I was there that year and I lived in Manitou Springs at the time too. In fact, I went with my buddies also from Manitou who played the festival that year, The Reasonable Band. The highlight for me was that John Hartford set along with meeting Steve Goodman. That trip started a love affair with TBF that is still goin' on!
Manitou Springs was a polar-opposite of Colorado Springs. A couple of other Ampex electronics techs also lived in Manitou Springs during this time. Chris Busby, who was from Maine; and Steve Maurucci (sp?; pronounced more-rooch-ee) both owned homes there. All three of us were friends and we worked on second shift. I lived in the old historic Cliff House. It had been recently remodeled when I moved in there in July 1979. My rent was $160 per month for a one-bedroom, completely furnished, all utilities included (except telephone), and parking space included (in rear lot).
I climbed to the top of Pikes Peak by walking out the front door of my apartment at the Cliff House with my backpack, spending the night at Barr Camp, and climbing to the summit (and hiking home) the next day.
About a year after I moved out of the area, there was a major fire at the Cliff House. This was about 1983. Today the Cliff House is rebuilt again. This time it's been rebuilt as a 5-star outfit, and it costs $300 per night to stay there.
Cliff House photo was taken shortly after fire - circa 1983 - photo by Chris Busby