Long before Colorado Springs existed, there was Colorado City. Founded on August 13, 1859 — making it the first permanent settlement in the Pikes Peak region — this storied westside neighborhood predates its more polished neighbor by more than a decade. Today, Old Colorado City is a National Historic District that wears its colorful past proudly, offering residents and visitors a rare blend of genuine frontier history, Victorian architecture, and a thriving arts and dining scene unlike anything else in El Paso County.
A Wild West Past Worth Knowing
Colorado City served as the original El Paso County seat and a critical supply hub during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush. Because General William Jackson Palmer founded Colorado Springs as a dry town, Colorado City became the region's go-to destination for saloons, entertainment, and all manner of frontier commerce. When gold strikes hit Cripple Creek in 1891, Colorado City boomed again — processing ore from four gold reduction mills and serving thousands of miners. The town was annexed into Colorado Springs in 1917, and its commercial district was nearly demolished in the 1970s before local preservationists stepped in to save it.
A Neighborhood That Lives Its History
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, the Old Colorado City Historic Commercial District along Colorado Avenue remains the heart of the neighborhood — lined with Victorian-era brick storefronts, independent galleries, locally owned restaurants, and boutique shops. With Garden of the Gods just minutes away and easy access to Manitou Springs, residents enjoy world-class natural attractions right at their doorstep.
Real Estate in Old Colorado City
Homes here range from charming Victorian cottages and early 20th-century bungalows to updated westside residences with genuine character. For buyers seeking a neighborhood with authentic history, walkable amenities, and a strong sense of community identity, Old Colorado City is one of Colorado Springs' most compelling addresses.
