Springs runs, rides, hikes to the summit

Jaw-dropping scenery, low taxes and cheap utility rates are among Colorado Springs' draws when it comes to attracting employers.

But don't count out open space, bike paths, parks and other amenities, said Chris Strauss, features editor of Men's Fitness magazine, which named Colorado Springs as the nation's fittest city for 2008 in its March issue.

Colorado Springs' top-notch quality of life gives it a big advantage when it comes to wooing employers looking to move or expand, or startups searching for a place to launch, Strauss said.

Just as important, he said, recreational opportunities make the city attractive to moving-up-in-theworld college graduates and young people who want more than a nice salary when they look for a job.

"The great news is that, as a city, you're already way ahead of the game," Strauss told about 140 people Tuesday at a Colorado Springs Economic Development Corp. lunch at Cheyenne Mountain Resort.

For the second straight year, Las Vegas was at the top of the magazine's list of fattest cities.

Five Texas communities also made the fattest list.

"I probably should be giving this speech to people in one of the cities in Texas or one of the other places up there (on the fattest cities list) because they are potentially losing business or losing upwardly mobile people," he said.

"That's something you've managed to capture here," Strauss added about the Springs. "Now it's just a matter of figuring out how to stay on top."

Men's Fitness' rankings of Colorado Springs and other cities were based on 16 key criteria, such as the quantity and quality of open space and parks, numbers of fitness centers and recreational facilities, participation by local residents in sports, commuting times, numbers of fastfood restaurants and consumption of junk food.

On its Men's Fitness report card, Colorado Springs received several A's, a couple of C's and one F+ - for a high-level of alcohol consumption, which drew laughs from the audience.

As a recession takes hold in the U.S., the Springs and other cities shouldn't abandon their financial commitment to open space, parks and other amenities, Strauss said.

"Even in shaky times," he said, "people are going to value the things that matter the most, their health and their families. It's not very expensive to go out for a run or to go for a hike or to take the kids to the park."

And when the economy rebounds, he said, businesses will be looking for places to invest.

"They're going to have a choice of places to do that," Strauss said, "so it's imperative to continue to protect your position as a leader in this."

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0228 or rich.laden@gazette.com

EDC AWARDS

Local businesses, civic leaders and organizations were recognized Tuesday by the Colorado Springs Economic Development Corp.

The EDC's 2007 leadership awards were presented during a luncheon at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort. The honors included:

• Community Enhancement Awards to the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs' College of Business and the encroachment sub-committee of the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce's Defense Mission Task Force. The UCCS College of Business was recognized for launching initiatives to further connect it to the business community. The Defense Mission Task Force sub-committee worked to halt further residential development near Fort Carson and preclude water use in certain areas adjacent to the post - both of which could have impeded the operation of one of the area's largest employers.

• Economic Impact Awards to Springs real estate companies Nor'wood Development Group and La Plata Investments. Both were credited with being major contributors to efforts to recruit and retain employers.

• Outstanding Community Service Award to former Colorado Springs City Manager Lorne Kramer, who served as city manager for more than five years before retiring in 2007. He also served as the city's police chief for 11 years.

• Volunteer of the Year Award to Bob Cutter, chairman of the EDC's Council for Local Industry. Cutter was recognized for more than 200 hours of work with the Local Industry program.

• Leadership Award to Steve Schneider, past chairman of the EDC's board of directors.
The private, nonprofit EDC serves as the Pikes Peak region's primary agency to recruit and retain jobs.
THE GAZETTE

A COLORADO SPRINGS REPORT CARD

Men's Fitness says Colorado Springs' best and worst grades include:

Sports participation: "A." The city has the most basketball courts per capita of any city surveyed.

Nutrition: "A." There's one health food store for every 5,246 residents, far better than the national average of one for every 12,000 people.

Alcohol consumption: "F+." The city has 17 percent more heavy drinkers than the national average.

Junk food: "C+." The Springs has 29 percent more pizza places than the rest of the country.

MEN'S FITNESS