Cancel my trip?... (Denver, Colorado Springs, Air Force Academy: rentals, hotel, houses)

[allprolab]

I know it's too soon to say much, but we have plans of house hunting in early August. We're starting to wonder if we should wait. We don't want to take a hotel room from someone in need. Or should we come help by spending money and helping with some tax dollars? We really don't know what the best thing to do is.

Best wishes to all my future neighbors. We're very saddened by the situation.

[Sonic_Spork]

I'd say plan on doing it, but be prepared to alter those plans if necessary. Like...save up the money, but don't buy plane tickets yet. Watch a bit longer, see how it goes. If nothing else, you might look for a room in a hotel down the interstate someplace, just far enough off to have vacancies but an easy drive to CoS and your house hunting.

If you have any issue whatsoever with the intense smell of smoke, then do postpone your trip. This town is gonna stink for a while.

[allprolab]

Hotel is booked (but refundable) and we're driving. So it would be easy to change plans if needed. We really want to come because it's our best time to research neighborhoods/houses. The next time we come we want to be moving there!

[otowi]

I don't see why you'd need to delay your trip. August is a long time away.

[Marcy1210]

By August, it'll be okay. People will have returned to their homes by then, and those who lost their homes will most likely have found rentals while they decide whether to rebuild or not.

[ryanek9freak]

I'll be coming home for R&R in August, I'll fly into Denver if I have to. By that time, I HOPE the fire is out, and god help us if it isn't!

[greenfarmgirl]

I'd say still plan on making the trip. I think it will give you the opportunity to see what a beautiful and wonderful community the Colorado Springs area is despite the tragedy that is still unfolding.

The money you spend on your visit would certainly help support the businesses and restaurants that have been hurt by closures, evacuations, and loss of tourism revenue.

[Carrera32]

This has truly been a horrific fire, and there's a long way to go before it's contained and out, but most of it has been in the western foothills overlooking the city. The latest estimate of structure damage has been approximately 300 homes and the Flying W Ranch (a tourist attraction, conference center, restaurant complex) all of which are located at the far western edge of the city in one fairly concentrated area. The fire line in the subdivision (Mountain Shadows) that burned two days ago held last night and the fire doesn't appear to be a major threat right now anyway. They're fighting hot spots and the like in that area, but the fire spokesperson seemed pretty optimistic at the briefing this morning that that immediate danger has passed. The main thrust of the fire now is in the foothills near Woodland Park along Highway 24 and that area is several miles up in the mountains. Last I heard, 24 is still closed. The other main thrust of the fire is northward towards the Air Force Academy. Those two areas are where most of the efforts are being concentrated today.

Bottom line: Colorado Springs is not on fire, though the pictures and video you've been seeing may make it appear that it is. By August you should have no reason not to come. In fact, as greenfarmgirl posted, please do come, and spend some money enjoying our hospitality to help some of the businesses who've had to close down operations during what would be their normal busy tourist season.

[allprolab]

Thank you everyone. We will not be changing our plans. We will try to help out all the local shops and restaurants as best as we can. And we hope to be paying property taxes real soon.

[blonde79]

Come visit! It really is improving and by August it'll be a different scene altogether. I've lived through some terrible fires in WY and MT but this is unlike anything I've seen. That being said, CoS is still good to go. It is a terrible experience for so many but this is an incredible community and I feel blessed to live here and watch the outpouring of support. I work at USAFA and even though it is burning (in very small areas) we inprocessed the new class of cadets without issue.