Why Choose Colorado Springs? (Denver, Golden: loan, hotels, contractor)

[Mike from back east]

Wisteria, the 'concerns' stated by ArchieToothus have already been addressed in this thread before, and in many other postings. Search on evangelicals or religion to find all the posts.


Short story: Those 'concerns' are overblown and ludicrous stereotypes which do not apply here any more than elsewhere. Those people here who are highly religious tend to practice their faith in their church, home and private schools. They do NOT bother anyone anymore than they do elsewhere. I've been "witnessed to" at shoeshine stands in many major airports, but not here. We've had the Mormon lads come to the door once in 2 years, same for the nice ladies selling the Watch Tower, about the same as we experienced back in the DC area. There is NO reason to avoid this area due to any reason of religion. As I said about 50 or 60 posts ago in this thread, there are NO crazed evangelicals setting up tent revivals in the median of I-25 to do drive by salvations.

Schools in D20 are fully into science. Our highly educated population, many of which are USAF personnel, demand strong science for their children. There may be other states where they make war on science, but not here that I've heard of.

s/Mike

[Wisteria]

Wisteria, the 'concerns' stated by ArchieToothus have already been addressed in this thread before, and in many other postings. Search on evangelicals or religion to find all the posts.

Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch -- that hurts!!

Good to reinforce that because I sometimes wonder -- especially from media reports, etc. It's hard to sort out sometimes.

Yes, I know Colorado has good schools and a very highly educated population, which kind of confused me with the science thing, I have to admit. I just want to live in peace with people, and not be preached to or looked down upon if I am not like them. Thanks for the whacks on the behind to push me ahead!!

[Archie Toothus]

With all due respect, Mike, my question has not been addressed in this particular forum before. There have been quite a number of discussions of the evangelical issue, and I believe I have read them all. I phrased my question the way I did because I did not see any discussion of the issue of children, diversity, and the evangelical presence.

I understand that you do not see much evidence that the religious right's presence has affected Colorado Springs' community. Let me suggest, however, that it might be unhelpful to say that concerns about this sort of thing are based on nothing other than stereotypes. I live in an area populated by the right. I grew up in one of these areas. I personally have experienced the sort of thing, both as a young person and as an adult.

Perhaps things are different in Colorado Springs. I hope so. Still, let me repeat: I am not talking about people preaching to me on the street. I am talking about a concern that I may be taking my child to an area that is not very diverse racially, and that the community may be likely to contain folks who try to convert her.

I do not ask my question because I want to say anything negative about the community. I ask it because I am asking for information, and for the perspectives of those who have children and have lived in the Springs. Again, due respect, but please don't encourage folks not to answer my plea. I have received a few useful backchannel replies, but would still like to hear from more of those who have made this forum so helpful in so many ways.

[Wisteria]

Colorado Springs Diversity Forum

This is from the Diversity Forum site above in Colorado Springs:

The Colorado Springs Diversity Forum was established in 2005 by a small group of civic leaders who came together to explore the contribution diversity can make to our community. Today, the Diversity Forum is comprised of representatives from public, private, non-profit, and education sectors.

Our vision is to build on the positive work and influence of the diverse cultures that contribute to the social and business structure of our city. We recognize that positive diversity practices enhance economic vitality, promote business success, and improve the quality of life for current and future citizens of Colorado Springs. Our work represents a visible commitment to helping our community achieve its full potential.

Seems like there are more people aware that diversity is a plus and are working towards bringing people together. Hope this helps.

[babyziggy2000]

My husband and our family want to move to Colorado and want to know the best places for jobs in construction we have never been there so we are not familier with colorado would like some help we plan on moving there in januray or february if some could please help us out with some info that would be great we were looking in to grand juction or collbran but from what I have read its not a good place for work thanks

[vfrpilot]

we have never been there so we are not familier with colorado would like some help we plan on moving there in januray or february

Babyziggy- Are you really considering moving somewhere you have never been? I love where we live here in CO, but visited here a lot before deciding to move. Make sure you read about all the different areas because CO is very diverse, especially from east to west. It sounds like your best bet for employment is somewhere along the Front Range- Denver, Colorado Springs, or Pueblo. Construction has slowed down all over, but I heard that Ft Carson will be adding 800+ homes and Peterson Air Force Base will be adding a bunch also. These bases are both in Colorado Springs. Moving in Jan or Feb will also make employment difficult in construction. You might try to get on with Home Depot or Lowes where you live now and you might be able to transfer to CO. It doesn't pay as well, but might give you an advantage in an unfamiliar place.
Please don't get offended, but why do you want to move to CO without ever have seeing it? Where are you presently living?

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by Wisteria

Seems like there are more people aware that diversity is a plus and are working towards bringing people together. Hope this helps.

Thanks! That helps a lot.

I recall a case here where the D11 School Board had 3 "reformers" who were evangelical-leaning. During one very late-night session they snuck in a change; the term "winter break" became "Christmas Break." Citizens in D11 mounted a recall election and the dudes were cast out. People here believe in diversity as much as elsewhere and we have plenty of people here who will not stand for any one group dictating to others. Many of these people are very devout, but understand right from wrong and that diversity works. This town has a lot of military, the live, eat, breath, fight and die as part of VERY diverse military units and as such they know FULL well that no race, religion or national origin has Gods imprimature as being "His Chosen People" and they tend to almost always side with diversity and democracy.

To my knowledge, no public schools here teach that evolution is just an unproved theory. I think they may do in some places (Kansas?). There was such a case in PA too, if my memory is correct, bit it got fixed, quickly so.

You can live in ANY city and kids will tell other kids that "my religion" has it right and you're going to hell, yadda yadda. We got that stuff in Baptist church back in the DC area, one of the most educated and liberal areas in the nation.

s/Mike

[janetjanetbobanet]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

To my knowledge, no public schools here teach that evolution is just an unproved theory. I think they may do in some places (Kansas?). There was such a case in PA too, if my memory is correct, bit it got fixed, quickly so.
s/Mike

Yes, it was Kansas, just came here from there a month ago. We voted the folks who caused that to happen off the state school board, too. But some of us are still embarrassed about it. People seem more "live and let live" here in Colorado than in Kansas, if you ask me.

[Charles]

Many locals already know about this searchable series on interesting, odd, or curious things about Colorado Springs.

Did You Ever Wonder?

[Card Shark 2]

Just got back from Colorado. Toured the area after a wedding in FT. Collins. I hear Colo Springs has the 5th highest violent crime rate in the Nation. Why is that?
I really loved it. The drawbacks are the road systems, very hard to get around if your not used to it and the congestion. So much traffic. But homes are cheap, and people are nice.
Stay clear of areas south of C. Springs. It is tornado territory and we saw tons of wind devils and strong wind and blowing dirt from Pueblo into C. springs. It was pretty scary and even in Sept.
I am still acessing the crime. It is high and I really can't understand why? A lovely town, mostly white, soldiers, students, not much poverty. There are a lot of sexual predators according to this site 1 in 452 persons.
We stopped and talked to a Realtor (my husband is one in CA and NV) in Canon City.
He says the area is growing mostly due to the jobs in the Prisons. He says Colorado trys to keep all the prisons in one area and that is Canon City. Sure you will see one or two in the larger areas but they are concentrating them all in that southern town. That turned me off right away.
Cant beat the home prices.
Been checking out in case my son (an Army officer) gets stationed there as they are talking about.
Thanks for all the information.
Sharon