2014 R E P O R T TO TH E C OM M U N I T Y
DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP OF COLORADO SPRINGS
DOWNTOWN IS
vibrant
To our downtown stakeholders,
Great cities have great downtowns. At Downtown Partnership, we are leading the charge to ensure that an invigorated
downtown propels Colorado Springs forward to economic prosperity and an unparalleled quality of life. In 2014,
we made significant progress toward our goals.
It was a year in which downtown surged in all directions – from new construction on the south end with North Star
Bank and ANB Bank, to fresh entrepreneurial faces at Epicentral Coworking and Wild Goose Meeting House on the
north end, to a nascent innovation district on downtown’s eastern edge.
It was a year of bikes, brews and Blue Dot, thanks to events such as USA Pro Cycling, the opening of several new
breweries and taprooms, and groundbreaking on new apartments in downtown’s south side. The entertainment scene
was kicked up a notch or three thanks to the openings of The Mezzanine and The Gold Room, and families made new
holiday memories at the region’s only outdoor ice skating rink, in Acacia Park.
This place-centered revitalization is made possible only through partnerships – the coming together of businesses, nonprofits, government agencies and individuals.
Downtown Partnership provides the programs and services of our family of organizations: the Greater Downtown
Colorado Springs Business Improvement District, the Downtown Development Authority and Community Ventures.
In 2014, we engaged the services of Progressive Urban Management Associates to determine our core values and a
framework for accomplishing our goals. This planning process brought together our four boards of directors and was
informed by a survey of more than 1,000 downtown stakeholders.
We determined four core values that underpin the work we do every day, as well as an overarching value of vibrancy.
On the following pages you will see how we live out our principles of welcoming, innovative, livable and valued through
the programs and services we provide.
We are enthused by the energy and vitality that’s growing day by day downtown.
Together, with your membership and involvement, we will realize our vision of a
thriving downtown that serves as the economic, civic and cultural heart of our
community. We truly appreciate your support and commitment.
Susan Edmondson, President & CEO
Hannah Parsons, Chair
Downtown Partnership Staff
Susan Edmondson
President & CEO
Diane Dillinger
Administrative and Membership
Coordinator
Sandy Friedman
Public Space Manager
Lara Garritano
Creative District Manager
Sarah Harris
Director of Business Development and
Economic Vitality
Laurel Prud’homme
Director of Communications and
Events
Heather Whitworth
Finance Officer
Also
Isaac Green, Student Intern
Jacque Stanley, Business Manager
(retired)
Brooke Stemple, Summer Intern
Contact Us
Downtown Partnership
111 S. Tejon St. Ste. 404
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
719-886-0088
[email protected]
www.DowntownCS.com
Published February 2015
Each downtown organization shares a common vision for a vibrant downtown
that serves as the economic, civic and cultural heart of our city.
Downtown Partnership serves as a placemaker, an advocate
and a strategist for our city center. The Partnership manages
the work of two downtown districts with defined boundaries,
the Downtown Development Authority and the Greater
Downtown Colorado Springs Business Improvement
Downtown
District, as well as that of Community Ventures, a
Partnership
501c4
charitable nonprofit providing downtown
Advocacy and
Unified Voice
programs and services that benefit the region.
Community Education
Our structure allows for more efficient and
Advocacy and Outreach
Brand Management
effective use of staff time on projects and issues
Membership
of concern to all downtown stakeholders.
What the downtown organizations all have in common is a
vision of a world-class, vibrant Downtown Colorado Springs
that serves as the economic, civic and cultural heart of our
city. Through the guidance, resources and core purposes of
each board, we collectively achieve our goals for downtown.
Business
Improvement
District
Pedestrian and
Consumer Experience
Beautification
Safety
Marketing
Community
Ventures
501c3
Community
Benefit Programs
Art on the Streets
Special Events
Downtown
Development
Authority
Economic Vitality
and Development
Project Investment
Business Attraction
and Retention
Membership at a glance
Our momentum continues, with Downtown Partnership experiencing 8 percent member revenue
growth in 2014, and 45 percent growth over two years. Our members represent the diversity of
downtown and our city.
Photo by Stellar Propeller Studio.
Office and services
Individuals
Creative industries (architecture,
arts, advertising, cultural)
Real estate and development
Restaurant and retail
Banking and finance
Faith organizations and nonprofits
Hospitality and tourism
18%
15%
14%
14%
13%
12%
12%
2%
Opposite page, left to right: Olympian Rachel Flatt skated with fans at Skate in the Park. A typical summer day
downtown. Waldos and Wendas gather at America the Beautiful Park for the annual Waldo Waldo 5k fun run.
This page: A workforce of more than 23,000 strong, employees in high-tech, government, non profits, hospitality,
creative industries, finance, law and others come downtown for work every day.
DOWNTOWN IS
welcoming
A city center you can be proud of. An urban
environment that is clean, engaging, friendly and
walkable.
We ensure downtown is welcoming 365 days a year through the
cleaning and marketing services of the BID as well as support from
the DDA for projects and safety enhancements. Among our 2014
accomplishments:
• We partnered with the Convention & Visitors Bureau and the
Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services to operate
a Visitor Information Center in Acacia Park during the busy
summer tourism months.
• As a water conservation measure, the BID converted flowerbed
irrigation from spray to drip mechanisms.
• BID marketing efforts helped many businesses experience their
best-ever sales for Small Business Saturday and a solid holiday
sales season overall despite growing competition from the Internet.
• A grant from the DDA helped the Colorado Springs Police
Department open a substation at Pikes Peak and Tejon streets,
improving response times and service. Also, DDA funding
provided a security team on the streets during the busy holiday
months.
• Our easy-to-navigate, newly redesigned website won a Gold
Addy from American Advertising Federation - Colorado Springs
for Best Website.
• We partnered with the Parking Enterprise to improve and
activate two alley blocks.
• BID public relations efforts resulted in more positive media
coverage than downtown has experienced in years.
By the numbers
• BID crews were out seven days a week, with trash and litter picked up from more than
23,000 blockfaces throughout the year.
• The year saw 830 instances of removal of graffiti, stickers and fliers.
• More than 20 snow events required removal and application of ice melt.
• 89 flowerbeds and 49 large flowerpots were planted, watered and tended three times
weekly, May to October.
• 80,000 downtown tourism maps were printed and distributed to stores, hotels, the
airport and visitor centers.
• 36,000 rack cards and nearly 1,000 posters were distributed monthly at scores of
locations, informing people about performances, tours and events.
• Nearly 15,000 pocket guides were distributed for downtown patrons to help connect
panhandlers and others to assistance from human service agencies.
• 1,197 Downtown Gift Cards were sold, bringing nearly $50,000 to stores and
restaurants and exposing hundreds to all that downtown offers.
• 5,000 Holiday Coupon Books lured shoppers downtown during the critical months
of November and December.
• More than $30,000 in print, broadcast and outdoor advertising promoted shopping,
dining and fun downtown.
• Facebook fans grew 13 percent, and more than 60 segmented e-blasts kept downtown
patrons engaged and informed.
Photo by Stellar Propeller Studio.
Left: In addition to planting and maintaining flowerbeds, the BID worked with the city to place
additional bike racks throughout downtown. This page, top to bottom: Better lighting, trash
containment, and fresh paint and paving make alleys more inviting for pedestrian and business
use. Clean walkways are enjoyed by both two- and four-legged pedestrians. Service with a smile
is one attribute of locally owned businesses that attracts people to downtown. Even the smallest
visitors find things to do downtown. Photos by Stellar Propeller Studio.
innovative
DOWNTOWN IS
Photos by Richard Seldomridge.
New businesses
Aspen Lasso
B&Co.
Bingo Burger
Bella’s Bakery & Bistro
Bellissima
Clikfocus
Colorado Business Bank
Colorado Photography School
Coquette’s Bistro and Bakery
Far Out Factory
Fashion Store
Fieldhouse Brewery
French Fry Heaven
The Gold Room
Greenman Tap Room
Iron Bird Brewery
KKTV
Lucha Cantina
The Machine Shop
The Mezzanine
Mountain Fold Books
Odyssey Gastropub
Playground Kidz
Rocky Mountain Soap Market
Skirted Heifer
Stitch Studio
Togo’s Sandwiches
VIE Boutique & Floral Studio
Relocation/expansion
American National Bank
Art Hardware
Bang Bang/State of Mind
Epicentral CoWorking
FuseSport
Godec Photo Supply
Lady Godiva Hair Studio
Metro Brokers
North Star Bank
Tony’s Bar
Woolly Works
VSCO
Listing is a partial sampling of street-level
businesses and primary employers.
Only one urban center in the country can boast multiple craft brewers
and taprooms, a climbing gym, trails that connect the city center to the
mountains, the headquarters of the US Olympic Committee, a nationally
ranked liberal arts college, a running club attracting more than 1,000
weekly, and designation by the state as a Certified Creative District.
Our downtown is uniquely suited to foster innovation and a lifestyle attractive to
entrepreneurs, thinkers and artists. Leadership and support from the DDA positions
downtown as a hub where new ideas and new ventures flourish. Among our 2014
accomplishments:
• Nearly $80,000 in DDA grants supported one-of-kind events such as USA Pro
Cycling and the Olympic Downtown Celebration, attracting tens of thousands
downtown to experience world-class athletes and even sled dogs.
• DDA launched a Pop Up Shop program that filled five store vacancies, created a
critical mass as a shopping destination during the holiday season, generated significant
positive media coverage, helped entrepreneurs learn brick-and-mortar operation skills,
and resulted in the signing of two long-term leases.
• Building Enhancement Grants improved building facades on properties such as
The Machine Shop, a cooperative studio for creative workers.
• DDA entered into its first agreement for tax increment financing, investing in Blue
Dot Place, a 33-unit apartment building bringing contemporary urban living to the
south end of downtown.
• DDA support of projects such as Go Code Colorado positioned downtown as the
go-to location for coders and techpreneurs.
• We helped dozens of small businesses maneuver the hurdles of site location, leasing,
entitlements, permitting and more, increasing their odds of long-term success.
Left: The Machine Shop cooperative work space. Inset: Code developers begin work at the Go Code app development challenge;
photo by Stellar Propeller Studio. This page top to bottom: Blue Dot Place is the first residential development in the downtown core in
more than a decade; photo by Jana Bussanich. Spinning Star Gallery, a holiday Pop Up shop, showcased art from more than 14 local
artists.
DOWNTOWN IS
livable
What makes a community – a downtown – livable?
It’s the people and the place.
We make downtown livable when we activate our public spaces and
parks with art, performances and family activities. Opportunities to
meet, recreate, engage and learn are provided through a variety of
programs and events that show off all downtown has to offer. Among
our 2014 accomplishments:
• For the first time in its 16-year run, Art on the Streets kicked off
with a free Launch Party open to the public. Hundreds turned out
for a lively celebration with performances by Taiko Society and Soul
Mechanics. As always, Art on the Streets is supported solely through
the generous support of founding sponsor U.S. Bank, other corporate
and foundation sponsors, and individual donors.
• Acacia Park was the scene for the new Downtown Sunday Market,
featuring Colorado-grown produce, baked goods and ready-to-eat
foods, handcrafted wares and performances by a wide variety of local
musicians and entertainers.
• Hundreds enjoyed our new Core Culture walking tours, highlighting public art, historic architecture and historic bronzes. Morning
tours came with locally roasted coffee and seasonal happy hour tours
featured craft beer.
• For a second year, Skate in the Park secured its spot as the city’s favorite
new holiday tradition, enjoyed by thousands. Held in partnership
with the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, the
event expanded to eight weeks and included festive theme days and
even opportunities to skate with Olympic stars.
• Downtown was the place to be for First Friday gallery openings, and
we partnered with UpaDowna for art hops by bike.
• We brought Venetucci pumpkins from the farm to the heart of the
city with an autumn pumpkin patch for the young and young-atheart.
Photo by Stellar Propeller Studio.
Flowers for Judy
In 2013, the board of Community Ventures established
the Judy Noyes Memorial Purchase Fund, a dedicated fund
to acquire works of art through the U.S. Bank Art on the
Streets program for permanent placement downtown. Judy
co-founded Art on the Streets, was a long time downtown
business owner, and was deeply dedicated to the betterment of
downtown. We thought it fitting that the first piece purchased
through that fund should be from a local artist Judy knew well,
Christopher Weed. His cheery, towering Purple Coneflowers
were installed and dedicated on the Nevada Avenue median as
friends and family of Judy and donors to the fund gathered on
the steps of City Hall. This fund will continue to serve as a way
to remember Judy and enliven our city center through public
art for many years to come.
Left: The Flying Carrot fixes treats with fresh produce from the Downtown
Sunday Market. This page top to bottom: Showing off picks from the
Downtown Venetucci Pumpkin Patch. Christopher Weed’s Purple
Coneflowers. First Friday at The Modbo. Skate in the Park. “Dog day”
at the Downtown Sunday Market. Photos by Stellar Propeller Studio.
valued
DOWNTOWN IS
Photo by Forrest Boutin Photography.
Leadership and a voice
In 2014, staff and volunteer board
members advocated for downtown
interests and provided important
guidance and manpower on the
following boards, committees and
commissions that directly affect
downtown, including:
• City for Champions and Regional
Tourism Act Advisory Board
• City Parks, Recreation, and Cultural
Services Advisory Board
• City LART Advisory Committee
• City Liquor and Beer Licensing Board
• City Special Events Committee
• Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
• Continuum of Care
• CSPD Citizen Advisory Committee
• Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak
Region (COPPeR)
• Downtown Review Board
• The Greenway Fund
• I-25 Interchange Working Team and
Aesthetics Team
• Infill and Redevelopment Steering
Committee
Great cities have great downtowns. We know that a thriving heartbeat in our city center
helps to ensure that all of Colorado Springs is economically strong, appealing to new business
prospects and young professionals, and attractive to tourists.
Every day we work closely with private businesses, nonprofits and city and county leadership and staff to create a
downtown that is innovative, livable, welcoming and valued. Among new initiatives in 2014:
• Downtown Partnership added a Young Professional member category to make opportunities more accessible for
our city’s Millennials.
• Downtown Lowdowns – free, informative coffee gatherings – exceeded capacity as we shared news on safety
initiatives, new business developments and more.
• Board members of our downtown family of organizations used the services of Progressive Urban Management
Associates to survey downtown stakeholders on satisfaction and concerns, and to thoughtfully craft an organizational
structure better suited to meet the needs of a downtown experiencing a renaissance.
• More than 400 people packed the Downtown Partnership’s Annual Breakfast with the Mayor to hear remarks from
Steve Bach as well as special guest Lieutenant Governor Joe Garcia. Awards were presented to:
-D
arsey Nicklasson, DHN Development, for her tenacity in returning apartment living to downtown and her
commitment to creating a neighborhood, now known as the New South End.
-M
att Mayberry, serving 20 years as executive director of the Pioneers Museum and committed to the cultural
enrichment of downtown and the city.
- J ack Quinn’s Running Club, for bringing more than 1,000 runners downtown every Tuesday night of the year
for fitness and fun.
• Peak Startup
• Pikes Peak Regional Nonmotorized
Transportation Task Force
• US Olympic Museum
Left: An east-facing view of downtown at night. Inset: Runners with the Jack Quinn’s Running Club. This page left to right: Sarah
Harris, Director of Business Development and Economic Vitality, talks with the media at Epicentral Coworking; photo by Stellar
Propeller Studio. Owner Eel Anderson cuts the ribbon for the newly expanded Tony’s Bar.
CV Rev
DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP
It all starts here. Downtown Partnership, a 501c4
nonprofit, is the lead organization ensuring that
Downtown Colorado Springs serves as the economic,
cultural and civic heart of the city. The Partnership
works closely alongside private businesses, nonprofits
and government agencies to strengthen, grow and
revitalize downtown. Through contracts for service,
the Partnership manages the work of the BID, DDA
and Community Ventures. This structure allows for more efficient and effective use of time
and resources on projects and issues of concern to all downtown stakeholders.
DP Board of Directors
Hannah Parsons, Chair
Alison Murray, Vice Chair
Steve Engel, Secretary/Treasurer
Sam Eppley,
Immediate Past Chair
Allison Cortez, BID Representative
David Lord, DDA representative
CV Rev
Michael Collins, Community
Ventures representative
Brian Burnett
Gary Butterworth
Randy Case
Julian Flores
Rich Guy
CV Rev
DP Rev
Kady Hommel
Chris Jenkins
Mark Jones
Chuck Murphy
Nolan Schriner
Jill Tiefenthaler
Larry Yonker
DP Rev
30%
18%
1%
30% Revenue
Downtown Partnership
18%
Contracts 28%
for service $465,200
1%
CV Exp
CV Exp
42%
7%
DDA Board of Directors
David Lord, Chair
Steve Engel, Vice Chair
Roger Sauerhagen,
Secretary/Treasurer
Sam Eppley
Jill Gaebler
Rich Guy
42%
41%
7%
4%
41%
Chris
6%
Jenkins
Dot Lischick
4%
David
Lux
6%
Chuck
Murphy
Nolan Schriner
7%
66%
66%
25%
3%
25%
5%
3%
5%
Note: Financial figures shown are prior to annual audit.
DDA Rev
BID Rev
DDA Rev
BID Rev
72%
23%
DDA Revenue
64%
Mill levy and ownership
tax $824,010
6%
23%
Tax increment financing
$302,515
7%
Interest$12,639
6%
Grants and fees
$757 7%
Total$1,139,921
27%
72%
1%
27%
<1%
1%
<1%
DDA Exp
DP Exp
DDA Expense
66%
Programs/Grants$852,661
Program 25%
Reserves
$96,555
66%
TIF obligation to Dist. 11
$85,396
3%
Administration$105,309
25%
5%
Total$1,139,921
7%
6%
DP Exp
7%
Partnership
Expense
42%
41%
Programming$483,687
7%
Downtown
Administration$180,907
41%
4%
Direct member services $24,898
6%
Operating
$34,808
4%reserves
Total$724,300
6%
DP Exp
23%
6%
DP Exp
D O W N T O W N D E30%
VELOPMENT AUTHORITY (D
64%D A )
18%
Through leadership, incentives and keen strategy,
the Downtown Development Authority (DDA)
builds public and private investment
partnerships
2%
28%
that promote the economic and
physical
growth
21%
of downtown. DDA also ensures
2% that Form Based
Code is leveraged to encourage21%
a high-density,
pedestrian-oriented,
mixed-use
downtown
with high
CV Exp
design standards, attention to historic preservation
42%
and environmentalCV stewardship.
Exp
23%
64%
Membership and events $168,795
28%
2%
Fees, reimbursements,
21%
grants,
$40,962
2% interest
In-kind $49,343 21%
Total$724,300
DP Rev
1%
30%
28%
18%
1%
64%
BID Exp
DDA Exp
3%
5%
Note: Financial figures shown are prior to annual audit.
BID Exp
75%
6
9%
2
7%
75%
9%
9%
7%
9%
16
92
41
9
4
CV Rev
DP Rev
BID Rev
GREATER DOWNTOWN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID)
30%
18%
1%
30%
18%
28%
1%
64%
72%
64%
23%
Attracting people to a clean, safe and welcoming
downtown is the primary goal
23% of the BID. Services
6%
and improvement provided by the BID are not
7%
intended to supplant those6%
provided by city
7%
government, but rather to meet the unique needs
of a downtown environment. The BID ensures that
public spacesDPare
Exp clean and inviting, and marketing
efforts help support
the scores of locally owned
DP Exp
shops and restaurants to ensure that small business
66%
thrives in the heart of the city.
28%
2%
21%
2%
21%
CV Exp
CV Exp
DDA Rev
42%
7%
42%
41%
7%
66%
25%
BID Board of Directors
Allison Cortez, Chair
25%
3%
Jessica Modeer, Vice Chair
5%
David Bunkers, Treasurer 3%
William Nelson, Secretary 5%
Wylene Carol
Randy Case
Steve Condon
41%
4%
6%
4%
6%
Photo by Stellar Propeller Studio.
Gary Feffer
Greg Howard
Hannah Parsons
Luke Travins
Andy Vick
BID Revenue
72%
27%
Mill levy, ownership taxes $561,756
1%
Fees 27%
and interest $22,414
<1%
Sale of1%equipment
$5,141
<1%
Total$589,310
DDA Exp
CV Board of Directors
Michael Collins, President
Kris Faricy
Gary Butterworth
Jay Miller
Chuck Murphy
63%
22%
63%
1%
22%
9%
1%
4%
9%
4%
DP Rev
30%
18%
30%
1%
18%
1%
28%
28%
64%
64%
23%
23%
6%
6%
7%
7%
2%
2%
21%
21%
CV Exp
DP Exp
CV Exp
Community Ventures Expense
Art on the Streets $59,624
Art on the Streets, art purchase
$9,500
Other programs $58,687
Administration$6,062
Program reserves
$8,888
Total$142,761
Blake Milteer
BID Exp
DP Rev
CV Rev
Community Ventures Revenue
Art on the Streets, s ponsorships/grants $42,750
Art on the Streets, individual donors $25,224
Art on the Streets, fees
$1,785
Other programs, sponsorships/grants $39,800
Other programs, sales
$3,395 Other programs, government $29,807 Total$142,761
Community Ventures
administers Art on the Streets,
First Friday Downtown,
Core Culture walking tours,
Downtown Sunday Market
and Skate in the Park.
1%
Note: Financial figures shown are prior to annual audit.
CV Rev
Community Ventures is a
charitable nonprofit dedicated
to the arts, historic preservation,
and other public programs that
enrich, enliven, and engage our
community in Downtown
Colorado Springs.
4%
95%
1%
4%
BID Exp
BID Expense
DDA Exp
Programs/Public space management
75%
$370,936
9%
Programs/Marketing$130,982
75%
7%
Programs/Transit 9%
and access
$7,546
9%
7%
Administration$55,155
9%
Program
reserves $24,690
Total$589,310
COMMUNITY VENTURES
95%
DP Exp
42%
42%
7%
7%
41%
41%
4%
4%
6%
6%
Note: Financial figures shown are prior to annual audit. Additionally, $263,202
was received by Community Ventures as a restricted endowment.
66%
66%
25%
25%
3%
3%
5%
5%
eXe by Michael Shewmaker; photo by Bryan Oller.
Photo by Nick Burns.
Downtown Partnership Members
President’s Council
Colorado Springs Utilities
El Paso County
Insurance Technologies
Nor’wood
Executive
Colorado College
Griffis Blessing
Charles J. Murphy
Phil Long Dealerships
Partner
ANB Bank
Antlers Hilton
GE Johnson Construction
Lyda Hill
Mansion/Red Martini/Blondie’s/
Cowboys/Gasoline Alley
Olive Real Estate Group
Pikes Peak Community College
Re/Max Properties, Inc.
US Olympic Committee
Wells Fargo Bank
Sustainer
Beauty Bar
Blue Star Group
Bryan Construction
Case International
Centennial Printing
Computer Resources
Downtown Development Group
First Bank
First Presbyterian Church
Fountain Colony
High Valley Group
Kaiser Permanente
Kinder Morgan
King’s Chef Diner
Kirkpatrick Bank
David H. Lord
Memorial Hospital
Pikes Peak Assoc. of Realtors
Red Noland Group
Saks Building
Springs Rescue Mission
The Famous Steakhouse
University of Colorado
US Bank
VI Marketing
YMCA at the Pikes Peak Region
Colleague
Academy Bank
Bank of Colorado
Berkshire Hathaway Rocky
Mountain Realtors
BKD
Bobby Hill Designs
Broadmoor World Arena
Catholic Charities of Colorado
Springs
Cayton Photography
CityROCK
CJ Kard
Colorado Business Bank
Colo Springs Convention and
Visitors Bureau
Colorado Springs Regional
Business Alliance
Colorado Springs Commercial
Colorado Springs Gazette
Colorado Springs Health Partners
Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
Colorado Springs Urban Renewal
Authority
Colweb
Comcast
Concept Restaurants
Cook Veterinary Hospital
Cottonwood Center for the Arts
CSNA Architects
Ecumenical Social Ministries
Ent Federal Credit Union
Epicentral Coworking
First Christian Church
First United Methodist Church
Flynn, Wright & Fredman
Harvest Downtown
HB & A Architects
Hogan Lovells
Housing & Building Association of
Colorado Springs
James W. Kin, Attorney at Law
Kraemer Kendall Rupp Deen
Neville
Kratt Commercial Properties
Land Title Guarantee Company
Lewis Roca Rothgerber
Louden Family Partnership
McDivitt Law Firm PC
Michael H. Collins Architects
TheMining Exchange - A
Wyndham Grand Hotel
Mulliken, Weiner, Karsh, Berg &
Jolivet
N.E.S.
Nevada Auto Sales
New Colorado Square
Next Level Development
New Life Downtown
Northstar Bank of Colorado
Paramount Group Asset
Managers
Phantom Canyon Brewing
Regina’s Unique Boutique
RTA Architects
S & R Construction
Senger Design Group
Terra Verde
The Broadmoor Hotel
The Equity Group
The FBB Group Ltd
The Melting Pot
USAA
Vectra Bank
VIE Boutique & Floral Studio
Wynne Realty
Zeezo’s
Associate
9 Round Kickboxing Fitness
A. Marvin Strait, CPA
AA Construction
Alpern Myers Stuart
American Numismatic Association
Aspen Lasso
Autosmith
Bee Vradenburg Foundation
Better Business Bureau
Bingo Burger
Blakely & Company
Gary L. Bradley
Brenda L. Speer
Buffalo Builders
Cameron Butcher Company
Cascade Investment Group
Cascade Park Apartments
CB Insurance Services
Center for Nonprofit Excellence
Chick-fil-A
Children’s Hospital Colorado
Foundation
Collaborative Design Group
Colorado Custom Screen Print &
Design
Colorado Expressions Gallery
Colorado Springs Business Builders
Colorado Springs Conservatory
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
Colorado Springs Food Tours
Colorado Springs Philharmonic
Colorado Springs Pride
Colorado Springs Public Market
Colorado Springs Regional
Business Alliance
Colorado Springs Rising
Professionals
Colorado Springs Sports Corp.
Connect Colorado Springs
COPPeR
Coquette’s Bistro & Bakery
Council of Neighbors &
Organizations
Craddock Columbine Realty
Craig K. Sommer, DDS
Cushman Wakefield
DHN Planning and Development
DLR Group
Downtown Residents’ Coalition
Downtown Fine Spirits & Wine
Pat and Bruce Doyle
Dream Catchers
Early Connections Learning Centers
Energy Resource Center
First Commercial Bank
First Congregational Church
Grace and St. Stephen’s
Episcopal Church
Holland & Hart
Hotel Elegante
HUB International
Il Vicino
Innovations in Aging Collaborative
Jack Quinn’s Irish Alehouse & Pub
Jack Miller Jewelry Design
KCME 88.7 FM Classical Music
La Baguette
MacVan Map Company
Madwoman Marketing Strategies
Marco’s Pizza
Mountain Chalet
Mountain View Bank
NAI Highland Commercial Group
Dick Noyes
O’Donnell & O’Donnell
Ola Juice Bar
Old North End Neighborhood
Osborne Parsons & Rosacker
Partners in Housing
Peak Vista Community Health
Centers
People’s Bank
Pikes Peak Library District
Pikes Peak Regional
Development Corp.
Poor Richard’s Restaurant
Quantum Commercial Group
Rasta Pasta
Rocky Mountain PBS
Rogue Mountain Law
Security Install Solutions
Sonterra Grill
Southern Colorado Women’s
Chamber
Sparrow Hawk Gourmet Cookware
Status Symbol Auto Body
Summit Economics
Tara C. Patty Photography
The 2431 Group
The Coffee Exchange
The Resource Exchange
The Sound Shop
Photo by Nick Burns.
The Wild Goose Meeting House
Thomas & Thomas
Tolin Mechanical Systems
TRG Arts
Urban Peak Colorado Springs
Walston Group Real Estate
WEM Investments
YoungLife
Friend
David Artusi
John Autry
Lisa Bachman
Josiah Carlson
Roger W. Carlson
Richard Celeste &
Jacqueline Lundquist
Michael Cimino, DDS
Roseanne Gain & Bob Stovall
Toni Garcia
Jackie Gonzales
Randy Halfpop
Bernie Herpin
Jenna Hilb
Sarah B. Johnson
James Knies
Abigail Kreuser
Julie LaFitte
Noreen Landis-Tyson
Mary Ellen McNally
Spencer Norman
Michael O’Cana
Hannah Parsons
Michelle Parvinrouh
Karen Rodriguez
Taylor Stamp
Karen Standridge
Craig Suderman
John Suthers
Amy Whitesell
Donors and Sponsors
Community Ventures
Colorado Creative Industries
Boettcher Foundation
Downtown Breakfast with
the Mayor
Insurance Technologies,
Title Sponsor
Centennial Reproduction
Colorado Business Bank
Colorado College
David Lord
DPC Development
El Pomar
GE Johnson
Griffis Blessing
Murphy Constructors
New Colorado Square
Nor’wood
Olive Real Estate Group
RTA Architects
The Gazette
Skate in the Park
Insurance Technologies,
Presenting Sponsor
The Gazette
Memorial Hospital, University of
Colorado Health
Kaiser Permanente
US Figure Skating Association
Classic Homes
Sunday Market Downtown
ANB Bank
Bryan Construction
The Independent
Acacia Park Concert Series
Pikes Peak Community College
The Independent
Springs in Bloom
Culebra Properties
Every effort has been made to fully acknowledge members, sponsors,
donors and supporters. Please contact us with any errors of fact or
omission. Published February 2015.
Art on the Streets
Founding & Title Sponsor
US Bank
$2500+
H. Chase Stone Trust
Murphy Constructors
Nor’wood
$1000 - $2499
Colorado Springs Convention &
Visitors Bureau
Esther Beynon for Alfred Metzger*
Patrick and Kris Faricy*
Joanna Fischer
Sam & Kathy Guadagnoli
Kathleen Hybl
Gary & Jane Loo
Katherine Loo
New Colorado Square
Phantom Canyon Brewing
$500 - $999
Gary and Anne Bradley*
John Budd*
Edward A. Osborne*
Jolanthe Saks
Susan B.Tyson*
Up to $499
Marjory Abbot
Alpha Investments
Angie Adams*
Arthur Aikin*
David Artusi
Bingo Burger
Cate and Tim Boddington
Kent H. Borges & Stephanie B.
Dicenzo*
Brooke Bower*
Bristol Brewing*
John and Ann Brock*
Judith R. Casey*
Jane Cauvel
Cayton Photography
Richard Celeste*
CityROCK
Colorado College
Cottonwood Center for the Arts*
CSNA Architects
DHN Planning & Development
Bill & Pamela Diffley
Carl P. Donner II
Bruce and Pat Doyle
Susan Edmondson*
William Edmondson
Lisa Davis & Jake Emery
Two Rings, 8” Diameter, 4” Square by Dee Briggs; photo by Bryan Oller.
D.D. and J. R. Finley*
James Flynn
Kathleen Fox Collins*
Elaine Freed*
John R. Fuller
Carlton Gamer*
Donald Gazibara
Jane Gorab
Michael & Sue Grace
Susan Greene
Sam and Mary Alice Hall*
John and Elizabeth Haney
Erin L. Hannan*
Dorothy Harman*
Diana & Gaylord Hatler*
Bill and Nancy Hochman*
Robert Howsam*
Don and Gwen Jenkins*
Elizabeth M. Kane*
Phil and Meg Kendall*
Linda Sue Kennison*
Artie Toll Kensinger*
James W. Kin
Vicky M. Kipp*
William Klein
Wynne Palermo*
Anita K. Lane
David H. Lord
La Baguette
Suzanne Macaulay*
Jerry L. and Carol A. Macon
Mary Lou Makepeace*
Janet Martin*
Mary L. and Wayne M. Mashburn*
Suellen H. and
Robert L. McAndrews*
Marianna P. McJimsey
Mary Ellen McNally*
Jon and Becky Medved*
CJ Moore*
Sue Mulvihill
Loran Mundy
Red & Eloise Day Noland*
Sean R. O’Meallie
Susan and Thomas Pattee
George and Marcia Peacock
Steven Pelican*
Lynn Peterson*
Elmer & Judith Peterson
Joseph & Judith Pickle*
Lynette Reagan
Kathleen Ricker*
James Ringe*
Edward C. and Mary A. Rochette*
S&R Construction
Buz & Judy Sellers*
Sharon and Nolan Schriner
B.J. and Randy Scott
Barbara A. Sparks*
Bob And Helen Starks
A. Marvin Strait
Janet Strouss & Rich Tallman*
Eve Tilley & Sol Chavez*
Marion H. Sondermann*
John and Janet Suthers
Lauren Tyson
WEM Investment Co.*
Jim & Ann Young
Andy Vick & Beth Piver
Trey and Heather Whitworth*
Kathleen & Blake Wilson*
* indicates donation to the Judy Noyes
Memorial Purchase Fund.
Volunteers
Bob Dillinger
Kristen Downs
B Fox
Martha Freeman
Donna Henderson
Philip McDonald
Deborah McIntosh
Cynthia McKenzie
Cynthia Nimerichter
Nicholas Oyster
Douglas Ridenour
Jim Stanley
Kathleen Valentin
David Wiater
John Wood
In June 2014 Downtown Colorado Springs became a Colorado Certified Creative
District, as designated by Colorado Creative Industries, a division of the Office of
Economic Development and International Trade. One of only 12 such districts in the
state, certification is more than being part of an elite group: it brings with it opportunities
to attract tourists, new jobs and creative entrepreneurs.
Creative Districts in Colorado communities result in increased jobs, animated public
spaces, rejuvenated structures and streetscapes, and opportunities to bring diverse people
together to celebrate, inspire and be inspired. All of these attributes are demonstrated
and embraced within our downtown core.
By the numbers
• The 80903 ZIP code has a Creative Vitality Index (CVI) of 5.42, more than five times
the CVI for the United States as a whole.
• More than a dozen art galleries participate in First Friday Downtown art walks every
month, and downtown displays more than 50 permanent pieces of public art.
• Nearly one-third of the properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places for
El Paso County are in the Downtown Creative District.
Clockwise: First Friday bike tour stops at an Art in Storefronts exhibit. Taiko Society plays
for a crowd. Summer Creek Band provides music for pedestrians. Curator-led First Friday
gallery tour. Tour and band photos by Stellar Propeller Studios.
Downtown Partnership
111 S. Tejon St. Ste. 404
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
• Annually, more than 40 guided tours attract residents and visitors to downtown to
learn about art, history, photography and architecture through the Core Culture tour
series.
Front cover photo credits: Bike, pumpkin patch, shopping and dining by Stellar Propeller
Studio; I’m Dreaming with My Brain Awake sculpture by Sandy Friedman, photo by Bryan Oller.
Breakfast with the Mayor, photo by Nick Burns.
CERTIFIED CREATIVE DISTRICT