Snuggle-Up! and Blog

University Park, Actives and Solds

University Park is a beautiful neighborhood tucked away in a small community on one of the numerous hills in Colorado Springs. It sits on the north end of Colorado Springs. It has an average elevation of 6,639 feet above sea level. And there is a bustling business district less than a mile away, including a very active, full service YMCA, at the bottom of the hill. Schools servicing that area are the prestigous Colorado Springs District 11 schools.

University Park is a master planned community, started in 1998 and completed in 2009. The homes in this neighborhood start at around $400,000 and go up to over $1,000,000. The economic downturn has not caused a lot of foreclosures in this neighborhood, however there are a lot of homes on the market.

Active listings last month provided the neighborhood with over 2 years of inventory. Currently, there are 25 active single family listings at this time. Sold listings for this year totale 9 homes. At this rate there is still approximately 24 months of inventory. Sold prices are $350,000 on the low end and $675,000 at the top end.

While the market is improving, most active sales are in homes under $200,000. The $200,000 to $300,00 is seeing some improvement, but the upper end of the market is as slow as it was in 2008.

University Park is one of Colorado Springs' most fabulous neighborhoods. And in time, we'll see a recovery to a more balance market, even in this higher end area.

Monument, CO - 10 Great Things to Do, Part 6

Part 6 of 10

One of the really nice features that local government has put in place is the Santa Fe Trail Walking and Biking Path. The path, named after the old commerce trail runs through Colorado along Interstate Highway 25. In most places, the path is west of the highway by about a 1/4 to 1/2 mile. But, can dip below the highway, as it crossed to the east side.

The original Santa Fe Trail ran from the ranches in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to the meat markets in Missouri. Over 1200 miles, crossing the Mississippi river, and traveling through the states of New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Kansas. It was an important trade route for the natives, military, traders, settlers, and ranchers driving their cattle to market. It was heavily used until the railroads came in around 1881.

The walking path through Colorado, named The Santa Fe Trail runs 17 miles through El Paso County, encompassing the cities of Colorado Springs, Monument, and Palmer Lake. There are parking lots all along the trail, making it easy to enter and exit. The trail is heavily used by walkers and bikers, too. It's mostly flat, very wide, and all gravel. It runs through the United State Air Force Academy, so while on that property, you'll need to carry identification.

The Santa Fe Trail Walking and Biking Path runs through a variety of scenic topography. In Monument, it's close to the downtown area, and many street intersect it. In Palmer Lake, the trail runs past the lake in Palmer Lake. (Yes, there really is a lake in Palmer Lake!) In Colorado Springs, the trail follows Monument Creek through the middle of the downtown area.

So, whether you're a walker or a biker, check out the Santa Fe Trail. And don't forget to bring water, sunscreen, a hat, and your ID.

Monument, CO - 10 Great Things to Do, Part 5

5. The U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO

1 Olympic Plaza
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
(719) 578-4500

The Olympic Training Center was established in Colorado Springs in July of 1978. It is the headquarters of the Olympic Committee administration and training center programs. In 1997, the $23.8 million state-of-the-art training was opened. The complex can provide housing, dinning and training for up to 557 coaches and athletes.

The Olympic Training Center Visitors Center, an $8 million facility, sees approximately 140,000 visitors annually. It features exhibits, an auditorium, meeting center, an indoor/outdoor dining facility, a store, and many other interesting sites. Tours are free and available all year round. The tour will take you through many of the training facilities, where you just might get a glimpse of an athlete at practice!

 Please check the website for exact hours of operation.

Monument, CO - 10 Great Things to Do (Part 4)

4. Farmer's Market

Monument, CO, 80132, has several Farmer's Markets. Farmer's and Distributors from both far and local parts of Colorado come to sell their produce and products at the Farmer's Market.

Offerings at the markets range from breads, veggies and fruit, to purses, jewelry, candles, soap and more! Even wrought iron yard ornaments!

I stopped in at both of them this morning, and bought some peaches, corn, beets, and bread. But also available were apricots from Pueblo, melons from Rocky Ford, local handiwork from kniters and crocheters, buffalo meat burgers, BBQ brisket and pork. Gosh, there was even strawberry crepes!

The two popular crops Colorado is know for, and that you can get at Monument Farmer's Markets are Palisade's Peaches and Olathe Corn

 Palisade Peaches are sweet and juice, and smaller than an apple. They come from Palisades, CO and they have an annual festival. This year, it will be August 13 - 16, 2009. Tons of people attend the event.

Olathe grows the sweetest corn ever! They also have an annual Sweet Corn Festival. It's this weekend, starting on July 31, 2009 and runs thru today, August 1, 2009. So, you'd best get a move on if you're going. Clint Black is the featured performer this year!

If you can't make it to the festivals, no worries, check out one of the three Farmer's Markets in Monument.  Here's where and when: 

Saturday Morning, 7:00 am to 11:00 am
On 105, behind Starbuck's
On Second Street, at the Elementary School

Wednesday afternoon, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
At the newly rennovated Sundance Lodge

Stop by, you'll have a great time, and get some really taste, good-for-you food. Oh, and bring your dog...seems like everyone does!