For More Information Contact:

Kitty Clemens

Economic Development Director

719-685-9741

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MANITOU SPRINGS AHEAD WITH NEW DSL SERVICE FROM QWEST

Manitou Springs, Colorado (April 28, 2004) Residents of Historic Manitou Springs are euphoric about the prospect of utilizing broadband technology with the arrival of DSL service from Qwest. The arrival of DSL service joins numerous other positive events bolstering economic development efforts announced in Manitou Springs over the past few months. Major infrastructure improvements were approved by a huge margin in November, the last infill parcel of land in the historic shopping district has been approved for a multi-million dollar mixed use building with residential lofts and a newly formed business improvement district is implementing marketing and clean street programs.

“We continue to expand the Qwest DSL service area throughout Colorado and are pleased to bring DSL to Manitou Springs,” said Mike Smith, Qwest Manager for DSL Deployments and Community Relations. “Manitou Springs is a community that will benefit significantly from the availability of high speed, reliable, Internet service.

Manitou Springs has the largest designated historic district in Colorado. As such, every economic development activity announcement has had a unique twist such as the discovery of historic survey documents in March, 2004. The Qwest announcement also has a unique twist as the building housing the new DSL equipment was originally owned by the Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company, founded in 1898. Every telephone wire in Manitou Springs ends in this building and is evidence of the robust commercial activity in Manitou Springs dating back to the turn of the ninetieth century.

DSL service will allow residents and businesses to embrace the future while living in a community which preserves the past. The service is available immediately at competitive rates. Residential customers can contact David Gates to order service at 460-2814 and commercial users can contact John Martinez at 278-4761. Please refer to the attached fact sheet for pricing details.

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Manitou Springs Ahead is a citizen driven volunteer effort to implement the Manitou Avenue Master Plan.  Citizens from numerous community groups formed Manitou Springs Ahead to submit charitable grant requests, solicit individual legacy gifts and work with government agencies on final design and construction in historic downtown.  Progress updates can be found at www.manitouspringsahead.com.