When Brittany, a special education paraprofessional, moved back to Colorado Springs from Denver a decade ago, a main driver was the rising cost of living in the Mile High City.
The 53-year-old, who declined to give her last name, relocated with hopes the move would improve her financial freedom and quality of life.
While the cost of living was lower in the Springs, wages were, too. And over the years, as the cost of living rose across the state and the nation — driven by inflation, housing shortages, increased construction costs, a pandemic, rising tax burdens, new tariffs and global conflict — Brittany and other residents in El Paso County were not immune to the crunch…