2016 Map of Big Springs Ranch

About this map

Big Springs Ranch and the community of Ellicott anchor this high plains landscape east of Colorado Springs. The terrain is defined by the broad drainage of Black Squirrel Cr and its tributary Big Springs Cr, which cut through a landscape increasingly organized by residential development and rural ranching. A grid of local roads, such as Little Springs Rd and Sanborn Rd, reveals the transition from open grazing land to named subdivisions like Giesbrecht Hts. A significant military footprint is visible in the southern portion of the quadrangle with the USAF Academy Bullseye Auxiliary Airfield, a specialized landing strip supporting pilot training operations. This 2016 survey captures a specific moment in the growth of El Paso County, where traditional livestock operations and modern suburban expansion meet along the S Calhan Hwy corridor.