Steamboat Springs, Colorado

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Coordinates: 40°28′35″N 106°49′36″W / 40.47639, -106.82667
City of Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Nickname: Ski Town USA
Location in Routt County and the State of Colorado
Country	United States
State	State of Colorado
County^[1]	Routt County - seat^[2]
Incorporated	July 19, 1900^[3]
Government
- Type	Home Rule Municipality^[1]
Area
- Total	10.1 sq mi (26 km²)
- Land	10.1 sq mi (26 km²)
- Water	0 sq mi (0 km²)
Elevation ^[4]	6,732 ft (2,052 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	9,815
- Density	971.8/sq mi (377.5/km²)
Time zone	MST (UTC-7)
- Summer (DST)	MDT (UTC-6)
ZIP codes^[5]	80477, 80487, 80488
Area code(s)	970
FIPS code	08-73825
GNIS feature ID	0172749
Website: City of Steamboat Springs

Steamboat Springs is a mix of older architecture and newer resort developments, especially near the ski resort on the eastern edge of town.

The City of Steamboat Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Routt County, Colorado, United States.^[6] The city known as "Steamboat," "The Boat," or "Ski Town USA" had a population of 9,815 at the U.S. Census 2000. The town is an internationally known winter resort destination and has two Sister Cities outside the United States, reflected in the fact that the speed limit signs through the primary tourist routes atypically display the limits in both miles and kilometers per hour. The Steamboat Springs tourism industry is highlighted by the Steamboat Ski Resort, which is on Mount Werner in the Park Range just east of the town. It also contains the much smaller Howelsen Ski Area. It is located in the upper valley of the Yampa River, along U.S. Highway 40 just west of the Continental Divide at Rabbit Ears Pass. It is served by Yampa Valley Airport.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
4 Sister cities
5 See also
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Geography

Steamboat Springs is located at 40°28′35″N, 106°49′36″W (40.476379, -106.826654)^[7].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.1 square miles (26.1 km²), all of it land.

The Yampa Valley and surrounding area contain several geothermal hot springs, from which the city derives its name. The city is named after the Steamboat Spring, located near the present day library. The spring itself was so named because its bubbling sounded like a steamboat to early settlers. Unfortunately, construction and blasting for railroad silenced the chugging spring in 1908. Locals take pride in the name of their town, as evidenced by the humorously named Steamboat Yacht Club, a local restaurant location on the Yampa River.

Though there are no steamboats in the town, it does offers two hot springs resorts that are open to the public. The largest is at the Old Town Hot Springs, with multiple pools and two slides. Located in the hills a few miles out of town is Strawberry Park Hot Springs, with two pools and natural rock features. Strawberry Park Hot Springs offers excellent stargazing opportunities due to the lack of ambient light; however clothing is optional after dark and minors are consequently not allowed.

The Yampa River flows through the middle of town and is a popular conduit for water sports like fishing, rafting, tubing, and kayaking.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^[8] of 2000, there were 9,815 people, 4,084 households, and 2,082 families residing in the city. The population density was 976.1 people per square mile (377.1/km²). There were 6,373 housing units at an average density of 633.8/sq mi (244.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.88% White, 0.13% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.73% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.13% of the population.

There were 4,084 households out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% were married couples living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.0% were non-families. 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the town the population was spread out with 18.7% under the age of 18, 13.8% from 18 to 24, 40.1% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 4.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 123.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 128.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $54,647, and the median income for a family was $65,685. Males had a median income of $35,536 versus $28,244 for females. The per capita income for the city was $31,695. About 2.7% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.4% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

The area surrounding Steamboat Springs was originally inhabited by the Yampatikas Utes, who hunted in the valley during the summer. Trappers began to move into the area during the first decades of the 19th century. Ranchers soon followed, and ranching traditions are still preserved by the large ranching community. However, the native Utes were forcibly removed from the area to a reservation in Utah by the U.S. Army starting in 1879.

Originally, skiing was the only method of transportation during harsh Rocky Mountain winters. In turn, the popularity of skiing as a winter pastime catalyzed development of the town and other communities all over the Rocky Mountains. In 1913, Carl Howelsen, a Norwegian, moved to town and introduced ski jumping. Howelsen built the first jump on namesake Howelsen Hill, now part of the Howelsen Ski Area. He also founded the annual Winter Carnival, a celebration still held each winter. Traditionally, the festival includes ski racing and jumping, dog sledding, and chariot events down Lincoln Avenue, the city's main street. Light shows on both Mount Werner and Howelsen Hill are highlights.

The Steamboat Ski Resort was largely established by two local men, Jim Temple and John Fetcher. Temple led the effort to develop the area. Fetcher, a local rancher, was the main designer and builder. The resort opened on what was then called Storm Mountain in 1963.

In 1974, The Industrial Company (TIC) was started in Steamboat Springs and has since grown into one of the largest industrial construction companies in the United States with revenues of approximately $2 billion in 2007. The company is one of the largest employers in Routt County and has more than 9,000 employees worldwide.