The City of Glenwood Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Garfield County, Colorado, United States.[6] The United States Census Bureau estimated that the city population was 8,564 in 2005.[4] Glenwood Springs is home to one of the campuses in the Colorado Mountain College system.
History
Glenwood has a long, interesting history. It was originally known as Defiance, Colorado. Defiance was established in 1883, a camp of tents, saloons and brothels with an increasing amount of cabins and lodging establishments. It was populated with the expected crowd of gamblers, gunslingers, and prostitutes. Town Founder Isaac Cooper's wife Sarah was having a hard time adjusting to the frontier life and in an attempt to make her environment somewhat more comfortable, persuaded the founders to change the name to Glenwood Springs, Colorado after her beloved hometown of Glenwood, Iowa[7].
Hot Springs Lodge, Glenwood Springs, built ca. 1895
Its unique location at the confluence of the Colorado River and the Roaring Fork River as well gaining a stop on the railroad historically made it a center of commerce in the area. The city has seen numerous famous visitors including President Teddy Roosevelt who spent an entire summer vacation living out of the historic Hotel Colorado. Doc Holliday, a wild west legend from the O.K. Corral gunfight, spent the final months of his life in Glenwood Springs and is buried in the town's original cemetery above Bennett Avenue. Infamous serial killer Ted Bundy was imprisoned in the Glenwood Springs jail until he escaped on the night of December 30, 1977, an escape which went undetected for 17 hours [8].
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.8 square miles (12.5 km²), of which, 4.8 square miles (12.4 km²) of it is land and 0.21% is water.
Glenwood Springs is home to Fairy Cave / Glenwood Caverns and Bridal Veil Falls.
Demographics
Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs
As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 7,736 people, 3,216 households, and 1,926 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,611.6 people per square mile (622.3/km²). There were 3,353 housing units at an average density of 698.5/sq mi (269.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.42% White, 0.23% African American, 0.71% Native American, 0.80% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 5.82% from other races, and 1.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.30% of the population. 13.9% were of German, 13.3% English, 12.9% Irish, 7.6% American and 7.0% Italian ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 3,216 households out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.1% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.1% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 9.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 103.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $43,934, and the median income for a family was $52,903. Males had a median income of $38,506 versus $29,272 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,449. About 3.5% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.0% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
The Amtrak station at Glenwood Springs.
Automobile
Glenwood Springs lies along I-70 at exit 116, about 150 miles west of Denver. I-70 is one of the main east-west routes through the Rocky Mountains.
Amtrak
Amtrak services regularly stop at Glenwood Springs. The California Zephyr operates daily in both directions between Chicago and Emeryville, California (across the bay from San Francisco).
Amtrak takes an extremely scenic route through the mountains between Denver and Glenwood Springs. Much of the route follows the Colorado River and is away from roads and major development. Part of the route near Glenwood Springs was used for locations in the 1995 action movie Under Siege 2: Dark Territory, starring Steven Segal.
Airport
There is a municipal Glenwood Springs Airport. Its airport code is (GWS).
Bus
Roaring Fork Transportation Authority provides bus transit in Glenwood Springs.
Recreation
Skiing
Glenwood Springs lies about 45 miles north of Aspen and 60 miles west of Vail. There are 6 world class ski resorts in this triangle: Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk in the Aspen area and Beaver Creek and Vail Mountain in the Vail area. There is also a family ski resort 10 miles from town, Sunlight Mountain, to which the locals are very loyal.
Rafting/Kayaking/Fishing
Two rivers, the Colorado River and Roaring Fork River, converge in Glenwood Springs. Both are used extensively for recreation by locals, visitors and commercial outfitters.
Mountain Biking
There are quite a few noted mountain bike trails in the Roaring Fork Valley, all requiring fitness and stamina. The favored routes for locals are the Forest Hollow Trail that winds along the rim above Glenwood Canyon and the Scout Trail, an extreme drop from the canyon rim into downtown Glenwood. Red Mountain, aka the Jeannie Golay Trail, is a straight up- straight down dirt road that locals use for training and exercise.
Bike Trails
The 16 mile long recreation trail through Glewood Canyon is sandwiched between the canyon walls and the Colorado River. It is suitable for families and recreational riders, with several access points and rest areas along the way. Bike rentals and shuttles are available at several outfitters in town. There is also a paved loop along the Roaring Fork River that takes you from one end of town to the other and back again.
The facility is a large 17 million dollar Community Center featuring a covered ice rink, climbing wall, internet lab, banquet area, childcare, gymnasium, fitness center, outdoor tennis courts, dance studio and aquatic center with competitive swim lanes and an interactive play zone. For more information visit www.glenwoodrec.com
Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge and Pool
The largest natural hot springs pool in the world exists beside the highway. Visitors can soak in the therapy pool (104 degrees) or swim in the huge 98-degree swimming pool or play in the small children's pool. The water is full of salty minerals. The Hot Springs Pool is the marquee attraction in Glenwood Springs.It includes 2 outdoor waterslides. It has a similar ideal as the Roman Baths in baden baden.It is very good for the skin so lots of senior residents go there but is still recommended for kids,adults and teens.
Glenwood Caverns
A tram takes visitors up to geological marvel that was formerly called the Fairy Caves now known as Glenwood Caverns. There is an entire recreation complex on top of the mountain with unusual rides, children's activities, several eating options and an observation deck with a view of the valley.
Hanging Lake
Hanging Lake is located in Glenwood Canyon about 7 miles east of Glenwood Springs. The lake is reached via a trailhead located near I-70 in the bottom of the canyon.
Yampa Hot Springs
Yampa hot springs vapor caves are historic underground steam baths. They are over 100 years old and were used by the Ute Indians as a source of rejuvination and healing. Today, the Vapor Caves consist of three adjoining underground rock chambers. Cave temperatures average 110-112 degrees F. The hot springs and mineral caves are prime attractions to tourists and were a main reason for the settlement of Glenwood Springs. As such, there is an adjoining spa and salon.
Noted natives
See also
References
External links
