In 1964, local businessman George T. Dwire offered the University the Cragmor Sanatorium and its surrounding 80 acres for the sum of $1. CU-Colorado Springs was created by an act of the Colorado Legislature in 1965, providing CU-Colorado Springs with a permanent home for its growing following of scholars. CU-Colorado Springs aims to become the #1 comprehensive regional research university in the nation with 10,000-12,000 students. This goal is fueled by CU-Colorado Spring status as one of the fastest-growing universities in Colorado and in the nation. The university is known for its high-quality academics and engagement with its community. In recent years, U.S. News and World Report named CU-Colorado Springs a top Western public university and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities named the university one of two national leaders in community engagement efforts. The campus – CU-Colorado Springs is located on approximately 514 acres in northeast Colorado Springs, at the foot of Austin Bluffs, a rugged natural cliff formation. The campus provides a spectacular view of the Front Range of the Rockies including Pikes Peak, a 14,100-foot mountain. Inspired by the view from its pinnacle, Katharine Lee Bates wrote “America the Beautiful” in 1893. The campus boasts easy access to Interstate 25, downtown and recreational areas. CU-Colorado Springs offers 25 bachelor’s degrees, 17 master’s degrees, and two doctoral degrees. There are six colleges on campus: business; education; engineering and applied science; public affairs; letters, arts and sciences, and nursing. More than 514 faculty and 392 staff members support the campus. During fall 2002 semester, more than 7,400 students enrolled in state supported instruction and more than 400 students participated in extended studies. Nearly two-thirds of the students are female. CU-Colorado Springs boasts a diverse student body made up of 17 percent ethnic minority students. Students include 92 percent Colorado residents, 7 percent are from out of state and 1 percent are international students. Students from all 50 states and 67 countries are represented. More than 300 active military personnel and more than 30 U.S. Olympic athletes pursue higher learning at CU-Colorado Springs. About 76 percent of students are enrolled in undergraduate programs and 24 percent are pursuing graduate study. The campus’ current funds annual budget is approximately $76 million. Campus expenditures yield approximately $203 million to the local economy each year through construction, employee and student spending, travel and operating expenses. The city - Colorado Springs, the second largest metropolitan area in the state, has about 500,000 residents and is nestled at the base of Pikes Peak in the Rocky Mountains of southern Colorado. The city offers a vibrant cultural life as well as numerous recreational opportunities. The strong local economy supports manufacturing, amateur sports, technology and the military. Large employers in the area include such leaders in the high tech and health care sectors as Hewlett-Packard, Agilent, Atmel Corporation, SCI Systems, Inc., Electronic Data Systems Corporation, Oracle Corporation, and Penrose-St. Francis Health Services. Known as the nation’s military space capital, the city is home to Fort Carson Army Base, the United States Air Force Academy, Peterson Air Force Base / Cheyenne Mountain Air Station, Schriever Air Force Base, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and other Space Command centers. Colorado Springs is also home to more than 20 national and international sports organizations including the headquarters of the U.S. Olympic Committee and Olympic Training Center, the world’s finest multi-sport training facility. Many other national nonprofit organizations call the Pikes Peak region home. Climate - At an elevation of 6,035 feet, the city provides scenic wealth and a mild climate. Colorado Springs'
pleasant climate is a key element in the area's high quality of life.
Weather in the Pikes Peak region is surprisingly mild; uncomfortable
extremes are rare. Despite a moderately high-altitude location near
the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs on average gets 250 days of sunshine
and only 15 to 16 inches of precipitation per year. Humidity remains
comfortably low. As CU-Colorado Springs and the community it serves continue to grow, the University’s general mission remains steadfastly to emphasize quality teaching and research, and service to the University and community. CU-Colorado Springs does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in admission and access to, and treatment and employment in, its educational programs and activities. The University takes action to increase ethnic, cultural, and gender diversity, to employ qualified disabled individuals, and to provide equal opportunity to all students and employees.
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