Spencer Penrose (1865–1939) was an American entrepreneur and philanthropist who made his fortune through mining, ore processing, and real estate ventures in the western United States. Born into a prominent Philadelphia family, Penrose graduated from Harvard before moving west to pursue business opportunities. He initially found success with gold mining in Colorado’s Cripple Creek and later co-founded the Utah Copper Company in 1903, which became a highly profitable venture.
Penrose settled in Colorado Springs, where he and his childhood friend, Charles L. Tutt, built a road to the summit of Pikes Peak and initiated an annual motor car race to promote tourism. In 1918, Penrose opened The Broadmoor, an opulent resort hotel that quickly became a destination for the wealthy. His wife, Julie Villiers Penrose, was a key partner in his philanthropy efforts.
Together, the Penroses supported numerous civic projects, including the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, and the Pikes Peak Highway. In 1937, they established the El Pomar Foundation, which continues to support Colorado-based projects with over $600 million in assets today. The foundation also manages the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun and the Penrose Heritage Museum, where Penrose’s legacy is preserved.
Penrose’s contributions to Colorado’s economic and cultural development were significant, and he was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners in 2001. He is remembered for his visionary entrepreneurship and enduring philanthropic impact.
