The land where Manitou Springs is today is the heart of the ancestral homeland of the Nuche (NOO-cheh), or Ute people. People of the Cheyenne, Comanche, Arapahoe and Apache nations also wove their traditions into the fabric that helped shape and establish the importance of Manitou Springs. The City as a municipal governance was initiated in 1872 by Dr. William Bell and his business partner General William Palmer as a scenic health resort. The town was incorporated in 1876 and is now a home rule city of approximately 5,000 residents.
Manitou Springs is located in El Paso County and is a Certified Local Government and has had an active Historic Preservation Commission and local Historic District since 1980.
Tourist Destination
Tourism is the mainstay of the local economy. Manitou Springs thrives as a popular tourist destination and is best known for its:
Cool mountain air
Healing mineral springs
Hiking trails
Scenic landscapes
Welcoming spirit
Year-round activities
Area Attractions
Area attractions include:
The breath-taking Seven Falls
Cave of the Winds
Cog Railway
Garden of the Gods Park
Manitou Cliff Dwellings
Miramont Castle
Shops, art galleries, museums, and restaurants line the downtown main street, and lodging ranges from historic bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) to elegant hotels.