One of the attractions of Old Colorado City and the historic Westside is the absence of defined and exclusionary boundaries. We live a few blocks from the historic buildings at the heart of OCC, but according to Wikipedia, we’re definitely in it.
“The approximate boundaries are U.S. Highway 24 to the south, 32nd Street to the west, 13th Street to the east and Uintah Street to the north, with the town square restructured as Bancroft Park,” the entry reads.
It’s hard to understand this particular metric, since it includes neighborhoods with no apparent connection to OCC, but who cares? Residential, commercial, mixed use; middle class, rich or poor; multi-story, one-bedroom cottage or three-story Victorian; own or rent; B & B, short-term or long-term rental – all are right here on the Westside.
Houses of worship? We’ve got a dozen or so, including the century-old Sacred Heart Catholic Church at the corner of Colorado Avenue and 21st Street. Designed by Thomas MacLaren – arguably our city’s greatest architect – it defines, enhances and uplifts the commercial/residential neighborhood that surrounds it.
Boundaries are artificial and not always drawn clearly. Yet boundary-setting is everywhere.
According to the National Register of Historic Places, “The Old Colorado Historic Commercial District is located on the west side of Colorado Springs in what was originally a separate city. It includes 27 properties situated principally along Colorado Avenue between 24th and 26th streets with some additional properties on Court Street and the block between 26th and 27th Streets.”
Boundary-setting is everywhere
It’s great that these buildings have survived, but there are scores of unheralded buildings that house wonderful businesses around the historic core.
Many of us, my wife and I included, have businesses that we run out of our home – are these OCC businesses?
And then there’s zoning. Much of the residential Westside is zoned R2 (single- and two-family residential) while Colorado Avenue is commercially zoned. Shopping centers? No worries – we have plenty, including eccentric little strip centers and big ones featuring supermarkets and national retailers. Yet uses and zoning are not necessarily aligned – lots of us reside on Colorado avenue, and lots of us run businesses from our R2 zoned homes.
Boundary setting, defining and enforcing are governmental functions, employing many and ignored by many more.
One of the attractions of OCC is that it’s not ruled by a stifling bureaucracy, but is supported by Westside volunteer business associations: the Old Colorado City Association and the Old Colorado City Partnership. To trumpet the delights of OCC is great for businesses in and around the historic district.
So let’s not worry. Comply if you must, evade if you can, be a good neighbor and choose your own identity. For us, we love our sweet spot – close to the heart of OCC, a few blocks to our favorite bar/restaurant, steps from a neighborhood park and surrounded by friends and acquaintances.
Yup – the Westside is the Bestside!