Seven Falls is turning 140 years old.
That means celebrations and new additions at the only Colorado waterfall on National Geographic’s list of international wonders, including:
- New offerings at 1858, a restaurant perched along the banks of the falls, which features from-scratch Colorado cuisine
- New 1858 Food Truck options, including bubble waffles
- Four-foot-tall chipmunk art installations created by local third-grade students
Called “The Grandest Mile of Scenery in Colorado,” Seven Falls has been a tourist destination since 1883. The one-mile, box-type canyon ends with the seven falls – Ramona, Feather, Bridal Veil, Shorty, Hull, Weimer and Hill – plunging from a height of 181 feet. The falls light up at night.
A Bit of History
In 1882, James Hull bought the property and began to build a road to Seven Falls, but died before it was finished. His sons built the first wooden stairway up the falls and completed the road. In 1891, the wooden stairway was replaced with 224 iron steps.
The property changed hands a couple more times before 2014, when it was sold to Philip Anschutz and The Broadmoor. In 2015, The Broadmoor Seven Falls, Restaurant 1858, and the Woods course of The Broadmoor Soaring Adventure opened. In 2016, a second zipline course was added.
These days, visitors enjoy 10 zip lines ranging in distance from 250 feet to 1,800 feet as well as rope bridges, hiking and a controlled, 180-foot rappel.
A Bit About the Chipmunks
To mark the 140th anniversary of Seven Falls, The Broadmoor launched an art contest for local third-grade classes to design a concept for a four-foot-tall chipmunk art display.
The 10 finalists were selected recently and their creations will be on display by May 10. Visitors may vote on their favorite display through Labor Day.
“It was difficult to select ten finalists when all of the submissions were creative and thoughtfully planned,” said Scott Flexman, The Broadmoor’s vice president of sales and marketing.
The winning display will earn a field trip this fall to Seven Falls for the entire 2022-23 third grade class and teachers, as well as Seven Falls discounts for the school’s entire student body.
"This initiative intends to engage the community of Colorado Springs in ongoing events to celebrate the history of Seven Falls," Flexman said. "The Broadmoor looks forward to celebrating this special anniversary of this majestic Pikes Peak attraction with students and visitors from around the world this year and for the next 140 years.”
Website: https://www.sevenfalls.com/
Facebook: @TheBroadmoorSevenFalls
Instagram: @seven_falls
