Manitou Springs is a home rule municipality located at the foot of Pikes Peak in western El Paso County, Colorado, United States. The town was founded for its natural mineral springs. The downtown area continues to be of interest to travelers, particularly in the summer, with many shops and restaurants, as well as a creekside city park. The main road through the center of town was one of the direct paths to the base of Pikes Peak. Barr Trail, which winds its way up Pikes Peak, is accessible from town. The subdivision Crystal Hills was added to the municipality in the 1960s.
The city population was 4,858 at the 2020 United States census. Students are served by Manitou Springs School District 14 and Manitou Springs High School.
History General William Jackson Palmer and Dr. William Abraham Bell founded Manitou Springs in 1872, intending the town to be a "scenic health resort". Bell's home, Briarhurst Manor, is open to the public as a fine dining restaurant, which is listed on the National Register of Historic places. In 1876, the town was incorporated. "Manitou Springs has been the quintessential tourist town since the 1870s, when visitors discovered the healing waters the Ute Indians had been drinking for years. Many of the town's mineral springs still function today and the water is free."
Historic district
In 1980, the Manitou Springs Historic District was formed by the Historic Preservation Committee to manage development, renovation and preservation within the town. It is a National Register of Historic Places listingNational Register of Historic Places in El Paso County, Colorado. American Dreams. Retrieved May 3, 2013. and one of the country's largest National Historic Districts.
Waldo Canyon fire In June 2012, the entire city was evacuated due to the Waldo Canyon fire nearby. Parts of western Colorado Springs were also evacuated. Manitou Springs did not suffer any fire damage, and the city was under evacuation orders from only 1:30 a.m. Monday until 8 p.m. the same day. There was no fire damage visible from Manitou Springs, and all businesses reopened.
Waldo Canyon flash flood On the afternoon of August 9, 2013, the city was inundated by a flash flood entering the northern edges of the city via roadways and natural channels as it descended from the flooded-out US Hwy 24. Traffic was stopped in both directions as the highway barriers formed a river drifting several occupied cars down a runoff ditch. The strong current made a path down Manitou Avenue from Cavern Gulch, as well as Canon Avenue, meandering turbulently through streets, homes, businesses, and spillways, damaging 20 homes, 8 of them significantly. The flood water threatened buildings and parking lots along Fountain Creek, and closed a portion of Manitou Avenue, which reopened later that evening.
Geography Situated directly along U.S. Route 24 just west of Old Colorado City and Cave of the Winds, the town is bordered by Mt. Manitou to the west, Red Mountain to the south, and Englemann Canyon, south and west. It is near Garden of the Gods, with the same red stone as Red Mountain,Manitou Springs Historic District Nomination Form . History Colorado. Retrieved May 3, 2013. and is at the base of Pikes Peak. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.
Climate Manitou Springs has a humid continental climate (Koppen: Dfb), categorized by four distinct seasons. Summertime is hot, and wintertime is cool, sometimes cold. Spring and fall are generally very pleasant.
Government Manitou Springs is a local government and a home rule city located within the Colorado Springs metropolitan area.
City council Manitou Springs is managed by the elected mayor and six city council members. The mayor is elected to a two-year term. Council members are elected to 4-year overlapping terms. Three council members are "at large" members and three members represent one of each of the 3 wards in Manitou Springs. Manitou Springs residents may attend the following meetings or working sessions held each month at the Council Chambers at 606 Manitou Avenue.
1st Tuesday 2nd Tuesday 3rd Tuesday 4th Tuesday City Council meeting Working session City Council meeting Optional working session
City boards and commissions The Manitou Springs City Boards and Commissions include: Business Improvement District sponsors events and promotions to encourage tourism and business within Manitou Springs. It was also formed to "improve the cleanliness, safety, and marketability of the Downtown Historic District." Fountain Creek Restoration Committee Historic Preservation Commission manages development, restoration and preservation of the Historic District.Historic Preservation Committee . City of Manitou Springs. Retrieved May 18, 2013. Housing Advisory Board iManitou including the Chamber of Commerce, Office of Economic Development and Visitors Bureau. Metro Parking District, which operates parking lots. Mineral Springs Foundation was organized to "restore, protect and publicize the natural mineral springs". Open Space Advisory Committee was formed to acquire open space. Park and Recreation Advisory Board is charged with the enhancement and promotion of the local parks and trails. Parking Authority Board Planning Commission, with the objective of "guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, well adjusted and harmonious development of the City and its environs." Urban Renewal Authority Board to oversee the "redevelopment of the east end of Manitou Avenue."
Demographics
2020 census As of the 2020 census, Manitou Springs had a population of 4,858. The median age was 47.8 years. 13.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.0 males age 18 and over.
98.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 1.2% lived in rural areas.
There were 2,438 households in Manitou Springs, of which 18.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 40.0% were married-couple households, 25.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 38.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 2,675 housing units, of which 8.9% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.6%.
+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 4,215 86.8% Black or African American 60 1.2% American Indian and Alaska Native 39 0.8% Asian 54 1.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 9 0.2% Some other race 81 1.7% Two or more races 400 8.2% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 337 6.9%
2000 census As of the census of 2000, there were 4,980 people, 2,452 households, and 1,255 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 2,654 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 93.98% White, 3.65% Hispanic or Latino, 0.50% African American, 1.06% Native American, 1.12% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.94% from other races, and 2.27% from two or more races.
There were 2,452 households, out of which 22.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 40.2% were married couples living together' 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present; and 48.8% were non-families. 38.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.03 and the average family size was 2.73.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 18.6% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 32.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,514, and the median income for a family was $57,260. Males had a median income of $39,102 versus $24,286 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,492. About 4.7% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over. Attractions and community events
Attractions Attractions include: Cave of the Winds, cave complex; tours given daily The Iron Springs Chateau Melodrama Dinner Theater, located on Ruxton Avenue, is a dinner theatre for families and adults.Iron Springs Chateau Melodrama Dinner Theatre . Pikes-peak.com Retrieved May 14, 2013. Manitou Cliff Dwellings, a full-size replica of Anasazi Indian cliff dwellings, as well as a museum. The cliff dwellings were built in the early 1900s, using materials from ruined cliff dwellings in the Four Corners area.Manitou Springs Cliff Dwelling Museum. Retrieved May 14, 2013 Manitou and Pike's Peak Railway, extending from Manitou Springs to the top of Pikes PeakPikes Peak Cog Railway. Manitou & Pike's Peak Cog Railway. Retrieved May 14, 2013. Manitou Springs Food TourManitou Springs Food Tours. Colorado Springs Food Tours. Retrieved May 14, 2013. Manitou Springs Heritage CenterManitou Springs Heritage Center. Historic Manitou Springs, Inc. Retrieved May 14, 2013. Miramont Castle and Manitou Springs Fire Department Museum Rainbow Falls (aka Graffiti Falls) is a waterfall on Fountain Creek where there is a large amount of colorful graffiti painted on the canyon walls and bridge overpass.
Mineral springs and parks The Springsabouts Walking Tours, a tour of nine of the Manitou Mineral Springs sites offered by the Mineral Springs Foundation. People can also take their own tour of the springs by visiting The Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau to pick up a free mineral-springs brochure, content chart and a sampling cup. Parks, from east to west along Manitou Avenue, include Schryver Park, Memorial Park, Mansions Park, and Soda Springs Park. Fields Community Park is located on El Paso Boulevard. Seven Minute Gazebo is located behind Mansions and Memorial Parks.Manitou Springs Park and Trails map . Manitou Springs Government. Retrieved May 14, 2013. There are a total of eight springs throughout town, each with their own mineral properties. Manitou Incline, a former incline railway bed that rises over 2,000 feet above Manitou Springs is a popular hiking and fitness activity.
Events Annual events include:
January The Great Fruitcake TossManitou Springs Fruitcake Toss. Visit Colorado Springs. Retrieved May 14, 2013. Historic Speaker series February Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo cook off Mardi Gras ParadeTravis Duncan. "Calendar Benefits Library; Work of 17 local artists is showcased in '09 'Historic Manitou Springs' calendar." Colorado Springs: The Gazette. September 28, 2008. HighBeam Research. Retrieved May 5, 2013. Historic Speaker seriesHistoric Speakers Series. Manitou Springs Heritage Center. Retrieved May 14, 2013. March Historic Speaker series April 9 News Health Fair9Health Fair . 9Health Fair. Retrieved May 14, 2013. Historic Speaker series June Colorado Wine FestivalManitou Springs Colorado Wine Festival. Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved May 14, 2013. Garden of the Gods 10 Mile RunGarden of the Gods 10 Mile Run. Garden of the Gods 10 Mile Run. Retrieved May 14, 2013. Clayfest, Potter's competitionAbout . Clayfest. Retrieved May 14, 2013. Pikes Peak International Hill ClimbOverview . Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Retrieved May 14, 2013. Summer concert series at Soda Springs Park July July 4 Fireworks Ice Cream Social and Pie Baking ContestGood ol Sumertime Ice Cream Social and Pie Baking Contest . Historic Manitou Springs. Retrieved May 14, 2013.