Colorado Springs Community Guide
Community Guide to the Pikes Peak Region
There is a reason people come to Colorado Springs and never leave. Nestled at the base of Pikes Peak along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, the Pikes Peak Region offers an extraordinary combination of natural beauty, community character, economic opportunity, and quality of life that is genuinely difficult to find anywhere else. Whether you are relocating from out of state, moving from another part of Colorado, or simply exploring your options across El Paso and Teller Counties, this guide gives you a grounded, local view of what it means to live, work, and put down roots here.
The Pikes Peak Region
The Pikes Peak Region extends well beyond the city limits of Colorado Springs — encompassing a diverse collection of communities across El Paso and Teller Counties, each with its own character, landscape, and appeal. From the urban energy of downtown Colorado Springs to the quiet mountain communities of Teller County, this region offers something genuinely different for every kind of resident.
Overview of El Paso County
El Paso County is home to over 750,000 residents and anchored by Colorado Springs — the second-largest city in Colorado. The county stretches from the Palmer Divide in the north through Colorado Springs to Fountain and Security-Widefield in the south, with fast-growing communities like Peyton and Calhan extending to the east. El Paso County’s combination of urban amenities, suburban communities, rural landscapes, and extraordinary access to the outdoors makes it one of the most livable counties in the state.
Geography & Climate
The Pikes Peak Region sits at an elevation of roughly 6,000 feet — high enough to deliver mild summers, low humidity, and over 300 days of sunshine per year. Winters bring occasional snow but are generally moderate compared to higher-elevation mountain communities. The landscape is defined by the dramatic eastern face of Pikes Peak and the Front Range, with the high plains stretching to the east and the Rampart Range and Teller County mountains to the west. For outdoor enthusiasts, the geography alone is reason enough to call this region home.
Population & Demographics
Colorado Springs is one of the fastest-growing cities in Colorado, with consistent population growth driven by a combination of military assignments, remote work relocation, retirees drawn by the climate and lifestyle, and young professionals attracted by a growing tech and aerospace economy. The region’s population is diverse, well-educated, and deeply connected to both the military community and the broader Colorado lifestyle.
Education & Schools
Families relocating to the Pikes Peak Region consistently cite education as a top priority — and El Paso County delivers a wide range of strong public, private, and charter school options across its many communities.
Top-Rated School Districts
El Paso County is served by multiple school districts, including Academy District 20 — consistently ranked among the top public school districts in Colorado — as well as Cheyenne Mountain School District 12, Falcon School District 49, Colorado Springs School District 11, and Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8. Each district serves distinct communities across the Pikes Peak Region and offers a range of programs, magnet schools, and extracurricular opportunities.
Private Schools
The Pikes Peak Region is home to a number of well-regarded private and parochial schools serving families across El Paso County — offering faith-based education, college preparatory programs, and specialized curricula for students from preschool through 12th grade.
Higher Education
Colorado Springs is home to several respected institutions of higher education, including the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS), Colorado College, Pikes Peak State College, and the U.S. Air Force Academy. This concentration of higher education institutions contributes significantly to the region’s workforce, economy, and cultural vitality.
Military Presence
The military is woven deeply into the fabric of the Pikes Peak Region — culturally, economically, and geographically. El Paso County is home to one of the largest concentrations of military installations anywhere in the United States, making Colorado Springs one of the most military-connected communities in the country. PPAR REALTORS® have extensive experience working with active duty service members, veterans, and military families navigating VA loans, PCS moves, and the unique demands of military relocation across the Pikes Peak Region.
Fort Carson
Fort Carson, home of the Mountain Post, is one of the largest Army installations in the United States and one of the most significant economic drivers in El Paso County. Located on the southern edge of Colorado Springs, Fort Carson is home to tens of thousands of soldiers and their families — many of whom become long-term residents of the Pikes Peak Region after their service.
U.S. Air Force Academy
Located in northern El Paso County, the United States Air Force Academy is one of the most recognized institutions in the country — and a defining landmark of the Pikes Peak Region. The Academy’s campus spans nearly 18,000 acres and welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, while also generating significant economic activity and community connection throughout Colorado Springs and the surrounding area.
Peterson Space Force Base, located on the eastern edge of Colorado Springs, serves as the headquarters for several major Space Force and Air Force commands. Peterson is a major employer in El Paso County and home to thousands of military and civilian personnel who are active participants in the Colorado Springs community.
Schriever Space Force Base
Located approximately 30 miles east of Colorado Springs near Peyton, Schriever Space Force Base is a critical national security installation and one of the primary drivers of the Pikes Peak Region’s growing aerospace and defense economy.
Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station
Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station — famously built into the granite of Cheyenne Mountain on the southwest edge of Colorado Springs — is one of the most recognizable military installations in the world. Though much of its mission is classified, Cheyenne Mountain remains a defining part of the Pikes Peak Region’s military identity and history
Life in the Pikes Peak Region means extraordinary access to the outdoors — year-round. Hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, fishing, camping, and trail running are all within easy reach of most communities across El Paso and Teller Counties. Garden of the Gods, Mueller State Park, Cheyenne Mountain State Park, and the Pike National Forest offer thousands of acres of public land right in the region’s backyard.
Downtown Colorado Springs has a thriving restaurant, arts, and entertainment scene, and the region hosts a full calendar of festivals, sporting events, and community gatherings throughout the year. For families, retirees, outdoor enthusiasts, and professionals alike, the Pikes Peak Region lifestyle is genuinely hard to beat.
Outdoor access, local events, and community connection define daily life across El Paso and Teller Counties.
The Pikes Peak Region economy has diversified significantly over the past two decades — moving well beyond its historical dependence on military and government employment to encompass a growing technology, aerospace, healthcare, and professional services sector. Major employers include the military installations across El Paso County, UCCS and Colorado College, UCHealth and Centura Health, defense and aerospace contractors, and a thriving small business and entrepreneurial community.
The region’s combination of a relatively affordable cost of living, strong quality of life, and growing economic base continues to attract businesses and workers from across Colorado and the country — fueling consistent population growth and long-term demand for housing across the Pikes Peak Region.
