FLOOD02760 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

2.2 Community Description EI Paso County is located in central Colorado. The northern county boundary is approximately 40 miles south of Denver, Colorado. The southern boundary is 20 miles north of Pueblo, Colorado. A portion of Pike National Forest is in western EI Paso County. The county has an approximate land area of 2, 100 square miles. EI Paso County is bordered by the counties of Douglas, Elbert, Lincoln, Pueblo, Fremont, and Teller. The 1980 population was 309,424 for the county (Reference 2). The largest concentration of people, other than in Colorado Springs. is in the Fountain/Widefield/Security area. The City of Colorado Springs, located in west-central EI Paso County, is the county seat. The city had a population of 215, 150 in 1980 (Reference 3). The City of Fountain is located in the southwestern portion of EI Paso County, in central Colorado. The city is bordered by unincorporated areas of EI Paso County. The 1980 population of Fountain was reported as 8,342. The Town of Green Mountain Falls is located in western EI Paso County and eastern Teller County. Tourism is the economic base of Green Mountain Falls. The year-round population in Green Mountain Falls has increased from 359 in 1970 to 644 in 1980, an increase of approximately 80 percent. Although no information was available for past years, it appears that more year-round residents (both in absolute numbers and percentages) are living in the town. By the year 2000, the year-round population is projected to increase to approximately 1,200, an increase of 86 percent from 1980. Proportionately, these figures reveal that future population increases will not be as substantial as in the past. The City of Manitou Springs is located in western EI Paso County, 70 miles south of Denver and immediately west of Colorado Springs. The city covers an area of 3.04 square miles and had a population of 5,675 in 1990 (Reference 4). The city is bordered by the City of Colorado Springs to the northeast, and by unincorporated areas of EI Paso County. The Town of Monument is located approximately 20 miles north of Colorado Springs. According to 1980 census data, Monument had a population of 690, an increase of 297 from 1970 (Reference 3). The Town of Palmer Lake, which is located in the northwest corner of EI Paso County, had a population of 947 in 1970 and 1,130 in 1980. Palmer Lake is a rural, residential community, and the majority of the population work outside the community. The economy of the county is primarily based on tourism, skiing, light industry, commerce, farming, and ranching. Also, the economy benefits from the Fort Carson Military Reservation, Peterson Fieid Air Force Base, the U. S. Air Force Academy, and the NORAD installation. Major tourist attractions of the area include the Garden of the Gods, Pike National Forest, Manitou Springs, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the Broadmoor Hotel. 5