Golden History

The economic heart of Colorado Springs.

As this vibrant community has taken shape, it is difficult to imagine that the land it occupies sat dormant for over half a century. The site of the former Golden Cycle Mill was once the economic heart of Colorado Springs. Standing as a symbol of entrepreneurship, the mill played a key role in the existence of Colorado Springs.

At the heart of the Colorado gold rush was the Golden Cycle Mill. Established in 1905, it proudly stood as the most important mill in the region for nearly four decades. At the height of productivity, the mill processed 1,500 tons of ore per day from the famous Cripple Creek Mining District, turning the area where Gold Hill Mesa now stands into one of the most illustrious locations in all of Colorado.

By the mid-1900s the mill had processed more gold than any other worldwide and stood as a symbol of entrepreneurship. The mill played a key role in the development of Colorado Springs into a thriving frontier community. When the economic grip of World War II took hold, miners were relocated to help the war effort. The mill shut its doors in 1948, having produced an estimated 483,771 pounds of gold. The land upon which the mill operated sat vacant, until now.

The legacy of Gold Hill Mesa is represented by this land’s rich history and a community development worthy of its unique heritage – where the progressive spirit of the early pioneers lives on; and restoration of the traditions from yesteryear are contributing to a new way to live well on Colorado Springs’ Westside. At the heart of the Colorado gold rush was the Golden Cycle Mill. Established in 1905, it proudly stood as the most important mill in the region for nearly four decades. At the height of productivity, the mill processed 1,500 tons of ore per day from the famous Cripple Creek Mining District, turning the area where Gold Hill Mesa now stands into one of the most illustrious locations in all of Colorado.

Nearly a century later, Gold Hill Mesa is restoring value to this property with a planned community worthy of its progressive history and majestic landscape. Thanks to the pioneering spirit of the project’s developers, supporters and homeowners, the community will serve as homage to the history of Old Colorado City and the Golden Cycle Mill, and as a foray into the next era of sustainable, inspired neighborhood design and urban revitalization. The iconic Golden Cycle Mill smokestack still stands today and will be preserved as a symbol of Gold Hill Mesa’s Rich Heritage. Eventually a community plaza and museum is likely to surround the smokestack as it anchors the commercial village.