Cañon City (/ˈkænjən/KAN-yən)^[6] is ahome rule city that is thecounty seat and themost populous municipality ofFremont County, Colorado, United States.^[1][7] The city population was 17,141 at the2020 United States census.^[4] Cañon City is the principal city of theCañon City, CO Micropolitan Statistical Area and is a part of theFront Range Urban Corridor. Cañon City straddles the easterly flowingArkansas 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.^[8] In 1994, theUnited States Board on Geographic Names approved adding thetilde to the official name of Cañon City, a change fromCanon City as the official name in its decisions of 1906 and 1975.^[9] It is one of the few U.S. cities to have the SpanishÑ in its name, others beingLa Cañada Flintridge, California;Española, New Mexico;Peñasco, New Mexico; andPeñitas, Texas.

Cañon City, Colorado
home rule city[1]
Downtown Cañon City, 2010
Nicknames:  Climate Capital of Colorado
Motto:  Gateway to the Authentic West
Location of the City of Cañon City inFremont County, Colorado.
Cañon City Location of the City of Cañon City, Colorado. Show map of the United States Cañon City Cañon City (Colorado) Show map of Colorado
Coordinates:38°26′28″N105°14′33″W / 38.4410°N 105.2424°W /38.4410; -105.2424 (Cañon City, Colorado)[2]
Settled	1860
Incorporated	April 3, 1872[3]
Government
• Type	home rule city[1]
• Mayor	Preston Troutman(R)[citation needed]
Area [4]
• Total	12.404 sq mi (32.127 km2)
• Land	12.392 sq mi (32.095 km2)
• Water	0.012 sq mi (0.032 km2)
Elevation [2]	5,351 ft (1,631 m)
Population  (2020)[4]
• Total	17,141
• Density	1,383/sq mi (534/km2)
• Metro	48,939
• CSA	217,101
• Front Range	5,055,344
Time zone	UTC−07:00 (MST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−06:00 (MDT)
ZIP code[5]	81212, 81215 (PO Box)
Area code	719
GNIS pop ID	191867
GNIS city ID	2409976
FIPS code	08-11810
Major Routes
Website	www.canoncity.org

Cañon City was laid out on January 17, 1858, during thePike'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. The Cañon City, Colorado, post office opened on December 13, 1860.^[10] The spelling of the town's name frequently omitted thetilde over theSpanish letter ñ. This town was originally intended as a commercial center formining inSouth Park and the upper Arkansas River.^[11]

In 1861, the town raised two companies of volunteers to serve with theSecond Colorado Infantry during theAmerican Civil War. This regiment fought in skirmishes in nearbyNew Mexico and as far east as the Indian Territory (Oklahoma) andMissouri before ending its organization in 1865.

In 1862, A. M. Cassaday drilled forpetroleum 6 miles (10 km) north of Cañon City, close to a known oil seep. Cassaday struck oil at the depth of 50 feet (15 m), and he completed the first commercial oil well west of theMississippi River. He drilled five or six more wells nearby, and he refinedkerosene and fuel oil from the petroleum. Cassaday sold the products inDenver.^[12]

Congress approved the Territory of Colorado's request for funds to construct a penitentiary in 1867. TheColorado Territorial Penitentiary opened in 1871, becoming Colorado's first prison. The original structure held 43 prisoners, though the number of incarcerated people increased steadily to over 400 people by the turn of the century.^[13] Records of inmate labor at the penitentiary date to 1872, including numerous complaints that inmates were not receiving full compensation for their work. Incarcerated workers contributed significantly to the development of the city, including the construction of Skyline Drive by 60 inmates. The scenic road opened in 1905.^[14]

A number of metal oresmelters were built in Cañon City following the discovery of gold atCripple Creek in 1891. On July 30, 1904, the spelling of the Cañon City post office was changed to the commonEnglish spelling "Canyon City", but the spelling was changed back to theSpanish spelling "Cañon City" on December 15 of that year.

TheCañon City Downtown Historic District is anhistoric district that was listed on theNational Register of Historic Places in 1983.^[15]

Cañon City is located in eastern Fremont County. It sits primarily on the north side of theArkansas River, just east of where the river exits fromRoyal Gorge. It is bordered to the south by the unincorporated community ofLincoln Park. ViaU.S. Route 50,Pueblo is 39 miles (63 km) to the east andPoncha Springs is 62 miles (100 km) to the west.Colorado Springs is 45 miles (72 km) to the northeast.

At the2020 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.^[4]

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 inGrand Junction, even though the elevation of Cañon City is higher.^[16]

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 asemi-arid climate (Köppen climate classificationBSk).

As Cañon City has grown, the city has both annexed surrounding communities and developed new subdivisions to create the city that exists today.

• Dawson Ranch
• Eagle Heights
• Fireman's Bluff
• Four Mile Ranch
• Gold Cañon
• Meadowbrook
• Orchard Park
• South Cañon, a historic neighborhood located on the west side south of theArkansas River
• Sunrise Mesa
• Western Meadows
• Wolf Park
• Five Star Mobile Home park

Cañon City is home to many city-owned parks, as well as parks owned by the Cañon City Area Recreation and Park District.

• Centennial Park, commonly known as "Duck Park"
• Denver & Rio Grande Western Park, commonly known as "Depot Park"
• Greydene Park
• Magdalene Park
• Margaret Park (originally Margarette Park)
• Mountain View Park, home of the city's skate park
• Red Canyon Park, a 500-acre (200 ha) park located 10 miles (16 km) north of the city
• Royal Gorge Park, home of theRoyal Gorge Bridge and Park
• Rudd Park
• Temple Canyon Park
• Veterans Park, known for Entertainment in the Park concerts during the summer

The Cañon City Area Recreation and Park District, commonly called the Rec District, was created in 1965^[19] to better serve the community's recreational needs with parks, the R.C. Icabone Pool (a public swimming pool), a dog park, an archery range and a ropes course along with a rec district office with a community room.

The following parks are operated and owned by the Rec District:

• John Griffin Park, located near the Sell's Avenue Trailhead of the Riverwalk
• Harrison Park, the former playground of the former Harrison Elementary School which had been relocated to a newer, larger school building housing both elementary and middle school students
• Pathfinder Regional Park, a joint-managed park located in the county between Cañon City andFlorence
• Rouse Park

In addition, the city maintains theTunnel Drive Trail, a four-mile long out-and-back trail that follows the course of an old irrigation canal. The trailhead is located at the west end of Tunnel Drive, just inside the city limits.

The Guy U. Hardy Award for Service to Outdoor Recreation was created in the name ofGuy U. Hardy to recognize people in the community who "help preserve, protect and advocate for providing outdoor recreation opportunities." Hardy had a significant impact on outdoor recreational opportunities in theRoyal Gorge area.^[20]

As of the 2020census,^[21] there were 17,141 people residing in the city. Thepopulation density was 1,312.1 inhabitants per square mile (506.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.4%White, 1.0%African American, 0.6%Native American, 0.1%Asian, and 1.5% from two or more races.Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 10.2% of the population. There were 7,448 households, out of which 22.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them. The average household size was 2.05.

The age distribution was 22.6% under the age of 18 and 24.6% who were 65 years of age or older. Women represent 52% of the population.

The median income for a household in the city was $46,464. Theper capita income for the city was $25,232. About 17.1% of the population were below thepoverty line.

Along with a police department, sheriff's office and detention center, and a municipal court, Cañon City is home to the courts forFremont County and the 11th Judicial District of Colorado. It has been described as "America’s cheeriest prison town".^[22]

Cañon City is governed via theCouncil–manager government system. The city council consists of seven members who are elected from districts. Themayor is elected by the entire city.

The area being situated along the Arkansas River has allowed for soil suitable to orchards, ranching, and farming, but has largely grown to rely on the large number of state and federal prisons in the area, as well as to tourism, education, manufacturing, medicine and many other sectors.

Cañon City depends on theColorado Department of Corrections and federal prison system, and its tourism industry which includes theRoyal Gorge Route Railroad,Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, Red Canyon Park, The Abbey winery, and various other attractions. The major local employers include downtown shops, the entrepreneurial TechSTART initiative that attracts major technology-based entrepreneurs, and Centura Health (owner ofSt. Thomas More Hospital and the Progressive Care Center).

Prisons have served an important significance to both Cañon City and the surrounding areas ofFremont County, as well as to the state ofColorado. TheMuseum of Colorado Prisons has been given the role of preserving and presenting the past of the state's corrections system.Colorado Department of Corrections operates theColorado Territorial Correctional Facility in Cañon City.^[23] In addition to several correctional facilities near Cañon City inunincorporated areas inFremont County,Colorado State Penitentiary, the location of the state death row and execution chamber^[24] is in Fremont County.^[25] Other state prisons in Fremont County include Arrowhead Correctional Center,^[26]Centennial Correctional Facility,^[27]Fremont Correctional Facility,^[28] Four Mile Correctional Center,^[29]ADX Florence,and Skyline Correctional Center.^[30]

On October 3, 1929, a riot at the prison claimed 13 lives.^[31]

The Colorado Women's Correctional Facility near Cañon City in unincorporated Fremont County was decommissioned on June 4, 2009.^[32][33]

From Cañon City'sDowntown Historic District located in the heart of the city to theRoyal Gorge Bridge, there are many places to see and visit in the area.^{[citation needed]}

Cañon City is home to a daily newspaper, called theCañon City Daily Record; an FM radio station,Star Country104.5 FM; and a long-running AM radio station, known asKRLN NewsRadio1400 AM.

Transportation in the Cañon City area consists of cab service, shuttle bus service, and a downtown wagon ride. TheRoyal Gorge Bridge trolley had also been used during special events (it was destroyed in theRoyal Gorge Fire, but it was reserved for use by the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park. Jeep tours andSegway tours are also available to explore local parks such as Red Canyon Park or scenic places such asSkyline Drive.

The town is served by the Fremont County airport (1V6) which is 6 miles to the East and currently has no scheduled passenger service.^[34] Within an hour's drive is theColorado Springs Airport with daily service by major airlines.

The area is served by one state and one U.S. highway with a mix of city and county roads to navigate the city or connect to neighboring areas.

• U.S. Highway 50 - named Royal Gorge Boulevard from 1st Street to 15th Street in downtown Cañon
• State Highway 115 - connects the city to nearby Florence andPenrose, ending inColorado Springs

• 4th Street - connecting Downtown with South Cañon, Oak Creek Grade,Prospect Heights, and Capitol Hill
• 5th Street - serves as a north-south connector from Downtown north, allows traffic from Skyline Drive to return to U.S. 50
• 9th Street - serves as a carrier of CO 115 from the roundabout to the junction with U.S. 50, heads north and ends at Washington Street
• 15th Street - main route north to the hospital, a fire station and a small cluster of businesses
• Orchard Avenue
• Raynolds Avenue/Ash Street - runs from center of East Cañon to CO 115 via a county road, changes to a gravel road and becomes Chandler Road
• MacKenzie / Four Mile Lane - routed to connect from CO 115 as a carrier of CR 20 until the city limits, at Hwy 50, heads north as Four Mile Lane

• Cañon City is part of Colorado'sBustang network. It is on the Alamosa-Pueblo Outrider line.^[35]

• Skyline Drive, major scenic route overlooking Cañon City that was originally built by local inmates at the Territorial Prison

• TheUnion Pacific Railroad mothballed theTennessee Pass line in 1997. In 1998Rock and Rail LLC was formed, and began operating on the former Union Pacific track between Cañon City andParkdale. It also operates between Pueblo and Cañon City on lines purchased from the UP Railway. The tourist lineCañon City and Royal Gorge Railroad also operates on the RRRR's track.

See alsoCañon City School District

Cañon City's school system is under the direction of theCañon City School District Fremont RE-1.^[36] The district currently has four elementary schools, one charter school, one school serving as both an elementary school and middle school, one middle school and one high school,Cañon City High School.

Cañon City's higher education needs are served by thePueblo Community College Fremont Campus, located on the west end of the city alongU.S. Highway 50.^[37]

• Cañon City Downtown Historic District
• Cañon City Municipal Building, also known as the Royal Gorge Regional Museum and History Center
• Cañon City Post Office and Federal Building
• Cañon City State Armory

• Colorado State Penitentiary
• Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility
• Holy Cross Abbey (Cañon City, Colorado)
• Museum of Colorado Prisons
• Peabody Mansion, home of the Cañon City Chamber of Commerce
• Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
• Royal Gorge Route Railroad

• Buckskin Joe, closed in 2010

• Robert Wesley Amick, artist
• Don Bendell, writer
• Jack Christiansen, NFL hall-of-famer (Detroit Lions)
• Donald S. Fredrickson, medical researcher, former director of theNational Institutes of Health and first president of theHoward Hughes Medical Institute; born in Cañon City
• Skip Konte, musician, "Wizard of all Northern Realms"
• Vice AdmiralEmory S. Land (U.S. Navy), born in Cañon City
• Bird Millman, stage name of Jeannadean Engleman, Circus Aerialist, born in Cañon City
• James Hamilton Peabody, formerColorado governor

The movieCanon City (1948) depicts the real-life 1947 escape of 12 prisoners from nearbyColorado State Penitentiary.^[38]

A diner in Cañon City is the setting of the song "Navajo Rug", which was named by theWestern Writers of America as one of the Top 100 Western Songs of all time.^[39]

A fictional version of the city is depicted inPhilip K. Dick'salternate history novelThe Man in the High Castle (1963) andits eponymous 2015 television series adaptation. Cañon City is in an ostensibly-demilitarized "neutral zone" between thepuppet regimes of the Japanese Pacific States, in the west, and Greater Nazi Reich, in the east, in the former United States.^[40]

Cañon City'ssister cities are:^[41]

•  Chalchicomula de Sesma, Mexico
•  Kahoku, Japan
•  Valday, Russia

• Cañon City, CO Micropolitan Statistical Area
• Front Range Urban Corridor
• List of county seats in Colorado
• List of crossings of the Arkansas River
• List of municipalities in Colorado
• List of populated places in Colorado
• List of post offices in Colorado
• Colorado State Penitentiary
• Royal Gorge

• City of Cañon City official website
• Cañon City news and information from theCañon City Daily Record
• Cañon City & Royal Gorge Visitor Information
• Cañon City Chamber of Commerce
• State of Colorado
  • CDOT map of the City of Cañon City
  • History Colorado