Working from home is great, you can wear your comfy slippers. Coffee shops have a nice buzz. But if you want relative quiet without the cost, plus with some low-level activity, here are a few good discoveries (with details).
1. The Tutt Library at Colorado College — is a gorgeous structure where students have informally declared the First and Fourth floors as quiet zones. Which is a good thing, I found out from a staff member, because the architects apparently did not talk with the librarians when designing the building and it can get as noisy as rush hour at a train station when the 2nd and 3rd floors are full (gotta love that open concept). There are magnificent views from the top floor and outdoor balcony areas. During the school year (a block system schedule), it’s not busy in the morning before noon since that’s when students have class. And the summer I’ve found to be extremely quiet. There are plenty of electrical outlets everywhere in the building and the campus is peaceful and tree-lined for your walk from your car. Check open hours on the website for anomalies. “Active CC Gold Card Required after 6pm.”
There are parking meters outside the nearby Robson Arena (unsure of time limits) but otherwise free parking available on Nevada or Dale streets.
The library itself is open to the public but only students and staff, etc. can check out materials.
2. At our public libraries however — the Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) — with a library card, you can reserve study rooms for 2 hours a day and check things out to your heart’s content. I love this option. For me, the study rooms provide a special combination of the quiet that is good for concentration, along with the low hum of other people working, perusing materials, having meetings, or reading books and magazines, etc. You’ll see all ages and abilities/backgrounds at the libraries. [my video]
I regularly reserve rooms at the following branch locations: Sand Creek, Cheyenne Mountain (just one study room, here), East (many rooms available here, and this location seems not as busy/full sometimes – plus the surrounding park is lovely, the view is amazing and there’s a special Iris Garden), and Library 21C (it gets pretty full/booked but is still an option).
Check out the branch near you for options! It’s also possible to find an open table and work at PPLD libraries in the common areas. At Penrose downtown, there’s the Regional History & Geneaology section in the old Carnegie Library part of the building. In there, you can bring in just your laptop (the only item allowed), and secure other belongings in a free locker to work in that section – which is very quiet.
3. UCCS Downtown, a part of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs is located at 102 S Tejon St, Suite 105-A, in the Alamo Corporate Center. There are a number of other offices inside this building which stretches back, to the side, and up from Tejon St. Although attached, UCCS Downtown is not in the highrise section. It’s next to Mackenzie’s Chophouse, and across from the Plaza of the Rockies.
It offers free co-working (and event) space on an ad hoc basis. If the whole facility is reserved for an event then it’s a no-go. But I’ve experienced being able to use one of the other two rooms next to the main area when there are other meetings happening. It’s a welcoming place with an area for tea and coffee and a snack machine down the hall. The bathrooms are a bit hard to find, so pay attention to signage for those!
** This also might be the only place in town that’s available for groups to reserve event space for free. I believe we need more of these spaces…
Parking info here. I’ve parked for free on Boulder St. next to Palmer high school and walked — or taken the free shuttle when it was cold and snowy. Or alternatively, parked closer in and paid for a meter (I’ve always found an open spot).
4. Exponential Impact (XI) is a tech startup accelerator and business incubator with a community engagement emphasis. As of this writing, they welcome other remote workers to share their open-plan office space on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Sign-up is required. The floor plan consists of areas with desks, tables and soft chairs; plus cubicles with doors and phone booths available for meetings.
While here, I like paying half-attention to what might be going on. There always seems to be some kind of interesting larger community meeting the few times I’ve been. I also find I need earplugs because of the ambient noise, including that of ceiling pipes, and folks coming and going. I especially like either the nice view from the eating area, or the cushioned desk chairs at some of the workstations. [Otherwise I bring a small pillow to sit on at all these locations, because the chairs are mostly very hard.]
It’s so nice to have good places to meet or just be companionably next to each other out in the world sometimes.
Maybe see you around!
Please let me know if you know of other places like these. 👩🏻💻👩🏼💻👩🏽💻👨🏾💻📝
#co-working #ColoradoSprings #community #connection
