Explore the vibrant history of Colorado with us as we take you through the zip lines names that each reflect a unique piece of the region’s story. From the ancient heritage of the Native American tribes who first inhabited these lands to the tales of pioneers, entrepreneurs, and adventurers who shaped Colorado’s development, each stop is a window into the past and present. Along the way, you’ll find links to learn more about these topics, allowing you to dive deeper into the stories behind each name and location. Join us as we zip through centuries of history, highlighting Colorado’s diverse cultural roots and evolution into the dynamic community it is today.
America the Beautiful (Woods 1)
In 1895, Katherine Lee Bates published her patriotic poem America the Beautiful, inspired by her breathtaking journey to the summit of Pikes Peak. Bates, a professor from Massachusetts, was captivated by Colorado’s scenic grandeur, which led her to pen lines like “purple mountain majesties.” The poem gained national acclaim and was later set to music in the 1920s, becoming a popular contender for the national anthem. Although it didn’t officially claim that title, America the Beautiful has become a beloved tribute to the American landscape and spirit.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America_the_Beautiful
https://loc.gov/item/ihas.200000001
Bear-y Scary (Woods 2)
In 1916, Spencer Penrose received a bear as a gift, sparking the creation of his exotic animal collection. The animals were originally housed at Penrose’s ranch and The Broadmoor Hotel, where he delighted in showcasing rare species to guests. By 1926, Penrose’s collection had grown so vast that he established the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo to properly house his animals. Recognized as the highest zoo in North America, it remains one of the country’s most unique conservation-focused zoos. In 1938, Penrose generously deeded the zoo to Colorado Springs, ensuring its preservation for generations.
https://www.cmzoo.org/about/zoo-timeline/
Zip to the Clouds (Woods 3)
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, known as the “Race to the Clouds,” is the second-longest-running auto race in the United States. Established in 1916, this daring race challenges drivers to tackle a rugged 12.42-mile route, climbing nearly a mile in elevation and navigating 156 treacherous turns. The thin mountain air, unpredictable weather, and intense elevation gain make this a formidable race, with the fastest record held at just under eight minutes. The race’s audacious spirit is captured on this zip line, offering guests a thrilling “cloud-racing” experience of their own.
https://ppihc.org/paving-pikes-peak-competitors/
A New Generation (Woods 4)
The legacy of The Broadmoor, founded by Spencer and Julie Penrose in 1918, continues to flourish under new generations of ownership and leadership. With just three owners since its founding, The Broadmoor has maintained its world-class status, blending Penrose’s original vision with modern hospitality excellence. Each generation of leadership has added to the resort’s elegance and charm, ensuring that The Broadmoor remains a timeless gem in Colorado Springs, beloved by visitors and locals alike.
https://www.broadmoor.com/historical-timeline/
Gold Rush (Woods 5)
In 1890, the discovery of gold in Cripple Creek unleashed a frenzied wave of prospectors to the region, many adopting the rallying cry, “Pikes Peak or Bust!” The Cripple Creek mining district yielded over $11.2 billion worth of gold, transforming the area into an epicenter of wealth and ambition. The Old Stage Road was a crucial path linking the gold mines to Colorado City, where miners sought supplies, leisure, and fortune. Today, the “Gold Rush” zip line captures the adventurous spirit of this era and the legacy of Colorado’s mining history.
https://westernmininghistory.com/library/11/page1/
https://www.visitcos.com/things-to-do/history-and-heritage/
https://coloradoencyclopedia.org/article/colorado-gold-rush
The Caretaker (Fins 1)
Seven Falls, a stunning cascade set within a narrow, towering canyon, has enchanted visitors since the 1870s. Over the years, several owners have taken on the role of “caretaker,” safeguarding this geological wonder through floods, including significant events in 1995 and 2013 that required extensive restoration efforts. Each generation of caretakers has worked to preserve the falls, ensuring it remains an iconic destination and natural treasure for Colorado Springs visitors.
https://www.pikes-peak.com/history-of-seven-falls/
Cultural Crossroads (Fins 2)
Long before the Gold Rush, the Pikes Peak region was a sacred and practical hub for Native American tribes, including the Ute, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Kiowa, and Lakota. The Ute people, who referred to Pikes Peak as “Sun Mountain,” or Tava, would shelter in Garden of the Gods during harsh winters and make use of Manitou Springs for its healing waters. This zip line celebrates the vibrant cultural history of these tribes, whose interactions and exchanges enriched the region long before settlers arrived.
https://accessgenealogy.com/colorado/tribes-of-the-pikes-peak-region.htm
https://coloradoencyclopedia.org/article/el-paso-county
Ramona’s Line (Fins 3)
Inspiration Point, home to Helen Hunt Jackson’s empty grave, commemorates the life and work of an author and social advocate who fought for Native American rights. Her 1884 novel Ramona brought national attention to the plight of indigenous peoples in Southern California. Originally interred in San Francisco, Jackson’s remains were relocated to this private grave in Colorado Springs but were eventually moved to Evergreen Cemetery due to the overwhelming number of visitors paying homage to her legacy.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6097/helen-hunt-jackson
https://tombstone-inscriptions.ppgs.ens-9.com/jackson.htm
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/helen-hunt-jackson
Little A (Bridge 1)
As legend has it, Spencer Penrose was once denied a room at the Antlers Hotel after making a memorable entrance on horseback. This experience supposedly motivated him to build The Broadmoor, and he included a small “a” in its name to remind his competitor that it would never rival his establishment’s grandeur. Today, the Broadmoor’s distinctive lowercase “a” is a subtle testament to Penrose’s playful sense of rivalry and ambition.
https://www.fox21news.com/news/curious-colorado/curious-colorado-why-is-the-broadmoors-a-small/
Palmer’s Vision (Bridge 2)
William Jackson Palmer, the founder of Colorado Springs, was a visionary railroad builder who saw the potential for a picturesque resort community at the base of the Rockies. In just two years, Colorado Springs flourished under his guidance, earning county seat status by 1873. Palmer also founded institutions like the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind, a tuberculosis hospital, and what would later become the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS), all of which reflect his lasting contributions to the community.
https://ppld.org/sites/default/files/kids/biographies/GeneralPalmer.pdf
Millionaire’s View (Fins 4)
By the early 1900s, Colorado Springs had earned the nickname “City of Millionaires,” as the Cripple Creek gold rush produced immense wealth and attracted affluent residents. Old Colorado City and Colorado Springs became centers of entrepreneurship and social refinement, boasting some of the nation’s richest citizens. In 1904, the city was home to 35 of America’s 100 millionaires, whose influence helped shape its cultural and architectural landscape.
https://shopoldcoloradocity.com/occ-history.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_city_nicknames_in_Colorado
https://www.visitcos.com/things-to-do/history-and-heritage/
The GOAT (Fins 5)
The Greatest of All Time (GOAT) zip line is a fitting tribute to Colorado Springs, known as Olympic City, USA. The nearby U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center, established in the 1970s, includes elite facilities such as swimming pools, shooting ranges, a velodrome, and extensive training areas. Hosting countless top athletes, the center is a focal point for athletic excellence, and this line invites guests to experience a taste of that thrill and dedication. Additionally, we host the amazing Olympic and Paralympic Museum that chronicles the past and future of the Olympic Games.
https://www.teamusa.org/About-the-USOPC/Olympic-Paralympic-Training-Centers/CSOPTC/About
https://www.fastcompany.com/1840907/how-colorado-springs-became-heart-us-olympic-movement
Packer’s Revenge (Rappel)
Alferd Packer, the only man in U.S. history convicted of cannibalism, led five men through the Rockies during the brutal winter of 1874. When Packer emerged from the mountains alone in April, suspicions arose. After conflicting accounts and a temporary escape, he was captured, charged with manslaughter, and sentenced to 40 years. This rappel honors Colorado’s darker frontier history, adding a rugged, adventurous edge to the course.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alferd_Packer
https://www.museumtrail.org/alferd-packer.html
Pike’s Camp (Woods Lightning Shelter 1)
Named after explorer Zebulon Pike, who led an expedition to document the region in 1806, “Pike’s Camp” commemorates his attempt to summit the peak that now bears his name. Unprepared for the harsh November conditions, Pike’s team turned back. Yet Pike’s published journal inspired future travelers and gave the mountain its iconic name, embodying the spirit of exploration that defines Colorado Springs.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/zebulon-pike-spots-an-imposing-mountain
Tuberculosis Hut (Woods Lightning Shelter 2)
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Colorado Springs became a haven for tuberculosis patients seeking relief in the dry, sunny climate. As the town grew, small “TB huts” dotted the landscape, offering patients access to fresh air and sunshine believed to aid recovery. These huts, scattered throughout Colorado Springs, are a unique architectural legacy of this early public health movement.
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/tuberculosis-huts
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/623965/history-tuberculosis-huts-colorado-springs
Tesla’s Lab (Fins Lightning Shelter)
Nikola Tesla, the pioneering inventor known for his work on alternating current (AC), established a lab on Knob Hill in Colorado Springs. There, he built the world’s largest Tesla coil, producing 135-foot-long artificial lightning bolts. Financial troubles led to the lab’s dismantling in 1904, but Tesla’s innovative experiments remain a captivating chapter of the city’s scientific history.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Experimental_Station
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikola_Tesla
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-rise-and-fall-of-nikola-tesla-and-his-tower-11074324/
https://www.history.com/topics/inventions/nikola-tesla
Cotton Club (Woods Gear Up)
The Cotton Club, founded by Fannie Mae Duncan, broke social barriers in Colorado Springs by welcoming people of all races during the era of segregation. The club was famous for its sign reading “Everybody Welcome” and hosted two nightly shows for 20 years. Duncan became Colorado Springs’ first successful Black female entrepreneur, and her club was a testament of inclusivity and resilience.
https://dailycoloradonews.com/the-famous-cotton-club-in-colorado-springs-is-re-established-premium/
Camp Carson (Fins Gear Up)
Fort Carson, originally called Camp Carson, was established in 1942 as a critical military training base named in honor of explorer Kit Carson. Over the decades, Colorado Springs has grown into a major military hub, hosting Fort Carson, the U.S. Air Force Academy, Schriever Space Force Base, Peterson Space Force Base, and NORAD. This station commemorates the city’s enduring relationship with the U.S. military and its role in national defense.
https://mybaseguide.com/installation/fort-carson/community/history-23/
https://www.carson.army.mil/organizations/garrison.html
https://www.usafa.edu/about/history/
Embark on an unforgettable adventure where Colorado’s rich history and breathtaking scenery come alive! Each of our zip line courses offers not only a thrilling experience but also a deeper connection to the stories that shaped this region. Visit our course pages to learn more about each course, discover the unique historical highlights at every stop, and book your unforgettable journey today. Whether you’re drawn by the natural beauty, the excitement of the zip lines, or the tales of Colorado’s past, we can’t wait to welcome you to an adventure like no other!