Neighborhood Newsletters - Information on Colorado Springs Communities

Colorado Springs Community Information

Colorado Springs is the second-largest city in the state of Colorado. Since it was founded in 1871, Colorado Springs has evolved from a resort town to a sophisticated city. There are many attractions that bring tourists to the area year after year. Colorado Springs is located 80 miles south of Denver's International Airport and 1 1/2 hours east of several famous skiing destinations.

According to the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Colorado Springs is at an altitude of 6,035 feet. "The climate of Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region is warm in the summer and moderate in the spring, fall and winter, with over 300 days of sunshine each year." The climate is classified as an "alpine desert" with dry, clean air. Summers are dry with temperatures in the 80s to mid 90s, with cool nights in the 60s. Spring and fall temperatures range from the mid 50s to the low 70s and winters here can be white, but normally the snow that does fall melts quickly and reveals a sunny sky again. Winter temperatures range from the low 30s to the upper 40s.

City of Colorado Springs
Chamber of Commerce
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau

Manitou Springs

Quietly nestled between the red rocks of Garden of the Gods Park and majestic Pikes Peak, lies the unique town of Manitou Springs. "Manitou," a Native American word for "spirit," describes this beautiful mountain community. There are nine mineral springs throughout the small town that are fed by the snows of Pikes Peak. Long ago, natives considered Manitou Springs a sacred area.

Manitou Springs is just a short drive from Colorado Springs. However, the small town offers many of the conveniences of a larger city. In fact, Manitou Springs offers a variety of dining choices (from world-class establishments to favorite neighborhood eateries frequented by locals). Visitors also have their choice of quality accommodations when they come to Manitou Springs. There are quaint bed and breakfasts, an historic hotel, and a variety of classic motels, motor inns and cabins or campgrounds. Housing opportunities are certainly varied from hillside bungalows to opulent estates.

Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau

Tri-Lakes/Monument

According to the Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau, "Beautiful scenery, friendly people and fascinating history are interwoven in the tapestry of the growing Tri-Lakes communities" Monument, Palmer Lake and Woodmoor are at the north edge of El Paso County, situated at the high point between Denver and Colorado Springs known as the Palmer Divide."

The area is home to residents who work locally and also those who choose to commute short distances to either Colorado Springs or Denver (via Interstate 25). The Tri-Lakes area is adjacent to the Pike National Forest and has a varied landscape characterized by rolling, treed hills and (usually) beautiful views of Pikes Peak and the city lights.

The Tri-Lakes area provides a variety of options for dining, accommodations and entertainment. There are several recreational areas that attract people from all parts of Colorado every year.

Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce

Fountain Valley

Fountain Valley, named by the New York Times as America's Millennium City, includes the communities of Fountain, Widefield, and Security, Colorado. These communities are situated near Fountain Creek in the foothills of the frontrange of the Rocky Mountains and represent a unique blend of urban attractions and rural delights. This area is located just 10 minutes from Colorado Springs but seems a world away due to it's more relaxed pace and small town feel. Fountain Valley has plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.

Falcon

The towns of Peyton and Falcon are approximately 8 miles east of Colorado Springs. This area is growing rapidly and is expected to account for the majority of the growth in El Paso County over the next decade. The terrain consists mostly of rolling prairie land. Many homes have magnificent views of Pikes Peak in the distance. Several of the larger developments are master-planned communities with activity centers, local elementary schools and their own parks and trail systems.

Lewis Palmer Grads Tie for Least Remedial Needs

The 2009 graduates of Lewis-Palmer High School who went on to college were better prepared than most of their peers,according to a report by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education. The schools graduates were tied for first place for having the lowest remediation rate in the state among traditional high schools, the report said. About 11 percent of the 246 graduates who went on to attend state public -- colleges needed remediation. Fairview High School, a Boulder Valley School District school with 227 students, also had an 11 percent rate.

"We are just thrilled. It speaks to the quality of our teachers and the great work going on to make sure the students are prepared," said Lewis-Palmer School District 38 Superintendent Ted Bauman.

Click Here for the complete article.

http://www.realestatebyhughes.com/00B76A

Posted on February 17, 2011 16:29:22 by The Hughes Team

Posted in Buyer's Information, Neighborhood Newsletters, Relocation Information, School Information

2010 CSAP Scores Throughout the Region

Below you can check out the updated CSAP (Colorado Student Assessment Program) scores for the Pikes Peak Area:

Click Here for 2010 Results

Online Database of CSAP Scores since 2007

For information on any Colorado Springs Home For Sale, contact:

The Hughes Team

Colorado Springs Realtors

Click Here for a Detailed Market Snapshot for any address in El Paso and Teller Counties

http://www.realestatebyhughes.com/00AF3C

Posted on August 11, 2010 10:54:32 by The Hughes Team

Posted in Buyer's Information, Seller's Information, Neighborhood Newsletters

Top 10 Mid-sized Markets for the Good Life

Top 10 Mid-sized Markets for the Good Life
Business Web site Portfolio.com has identified what it considers the best mid-sized markets.

The study compared 109 communities with populations between 250,000 and 750,000 in 20 categories, including healthy economies, moderate costs of living, light traffic, pleasant neighborhoods, and good schools.

Portfolio.coms Editor J. Jennings Moss said, "This companion study of best mid-sized places to live can serve as a resource for those who are trying to start a business in new territories by identifying the categories that define the best qualities of living."

These were the top-10 mid-sized metros with the best quality of life:

1. Boulder, Colo.
2. Provo, Utah
3. Fort Collins, Colo.
4. Madison, Wis.
5. Ogden, Utah
6. Holland, Mich.
7. Colorado Springs, Colo.
8. Ann Arbor, Mich.
9. Des Moines, Iowa
10. Manchester, N.H.

Source: Portfolio.com (06/30/2010)

Here's a Link to the Detailed Article

For information on any Colorado Springs Home For Sale, contact:

The Hughes Team

Colorado Springs Realtors

Click Here for a Detailed Market Snapshot for any address in El Paso and Teller Counties

http://www.realestatebyhughes.com/00AD7A

Posted on July 10, 2010 14:16:02 by The Hughes Team

Posted in Buyer's Information, Seller's Information, Neighborhood Newsletters

Energy Efficiency can save you $$$

And also Good for the Pocketbook:

Energy Use & ENERGY STAR

Upgrading single-pane windows to ENERGY STAR windows can save a home owner between $126 and $465 in energy costs per year.
If just one 60-watt incandescent light bulb were replaced with an ENERGY STAR CFL bulb in every American home, it would save 6 billion kWh per year. That's enough energy to light almost 3 million homes (and save $600 million in annual energy costs for home owners).
An ENERGY STAR washing machine can help save 6,700 gallons of water per year.
Remember to turn off power strips and unplug electronics (TVs, computers, printers, and charging devices) because stand-by power can account for as much as 5 to 10 percent of a home's energy use.
Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved enough energy in 2009 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 30 million cars - all while saving nearly $17 billion on their utility bills.

- U.S. Department of Energy

Building with Brick

The materials in brick - clay and shale - are among the most abundant minerals on Earth. And virtually all brick used for construction in the U.S. is manufactured in the U.S.
Homes with brick veneer use 2 to 7 percent less energy than those with fiber cement siding.
Brick has a 100-year lifespan, or longer.
Clay bricks are recyclable. They can be reused in other structures or broken down to make new brick.

-Boral Bricks

Consumer Waste

Every year, nearly 900 million trees are cut down to provide raw materials for American paper and pulp mills.
In the U.S., about 28 billion bottles and jars are thrown away every year.
It takes a 15-year-old tree to produce 700 grocery bags.
Each year, Americans throw away 25 billion Styrofoam cups - 500 years from now, they'll still be sitting in a landfill.
The Container Recycling Institute estimates that the 36 billion aluminum cans thrown in the trash and added to landfills last year have a scrap value of more than $600 million. Over the past 20 years, a total of more than $12 billion in aluminum cans have been added to landfills (in today's market).

- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

**Good news! Glossy paper does not contaminate paper recycling

By Erica Christoffer, Web Producer, REALTOR® Magazine

For more information on any Colorado Springs Home For Sale, contact:

The Hughes Team

Colorado Springs Realtors

Click Here for a Detailed Market Snapshot for any address in

El Paso and Teller Counties

http://www.realestatebyhughes.com/00AB3D

Posted on May 18, 2010 12:08:41 by The Hughes Team

Posted in Buyer's Information, Seller's Information, Neighborhood Newsletters

"The Best of" Colorado Springs - 2010

Best of the Springs Logo Best of the Springs 2010 awards from The Gazette, includes restaurant reviews, shopping, city life, entertainment, sports and recreational reviews. While some ratings may have been influenced by advertising activity or facebook popularity, this is still a pretty good resource.