Penrose is an unincorporated community and census‑designated place (CDP) located in El Paso County in the state of Colorado, United States. The community lies along Interstate 25, approximately 15 mi (24 km) south of the city of Colorado Springs and about 100 mi (160 km) north of Pueblo. Penrose is part of the Colorado Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
Penrose is situated in the South Platte River basin on the high‑plains of central Colorado. The CDP’s elevation is roughly 5,900 ft (1,800 m) above sea level. It is positioned at the intersection of State Highway 115 and County Road F, providing road connections to nearby towns such as Fountain and Cañon City.
History
A post office has been in operation at Penrose since 1908, and the community’s ZIP code is 80830. The name “Penrose” is attributed to a local ranching family; the exact individual after whom the community was named has not been definitively documented in widely available sources. The settlement originated as a ranching and agricultural hub in the early 20th century and later saw modest growth associated with regional oil‑and‑gas development.
Demographics
Penrose was first listed as a census‑designated place for the 2020 United States Census. The Census Bureau reported a population of 1,021 residents within the CDP at that time. Detailed demographic breakdowns (age, race, income, etc.) have not been published in a readily accessible national statistical summary as of this writing.
Economy and Infrastructure
The local economy historically centered on ranching, dry‑land farming, and, more recently, oil‑and‑gas extraction activities in the surrounding region. Commercial services in Penrose are limited, with residents relying on nearby larger communities—particularly Colorado Springs and Fountain—for most retail, medical, and educational needs.
Education
Penrose falls within the jurisdiction of the Fountain School District 45. Students residing in the community attend schools operated by this district, including Fountain Elementary, Fountain Middle, and Fountain-Fort Carson High School.
Transportation
Interstate 25 provides the primary highway access to Penrose, with interchanges at Exit 108 (State Highway 115) facilitating travel to Colorado Springs to the north and Pueblo to the south. No passenger rail service directly serves the community.
References
- United States Postal Service, “ZIP Code™ Lookup,” 80830.
- United States Census Bureau, “2020 Census – Penrose CDP, Colorado.”
- Colorado State Archives, “Post Offices in Colorado – Penrose.”
Note: Where specific historical details (e.g., the precise individual after whom Penrose was named) are not documented in widely recognized reference works, the entry reflects the limits of available encyclopedic information.
