Colorado College - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

Far from being a college town, Colorado Springs is largely a working-class city as well as one of the most important military centers in the country. Economically, the city depends largely on the military population, which may explain the ideological makeup of the community. Colorado College can best be described as a liberal oasis smack dab in the middle of a conservative desert. The dynamic between college and city creates both positive and negative consequences for CC students. Positively, the conservative local crowd provides a contrast for what can otherwise be an overwhelmingly liberal bias on campus. For instance, locals who often show up to hear speakers invited by the CC political science department to speak on the evils of capitalism or the failure of our war on drugs are usually vocal—sometimes too vocal—about their own counterarguments and disagreements. On the non-academic side, residents, especially younger inhabitants who consistently show up at parties only to start fights and cause trouble, often don’t take well to CC students. Townsfolk have been known to be openly hostile towards CC demonstrations, and sometimes the general feeling is that the college might as well not exist.

Colorado Springs is a city of 500,000 that can often feel like one of the one-horse, one-saloon cow towns that dotted the West during the gold rush. The city’s decentralized structure creates a far different, less metropolitan atmosphere than other cities of similar size. Downtown is comprised of eight or nine blocks, which, while offering several rows of tasty restaurants and coffeehouses, do little to spice up the dismal nightlife. There are, however, plenty of opportunities to explore the outdoors. In addition to the usual activities associated with living near the mountains, such as hiking, there are opportunities for horseback riding, whitewater rafting, and mountain biking.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

It’s really nice having such a... It’s really nice having such a small Downtown within walking distance. It makes you feel very comfortable, giving a small-town feel. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

If you’re interested in the... If you’re interested in the outdoors and love the mountains, Colorado Springs is where you need to be. With the ski mountains only two hours away, winters are an exciting time. Colorado Springs is an ideal location for a college. Even though there is another university 15 miles away, Colorado College is the truly recognized college of C. Springs. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

Colorado Springs has a great... Colorado Springs has a great atmosphere. There are many activities to keep you occupied during your down time, and the scenery will blow your mind. The town is nice as well, with many restaurants and stores. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

The atmosphere of Colorado Springs... The atmosphere of Colorado Springs is unique in that it’s so spread out that there doesn’t seem to be much of an epicenter. Downtown is small and lacks in cultural activity. The populous consists of a lower class that is sharply contrasted with the upper class right wing fundamentalists. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

The Springs is so conservative. I... The Springs is so conservative. I always say that CC is a little ‘liberal bubble’ in this small town. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Facts

Did You Know?

Fun Facts about Colorado Springs:
• Pike’s Peak is 14,110 feet tall.
• Colorado is the only state to have turned down hosting the Olympics. The 1976 Winter Olympics almost came to Denver, but 62% of the state voted not to host the Olympics because of the accompanying cost, pollution, and population boom.
• The Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs gets 1.7 million visitors each year.
• Colorado Springs is about 80 minutes from Rocky Mountain ski resorts.

The Manitou Cliff Dwelling, the ancient Anasazi ruins located at the foot of Pike’s Peak, inspired the song “America the Beautiful.”

Famous People Who Have Lived in
Colorado Springs:
Lon Chaney, actor
Elvira, actress
Robert Heinlein, author

Local Slang:
The Peak – Pikes Peak, a 14,000-foot mountain right in Colorado Springs’ backyard.
Townies – Students’ somewhat derogatory term for the younger residents of Colorado Springs.

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