There were 680 new single-family building permits issued in the first quarter of 2013 in El Paso County, almost 40% more than in the first quarter of 2012 and the most since 2007, according to The Colorado Spring Business Journal.

Challenger Homes has sold 76 homes so far this year, said Kyle Fisk, Challenger’s marketing director. “That was the best January and the best February for sales Challenger has ever seen,” Fisk said.