Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Infobox Settlement
official_name = City of Steamboat Springs, Colorado
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nickname = Ski Town USA
settlement_type = City
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map_caption = Location in Routt County and the State of Colorado


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = USA
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = flag|Colorado|name=State of Colorado
subdivision_type2 = Countycite web | url = http://www.dola.state.co.us/dlg/local_governments/municipalities.html | title = Active Colorado Municipalities | format = HTML | publisher = State of Colorado, Department of Local Affairs | accessdate = 2007-09-01]
subdivision_name2 = Routt County - seatcite web|url=http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/hs/cntyseat.html|title=Colorado County Seats|format=HTML|publisher=State of Colorado, Department of Public Health and Environment|accessdate=2007-12-31]
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government_type = Home Rule Municipality
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established_title3 = Incorporated
established_date3 = July 19, 1900cite web | url = http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/muninc.html | title = Colorado Municipal Incorporations | format = HTML | publisher = State of Colorado, Department of Personnel & Administration, Colorado State Archives | date = 2004-12-01 | accessdate = 2007-09-02]
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area_total_km2 = 26
area_land_km2 = 26
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area_land_sq_mi = 10.1
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population_as_of = 2000
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population_total = 9815
population_density_km2 = 377.5
population_density_sq_mi = 971.8
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timezone = MST
utc_offset = -7
timezone_DST = MDT
utc_offset_DST = -6
latd = 40 |latm = 28 |lats = 35 |latNS = N
longd = 106 |longm = 49 |longs = 36 |longEW = W
elevation_footnotes = GR|3
elevation_m = 2052
elevation_ft = 6732
postal_code_type = ZIP codescite web|url = http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown.jsp | title = ZIP Code Lookup| format = JavaScript/HTML | publisher = United States Postal Service | accessdate=2008-01-04]
postal_code = 80477, 80487, 80488
area_code = 970
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 08-73825
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = [http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:0172749 0172749]
website = [http://www.ci.steamboat.co.us/ City of Steamboat Springs]
footnotes =

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.GR|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.

Geography

Steamboat Springs is located at coor dms|40|28|35|N|106|49|36|W|city (40.476379, -106.826654)GR|1.

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 except for the Yampa River.

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 offer two hot springs resorts that are open to the public. The largest is at the [http://www.steamboathotsprings.org/ Old Town Hot Springs] , with multiple pools and two slides. Located in the hills a few miles out of town is [http://www.strawberryhotsprings.com/ 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.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 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.

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.

In 1993, the City Council of Steamboat Springs, Colorado conducted a poll of its residents to choose a new name for the bridge that crossed the Yampa River on Shield Drive. The winning name with 7,717 votes was "James Brown Soul Center of the Universe Bridge". The bridge was officially dedicated in September 1993, and James Brown appeared at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the event.

Skiing and river sports

Steamboat Springs offers excellent skiing opportunities (also see history section) and has been the locale of world class skiing competitions, including competitions for the 1989 and 1990 Alpine Skiing World Cup. The Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club has brought forward many successful skiers, and the Steamboat Ski Resort attracts a large number of visiting snow aficionados.

The Yampa river is a popular conduit for water sports like fishing, rafting, tubing, and kayaking (playboating). The 4-mile grade II-III [ [http://www.eddyflower.com/RunDetail.aspx?RunId=468 Steamboat Town Run] (retrieved 29 September, 2008)] whitewater run through town ends with two surfable holes. One is called "D-Hole"; the other one—near the library, close to the Steamboat Spring—is named "Charlie's Hole" or "C-Hole" for short, after local kayaker Charlie Beavers (1981-2002), who started kayaking at age 12 [ [http://www.boatertalk.com/forum/BoaterTalk/260927 post by Peter Van De Carr in boatertalk.com (23 October, 2002)] (retrieved 29 September, 2008)] and later was the first to explore a number of rivers ("first descents") [e.g., lower Jasper Creek (near Eldora, Colorado) in 2001, with pictures of Charlie Beavers: [http://www.coloradokayaking.com/main.php?pageid=Rivers&riverid=jasper41c0d5d5bd66f Nick Wigston: Upper and Lower Jasper, Super Gnar. JASPER: In memory of Charlie Beavers (1981-2002).] (retrieved 29 September, 2008)] and successfully contended in playboating competitions, but died in a non-boating accident in 2002 and the hole [ [http://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/2003/jun/07/yampa_river_festival/ Erin Ragan (7 June, 2003). Yampa River Festival. Crazy dogs, brave kayakers turn out for 23rd annual event. "Steamboat Pilot & Today".] (both retrieved 29 September, 2008)] and some kayaking events ["Charlie Beavers Classic" race: [http://www.steamboatpilot.com/photos/galleries/2007/may/29/paddling_life_pro_invitational/ Paddling Life Pro Invitational] "Charlie Beavers Memorial Expedition": [http://7riversexpedition.blogspot.com/ The 7 Rivers Expedition (blog)] (both retrieved 29 September, 2008)] were dedicated to him.

Every year on the first weekend of June, Steamboat Springs organizes the "Yampa River Festival". It includes a kayak rodeo (i.e. a playboating competition) which attracts national and international world class playboaters. Further events are a downriver race, Colorado's only upstream slalom race, the Crazy River Dog Contest, in which dogs retrieve sticks from the river and may pass a whitewater section, and others. [ [http://coloradoexplorer.com/events/yampariverfestival/view Annual Yampa River Festival] [http://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/2004/jun/10/water_enthusiasts_gather/ Jennie Lay (10 June, 2004). Water enthusiasts gather for festival. "Steamboat Pilot & Today".] (both retrieved 29 September, 2008)]

Notable people

* Debbie Armstrong (* 1963), alpine skier and olympic gold-medallist; lives in Steamboat Springs
* Charlie Beavers (1981-2002), kayaker (see above); lived in Steamboat Springs, later moved to Asheville, NC
* Nelson Carmichael (* 1965), mogul skier and olympic bronze-medallist; born in Steamboat Springs
* Roger Christie (* 1949), cannabis activist; born in Steamboat Springs
* Caroline Lalive (* 1979), skier
* Todd Lodwick (* 1976), nordic skier; born in Steamboat Springs
* Travis Mayer (* 1982), freestyle skier and olympic silver medallist; moved to Steamboat Springs to attend the Lowell Whiteman School
* Carey McWilliams (1905-1980), author, editor, and lawyer known for progressive ideas; born in Steamboat Springs
* Reese Roper (* 1973), singer and song-writer; born in Steamboat Springs
* Andrew Sisco (* 1983), baseball player; born in Steamboat Springs
* Alvin P. Wegeman (* 1927), nordic combined skier; helped to develop the Steamboat Springs area for skiing
* Richie Weiss (1964-1997), whitewater slalom kayaker; grew up in Steamboat Springs
* Gordon Wren (1919-1999), ski jumper; last lived and died in Steamboat Springs

ister cities

Steamboat Springs has two sister cities, as designated by [http://www.sister-cities.org/ Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI)] :
*flagicon|Switzerland Saasfee, Switzerland
*flagicon|Argentina San Martin de los Andes, Argentina

ee also

*Yampa River Botanic Park
*Fish Creek Falls

References

External links

* [http://www.ci.steamboat.co.us/ City of Steamboat Springs website]
** [http://www.dot.state.co.us/App_DTD_DataAccess/Downloads/CityMaps/Steamboat%20Springs.pdf CDOT map of the City of Steamboat Springs]
* [http://www.steamboat-chamber.com/ Steamboat Springs Chamber of Commerce] (Steamboat Springs Events Calendar and business information)
* [http://www.yampavalley.info/history0002.asp Yampa Valley Info 2]
* [http://www.yampavalley.info/history0035.asp Yampa Valley Info 35]
* [http://www.steamboathotsprings.org Old Town Hot Springs]
* [http://www.strawberryhotsprings.com Strawberry Park Hot Springs]
* [http://www.eddyflower.com/RunDetail.aspx?RunId=468 Charlie's Hole (C-Hole)] and [http://www.mountainbuzz.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=2990 D-Hole] on the Yampa River

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