Colorado Springs

The rugged scenery of the state of Colorado is well known and Colorado Springs was established as a tourist resort, attracting visitors because of its dry climate, mineral waters and the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. Tourists have been coming here since the 1870s and fortune seekers were also attracted by the lure of gold and silver for a while.

Today, it is a modern city, important in its contribution to the nation's economy. There are several blue chip companies that have their base of operations here and the area is also a major center for military establishments and national defense agencies. The population has grown to such an extent that measures are being taken to tackle the problem of traffic congestion. There are numerous visitor attractions in Colorado Springs and an average of 250 days of sunshine a year to enjoy them in.

The Garden of the Gods park lives up to its name. It has stunning red, sandstone rock formations and is a terrific natural playground for the residents of Colorado Springs. There are trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain bikes. It's also a popular destination for rock climbers. Nearby Cheyenne Mountain is the location for the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, only one of two such zoos in the country. It's an important institution for breeding and it takes part in conservation programs. The collection of animals includes zebra, giraffes, gorillas, leopards and wolves.

An unusual attraction is situated near the zoo, called the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun. It really has little to do with Will Rogers and is in fact the tomb of Spencer Penrose. Penrose was a local adventurer and financier of Colorado Springs business enterprises. His eccentric wish was that his tomb be named after his friend. It's worth a visit for the splendid view from the observation tower there.

The city is close to Pikes Peak, a famous mountain that stands 4,302 meters high. It is formed from distinctive pink granite and is an official National Historic Landmark. There is a visitor's center and restaurant at the top. Getting to the summit can be achieved by several methods. The most popular means of transport is the cog railway. It is possible to ascend by car but care must be taken, as there are switchbacks on the road. Alternatively, there is a trail for biking or hiking. The air at the summit is very thin and snow can fall during any time of year.