer founded the city of Colorado Springs in 1871. In the 1890s when gold fever hit nearby Cripple Creek, his plans to create a tourist resort were changed. Colorado Springs became a boomtown, with many prospectors choosing to stay.

During the Second World War, the city of Colorado Springs sold a portion of land south of the city to the United States military. The military presence continued to grow, and in the 1950s the US Air Force Academy was established. Several air force bases were set up in the area, and the headquarters for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) are situated here.

Tourism remains the main draw of Colorado Springs. The US Olympic Committee and Olympic Training Facility are housed here.

CLIMATE / TRANSPORTATION

Colorado Springs has a nice, moderate climate. With the Rocky Mountains to the west, and the Moderate Divide to the north, the city is well protected from any overly harsh elements. It's a good choice to enjoy the great outdoors, as the city receives approximately 250 days of sunshine a year. The annual snowfall is about 37 inches, and the annual rainfall is less than 16 inches. In the summer, the average high is around 95 Degrees Fahrenheit (35 Celsius), and in winter the average temperature is 16 Degrees Fahrenheit (-9 Celsius).

The closest major international airport is in Denver, but there is a small airport in Colorado Springs as well. It generally deals with domestic arrivals and departures, and, while most of these are charter flights, some of the major airlines do have scheduled stops there. Getting around Colorado Springs is quite easy as well. For those who don't have vehicles, bus service is available throughout.

WHAT TO SEE & DO

	MilitaryAirplanes Flying in Formation

US AIR FORCE ACADEMY

The United States Air Force Academy is one of Colorado's most frequently visited man-made attractions. It's purpose is to develop young men and women into Air Force Officers. Set in a beautiful area of Colorado, and located just outside Colorado Springs, the campus is a truly inspiring place. The most impressive part is the Cadet Chapel. A nature trail leads there, and it is an extraordinary piece of architecture. The exterior is comprised of 17 spires that rise up to the heavens. Inside the building are several different chapels pertaining to different denominations, each designed and decorated accordingly. There is an all faiths, Jewish, Protestant, and Catholic chapel. The Visitors Center features exhibits on the Academy's history and cadet life, a 250 seat theatre, and offers maps with self-guided driving tours.

PIKES PEAK

Overlooking the city of Colorado Springs is Pike's Peak. It was named for Zebulon Pike, an early Southwest explorer who discovered the area, and the peak itself, in 1806. In 1873, the US Signal Service built a telegraph station at the summit of the mountain in order to monitor the weather in the area. This increased the mountain traffic. More people needed and wanted to reach the summit, and most did so by foot, horse, mule or burro.

Today, visitors reach the top on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, founded by Zalmon Simmons. Simmons, the founder of the Simmons Mattress Company, first visited the summit in the late 1880s, when he went to the telegraph station to inspect a new insulator he had invented for telegraph wires. He took the trek up and down the mountain on a mule. Later at his hotel, he was lamenting to a hotel proprietor that there had to be a better method of travel up the peak, and the hotel employee suggested a railroad. Simmons took the idea and ran with it. He organized the financing, and the first passenger train made its ascent up the mountain in 1891.

The railway is the highest in the United States, and it reaches an elevation of 14, 110 feet. The route itself is just shy of nine miles in length, and it bypasses waterfalls, wildlife, and spectacular mountain vistas. It's an enjoyable ride up, and the view from the top is magnificent. On a clear day, while it isn't actually possible to see forever, it is possible to see the skyscrapers of Denver.

GARDEN OF THE GODS

	Garden of the Gods

Set against the backdrop of the snow-capped Pike's Peak, are the towering sandstone rock formations that make up the Garden of the Gods. This area provides visitors a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, while taking in the impressive scenery. There are hiking and mountain bike trails, and opportunities for rock climbing are available. There is a Visitor's Center located here, and it offers a multi-media presentation. There are also hands-on exhibits explaining the history and geology of the park, and 30 minute presentations on subjects such as area wildlife take place throughout the day.

CAVE OF THE WINDS

Opened in 1880, Cave of the Winds is the oldest attraction in the Colorado Springs area. It is a series of complex caves, and there are three separate tours offering three different perspectives on Colorado geology. The Discovery Tour is a 45 minute guided tour that is appropriate for everyone. It is an easy walk that the whole family can enjoy. The Lantern Tour takes visitors through a series of caves, guided only by lantern light. The guide for this tour is dressed in authentic 1800's attire, and visitors are informed on how the caves were discovered and their extensive history. There is also the Explorer's Tour. This is a three to four hour tour, and is definitely best for the more adventurous souls. This tour takes visitors through the caves with an experienced caver, so they are a little more challenging, but definitely a worthwhile experience. Every night during the summer, the Cave of the Winds offers an extravagant laser light show. Argon and Krypton gas lasers are passed through a series of filters, prisms, and 63 mirrors. This is a unique event, and a great way to finish off the day.