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Cañon City, CO

Frequently asked questions

Cañon City, CO

Cañon City is a home rule municipality that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Fremont County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 17,141 at the 2020 United States Census. Cañon City is the principal city of the Cañon City, CO Micropolitan Statistical Area and is a part of the Front Range Urban Corridor. Cañon City straddles the easterly flowing Arkansas River and is a popular tourist destination for sightseeing, whitewater rafting, and rock climbing. The city is known for its many public parks, fossil discoveries, Skyline Drive, The Royal Gorge railroad, the Royal Gorge, and extensive natural hiking paths. In 1994, the United States Board on Geographic Names approved adding the tilde to the official name of Cañon City, a change from Canon City as the official name in its decisions of 1906 and 1975. It is one of the few U.S. cities to have the Spanish Ñ in its name, others being La Cañada Flintridge, California; Española, New Mexico; Peñasco, New Mexico; and Peñitas, Texas.

Cañon City was laid out on January 17, 1858, during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush, but then the land was left idle. A new company "jumped the claim" to the town's site in late 1859, and it put up the first building in February 1860. This town was originally intended as a commercial center for mining in South Park and the upper Arkansas River.

Cañon City is located in eastern Fremont County. It sits primarily on the north side of the Arkansas River, just east of where the river exits from Royal Gorge. It is bordered to the south by the unincorporated community of Lincoln Park. Via U.S. Route 50, Pueblo is 39 miles (63 km) to the east and Poncha Springs is 62 miles (100 km) to the west. Colorado Springs is 45 miles (72 km) to the northeast. At the 2020 United States Census, the city had a total area of 7,939 acres (32.127 km2) including 7.9 acres (0.032 km2) of water.

The city's nickname, "the Climate Capital of Colorado", derives from the combination of unique geography and 5,300-foot (1,600 m) elevation protecting the city from harsh weather conditions. The average daily high temperature in January is 14 °F (7.8 °C) warmer in Cañon City than in Grand Junction, even though the elevation of Cañon City is higher. The average minimum temperature in January is 20 °F (−7 °C). During July, overnight lows are 59 °F (15 °C) on average. Cañon City has a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk).

Additionally, the city provides access to healthcare facilities such as the St. Thomas More Hospital, ensuring residents' health and wellness. Apex Physical Therapy & Wellness Center offers comprehensive physical therapy services, including sports rehabilitation, neurological therapy, and pelvic health therapy. Denver Physical Therapy focuses on manual therapy techniques, exercise therapy, and functional movement training to help patients achieve their rehabilitation goals. BoulderCentre for Orthopedics & Spine offers physical therapy services to address musculoskeletal issues and sports injuries. Vitality Physical Therapy provides personalized physical therapy programs for a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain management. SpineOne offers physical therapy as part of its comprehensive approach to treating spine-related conditions.

Top sites in Cañon City, CO are Museum of Colorado Prisons, Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, Royal Gorge Regional Museum & History Center, and Royal Gorge Route Railroad.

Population: 17,241 (2023). Area: 12.404 sq mi (32.127 km2). Elevation: 5,332 feet (1,625 meters). ZIP Code: 81212. Area code(s): 719.

FAQs

What is Cañon City, CO known for?

Cañon City is the principal city of the Cañon City, CO Micropolitan Statistical Area and is a part of the Front Range Urban Corridor. Cañon City straddles the easterly flowing Arkansas River and is a popular tourist destination for sightseeing, whitewater rafting, and rock climbing. The city is known for its many public parks, fossil discoveries, Skyline Drive, The Royal Gorge railroad, the Royal Gorge, and extensive natural hiking paths.

Does Cañon City, CO have a downtown area?

Cañon City’s downtown area is listed on the National Historical Register for its abundance of turn-of-the-century architecture. Immerse yourself in the ambiance of a bygone era as you enjoy local dining, boutiques, music, and art galleries. From the train station at the Santa Fe Depot (west end of town), just cross Highway 50 driving north, park, and wander. The architecture is classic, and not many Colorado downtowns have this historic flavor.

Can I afford to live in Canon City, CO?

To live comfortably in Canon City, Colorado, a minimum annual income of $59,400 for a family, and $31,200 for a single person is recommended. A typical home costs $310,000, which is 8.3% less expensive than the national average of $338,100 and 41.2% less expensive than the average Colorado home, at $527,200. Renting a two-bedroom unit in Canon City costs $1,030 per month, which is 28.0% cheaper than the national average of $1,430 and 60.2% cheaper than the state average of $1,650.

Sources

City of Canon City

Wikipedia

Best Places

Cañon City Colorado

St. Thomas More Hospital

Apex Physical Therapy & Wellness Center

Denver Physical Therapy

BoulderCentre for Orthopedics & Spine

Vitality Physical Therapy

SpineOne

Museum of Colorado Prisons 

Royal Gorge Bridge & Park 

Royal Gorge Regional Museum & History Center 

Royal Gorge Route Railroad

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.