History of Colorado Springs, Colorado in Timeline
Colorado Springs, located in east-central Colorado, is the most populous city in El Paso County and the second-most populous in the state. With a population of 478,961 as of the 2020 census, the city has experienced significant growth since 2010. It serves as the county seat and is situated on Fountain Creek, approximately 70 miles south of Denver. Colorado Springs holds the distinction of being the most extensive city in Colorado and a prominent city within the Front Range Urban Corridor.
1901: Closure of Tesla Experimental Station
After two years of operation, the Tesla Experimental Station on Knob Hill ceased its activities in 1901.
1902: Colorado Springs City Hall Construction Begins
Construction of Colorado Springs City Hall commenced in 1902 on land generously donated by W. S. Stratton.
1904: Colorado Springs City Hall Completed
After two years of construction, Colorado Springs City Hall was completed in 1904, standing as a testament to the city's growth and development.
December 9, 1919: Record Low Temperature
Colorado Springs experienced its coldest December temperature on record on December 9, 1919, reaching -27°F, matching the all-time low.
1919: Beginning of Aircraft Flights
Aircraft flights commenced in 1919 to fields near the Broadmoor, marking an early step in the development of aviation in the region.
1925: Colorado Springs Airport Opens
Colorado Springs Airport (COS) began operations in 1925, marking a pivotal moment in the city's development and its connection to the wider world.
1925: Alexander Airport Opens
Located north of the city, Alexander Airport began operations in 1925, further advancing aviation infrastructure in the area.
1927: Land Purchased for Municipal Airport
The year 1927 marked a significant development in aviation with the purchase of land east of the city designated for the future Colorado Springs Municipal Airport.
December 1942: Peterson Field Established
In December 1942, the United States Army Air Forces leased land near the municipal airfield and named it Peterson Field, expanding the military's presence in the area during World War II.
November 1950: Ent Air Force Base Selected as Air Defense Command Headquarters
In November 1950, Ent Air Force Base was chosen to serve as the headquarters for Air Defense Command (ADC) during the Cold War, highlighting its strategic importance.
February 1, 1951: Record Low Temperature
The coldest temperature ever recorded in Colorado Springs was -27°F on February 1, 1951, marking a significant weather event in the city's history.
1951: Peterson Field Reopened as US Air Force Base
Following its inactivation after World War II, Peterson Field was reopened in 1951 as a U.S. Air Force base, reflecting the country's increasing military needs during the Cold War.
1965: Establishment of Higher Education Institutions
Between 1965 and 1968, Colorado Springs saw the establishment of several higher education institutions, including the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, signifying a growing focus on education.
1968: Completion of Higher Education Institution Establishments
By 1968, the establishment of higher education institutions like Pikes Peak State College and Colorado Technical University in or near Colorado Springs was finalized.
1970: Baseline Census Data for Comparison
Census data from 1970 served as a baseline for measuring demographic changes in Colorado Springs, particularly in terms of racial and ethnic composition.
1971: Amtrak Formation Impacts Intercity Passenger Service
The establishment of Amtrak in 1971 led to the cessation of the last remaining intercity passenger services that connected the Front Range cities, including Colorado Springs.
1977: Ent AFB Becomes US Olympic Training Center
A significant portion of the former Ent AFB was repurposed in 1977 to become a US Olympic training center, underscoring the city's growing role in national and international athletics.
October 1, 1981: Annexation of Several Areas
On October 1, 1981, following a Colorado Supreme Court ruling, several areas, including the Broadmoor Addition, Cheyenne Canon, Ivywild, Skyway, and Stratton Meadows, were annexed into Colorado Springs, expanding the city's boundaries.
1990: Reference Point for Mexican American Population Growth
The 1990 census data, specifically regarding the Mexican American population in Colorado Springs, was used as a reference point to analyze subsequent growth trends in this demographic group.
1992: Professional Bull Riders Founded
Colorado Springs witnessed the birth of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) in 1992, serving as the organization's headquarters.
1997: Significant Population Growth Challenges
Since 1997, Colorado Springs has experienced tremendous population growth, leading to challenges such as overcrowded roads, crime, urban sprawl, and budgetary constraints.
1999: Agilent Technologies Spin-off
Agilent Technologies, which later spun off Keysight Technologies, emerged as an independent, publicly traded company after separating from HP in 1999.
1999: Flooding Leads to Water Restrictions
Severe flooding in 1999 prompted Colorado Springs to implement lawn water restrictions in 2002 due to concerns about water scarcity.
2000: High-Tech Sector Peak
The high-tech sector in Colorado Springs reached a peak in 2000, employing around 21,000 people, before experiencing a decline in subsequent years.
2002: Lawn Water Restrictions Enacted
In 2002, Colorado Springs enacted lawn water restrictions in response to several years of unusually low precipitation following the 1999 floods.
2004: Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority Established
Recognizing the need for improved transportation options, voters in Colorado Springs and El Paso County took a significant step in 2004 by establishing the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority.
2005: PBR Relocates
After being headquartered in Colorado Springs for 13 years, the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) relocated to Pueblo in 2005.
2005: Temporary Lift of Water Restrictions
After being in place for three years, the lawn water restrictions imposed in 2002 were lifted in 2005 due to improved water conditions.
2006: Decline in High-Tech Employment
By 2006, the high-tech sector in Colorado Springs had witnessed a significant decrease in employment, dropping to around 8,000 jobs from its peak in 2000.
September 2008: Annexation of Nielson Addition and Vineyard Commerce Park
Colorado Springs further expanded its city limits in September 2008 with the annexation of the Nielson Addition and Vineyard Commerce Park.
April 2010: Census Data Highlights Demographic Changes
The April 2010 census revealed significant demographic shifts in Colorado Springs, with the Hispanic or Latino population increasing from 7.4% in 1970 to 16.1% and the non-Hispanic White population decreasing from 86.6% in 1970 to 70.7%.
November 2, 2010: New Government System Adopted
Colorado Springs voters made a significant decision on November 2, 2010, by adopting a council-strong mayor form of government.
2010: Powers Boulevard Expansion Approved
In early 2010, the city of Colorado Springs gave the green light to an expansion project aimed at extending the northernmost section of Powers Boulevard. This expansion would eventually create a bypass for Interstate 25, commonly referred to as the Copper Ridge Expansion.
2010: Previous Census Data
Population data from the 2010 United States Census was used as a basis for comparison with the 2020 census figures, revealing a 15.02% population increase in Colorado Springs.
2011: Walk Score Ranks Colorado Springs' Walkability
A 2011 study by Walk Score ranked Colorado Springs 34th out of the 50 largest U.S. cities in terms of walkability.
2011: Transition to Council-Strong Mayor System
The City of Colorado Springs officially transitioned to the council-strong mayor system of government in 2011, marking a shift in the city's political structure.
2011: Pikes Peak Highway Paved
The highway leading up to the summit of Pikes Peak, the site of the annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, was fully paved in 2011.
June 23, 2012: Waldo Canyon Fire
The Waldo Canyon fire, which began on June 23, 2012, had devastating consequences for Colorado Springs. The fire destroyed 347 homes, resulted in the loss of two lives, and forced the evacuation of over 32,000 residents, becoming the most destructive wildfire in the state's history at that time.
June 26, 2012: Record High Temperature
Colorado Springs experienced a record high temperature of 101°F on June 26, 2012, tying with the temperature recorded on June 21, 2016, as the highest ever recorded.
2012: Colorado Amendment 64
Colorado voters approved Amendment 64, legalizing recreational marijuana sales, but Colorado Springs opted not to allow retail shops.
April 2013: North Korean Propaganda Video Targets Colorado Springs
In a bizarre turn of events, Colorado Springs was identified as a potential target in a North Korean propaganda video released in April 2013. Ironically, the video misidentified the city's location, placing it in Louisiana.
2014: Medical Marijuana Sales Data
In 2014, medical marijuana clinics in Colorado Springs generated $59.6 million in revenue, demonstrating the growth of the industry even without recreational sales.
2014: Keysight Technologies Spin-off
Keysight Technologies, a company specializing in oscilloscope research and development, established its base in Colorado Springs following its separation from Agilent in 2014.
November 2015: Ballot Measure 2C Passed
Colorado Springs voters showed strong support for infrastructure improvements by passing ballot measure 2C in November 2015. This measure allocated funds from a temporary sales tax increase to address road and infrastructure needs over a five-year period.
2015: Medical Marijuana Sales Surge
Despite the absence of recreational marijuana shops, Colorado Springs had 91 medical marijuana clinics in 2015, reporting $59.6 million in sales for 2014, an 11% increase from the previous year.
April 26, 2016: Moratorium on Recreational Marijuana Sales Extended
On April 26, 2016, the Colorado Springs city council decided to prolong the existing six-month moratorium on recreational marijuana sales to 18 months, putting a halt to new licenses until May 2017.
June 21, 2016: Record High Temperature
On June 21, 2016, Colorado Springs matched its all-time high temperature of 101°F, previously set on June 26, 2012.
December 2016: Bike Lane Removal on Research Parkway
Due to significant public opposition, the city removed a bike lane along Research Parkway in December 2016.
2016: Hints of Change in Downtown Colorado Springs
Observations in 2016 suggested that downtown Colorado Springs exhibited a different political atmosphere compared to the surrounding areas, with indications of evolving demographics.
May 2017: Moratorium on Recreational Marijuana Sales Expires
Despite the end of the moratorium in May 2017, Colorado Springs continued to resist the opening of recreational marijuana shops.
2017: Craft Brewery Boom
By 2017, Colorado Springs had become a hub for craft breweries, hosting over 30, reflecting Colorado's status as the state with the third-most craft breweries at 348.
2017: Colorado Springs: A Conservative Stronghold
In 2017, Colorado Springs was identified as a politically conservative city, contrasting with the more liberal Boulder.
March 1, 2018: Medical Marijuana Centers Prevail
As of March 1, 2018, Colorado Springs had 131 medical marijuana centers but still no recreational cannabis stores.
April 2018: Colorado Springs City Council Approves Bike Master Plan
In April 2018, the Colorado Springs City Council approved a new Bike Master Plan, aiming to make bicycling a more viable transportation option in the city.
2018: Tourism Boom
In 2018, the Pikes Peak region experienced a surge in tourism, attracting 23 million visitors who generated $2.4 billion in revenue. This influx solidified tourism as the third largest employer in the area, providing over 16,000 jobs.
February 25, 2019: "Battle of the Bike Lanes" Town Hall Meeting
On February 25, 2019, The Gazette hosted a town hall meeting titled "Battle of the Bike Lanes" to address the public's strong opinions on bike lanes in Colorado Springs.
June 2019: Pre-Pandemic Unemployment Rate
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Colorado Springs had a relatively low unemployment rate of 3.3% in June 2019.
December 2019: Permanent Lawn Water Restrictions Reinstated
Due to ongoing low precipitation, permanent lawn water restrictions were reinstated in Colorado Springs in December 2019, following a temporary lift between 2005 and 2019.
2019: Limited Marijuana Access
By 2019, Colorado Springs remained one of only seven towns in Colorado that solely permitted medical marijuana, highlighting the city's restrictive stance on cannabis.
2020: Largest Municipality in Colorado
According to the 2020 United States Census, Colorado Springs had the largest total area of any municipality in Colorado, encompassing 195.761 square miles, including a small portion of water.
2020: New Attractions
Colorado Springs saw the opening of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum and the reopening of the Flying W Ranch Chuckwagon Dinner & Western Show in 2020.
2020: Political Shift Towards the Center
Since 2020, Colorado Springs has shown signs of moving towards the political center, indicating a potential change in the city's political landscape.
2020: Population Statistics from 2020 Census
The 2020 United States Census provided key population data for Colorado Springs, revealing a city population of 478,961 (ranking it as the 40th most populous U.S. city), a metropolitan statistical area population of 755,105 (79th most populous MSA), and a Front Range Urban Corridor population of 5,055,344.
2020: 2020 United States Census
The 2020 United States Census recorded Colorado Springs' population at 478,961, a 15.02% increase since 2010.
2021: Pikes Peak Summit Complex and Railway Reopening
A new Pikes Peak Summit Complex was inaugurated at the 14,115-foot summit in 2021. The same year, the Manitou and Pikes Peak Railway also resumed operations.
2021: Significant Military Presence in Colorado Springs
As of 2021, Colorado Springs had a substantial military presence with nearly 45,000 active-duty troops, over 100,000 veterans, and thousands of reservists, demonstrating the city's strong ties to the armed forces.
2021: Mountain Metro Plans to Acquire Electric Buses
Mountain Metropolitan Transit (MMT) planned to purchase its first three Battery Electric Buses (BEBs) in 2021 if testing proved successful, using funds from the Volkswagen emissions scandal settlement.
April 22, 2022: Mountain Metro Unveils New Electric Buses
On April 22, 2022, Mountain Metropolitan Transit introduced four new Proterra ZX5 electric buses to their fleet, joining their existing 67 clean diesel buses.
June 2022: State and National Unemployment Rates
In June 2022, the unemployment rate in Colorado was 3.4%, slightly lower than the national rate of 3.6%.
2022: Colorado Springs Airport Statistics
By 2022, Colorado Springs Airport (COS) had grown to become the second-largest commercial airport in Colorado, handling 2,134,618 passengers and serving airlines such as American, Avelo, Delta, Southwest, Sun Country, and United.
2022: Governor Jared Polis's Victory
Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, secured victory in Colorado Springs during his re-election bid in 2022, further suggesting a political shift in the city.
2023: Front Range Passenger Rail Proposal
As of 2023, a proposal known as Front Range Passenger Rail emerged, aiming to reestablish passenger rail connections between Pueblo in the south and Fort Collins in the north, potentially extending to Cheyenne, Wyoming.
2023: High-tech corporations offering fiber-optics
In 2023, several high-tech companies, including Lumen Technologies and Comcast, provided fiber-optic connections in Colorado Springs. Notably, Hewlett-Packard maintained a presence with sales, support, and a SAN storage engineering center.
2023: Yemi Mobolade Elected Mayor
In a historic win, independent candidate Yemi Mobolade was elected as the first non-Republican mayor of Colorado Springs in 2023, signaling a significant political change.
