Behind the Counter Summary and Analysis

Colorado Springs is a city of great contrasts. Originally a mining town, the early part is intact, complete with a quaint retail area along Tejon Street. Going north, however, things change once one passes through the old neighborhoods. Here large subdivisions have been carved out of the prairie, hills and ridges. Every few miles down the main boulevard of Academy Ave. are groupings of fast food restaurants, repeating themselves every several miles. This is the new Los Angeles, for much of this population migrated here from southern California.

The economic growth of Colorado Springs began, just as in Los Angeles, with World War II and military spending. Both the Army and Air Force opened bases and brought both people and money to Colorado Springs. Following the war, more military bases and the Air Defense Command with all...