Colorado's Old Town... Shop, Dine, Discover

In 1861 Old Colorado City, through some fancy footwork in Washington, D. C., became Colorado?s Territory?s first capitol.  The legislators met here only once, and decided the colorful atmosphere was not representative of a Territory Capitol.

The years following were disastrous for Old Colorado City.  The Civil War and accompanying national depression brought incoming traffic to a standstill.  In 1864 a great flood wiped out half the local crops, and a month later millions of grasshoppers finished the job.  On top of all that, Old Colorado City had been built on an Indian crossroad, a natural boundary between the Sioux, Arapahos and Cheyenne?s of the Great Plains, and their historic enemies, the Utes of the mountain.  There were many tense moments as differences were settled in the immediate area, with little consideration given to any settlers who happened to be in the way.

The upper class easterners responsible for founding Colorado Springs and Manitou Spring (1872) wanted little to do with Colorado City and its rowdy reputation.  Or at least these were the public statements.  More private stories, however, tell of a system of tunnels under Colorado City leading from the ?good? side of the street to the other, with many an honorable gentleman having occasion to use the tunnels.

Colorado City was booming again with the discovery of gold in Cripple Creek.  As traffic up the pass increased, Colorado City?s revenues from the toll increased too.  Four processing plants were built in the immediate vicinity to take care of the Cripple Creek ore, which also contributed to the local economy.

Most of the buildings in existence today date from this period of renewed growth.  Old Colorado City uses the building much as they were used originally.  The ground floors are shops and stores, restaurants and bars; the upper floors are offices, meeting rooms and residences.  In 1917  Old Colorado City was annexed into the city of Colorado Springs and in 1977 was designated a National Historic district. The Old Colorado City Development Corp. was then formed to obtain the necessary financial resources for the restoration and revitalization of the area.  Flourishing again today, Extensive landscaping and types of businesses located in Old Colorado City all contributed handsomely to the historical atmosphere you will enjoy as you spend time in this unique shopping city, now with over 120 shops and restaurants.