Welcome To Colorado Springs SAFeDATA

Colorado Springs has the worst traffic congestion for a city its size. In order to combat the congestion the Colorado Department of Transportation is in the system of widening the Interstate 25 corridor throughout the city from four lanes (two in each direction) to six lanes. This project has officially been named COSMIX (Colorado Springs Metro Interstate Expansion) Ultimately, the plan is to make the interstate eight lanes through the city when funding becomes available. This plan is similar in nature to Denver`s T-Rex expansion plan.

Colorado Springs is located at 38°51`48?N, 104°47`31?W (38.863443, -104.791914).

According to the US Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 186.1 sq miles (482.1 km²), of which, 185.7 sq miles (481.1 km²) of it is land and 0.4 sq miles (1.0 km²) of it (0.21%) is water.

Colorado Springs` economy is driven primarily by the military, the high-tech industry, and tourism, in that order. While the main force behind the city`s economy is the military, the city is not completely dependent on it. The city is currently experiencing some growth mainly in the service sectors and has been identified as one of the nation`s top ten quicklyest growing economies. Colorado Springs is also one of the nation`s leaders in lender available housing, nearing its top record set in the late 1980s [7].

On January 17, 2007, Steve Fehl, an Analyst at the Pikes Peak Workforce Center [8] proclaimed that many of the better jobs being created in Colorado Springs are for service positions in upscale call centers for the insurance, support, and financial industries. These large businesses find the quality and quantity of available college educated workers an incentive to locate to the city. Mr. Fehl also believes Colorado Springs still remains a difficult market for job seekers outside the defense sector. With future growth in the defense sector expected when the approved funding is let go to defense contractors, generating employment for those with active security clearances. This growth should offset some of the recent softening in information technology and complex electronic equipment manufacturing sectors.

Several suggestions have been made to create a loop around the city though none have been implemented. The original plan to convert Powers Boulevard, a major eastside expressway, into a bypass for I-25 was left, but is now being reconsidered by the city council amidst stringent opposition from a large developer responsible for the construction of a large commercial complex along the road. Easier access to the airfield has also been suggested. Overall the new thoroughfares would include one (or two) loop freeways, a spur into the city connecting the main freeway and the loop, east-west expressway upgrades, and easier access to the Colorado Springs Airport.