Manitou Branch Facts
From: Colorado Sprgs, CO
To: Manitou, CO
Miles: 5.3
Built: 1880 (NG)
To 3R: 1888
To SG: 1902
Abdn: 1971?

The Manitou Branch ran 5.25 miles west from the D&RG/D&RGW's Colorado Springs yard out to Manitou, CO. It paralleled the Colorado Midland right of way along its entire length, and followed the path of what is today US Hwy 24. (The two lines had an interchange near 8th Street.) The route was cut back at least twice, with abandonments in 1939 and 1971, and then the final abandonment was sometime in the late 1980s / early 1990s.

The Colorado City depot was located near where the line crossed S 22nd St. The depot burned in 1931 and was not replaced.¹

The Manitou Branch had crossing lights (no gates) at 8th Street which were also activated by Colorado Midland trains until 1949. West of 8th Street, crossings were only protected by crossbucks.²

Manitou Branch Industries

• Conoco Oil, located in Colorado City to the southwest of where the line crossed S 21st Street. Embedded in 21st Street was a unique three-way standard gauge stub switch to serve Conoco.

Manitou Branch Timetable