Old Colorado City, a great place to live and play.

Historical Old Colorado City

From bawdy, rough and ready to a historical gem.

In its earliest days of 1859-1860, Colorado City was a major supply route of supplies for miners in the South Park, where a major strike in the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush was found.

Routes further north from present-day Denver’s area proved more effective, and as only a few very minor gold finds were made in the Pikes Peak region, commerce instead shifted towards serving the agriculture of Colorado’s eastern plains. (Eventually General Palmer’s Denver & Rio Grande Railroad would snake from Denver into the South Park.)

Colorado City was the county seat of El Paso County until 1873, when the courthouse moved to Colorado Springs.

Colorado City also briefly (and unofficially) served as Colorado’s territorial capital starting on July 7, 1862.

By this time the town’s fortunes were already waning. The territorial legislature met in a log cabin, that still stands on Colorado Avenue, and on August 14, 1862 the legislature approved an act which named Golden as the territorial capital. Colorado City was never recognized by the Federal government as the territorial capital.

In 1891, major gold strikes were made in Cripple Creek and Victor, on the other side of Pike’s Peak from Colorado City, and suddenly supplies were needed for this last major phase of the Colorado Gold Rush and the town’s big boom was on. Eventually Colorado City was processing much of the gold ore at the Golden Cycle Mill using Palmer’s railroads.  (Historical information courtesy of Wikipedia.)

Quick Tour of Downtown Old Colorado City

Old Colorado City also served as the capital for carousing.  While nearby Colorado Springs remained dry (i.e. without liquor) until after Prohibition, Old Colorado Springs developed a well known reputation for bawdy houses and saloons.  The entire town served in a very real sense as the red light district for Colorado Springs.

In the late 19th century, the largest employer in Colorado City was the Colorado Midland Railroad. The city also served as the primary smelting area for the gold mines in Cripple Creek until World War II.

In 1917, the residents of Colorado City voted to become a part of Colorado Springs.

Historical District Rehabilitation

In 1977, Old Colorado City underwent a transformation.  It was designated an historic district and the rehabilitation began.  Buildings were renovated.  Homes were restored.  The area became a place with beautiful shops and lovely restored buildings.  You can walk through the old part of downtown.  You can visit art galleries, and restaurants, and cafes and specialty shops.  Old Colorado City is a great way to spend a day.

You also, if you are visiting, want to make sure that you visit the FREE museum next to Buell Park (19th Street and Pike Peak Ave).

The process continues today. Which leads very well into the next section.

The Real Estate Reflects the History

Old Colorado City Real Estate Tour

Old Colorado City Real Estate Tour

Like Central Colorado Springs, Old Colorado City has a variety of older homes with a few new ones.  Some of the older Victorian homes have been updated, while others are still “aged” (which is polite for outdated.)  What that means to you is that you need to be careful when you go to buy a home.  You want to make sure that you are getting exactly what you are looking for.  If you want to get a home that has potential for sweat equity and significant upside there are still plenty of homes available.

Confused? Think about talking to a Realtor in Colorado Springs.  An agent can help you think through the possibilities. And there is absolutely no obligation..

The boring statistics indicate a listing price of anywhere from $59,000 for a 420 sq. ft. cottage built in 1910, to a home built in 2009 with 3236 sq. ft. selling for $349,900, to a home built in 1997 with 6200 sf and a listing price of $725,000.

Here is an example of a lower priced home in Old Colorado City.  This house sold for $98,000 in 2007 and is described as needing some TLC(Tender Loving Care).  In other words, it needs to be fixed up.

This home was built in 1903 and had 968 sq. ft.  It has 3 bedroom and 1 bath.

Or you can get a home that is already fixed up.

This home has been completely redone.  This home was built 5 years after the one above.  It has 1700 finished square feet.  This house has redone bathrooms, floors, walls, kitchen, etc.  So you need to decide exactly what you are looking for in this neighborhood.  Make sure you get a thorough inspection on whatever home you are looking at.

If you are interested in a house in this neighborhood, you should get some help. Contact us and we’ll help you out.

Return from Old Colorado City to find another neighborhood.