In late 2005, City Council approved an ordinance establishing a stormwater enterprise in Colorado Springs. The enterprise is a city-owned business that will fund stormwater drainage capital improvement projects, maintenance and operations, and federal permit requirements in the city.  The enterprise will be supported by fees paid by property owners based on the type of property, impervious surface on the property(i.e. hard surfaces like roofs, patios, and parking lots that add water to the drainage system) and density of the property. The rate structure was adopted by Council on Nov. 12, 2006. The first invoices will be sent to property owners in February and March 2007.Since the bills began arriving, the downtown Stormwater Enterprise office has been flooded with calls.  Many people ha... 03/15/2007

Hello and welcome!  My name is Michele Webb and I'm a full-time Realtor with RE/MAX Properties, Inc. in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  I have been serving the Colorado Springs public with their real estate needs for nearly a decade and I've decided to share some of my knowledge and experience.  I work full-time in Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas.  I look forward to sharing real estate information relevant to folks who are looking to buy or sell real estate in El Paso County and Teller County.   Don't be shy!  If you would like a question answered or a topic covered, let me know and I'll try my best to get you answers! 03/14/2007

What to do on St. Patrick's Day in Colorado Springs? If' you're looking for your Pot o' Gold at the end of the Rainbow and some Fun Stuff - you've found it... Colorado Springs has a "bunch" of planned - and publizised - events on March 17th! Feeling generous? Attend the "Rockin' St. Patty's Day" benefit. It will feature music by Flash Cadillac, a silent auction and food. It will be held at 6:30pm on March 17th at the Club at Flying Horse (located at 13850 Colorado 83), Cost $150 per couple. Please call 719-475-2510 for reservations, or go to their website. Another option is the free "St. Patrick's Day Parade", which will be held at noon, in downtown Colorado Springs, along Tejon Street (between St. Vrain and Cache La Poudre). For more Information call 719-635-8803. A "St. Patrick's Day ... 03/10/2007

The Chateau at Antelope Ridge is a community of single family homes located in the eastern part of Colorado Springs, (South of Barnes and East of Marksheffel) with sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains, and is close to parks & schools, just minutes from the Powers Corridor- shopping, movies, restaurants, recreation and just a short drive to the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport. In a Colorado Springs MLS search, the homes for sale in this neighborhood are quite enticing, as 3 Bed 2 Bath 1300+ s.f newer homes, in nice condition and in a popular part of town are priced at between $80,000 and $160,000 - Almost $100,000 LESS than the average sales price in Colorado Springs. Why are these homes priced so low?We, personally, answer this question all the time. We have done a lot of research a... 03/08/2007

Wagon Trails is situated on the North/East Side of Colorado Springs, in the popular Norwood Development. It is bordered by Dublin Blvd.on the South, Bridle Pass on the East and North and Austin Bluffs Parkway on the West. Wagon Trails is serviced by Colorado Springs School District 11. Places to shop are available directly on Austin Bluffs, and include Albertson's, Subway, Ahh Bagels and a  Liquor Store. A Grease Monkey, Dry Cleaner, Beauty Salon, Nail Shop, Fitness Center for Women and a Karate School can be found here as well. Wagon Trails also offers a Recreation Center , a Park and Walking Trails throughout, and is the future site of Freedom Elementary School .    Home Prices range from approximately $199,000 to $450,000, with square footage ranging from 1,300 square feet all the wa... 03/06/2007

Wondering why you would want to move to Colorado Springs? Well, let me give you a few reasons, why this is such a great place. To start with - we believe that we live in just about the prettiest town around....right on the base of Pikes Peak, next to Garden of the Gods. What's with Pikes Peak? Well, it was "discovered" by Zebulon Pike (an Explorer) in 1806. Today it's home to the "Pikes Peak International Hill Climb", an automobile and motorcycle race to the top of Pikes Peak.  It's also been declared a National Historic Landmark and it serves as a visible mark for everyone around, due to it's height of 14,115 feet. (Can't miss it!) Garden of the Gods ‘sits on the bottom' of Pikes Peak and has some really amazing rock formations, great walking trails, rock climbing routes and geological... 03/06/2007

Peterson Air Force Base is located on what used to be Colorado Springs' East Side - south of Platte Avenue (Hwy 24) and East of Powers Blvd. The Base was established in 1942, at the Colorado Springs Airport as Colorado Springs Army Air Base. In August of the same year, the Base was officially renamed to Peterson Army Air Base, yet most commonly, it was called Peterson Field.  It was deactivated by the Army in 1945 and turned over to the city of Colorado Springs. It was briefly reactivated, from 1947 to 1948. In 1951, after the official "birth" of the United States Air Force - Peterson Field was once again, reactivated and in 1976 it was renamed to Peterson Air Force Base. In 1982 the Air Force Space Command was activated on Peterson Air Force Base, to be joined by the 1st Space Wing in ... 03/05/2007

Do you have a Carbon Monoxide Alarm in your home? It's not "just" your Car's Exhaust that can cause problems. According to an article pubilshed on October 19th, on the PR Newswire - Carbon Monoxide kills approx 80 people a year. So, better safe than sorry - specially now, when you can get a free Carbon Monoxide Alarm. When, where and how?Just be at the KMart on 3020 N. NevadaAve. (That's on the North/West Corner of Fillmore and Nevada) on March 9th, 2007 from 4 to 6 p.m. A giveaway is also planned for Pueblo - same day. At the KMart on 3415 N. Elizabeth St. Please use the link below for schedule information.This free giveaway is intended for households that do not have a Carbon Monoxide Alarm, as well as for homes with outdated alarms. For more information (specially for the Pueblo Give... 03/05/2007

 Did you happen to "catch" this weekend's Home & Garden Show? If you missed it - it's an annual show, so it'll return...next year. Kidding aside - it was a great show. The set up of the hall worked really well - the booths were easily accessible and we had a wide variety of Exhibitors (140+). From Indoors to Outdoors, new products and ideas - if you were looking to make changes to your home - this was the place to be! We went yesterday - Sunday  - to see one of the Seminars - offered by Alan Johnson (C&C Sand and Stone Company)"Do it yourself Stone Veneer Installation". However - I have to admit - we didn't make it through the whole class - the exhibit hall was calling. We "had" to gawk at the garden displays (I think there was a "Honey Do" List forming...), dream about the granite slab... 03/05/2007

Your house is your castle - even when you want to sell it. Security is always an issue, especially when there are people in and out of your house at any given time of day for showings. How your house is shown and accessed by agents can play a large role in your safety and in a successful sale. Many cities in the nation do not use lockboxes and require the listing agent to attend every showing, even when the home is being shown by another agent. I beleive that there are too many drawbacks to this approach:If an agent has more than one listing (as many agents do) what happens if a Buyer's agent wants to show one listing and another Buyer's agent wants to show the other listing at the same time? The listing agent cannot be at two places at the same time, so how does he/she determine which ... 03/02/2007

This past weekend I was fortunate to have friends from California come for a visit.    On the way to the hotel from the airport they exclaimed "there is nothing like flying into Colorado Springs and seeing Pikes Peak".  How fortunate am I that I get to enjoy that view each and every day.  They spent all day Saturday at the Olympic Training Center for a gymnastics tournament.  They were pleased by all the upgrades and positive changes made to this important part of our economy. On Sunday we opted for a trip to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.  What a treat.  I have not been there for a few years.  Our very own, Asha, a western lowland gorilla and her mate, Rafiki, had a baby on January 31.  The baby still does not have a name.  Momma and baby are bonding and dad is watching over them VERY care... 02/27/2007

We are a military town. The military is a large part of the foundation of our local economy. Colorado Springs is home to the Air Force Academy, Peterson Air Force Base, Schriever Air Force Base, Fort Carson Army Base and Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station (home to North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), and Air Force Space Command (AFSPC).). Recently, we have seen a growth in the amount of Veterans who are choosing Colorado Springs as the place that they retire and permanently call "home." This growth has sparked a request for a National Cemetery in the Colorado Springs area, to meet the needs of Veterans in El Paso, Fremont, Teller and Pueblo counties.Now, federal regulations prohibit ... 02/26/2007

Selling your home is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make in your lifetime.  When considering the price to list your home, many factors are taken into consideration such as:  the condition of the home, the results of a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) of recent sales for similar homes in your neighborhood, and market conditions.  In order to save on paying a Realtor a commission, many homeowners consider For Sale by Owner.  I recently had someone ask me advice on the pros and cons of selling their home independently of using a Realtor.  I thought others might find this information beneficial and have included some of the many pros and cons to consider below.  Regardless what decision you make, it is important to do your research when it comes to the sale of such an expe... 02/26/2007

With summer comes vacation time....eagerly awaited by most students. But face it, after a while, it can become somewhat of a struggle to figure out just what to do....Well...struggle no more. This summer, Colorado Springs is hosting the State Games of America! And YOU are invited. To participate, to watch, to volunteer. Anything that strikes your fancy. The games are hosted by the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation and will be held from August 02 to August 05 of 2007 at different venues throughout the Springs. (Including the Air Force Academy, Ft. Carson, North Monument Valley Park etc.) Approximately 29 different sports types (hockey, soccer, cycling, 5K run, archery, tennis, swimming, badminton and many more)  are being offered - for athletes of all ages and abilities, and registrati... 02/26/2007

Colorado Springs is one of the "highest" cities in the United States - perched at an altitude of 6,035 above sea level -755 feet above Colorado's "Mile High" city of Denver (5,280 feet). In fact, when in Denver, travel to our city is referred to as "heading UP to the ‘Springs" even though we are south of them. "At high altitudes, less oxygen is brought into the body with each breath, reducing the flow of oxygen into the brain." - International Society for Mountain Medicine (So much for calling me an "air head"...) Did you know .. Colorado Springs is home to the Olympic Training Center. The "high altitude training" for our athletes is very beneficial. See, if an athlete can beat a record at THIS altitude, they will be phenomenal at lower elevations. In fact, where I may get a bit winded ... 02/21/2007

Over Presidents weekend I worked the Home and Garden Show at the Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs. Time and time again I've learned that you can't just sit at these things and expect people to come find you. You have to get out from behind your little table and meet people. For three days I sat across from Styria Bakery out of Frederick (303) 587-9658 getbread@comcast.net the best bread ever. Now I know that I like sour dough based breads over potato based breads. And I've never been a big bread eater, now I am! Thanks Shannon! Donna Phillips and Wally Ross of www.presidenthomes.com and www.coloradowesternland.com Owner-Builder Programs is who I worked with all weekend. If you are interested in building your own home visit the President Homes website. I met the nicest young woma... 02/18/2007

The so called "real estate bubble" that we often heard about on the national news last year, has kept many home buyers from purchasing a home in fear that they will ultimately loose money.  Many base this decision on the buzz they hear in the national news as opposed to understanding the facts and what is happening locally.  The Colorado Springs CO real estate market is affected by overall national factors, yet we are also a unique submarket that requires greater understanding to fully appreciate what you are getting when you buy your newColorado Springs home.    Housing speculators were raising concerns that we would see a national housing bubble that would burst similar to a stock market crash.  The buzz created anticipation and concern throughout theUnited States causing many markets... 02/16/2007

 Driving in the Springs can be a test of anyones patience. Lately, more so than ever, with Construction ongoing or starting at various corners of the City. Normally we have the work crews around, to patch up huge potholes that form during the winter month. (And I mean huge - deep, wide and unpredictable. Hope you're paying close attention to the road - because dropping into one of those would not be a "good thing".  Specially if you're out riding a Motorcycle. Very dangerous.)Now, in addition to the potholes, we have "real" construction ongoing. Woodmen Road is being expanded - in width, from I-25 east, with a planned overpass at Academy Blvd.  The Intersection of Austin Bluffs and Union is getting a Make Over, due to the increase in traffic, the stop times and the accidents occurring t... 02/15/2007

Priced at $235,000 this immaculate, remodeled, well maintained home at 3125 Serendipity Circle is quite a find.  There is 2261 square feet of which 95% is finished space.   The eat in kitchen has rustic oak hardwood floors & hickory cabinets.  It also has granite counter tops and brand new appliances.  Throughout the rest of the house, neutral tones are reflected in the tile flooring & the brand new cut berber carpet.The master has a remodeled ¾ attached bath.  All 5 bedrooms are large with enough room for beds & furniture and all boast spacious closets.  All the window coverings are included.  The main bath & lower level bath are completely remodeled with all new fixtures.  Relax in the front of the wood burning fireplace in the living room or in the lower level family room.  The famil... 02/13/2007

Do you SEE that mountain?!? With a backdrop as majestic as Pikes Peak and the Rocky Mountains, a hospital visit and stay at Memorial Hospital North may just be a bit more tolerable. Colorado Springs warmly welcomes a new Memorial Hospital, in the North End of town at the corner of Briargate Boulevard, Austin Bluffs and Union Boulevard. With all the new homes in Colorado Springs being built in the north end, and all the current hospitals located much further south (in downtown and on Academy Blvd.) this new facility is veryneeded. (Penrose St. Francis is also building a new medical facility up North on Powers and Woodmen.) This new building has plenty of architectural style, and it has been exciting to see it progress to its near completion. We have come to call it the "Bubble Hospital" ... 02/10/2007