Idaho Springs is a statutory city in Clear Creek County, Colorado, United States. Located in Clear Creek Canyon in the mountains upstream from Golden, it lies some west of Denver.

As of the 2020 United States census, Idaho Springs had a population of 1,782, The location was originally known as "Jackson's Diggings". Once the location became a permanent settlement, it was variously called "Sacramento City", "Idahoe", "Idaho", "Idaho City", and finally "Idaho Springs".

The first placer discoveries were soon followed by discoveries of gold veins in the rocks of the canyon walls on both sides of Clear Creek. Hard rock mining became the mainstay of the town long after the gold-bearing gravels were exhausted.

The Idaho Springs miners' strike of 1903 demanding an eight-hour day erupted into violence in May 1903. This was a conflict was a part the much broader Colorado Labor Wars, where the Western Federation of Miners sought to pressure mining companies into improving conditions for miners.

The 1969 film Downhill Racer portrayed an alpine ski racer from Idaho Springs, played by Robert Redford; a brief scene was shot on location in Idaho Springs. Several scenes from the comedy film The Overbrook Brothers were filmed here in the spring of 2008.

Geography

left|thumb|Reproduction of ink rendering; shows Idaho Springs, Clear Creek County, Colorado.

Idaho Springs is located in northeastern Clear Creek County along Clear Creek near the confluence of its tributary, Chicago Creek.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which , or 1.53%, is water.

Climate

Idaho Springs has a humid continental climate (Koppen: Dfb) with moderately cold winters and warm summers with cool nights. Annual snowfall is heavy, averaging 72 inches (183 cm).

Idaho Springs is notable for having relatively even levels of precipitation between all months. An average of 40 inches of precipitation fall each year.

Demographics

thumb|right|[[Colorado and Southern Railroad locomotive on exhibit in Idaho Springs]]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Idaho Springs had a population of 1,782. The median age was 44.0 years. 15.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 107.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 108.7 males age 18 and over.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 865 households in Idaho Springs, of which 20.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 35.3% were married-couple households, 29.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 25.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 38.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. there were 485 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 904 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 94.71% White, 0.74% Black or African American, 1.06% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 1.54% from other races, and 1.48% from two or more races. 5.03% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 841 households, out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.8% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.3% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.1% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,643, and the median income for a family was $48,790. Males had a median income of $35,446 versus $22,688 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,789. About 2.2% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.-->

Education

Idaho Springs Public Schools are part of the Clear Creek School District RE-1. There are two elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and one charter school. Students attend Clear Creek High School.

Carlson Elementary School is located in Idaho Springs.

Culture

Idaho Springs is the birthplace of Colorado-style pizza.

Transportation

Idaho Springs is incorporated into the Colorado Department of Transportation's Bustang network. It is part of the West Line, which connects Denver to Grand Junction.

Beaus of Holly, a -TV Christmas movie produced in 2020 for the Ion Channel, was filmed in Idaho Springs. The fictional mining town of Haven Springs in the video game Life Is Strange: True Colors is inspired by Idaho Springs.

The main character in Downhill Racer (1969), played by Robert Redford, was born and raised in Idaho Springs. The town is also featured in the movie.

Notable people

  • Gus Alberts, Major League Baseball player
  • Joseph H. August, cinematographer
  • Warren A. Haggott, U.S. Representative from Colorado
  • Paul M. Lewis, entrepreneur and car builder
  • Pete Morrison, silent western film actor
  • Haleigh Washington, Olympic Gold medalist in Women's Volleyball at 2020 Summer Olympics
  • Jennifer Whalen, professional mountain bike racer

Points of interest

  • Argo Gold Mine and Mill – The mill and museum are open for tours.
  • Statue of cartoon character Steve Canyon
  • The Charlie Taylor Water Wheel – a water wheel built by miner Charlie Taylor in 1893 to power a stamp mill. Moved to its present location south of US 6 and US 40 in 1948 and restored in 1988. Fed by Bridal Veil Falls, a small waterfall, visible to the south of eastbound I-70.
  • Mount Blue Sky – a mountain located about 28 miles south of Idaho Springs.
  • Indian Hot Springs

See also

  • Arapaho National Forest
  • Front Range Urban Corridor
  • Pike's Peak Gold Rush

References

  • City of Idaho Springs official website
  • CDOT map of the City of Idaho Springs
  • Idaho Springs Photos and Information at Western Mining History

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