List of people from Colorado Springs, Colorado

The city of Colorado Springs, Colorado, the second-largest city in Colorado and the county seat of El Paso County, Colorado, has been the birthplace and home of several notable individuals. This is a list of people from Colorado Springs and includes people that were born or lived in the city or greater metropolitan area. Individuals included in this listing are people presumed to be notable because they have received significant coverage in reliable sources that are independent of the subject.^[A]

Agriculture

• Nick Venetucci (1911–2004), philanthropist who donated over 1 million pumpkins to children

Arts and entertainment

Art

• Charles Ragland Bunnell (1897–1968)
• Starr Kempf (1917–1995), sculptor
• Painter Maxfield Parrish (1870–1966) worked and studied in Colorado Springs
• Charles Schulz, creator of Peanuts cartoon strip.
• Artus Van Briggle, Art Nouveau potter.

Journalism

• Elmo Scott Watson, specialist on American West, lived in Colorado Springs from 1912–1918, in Denver from 1950 until death in 1951

Literature and poetry

• Robert A. Heinlein, science-fiction author
• Helen Hunt Jackson, author.
• Michelle Malkin, conservative author, commentator and blogger, moved to Colorado Springs in 2008
• Frank H. Maynard, cowboy poet and author, lived most of his life in Colorado Springs and earned livelihood as a carpenter
• Leonard Peikoff, philosopher and heir to Ayn Rand estate
• Beverly Lewis, novelist, known for her stories of Amish life
• Michael A. O'Donnell, award-winning author, Ph.D., resides here
• John E. Stith, science-fiction and mystery author, has resided here since 1970s

Modeling

• Leeann Tweeden, model, worked briefly as a waitress at a local Hooters in 1991–92
• Paul Vandervort, model, was with the Janice Dickinson Modelling Agency, is from Colorado Springs

Music and comedy

• Comedian Lewis Black lived briefly in Colorado Springs with college friends as part-owner of a small theater
• Chris Elrod, Christian comedian and writer, lived in Colorado Springs during his high school years^[1]
• OneRepublic lead guitarist Zach Filkins and lead singer Ryan Tedder, co-wrote Bleeding Love for Leona Lewis
• Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton was born in Colorado Springs
• Keith Lockhart, former conductor of Pikes Peak Symphony, current conductor of Boston Pops
• Günther Johannes Paetsch, co-founder of the Paetsch Family Chamber Music Ensemble in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
• Johann Sebastian Paetsch, cellist, was born and raised in Colorado Springs
• Jazz guitarist Johnny Smith
• Singer Laura Viers
• Pioneering nerdcore artist and former computer hacker YTCracker
• Power metal band Jag Panzer
• Black Pegasus, hip hop and rap artist, song writer, label owner, and entertainment company owner
• Max Morath was born in Colorado Springs
• The Procussions, a hip hop group originating from Colorado Springs; original lineup included Mr. J. Medeiros, Stro Elliot, Rez, Vice Versa, and Q; group now consists of Mr. J. Medeiros and Stro Elliot

Television, theater, and film

• Actress Juli Ashton
• Actor Michael Boatman
• Silent film star Lon Chaney was born in Colorado Springs on April 1, 1883; Lon Chaney Theatre is named for him
• Duane Chapman from Dog the Bounty Hunter
• Sportscaster and ESPN College GameDay (football) host Chris Fowler
• Actress Chase Masterson
• Cassandra Peterson (also known as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark) graduated in 1969 from General William J. Palmer High School in Colorado Springs
• Academy Award-winning director Sydney Pollack worked downtown during a stint at Fort Carson
• Howard Stableford, former BBC "Tomorrow's World" presenter, currently resides in Colorado Springs
• Actress and Olympian Hillary Wolf currently resides in Colorado Springs.
• Spring Byington was born in Colorado Springs.
• Actress Kelly Bishop
• Sherry Stringfield
• Joe Kenda, former Colorado Springs Police Department detective featured on the Investigation Discovery television show Homicide Hunter.

Video game designer

• John Romero

Politics

• George M. Borg, member of the Wisconsin State Senate and Wisconsin State Assembly
• Irving Howbert, Colorado state senator (1882–1886); one of the founders of Colorado Springs, donated the Colorado Springs Opera House
• Scott Walker, Governor of Wisconsin

Religion

• Dawson Trotman, founder of parachurch Christian organization The Navigators (organization).
• Focus on the Family founder James Dobson
• New Life Church founder Ted Haggard^[2]
• The Rev. Michael A. O'Donnell, Ph.D., former Priest-in-Charge of Grace and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church.

Science and technology

• Seymour Cray lived in Colorado Springs and was killed in an automobile accident in northern Colorado Springs.
• Myra Keen, malacologist^[3]
• Ancel Keys was born in Colorado Springs.
• Serbian physicist Nikola Tesla built a laboratory in Colorado Springs in 1899 for his experiments in the wireless transmission of electrical power. The site of the lab, the present intersection of Foote and Kiowa streets, is now a residential area.

Astronauts

• James Irwin lived in Colorado Springs
• Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger was born in Colorado Springs

Sports

Baseball

• Pitcher Dave Dravecky
• Hall of Fame pitcher Goose Gossage was born in Colorado Springs on July 5, 1951, and graduated from Wasson High School; currently lives in Colorado Springs
• MLB starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy of the Arizona Diamondbacks attended high school in Colorado Springs

Basketball

• Lynn Barry, basketball player and USA Basketball executive, lives in Colorado Springs
• NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry lives in Colorado Springs
• NBA player Reggie Jackson of the Detroit Pistons, attended Palmer High School
• Danielle Page, Olympic bronze medalist and European champion as part of the Serbian women's national team

Football

• NFL Films co-founder Steve Sabol attended Colorado College near downtown Colorado Springs
• NFL cornerback Roc Alexander
• Football star Earl "Dutch" Clark graduated from Colorado College
• NFL quarterback Jack Evans of the Green Bay Packers
• NFL punter Barry Helton of the San Francisco 49ers
• NFL wide receiver Vincent Jackson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers graduated from Widefield High School
• NFL offensive lineman Phil Loadholt of the Minnesota Vikings graduated from Fountain-Fort Carson High School, just outside Colorado Springs
• NFL defensive end Aaron Smith (American football) of the Pittsburgh Steelers
• NFL defensive end Lamarr Houston of the Chicago Bears graduated from Doherty High School
• NFL running back Cullen Bryant of the Los Angeles Rams graduated from William (Billy) Mitchell High School
• NFL offensive lineman Matt Slauson graduated from Air Academy High School

Ice hockey

• Professional hockey player David Hale was born in Colorado Springs
• Figure skater Jill Trenary trained and lived in Colorado Springs

Wrestling and boxing

• UFC fighter Donald Cerrone attended Air Academy High School
• TNA wrestler Bobby Lashley is billed from Colorado Springs
• Kickboxer, wrestler and actor Bob "The Beast" Sapp was born in Colorado Springs and attended Mitchell High School
• Mixed martial artist Benson Henderson was born in Colorado Springs
• Olympic Gold Medalist, Henry Cejudo, graduated from Coronado High School in Colorado Springs ^[4][5]
• Michelle Waterson was born in Colorado Springs

Soccer

• James Riley was born in Colorado Springs.

Other sports and competitive events

Max Aaron

• Max Aaron, 2013 U.S. national champion figure skater
• Christopher Dean, British former ice dancer
• Steve O'Dwyer, American professional poker player
• Bill Roy, American former Olympian and world champion skeet shooter
• Arlene Pieper, first woman to complete a U.S. marathon
• Susan Beth Scott, Paralympic swimmer, bronze medalist in London 2012 and Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games
• Bobby Unser, automobile racer, born in Colorado Springs

See also

• List of people from Colorado

References

1. Chriselrod.Com
2. Preacher-turned-pariah tells of his two years in the wilderness
3. W. R. Evitt. "Myra Keen" (PDF). Memorial Resolution. Stanford University. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
4. http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_10049475?source=pkg
5. http://www.teamusa.org/usa-wrestling/athletes/Henry-Cejudo