COLORADO SPRINGS — Even with the pandemic to deal with, people continue to flock to our state in record numbers. The growth in Colorado Springs is one of the reasons the mayor argues the area is one of the most resilient in the country.
“I think the people in Colorado Springs have really stepped up,” Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers said. “They’re supporting businesses the best they can, they’re using online services, and so the picture looks pretty good.”
The mayor touted the city’s continued growth and expansion at a recent topping-out ceremony for a new Hyatt hotel next to City Hall.
“Statistically it looks like we’re going to be the most resilient large city in America,” Suthers said.
While there are always ways to spin numbers, Colorado Springs does have some things working in favor of the mayor’s argument.
“The residential construction that’s taking place,” he said.
The Pike’s Peak Regional Building Department reported the area saw 453 new single family home permits in November 2020--that’s up 58% from November 2019.
“Not only are people--the developers--paying use tax dollars for the construction materials, but you’ve got people furnishing them,” Suthers said.
The mayor, also taking the opportunity to tout planned developments becoming realities, like the city for champions project.
“But to actually see the museum open, to actually see the Hybl Sports Medicine Center open, to actually see the stadium coming out of the ground being dedicated next march,” he said.
Then of course, there’s all the downtown developments, like new apartments, offices and parks.
“People want to live downtown, they want to stay downtown,” he said.
But there’s another thing growing. Last year News 5 reported Colorado Springs surpassed the national average for cost of living. And just this past July, News 5 reported rents in the area continued to rise, even as they fell elsewhere during the pandemic.
But the mayor argued Colorado Springs has the ability to curb that growing cost.
“Here’s the good news, we are not a confined community like Denver or something like that,” Suthers said. “People want to live in Denver, they have to tear down a house and build another one and the prices go up… we’ve got room to grow.”
The Mayor also said with the possibility of U.S. Space Command making the Springs its permanent home, the city could see growth unlike the it’s ever seen.
Whether its infrastructure and cost of living can accommodate that… time will have to tell.
