Colorado Springs vs Denver area

[BornintheSprings]

Originally Posted by Wittgenstein's Ghost

I will say that the areas that are the most walkable tend to have the least amount of military presence and the fewest chain restaurants. Based on my own observations, they also tend to be less religious. Colorado Springs really is a city that is hard to pigeon-hole because the prevailing culture varies tremendously based on the part of town one is in.

Excellent observation I totally agree. Briargate feels totally different than the old north end.

[TCHP]

Originally Posted by abcdefg567

*Eta. I was really surprised about the fireworks MsMetal. They had all these signs up about it being illegal...I was worried about our sparklers, and then before it was even dark we had several neighbors shooting off near professional level shows. It was pretty cool, maybe dangerous. I knew it was going to be good however when the large Mexican family across the street had about 10 additional people over and they set up lawn chairs and food around 5 pm. I thought, "They must know something we don't!" It was absolutely crazy all night from multiple house without a police car in sight & our house was very close to the police station.

I wrote up some observations of the 4th of July that I was able to see from a friends house higher up on the west side. Basically, there is a non-stop, free lance fireworks all across town from about 8pm to midnight on the 4th. To see them all, you really need to get above the tree line, and then you will be amazed at the quantity and how widespread it is.

[orngkat]

I HATE that the fireworks laws are not enforced.

We just experienced our first Fourth of July here in CS and were astonished at how many, how close and how long the fireworks went on. If it were just the one night, OK I guess but seemed like they went on for several days before and after. Random fireworks at 3am are not appreciated. Pets didn't like them either.

[abcdefg567]

Originally Posted by TCHP

I wrote up some observations of the 4th of July that I was able to see from a friends house higher up on the west side. Basically, there is a non-stop, free lance fireworks all across town from about 8pm to midnight on the 4th. To see them all, you really need to get above the tree line, and then you will be amazed at the quantity and how widespread it is.

Absolutely crazy. I wonder why they put up all the warning signs at all.

[MsMetal]

Originally Posted by abcdefg567

Agree on all points. With the food, you may be able to find more than one option for say Japanese, but they won't necessarily be good options. You sort of have to pick the place and sick with it in some cases. We still haven't found Pho that we're in love with, or even would eat twice.

*Eta. I was really surprised about the fireworks MsMetal. They had all these signs up about it being illegal...I was worried about our sparklers, and then before it was even dark we had several neighbors shooting off near professional level shows. It was pretty cool, maybe dangerous. I knew it was going to be good however when the large Mexican family across the street had about 10 additional people over and they set up lawn chairs and food around 5 pm. I thought, "They must know something we don't!" It was absolutely crazy all night from multiple house without a police car in sight & our house was very close to the police station.

A lot of restaurants I wouldn't eat at twice LOL, but I'm vegetarian, so I'm used to & enjoy a lot more ethnic diversity in my food. It's really just that I was used to a big city with big city options :-)

My house is on a big hill & yeah I saw a lot of near professional fireworks shows. The danger doesn't really bother me, as in danger to themselves, what bothers me is that we live in a desert, with dry brush everywhere & just had 3 of the biggest & costliest wildfires in US history here, yet amateurs are still setting off fireworks every year. I have a big problem with that. A bigger problem with the fact that law enforcement doesn't really care, but that's TABOR for ya. It also bothers me when outside of New Years & July 4, they go off at 2AM, like the other night. I live near a school & it was right before school started, so I'm sure it was kids, but since it was a single firework at 2am, I actually thought it was a gunshot & hit the floor. It may have been a gunshot, I don't really know for sure.

[otowi]

I used to be a big fan of fireworks. But not anymore - it bothers me when people are setting them off at 10 p.m. or midnight or 2 a.m. etc. on random nights all the time now. The smell makes me sick, too. I've had the same reaction, lying awake thinking, 'was that a gunshot or fireworks?' sometimes I can tell clearly but sometimes it is a little harder to tell. This past 4th of July was absolutely insane - wildlife was confused and terrified, people's pets, too, and lots of our local vets really struggle with the noises and lights as well. I think I would still like them if it wasn't so insane these days. If they were actually contained to what is legal and to the actual holiday. I know our police simply do not have the capacity to address how far out of hand it has gotten in a truly substantial way without we the people actually driving that and paying for what it takes, etc.

[TCHP]

Originally Posted by MsMetal

A bigger problem with the fact that law enforcement doesn't really care, but that's TABOR for ya.

Originally Posted by otowi

I think I would still like them if it wasn't so insane these days. If they were actually contained to what is legal and to the actual holiday. I know our police simply do not have the capacity to address how far out of hand it has gotten in a truly substantial way without we the people actually driving that and paying for what it takes, etc.

After my recent traffic light experience, I asked my wife to talk to her hair dresser about police responsibilities to calls since her hair dresser's husband is on the force. The answer was that with the size of the police force, they are dealing with major crimes and investigations to such a degree that they typically will not bother with red light runners, fireworks, noise complaints, etc.

After hearing this, I jokingly proposed that since we are not afraid to pay for services, and have voted for nearly every increase requested by the city over the last 17 years, can CSPD, CSFD, and CSDOT create a list of voters who have approved their requests and give preferred service to them over everyone who refuses to underwrite their activities.

[abcdefg567]

Well...with all this talk if fireworks & the like....did we scare the OP off?

There are really great parts! We bought our first house in the NE and our second closer to i25 & further South. Neither would probably interest the OP, but OCC, Manitou, and others seems to have much, "cooler," vibes.