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e-Learning Authoring Conference Travel Information

Getting to Colorado Springs

By Air

The Colorado Springs Airport is a small, convenient facility located about 20 minutes from Colorado College.

Denver International Airport (DIA) is located about 70 miles away from Colorado Springs (heck, it's located about 20 miles from Denver, so that's not too bad).  

Getting from the Airport to Colorado College

Shuttle Service
We are aware of only one shuttle that provides service from the Colorado Springs Airport and Denver International Airport.  Here is their information:

Colorado Springs Shuttle

  • Scheduled service from Colorado Springs Airport and DIA to Colorado College. Be sure to tell them that you are with The ToolBook User's Conference (we didn't want to confuse them with the VBTrain part) and that you want to be dropped off and picked up at Loomis Hall at Colorado College. We encourage you to work together with other attendees to rent a shuttle as a group as that can reduce the cost. Visit http://www.coloradoshuttle.com/on-demand.htm for details.
  • Departures from DIA at 10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 8:00 p.m.. Arrival at Colorado College approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes later.
  • Departures from Colorado Springs Airport at approximately 5:30 a.m., 7:45 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.
  • Departures from Colorado College for DIA at approximately 5:50 a.m., 8:05 a.m., 1:50 p.m., and 4:20 p.m.
  • Departures from Colorado College for Colorado Springs Airport at approximately 11:50 a.m., 2:20 p.m., 7:20 p.m., and 9:50 p.m.
  • For return trips to DIA, we would recommend that you have at least 4 hours from the time you leave Colorado Springs to the time your flight departs. It is approximately 2 hours travel time. Advance reservations are recommended. Visit http://www.coloradoshuttle.com/Check-In.htm for details.
  • DIA to Colorado College:  Not more than $42 per person each way. The shuttle will adjust the price downwards if there are lots of other passengers.
  • Colorado Springs Airport to Colorado College:  Not more than $25 per person each way. The shuttle will adjust the price downwards if there are lots of other passengers.
  • We encourage you to work together with other attendees to rent a shuttle as a group as that can reduce the cost. Visit http://www.coloradoshuttle.com/on-demand.htm for details.
  • Reservations Required (you may use the web site, email, or call)
    - www.coloradoshuttle.com
    - reservations@coloradoshuttle.com
    - 1-877-587-3456 or 719-687-3456
  • Instructions for catching the Colorado Springs Shuttle Shuttle at Denver International Airport (DIA):
    - Make a reservation by calling the numbers above
    - When your plane arrives, go to the main terminal (you'll most likely take the short airport train)
    - Go to East Side of the main Terminal (Big signs will point you East or West)
    - Go to the 5th level
    - Go out door 505
    - Wait at Island #3
    - Watch for the van marked with the Colorado Springs Shuttle logo.
    - Note that the vans depart on-time.
    - Tell the driver you are going to Loomis Hall at Colorado College as part of The ToolBook User's Conference. - Visit http://www.coloradoshuttle.com/pickuplocation.htm for map.
  • Instructions for catching the Colorado Springs Shuttle Shuttle at Colorado Springs Airport:
    - Make a reservation by calling the numbers above
    - When your plane arrives, pick up your bags and go right out the main baggage claim doors.
    - Watch for the van marked with the Colorado Springs Shuttle logo.
    - Note that the vans depart on-time.
    - Tell the driver you are going to Loomis Hall at Colorado College as part of The ToolBook User's Conference. - Visit http://www.coloradoshuttle.com/cosmap.htm for map.

Other Shuttles

You can find all shuttle companies currently supporting Colorado Springs from Denver International Airport by going to this address, selecting Colorado Springs, and clicking the "Go" button. http://www.flydenver.com/gt/index.asp. The Front Range Express (http://www.frontrangeexpress.com) is inexpensive but requires a bus change and then only drops you at Park N Rides in Colorado Springs.

Taxi Cab
Taxis are available at the Colorado Springs Airport.  It is not advisable to take a taxi from the Denver International Airport because the trip is about 70 miles.

Yellow Cab

  • $30 - $35 (estimate) from Colorado Springs Airport to Colorado College.
  • To get a cab at the Colorado Springs Airport,
    - Go out main door of airport near baggage claim
    - Cross the street
    - The line of taxis will be on your left
  • More info 719-634-5000

Rental Car
Both airports have major rental car companies available.  Call your travel agent or rental car agency for more information. 

There will be a ride-sharing board at the conference. Also, we recommend joining the Conference ListServ for sharing rides, etc.

Driving to Colorado College from the Colorado Springs Airport

  1. Leaving the baggage claim area on the lower level of the airport, follow the signs marked “Airport Exit.”  This road will become DRENNAN going WEST.  At the first stop light (2 miles from the airport) turn RIGHT onto POWERS.  Signs will be marked to I-25 NORTH.
  2. Take Powers north to FOUNTAIN (2 miles).  Turn left onto Fountain.  Go west on Fountain, staying in the right traffic lane, then EXIT at “FOUNTAIN BLVD., CIRCLE DRIVE, EXIT ONLY.”
  3. Continue going straight (west) on Fountain, about 2 ½ miles.  After crossing a set of railroad tracks, turn RIGHT onto the second street, which is WEBER STREET.
  4. Continue north on Weber to Cache La Poudre (about 13 blocks).  Turn LEFT onto Cache La Poudre.   Go 3 blocks west to CASCADE AVENUE. 
  5. Turn right on Cascade Avenue and left at the first driveway (about 2/3 down the block).  Loomis Hall is straight ahead of you!
    (Time to the Colorado College from the Colorado Springs Airport is approximately 20 minutes.). The Loomis Hall address is 1104 N. Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.

Driving to Colorado College from Denver International Airport

Option 1:  Toll Road (about $5.00, saves 15 to 45 minutes depending on traffic):

  1. Follow the airport exit.  You will be on Pena Boulevard.
  2. Shortly after submitting your parking ticket, take the SECOND E-470 exit (E-470 North). 
  3. Follow this through three toll booths (and past I-70) until you reach I-25. 
  4. Take the I-25 South (Colorado Springs) exit.  Now you're on I-25 south.  
  5. See the directions from Denver to  Colorado Springs.

Option 2:  No Toll Road

  1. Follow the airport exit.  You will be on Pena Boulevard.
  2. After about 10 miles, Pena Boulevard ends at I-70.   Stay on Pena as it merges onto West I-70.  Stay in the right lane.
  3. After about a 1/2 mile, Exit to I-225. 
  4. I-225 will take you to I-25.  After about 15 miles, I-225 ends at I-25.  Exit onto I-25 SOUTH.   Now you're on I-25 south. 
  5. See the directions from Denver to  Colorado Springs.

Driving from Denver to Colorado College in Colorado Springs

  1. Take  I-25 South to Colorado Springs.

  2. Use Exit 143 (Uintah Street).

  3. Turn left onto Uintah.  You will be traveling east (opposite direction from the mountains) on Uintah to the third stop light (Cascade Avenue). 

  4. Turn right for 1/2 block.

  5. Turn right into third driveway on right side. You will be facing Loomis Hall (your destination!). The address for Loomis Hall is 1104 N. Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.


Attendee Comments:
  • TBCON was great, as always, and I came back to work with several new ideas for improving our learning content and infrastructure.  (2009)
  • TBCON was time well spent and I will be back again next year without a doubt.  (2009)
  • Great stuff! Great location! Great learning!  (2009)
  • Great value - a unique opportunity for "one-stop" learning.  (2007)
  • Good location. Easy access from airports and plenty to do and see. Town was easy to get around for those not staying in dorms.  (2005)
  • I just wanted to thank you again for putting on such a great conference. You're really providing a service to all of us struggling developers. The facilities are great and the informal atmosphere builds a great sense of community.  (2002)
  • It kind of reminds me of something Johnny Carson used to do with the "Amazing Karnack" where he would hold the envelope up to his head and name the content inside based on some clue written on the outside. In this case I could envision the outside saying "Sex and Platte Canyon' s ToolBook Conference". The inside would say "name two great experiences you have to personally be a player in order to appreciate". Words do not describe the value and rewards from attending this conference. I continue to tell my management that if there is only one thing we get to attend due to budgetary issues I want it to be this conference.  (2001)
  • Amazing food selection, good quality. Even the coffee was good, unlike most conferences.  (2001)
  • It was incredibly valuable for me and I know that every attendee that I spoke with was impressed with the quality and professionalism of the conference. Pat yourselves on the back for a job very well done.  (1999)
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