Right now it is 81° and partly cloudy
Average Temperatures

Colorado Springs Deals and Coupons

Proud Home of the US Olympic Committee

Archive for the ‘Awards & Accolades’ Category

Vote Garden of the Gods Park as the 8th Wonder of the World

Monday, June 3rd, 2013

Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), announced today that it has entered Garden of the Gods Park into VirtualTourist.com’s quest to crown the “8th Wonder of the World.” Public voting is now open at VirtualTourist.com, a leading travel research website and community that is part of TripAdvisor Media Group. Garden of the Gods Park is a free national natural landmark located at the base of Pikes Peak-America’s Mountain with 1,319 acres of stunning red sandstone formations that offer vibrant beauty and a compelling history.

“Garden of the Gods Park is a true regional gem. The fact that it was named the ‘#2 Free Unheralded Attraction in the U.S.’ by TripAdvisor in 2011, helps solidify it’s uniqueness. The CVB feels it belongs in the running to be named the 8th Wonder of the World. We encourage all who have experienced its wonder and beauty to vote,” says Chelsy Murphy, CVB Director of Communications. Visitors to the site can cast their vote once every 24-hour period.

With numerous Tourism Boards, Chambers of Commerce and Visitor Bureaus sending in a nomination, the public is asked to vote for their favorite out of the nearly 300 submissions. Voters can visit www.virtualtourist.com to vote for Garden of the Gods Park and have until September 30 to do so. The wonder with the most votes will be crowned the winner. The winner will be featured in a national broadcast TV segment on a popular syndicated program, as well as receive a massive media relations campaign push from VirtualTourist.

“It’s wonderful to have a nomination from every corner of the world, so we are thrilled to receive the Garden of the Gods Park as a nomination from the Colorado Springs CVB,” said Giampiero Ambrosi, General Manager of VirtualTourist.com. “As one of the best travel guide resources on the web, members and visitors to our site have been to almost every country in the world. We are eager to see which landmark they will choose to be crowned the 8th Wonder of the World.”

Posted in Activities and Attractions, Awards & Accolades | Comments Off

The Mining Exchange Hotel Awarded AAA Four Diamond Rating

Monday, February 25th, 2013

Exciting news developed from The Mining Exchange today with the brand new downtown boutique hotel attaining the coveted Four Diamond Rating from AAA. Fewer than five percent of nearly 31,000 properties approved by AAA achieve this prestigious distinction. The surprise inspection came over a month ago with the approval process of AAA board pending until today. “We are so excited to be given this rating, especially in light of fact we haven’t been open for a year yet,” explains Shelby Pywell Yarbrough, General Manager. “Our incredible staff is the reason we are able to attain this award,” she continues.

Owner, Perry Sanders adds, “Although we designed this property to ultimately be a 5 diamond property, to get 4 diamonds right out of the gate, without our spa, permanent fitness center or Gold Room being open, is very gratifying.” More luxurious enhancements are set to be in place for this boutique hotel that all of Colorado Springs needs to be on the lookout for!

Framed in European style and housed in an exquisitely restored historic edifice in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs, The Mining Exchange, A Wyndham Grand Hotel elegantly fuses old world charm with modern amenities and exceptional service to create a world-class hotel experience. Complemented by exquisite cuisine and décor that marries contemporary chic with sophisticated style, business and pleasure travelers alike will trade stress and tension for relaxation and renewal in this stunning haven of well-being. Part of the prestigious Wyndham Grand Collection, The Mining Exchange, A Wyndham Grand Hotel opened on May 9, 2012 and features a combination of 117 rooms and suites, a full service award winning restaurant, Springs Orleans, lobby bar, boardroom, ballrooms and large private courtyard. Visit www.miningexchangehotel.com for more information.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Awards & Accolades | Comments Off

Colorado Springs Resident Photo Makes Cover of 2013 Official Visitor Guide

Tuesday, January 29th, 2013

Each year, an inspirational and vibrant photo is chosen to represent the Colorado Springs region on the cover of the area’s official visitor guide. This cover entices people to pick up the publication or download the electronic version at VisitCOS.com. Previous subject matter has included natural gems such as Pikes Peak-America’s Mountain and Garden of the Gods Park.

This past September, the Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) and Pikes Peak Country Attractions Association (PPCAA) made a call to residents, visitors and professional & amateur photographers alike for possible cover photos. Resident photographer, James Harris of The Quiet Light Photography, snapped the winning shot. James’ photo has made its debut on the cover of the 2013 official visitor guide, available now.

Originally from California, James and his family moved to the area in 2001. He has always been drawn to the mountains and chose the area for its beauty and low cost of living. “Having the Rockies in such close proximity is one of the main reasons we chose Colorado Springs and housing prices were nearly 60 percent less than where we moved from,” James says. The chosen photo was taken from Rattlesnake Ridge (closed to the public in 2012) in the Garden of the Gods Park on August 25, 2010 at 6:20 a.m. “A friend and I had researched the time of the moonset/sunrise for that date and we were there taking the photos before the sunrise. It was a morning of incredible light.”

James started taking paid photo assignments in 1979. In California, he owned his own stock photo business and had photos published in magazines, on covers and in nature guide books. In addition to his photography business, he also does graphic design work and says the two complement one another nicely. The beauty of the area easily inspires him, “I could literally spend days at a time photographing alpine tundra, the aspens in fall and just the varied cultures of the city itself.” James’ name will be included on 550,000 printed copies of the guide.

The magazine-style guide is one of the most widely distributed publications in the state of Colorado. The visitor guide is the primary communication piece sent out to leisure travelers inquiring about the region. They are distributed individually to 160,000 people each year who request the guide via phone, email, VisitCOS.com, Facebook and the Colorado Springs mobile app, in addition to any visitors stopping by the Visitor Information Center. The remaining guides are divided among hotels, attractions, welcome centers, visitor centers and airports throughout the state. They are also distributed in key feeder markets such as Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Nebraska.

To find more about The Quiet Light and view James’ other work, visit http://thequietlight.zenfolio.com/.

The CVB will be making another call for photos to be considered for the 2014 guide in late May. Like their Facebook page for updates on the contest.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Awards & Accolades | Comments Off

TripAdvisor Names Colorado Springs #3 “On the Rise” U.S. Destination

Tuesday, November 13th, 2012

 

TripAdvisor®, the world’s largest travel site*, today announced the winners of its 2012 Travelers’ Choice®Destinations on the Rise awards. The awards recognize the destinations that have seen the greatest increase in positive traveler feedback and traveler interest, year-over-year.

 

 

The world’s top 10 destinations on the rise were named, as well as top 10 lists for the U.S., Europe, Asia, and South America.

 

“These rising hotspots around the world are increasingly gaining the attention and admiration of travelers on TripAdvisor,” said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. “For those looking to be inspired for vacation planning for 2013, these destinations offer remarkable places to eat, stay and play.”

 

 

Travelers’ Choice Destinations on the Rise – World:

 

1.      Mar del Plata, Argentina

 

2.      Sao Paulo, Brazil

 

3.      Kiev, Ukraine

 

4.      Montevideo, Uruguay

 

5.      Perth, Australia

 

6.      Mexico City, Mexico

 

7.      Hobart, Australia

 

8.      Guadalajara, Mexico

 

9.      Moscow, Russia

 

10.  Turin, Italy

 

 

Travelers’ Choice Destinations on the Rise – U.S.:

 

1.      Austin, Texas

 

2.      Memphis, Tennessee

 

3.      Colorado Springs, Colorado

 

4.      Portland, Maine

 

5.      Denver, Colorado

 

6.      Portland, Oregon

 

7.      Fort Myers, Florida

 

8.      Phoenix, Arizona

 

9.      Dallas, Texas

 

10.  Gatlinburg, Tennessee

 

 

For the complete list of 2012 Travelers’ Choice Destinations on the Rise winners, sponsored by Citi®, go to http://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Destinations on the Rise.

 

 

Tags:
Posted in Awards & Accolades | Comments Off

U.S. News & World Report Names Colorado Springs “Best Weekend Getaway”

Wednesday, March 7th, 2012

According to a recent U.S. News & World Report Travel article, Colorado Springs has been named the #6 “Best Weekend Getaway.” The destination is highlighted for having “prime picture-taking real estate” and being home to true American institutions such as the U.S. Olympic Training Center and United States Air Force Academy.

Readers have the ability to vote yes or no on each city choice. They can view Colorado Springs photos, top and free things to do and the area’s best hotels. Some other cities included on the list – Sedona, Monterey, Vancouver and Charleston.

Read the full article here.

Tags: ,
Posted in Awards & Accolades, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Garden of the Gods Park Named a Top 10 Public Space

Tuesday, October 4th, 2011


Garden of the Gods Park has been designated one of 10 Great Public Spaces for 2011 by the American Planning Association (APA) under the organization’s Great Places in America program. Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center (1805 N. 30th Street) will host a press conference and reception on Tuesday, October 4 at 11 a.m. to celebrate the designation.

“It’s an honor to be one of APA’s Great Places,” says Mayor Steve Bach. “Colorado Springs residents and the two million people that visit each year already know Garden of the Gods is a great place. This designation highlights the role the City and dedicated community members have played over the years in preserving the land where ancestors of the Ute Indians, lived many thousands of years ago.”

APA singled out Garden of the Gods Park for its 300 million years of geologic history, impressive array of dramatic rock formations, and its use as a habitat by species as diverse as dinosaurs and honey ants. The crown jewel of Colorado Springs’ park system, Garden of the Gods Park features a landscape that continues to awe and inspire visitors.

“Garden of the Gods Park rivals any place anywhere in its cultural and spiritual significance, extensive earth history and pure majestic beauty. For thousands of years and still today, people have been drawn to the dramatic red rock formations at the foot of Pikes Peak to live and recreate,” said Jan Martin, of the Colorado Springs City Council.

Through Great Places in America, APA recognizes unique and authentic characteristics found in three essential components of all communities – streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces. APA Great Places offer better choices for where and how people work and live every day and are defined by many things including planning efforts, architectural styles, accessibility, and community involvement.

“Except for issues of ownership, Garden of the Gods would have been America’s second national park, a status it undoubtedly merited,” said APA Chief Executive Officer Paul Farmer, FAICP. “Its most recent master plan – which incorporates Ian McHarg’s Design with Nature principles – has reduced the potential for degradation and deterioration, ensuring that this magnificent landscape will be enjoyed by future generations.”

The nine other APA 2011 Great Public Spaces are:

·        Fairmount Park, Riverside, CA;

·        Monument Circle, Indianapolis, IN;

·        Gray’s Lake Park, Des Moines, IA;

·        Rice Park, St. Paul, MN;

·        Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, Nashville, TN;

·        Fair Park, Dallas, TX;

·        Maymont, Richmond, VA;

·        Point Defiance Park, Tacoma, WA;  and

·        Milwaukee RiverWalk, Milwaukee, WI.

For more information about these public spaces, as well as lists of the 2011 APA 10 Great Neighborhoods and 10 Great Streets, and designations between 2007 and 2010, visit www.planning.org/greatplaces. This year’s Great Places in America will be celebrated as part of APA’s National Community Planning Month in October 2011; for more about the special month, visit www.planning.org/ncpm.

For more information about Garden of the Gods Park, visit www.gardenofgods.com.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Activities and Attractions, Awards & Accolades, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Colorado Springs Named a 2011 Distinctive Destination

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

Colorado Springs Named Among Dozen Distinctive Destinations

Today, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Colorado Springs, Colo., one of its 2011 Dozen Distinctive Destinations. Colorado Springs, nominated by the Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau, was selected for its walkable historic areas, its commitment to sustainability, and its natural attractions and ample recreational opportunities in the nearby Rocky Mountains.  From February 15 to March 15, Colorado Springs will be participating in a public online voting contest to select the 2011 Dozen Distinctive Destinations Fan Favorite.

For 12 years the National Trust for Historic Preservation has annually selected communities across America that offer cultural and recreational experiences different from those found at the typical vacation destination. From dynamic downtowns and stunning architecture to cultural diversity and a commitment to historic preservation, sustainability and revitalization, the selected destinations boast a richness of character and exude an authentic sense of place.

“Few vacation destinations provide such an extraordinary range of tourism opportunities in a single location,” said Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “From the vibrant and walkable downtown to the thriving local businesses to the ample recreational opportunities afforded by the nearby Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs retains the distinctive charm that has attracted generations of visitors.”

Nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains, visitors to Colorado Springs can enjoy commanding views of Pikes Peak from just about any part of town. The multiple recreational opportunities afforded by the nearby mountains include everything from hiking to taking in the breathtaking geological wonders at Garden of the Gods Park, Cave of the Winds and the Paint Mines Interpretive Park.

Home to Colorado College and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, the town has a thriving arts and cultural scene–including the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, which interprets the early history of the area. Visitors looking to spend the night in Colorado Springs have several top-notch options available, from the historic Broadmoor Hotel to the Cliff House at nearby Pike’s Peak.

Highlights:

  • The Broadmoor Hotel, a member of the Historic Hotels of America program, is the longest running five-star resort in the United States.
  • Cliff House, at Pike’s Peak, has been a hotel longer than Colorado has been a state and has hosted such luminaries as Clark Gable, Theodore Roosevelt and Buffalo Bill Cody.
  • North End historic district, a charming and highly walkable local historic district located near the campus of Colorado College.
  • Nearby highlights include Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods and the Air Force Academy, where the Cadet Chapel is considered a masterpiece of Modernist architecture.

The public is invited to vote online to help determine which of the 12 destinations will be the 2011 Fan Favorite. From February 15 to March 15, any legal resident of the U.S., 18 years of age or older, can vote once per day for his or her favorite city or town on this year’s list. The winner of the popular vote will be announced on March 16, 2011.  Voters are automatically entered to win a complimentary two night stay at any Historic Hotel of America. No purchase necessary.  Offer void where prohibited.  Visit www.PreservationNation.org/ddd for official rules, information about Historic Hotels of America, to learn more about this year’s destinations, and to begin voting!

To download high resolution images and video of this year’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations, visit www.PreservationNation.org/press.

2011 marks the twelfth announcement of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations annual list. To date, there are 144 Distinctive Destinations located in 46 states throughout the country. To see a complete list and to vote for the 2011 Fan Favorite Destination, visit www.PreservationNation.org/ddd. The title of Distinctive Destination is presented to cities and towns that offer an authentic visitor experience by combining dynamic downtowns, cultural diversity, attractive architecture, cultural landscapes and a strong commitment to historic preservation, sustainability and revitalization. In each community, residents have taken forceful action to protect their town’s character and sense of place.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Awards & Accolades | Comments Off

Colorado Springs Named 14th Safest City for 2010

Monday, December 6th, 2010

FreeBackgroundChecksUSA.com has recently published a list of the 100 Safest Cities in America for the 2010 year. The website, which serves as a national information source for free background checks online, first compiled all cities with populations of 170,000 and above. Data for each city and/or metropolitan area were then gathered from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Report for 2009. The data included comparing crime occurrences, such as violent crime; robbery; aggravated assault; larceny-theft; and motor vehicle theft; to the population of each area.

“We know citizens everywhere are working hard every day to make their community a safe place to live, so we commend the efforts of these cities,” representatives from the website stated. “We congratulate all 100 cities and hope that we can all work together to make our communities safer and more secure for present and future generations.”

Aside from providing online background checks, FreeBackgroundChecksUSA.com also provides information on how to conduct a background check, why they are important, and how they can help in everyday life. Users of the site can also access a crime map and scan their residential areas for publicly registered sex offenders and criminals.

See a full list of the 100 Safest Cities in America for 2010 here.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Awards & Accolades, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau Website Wins Top Honor

Monday, March 15th, 2010

VisitCOS.com is a 2009 Gold ADDY Award recipient for the consumer html category. Addy awards are presented by the Pikes Peak Advertising Federation to recognize excellence in advertising. The website was designed by Kiku Creative, developed and produced by Internet Honey and managed by Amy Long and Tracy Kocher of the Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB).

Award winners were announced during an award ceremony held on February 27th at the Antlers Hilton. “The effectiveness of an organization’s website is often determined by what the user has to say about it. You always hope for the best, and when the professionals of the Colorado Springs advertising community single you out for recognition and applause, that too is a special measurement of success. It’s a very meaningful accolade given to our organization and we thank all for this special recognition,” states CVB President and CEO Terrance W. Sullivan. Internet Honey Principal R.A. Burrell adds, “It was an honor to participate in this project, providing Internet Honey the opportunity to combine the best of breed in CRM technology, Display Advertising Services and Development Platforms for the Colorado Springs CVB.” This is the first step in the American Advertising Federation’s National Awards Competition, and the website design will now move on to regional competition. To see the complete list of all this year’s winners, please view it here.

Tags:
Posted in Awards & Accolades, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Colorado Springs Named a “10 Best Drivers’ City” by Car and Driver Magazine

Monday, December 14th, 2009

Pikes Peak International Hill Climb small

Car and Driver magazine has announced the 2010 “10 Best Drivers’ Cities” in the January 2010 issue. Colorado Springs lands third on the list. There are many reasons, one of the largest is due to the fact that drivers can reach the summit of 14,115 foot Pikes Peak via the Pikes Peak Highway. The magazine notes that Colorado Springs appeals to the daily driver due to the hills and valleys of our mountainous region. See the complete list and read the article here.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Awards & Accolades | Comments Off

footer separator