The 'AA' rating on Colorado Springs, Colo.'s GO bonds reflects the city's: Economic strength and diversity as a service-center for central Colorado, Strong tax base with substantial growth in assessed property valuation, Sustained low debt levels, and Strong financial management and solid fiscal policies. Colorado Springs has a population of 370,000, is located approximately 65 miles south of Denver, and is the seat of El Paso County. The city has a service-based economy, with significant high-technology and defense industries. In the early 1990's softness in both of these industries led the city's economic downturn. During the current recession, the high-tech sector is once again experiencing a contraction, exacerbated by the bankruptcy and downsizing of WorldCom, which at one point employed
