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Creating the Coolest Kind of Art at the Cripple Creek Ice Festival
Each winter, Cripple Creek closes its main street to host the literally cool Ice Festival. Carvers, there by invitation only, huddle in the center of the tiny mountain town,...
The Philharmonic Gets Heroic
This year marks a big birthday for Beethoven and a heroic lineup for the Colorado Springs Philharmonic. To celebrate the master composer’s 250th, international superstar violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman...
Best Stops on the Road to Monarch
For skiing and snowboarding at Monarch Mountain, you have options for your road trip route from Colorado Springs. Either way, you’ll find tasty eateries to fuel up before or...
Modern Architecture Roots in Colorado Springs
After the end of World War I, a movement began in central Europe that would radically alter the course of art, design, craftsmanship and architecture throughout the world.
In 1919,...
Colorado College Goes Carbon Neutral
Colorado College has achieved carbon neutrality, the school announced this week. After more than a decade of work, the achievement makes CC just “the eighth institution of higher education...
Where to Find Live Theater in Colorado Springs
Looking for plays, musicals and live theater productions in Colorado Springs? You'll find world premieres to favorite classics on these local stages.
Counterweight Theater Lab
Audiences feel right in the middle...
Take a New International Tour for Tasty Ethnic Cuisine
You won’t find fancy decor at all of these relatively new eateries—but you will find authentic and delicious ethnic cuisine worth seeking out.
Taste of Brasil
Eating at this Garden of...
Humor: Turned On to Turntables
It began with a simple question from my son. “Dude,” he said. “Do we have a turntable?”
Normally, my son calls me dad, but the fact that he was addressing...
30 Bucket List Events in Colorado Springs for 2020
Maybe you’ve lived here for years. Maybe you’re a newcomer to Colorado Springs. Maybe you go every year to (fill in the blank for your favorite). Maybe you’ve just...
Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar Opens in Colorado Springs
Call it a mix of selfish motivation and insightful business sense. Back in 1994, Boulder restaurateur Dave Query wanted to eat some oysters. “There wasn’t a place to sit...
The Man Behind the Maps: Ski Artist James Niehues
If you ski or snowboard, then it’s most likely that James Niehues has been your guide. Over the course of nearly three decades, Niehues has illustrated more than 200...
Where to Get in the Local Rec League Hockey Game
You’ll find the likes of the Hooligans, Vicious Pickles, Donut Bumpers and other uniquely named teams on local ice rinks. Adult rec league hockey is alive and well in...
NHL Stadium Series Brings Outdoor Hockey to Falcon Stadium
Many National League Hockey players and coaches grew up skating on frozen ponds. Their memories of those formative days bond them in a unique way. On Feb. 15, 2020,...
Last Chance for Angel Fire’s Shovel Races
Why take the chairlift down at the end of the day when you can ride your snow shovel? What started with lift operators at New Mexico’s Angel Fire Resort...
Prospect Lake: Historical Recreation Hub
With the mountainous backdrop of Pikes Peak and its central location just east of downtown, Prospect Lake has been a longtime centerpiece of Colorado Springs recreation.
General William Jackson...
Colorado Springs Annual Calendars
These annual calendars highlight Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region. From soothing scenic photos of local parks and trails to the furry officers of the police department, here...
Get Snow Schooled With Ski and Snowboard Lessons
It was the boots that called to us. After a long, fun and particularly cold day of skiing, we started the trek back to the car. My daughter and...
Gear We Like for a Winter Hike
Shorter days and snowy weather doesn't mean the end of outdoor fun in Colorado Springs. With the right gear, you can still enjoy winter hikes whether it's near the...
Favorite Trails for the Out-of-Town Guests
You’ll find something for everyone among these local trails, from icons to less-crowded alternatives, where you can satisfy the ambitious visitors or torture the ones driving you crazy.
For...
Find Your Favorite Movie Theater in Colorado Springs
The holidays can be a joyful time to spend with family, but sometimes you’ve just got to get out of the house. Whether it’s an alternative to tired traditions...
Leading Couples of Colorado Springs Theater
Have you noticed how talent seems to come in pairs? Theater couples. They’re as common on local stages as blocking tape. They’re actors, directors, producers, often collaborating to bring...
How to Pamper Your Pets
When you’re putting together your holiday gift lists, don’t forget the four-legged members of your household. Just remember that grabbing a random bag of chewies from a register line...
MuttRuk Packs for People With Pups
Sometimes pampering your pets means treating yourself too. One of the newest dog-friendly items on the market arrives courtesy of local company MuttRuk. After a successful Kickstarter campaign in...
Q&A: UCCS Chancellor Venkat Reddy
With more than 12,000 students, funded partnership with the National Cybersecurity Center, and the state-of-the-art William J. Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center opening next year, Chancellor...
Hot Plates: 10 New Restaurants, Breweries and Distilleries in Colorado Springs
Looking for a new restaurant, brewery or distillery? Colorado Springs just keeps adding them. Here are notes on 10 new happenings in the dining scene.
1. Highly anticipated ViewHouse restaurant...
Trails: Hiking Pulpit Rock
Where to Find It: Beside the I-25 and N. Nevada intersection. The small trailhead parking lot is at 6411 N. Nevada Ave. just north of the small shopping center....
Give the Gift of Experience
Know that person who’s just so hard to buy for? Want to create memories that will last much longer than another sweater? This is the year to give the...
Hazel Miller: Colorado’s Queen of Jazz, Soul and R&B
If you take the underground transport after landing at Denver International Airport, there’s a chance you’ll hear a soulful jazz singer welcoming you. “I haven’t heard it myself …...
Weird Beer You Have to Try in Colorado Springs
Who doesn’t like variety at least once in a while? I admit I’m not the most discerning beer drinker. But as a recent craft beer convert, I don’t have...
Where the Spirits Lead on the Colorado Spirits Trail
In 2004, George Washington’s—yes, that President Washington’s—commercial distillery was about to get a historic face-lift in Mount Vernon, Virginia. Just as one important chapter in America’s distilling history was...
Colorado Craft Spirits Gems and Limited Releases
Take a journey on the Colorado Spirits Trail, follow the map of distillers around Colorado, and you'll discover some hidden treasures among Colorado craft spirits. Here are some of the best gems along...
Woodshed Red’s Jam
It’s opening night under the striped tent of MeadowGrass festival last Memorial Day weekend, and as headliners Woodshed Red take the stage, fans in the front are already dancing...
A New Namaste With Yoga and Brews
Of all the quirky yoga classes around Colorado's Front Range—from stand-up paddleboard yoga to yoga with wolves, goats or kangaroos—there is a class where yogis find their asana amid...
A Wine Lover Learns Beer
In my 20s I was a Budweiser gal. What can I say? It was the beer of choice for my Monsignor Murphy’s dart team, and I’m a team player....
Midtown Collection Delivers Modern Versatility
The old adage that “necessity is the mother of invention” seems to be true in real estate too. At least it has been particularly salient for Colorado Springs’ market...
Children’s Hospital Opens a New Era of Pediatric Care
When 9-year-old Jalen Thompson grows up he wants to be president. He expects that by then there will be a cure for cancer—if not, he will donate to help...
Dutch Clark: The Legendary Flying Dutchman
In 1963, 17 athletes were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s inaugural class, including a quarterback from rural Colorado named Earl “Dutch” Clark. Born in 1906 in...
Climbing Over Fear on the Springs’ Via Ferrata
"Grab the top of that ledge, latch your chili bean and let go!” says Alex Hesler, outdoor attraction manager at Cave of the Winds.
He’s encouraging me to hang by...
High School Cycling League Builds Next Generation of Local Cyclists
If you’ve been out in, say, Red Rock Canyon Open Space lately, there’s a good chance you’ve passed groups of high school mountain bikers wearing the team kits of...
Under the Dome at the USAFA Planetarium
Ask Judy Cara what her favorite film currently playing at the United States Air Force Academy’s planetarium is and her eyes brighten as she smiles and says, “Humpback Whales.”
“It’s...
10 Favorite Fall Hikes In and Around Colorado Springs
There’s an added beauty when those golden aspen groves light up the trail and hillsides. These 10 trails will take you into the seasonal color show, or in some...
Healthcare Heroes 2019
If you ask the men and women in these pages what makes a hero, they point to their teams and teammates and those faithfully serving others. They seem genuinely...
Doggy Day Out
You hear the howls, the barks, the whimpers of dogs in their chainlink kennels when you walk into an animal shelter. Then you lock eyes with a dog and...
Fall Fitness Hacks from Local Trainers
Between the end of summer and the approach of the holidays, it might be easy to let fitness fall to the wayside in favor of pumpkin spice lattes and...
3 Grilling Recipes from Colorado Springs Chefs
We’re standing at autumn’s door, but before it opens to peak views of golden aspens, there are plenty of prime days ahead for backyard grilling and patio chilling. Here...
Fly High at the National Museum of World War II Aviation
The stars of the show at the National Museum of World War II Aviation are the 35 aircraft, 24 of which can still fly. Visitors can self-guide their way...
Colorado Springs Museums: Tour the Town
Think of museums as stuffy, static and boring? Think again. Colorado Springs is home to a rich collection of organizations and assemblages that bring to life history, science, technology,...
More to Training Than the Mileage
Whether you’re a runner, cyclist, hiker or just plain active Coloradan, summer is prime time for that big race, ride or trek. But there’s more than just putting in...
The Modbo: A Decade of Dedication
"You need art. Art needs you.”
This potent motto has fueled the Modbo gallery since it opened in a small storage outbuilding in an alley off Bijou and Tejon streets...
The Magical World of Cosmo Solano
You’ll never see Cosmo Solano on America’s Got Talent. Not for lack of skills or talent—the magician has trained with industry legends and produced magic products for other professionals....
Tom Hirt: Cowboy Hat Maker for the Movies
You could say that Tom Hirt began his career as a dead guy.
Cast as Mark Harmon’s stand-in in the 1978 Western Comes a Horseman, Hirt took the role...
Trails: Blodgett Peak and Blodgett Peak Open Space
Where to Find It: Northwest Colorado Springs, Blodgett Peak Open Space
Distance: 5.2 miles out-and-back to summit, other trails available
Difficulty: Advanced
Peak Elevation: 9,423 feet
Know Before You Go: Lower trails in...
100 Things to Do in Colorado Springs Before You Die
Have you ever been to the Western Jubilee, National Museum of World War II Aviation or Paint Mines Interpretive Park? There’s no shortage of things to do in Colorado...
We Got the Sauce: New York Pizza in Colorado Springs
New York transplant Phil Ginsburg peers into the window of a local pizzeria, sees a young hipster with a long, meticulously manicured beard tossing dough, and shakes his head.
“They...
Broadmoor Dream Home: So Much Light and Luxury
When builders fashioned a typical midcentury 2,400-square-foot home in the Broadmoor area in 1957, no one could have envisioned what it would look like six decades later. Today, it’s...
Thai Rolled Ice Cream Is the New Cool
I consider myself a connoisseur of ice cream. But my mind was blown when I first discovered Thai rolled ice cream in Breckenridge last year. How had I not...
Pick Your Perfect Mountain Getaway
Colorado Springs is a summer paradise, but we all know that when the mountains call, it’s time to go. Fortunately we’re surrounded by amazing destinations within easy road-trip distance....
The Return of the Beloved Breckenridge Troll
Thousands of troll hunters flocked to see Isak Heartstone last fall when he was sculpted along Wellington Trail in Breckenridge, just a stone’s throw away from residential homes. But...
Take a Museum Day to Denver
Interested in art, history or culture? Sometimes it’s worth a day trip north to explore Denver’s nearby cultural treasures. Head for these six to combine a multimuseum itinerary or...
Where to Find Live Local Music
Back East Bar & Grill
Sports bar by day, thriving music venue by night, Back East delivers a regular lineup of local live music on the north side. You’ll find...
Pursuing My Vacation, Er, Inner Peace
The first morning, we wake with a start to the roar of howler monkeys. My phone reads 4:22 a.m.
“Waaaaaaaaaaaaa! Woooooooaaaaaa!”
The howls, deep and resonant, sound like angry—or horny—velociraptors.
My wife...
Where We’re Eating Now in Colorado Springs
Cowboy Star
Lunch has gone next level at Cowboy Star. “Now you can do the whole experience at lunch time,” says sous chef Nick Ryder. “You can really celebrate and...
Trails: The Red Rocks No One Knows About
For Springs locals, hiking Red Rocks usually means hitting the trail early or late in the day to avoid crowds and traffic getting in and out of the bustling...
Hot Springs Escapes
Looking to soak away your cares in some of Colorado's hot, mineral-laden waters? Here are a few to sample, from Manitou Springs to Buena Vista, Aspen and the San...
Captain Jack Was a Woman
Most mountain bikers, motorcyclists, hikers and equestrians who use Captain Jack’s, the popular Cheyenne Cañon trail, have no idea that its namesake was a woman. Ellen E. Jack’s history...
Go Off the Beaten Path: Joyful Journey Hot Springs
I’m giddy as I pick up one of my girlfriends for a much-overdue two-day road trip. The hot waters of the San Luis Valley are calling on this early...
Q&A: Rock Photographer Larry Hulst
There’s a smile of contagious joy on the face of Larry Hulst in the homepage photo where he stands before the Red Rocks stage, holding his camera, ready to...
Home, Sweet, Rustic Industrial Modern Home
“This is us.”
That is the phrase Phil Parker and Vanessa Johnson choose to characterize their recently completed 5,479-square-foot dream home in the picturesque Upper Skyway neighborhood of southwest Colorado...
Chiba Is the Word
At the time of its 1982 release, the cyberpunk film Blade Runner underperformed at the box office. Today, however, it’s considered one of the sci-fi greats. Similarly, Chiba Bar—after...
Local Music: Sounds Worth Sampling
Looking for local music? Three local—or locally tied—next-thing bands to catch live and rotate into your playlists.
Nina and The Hold Tight
If you like: Alabama Shakes, The Kills, Led Zeppelin
This affecting...
Hike: Mount Cutler
Where to Find It: North Cheyenne Cañon Park
Distance: 2.2 miles out and back
Difficulty: easy to intermediate
Know Before You Go: Foot traffic only. Dogs must be on a leash. Watch...
CaveSim at CityRock and Its Manitou Makers
Caving has been called the perfect blend of “fear and intrigue, ” says Dave Jackson, who owns the Manitou Springs-based CaveSim LLC along with his wife, Tracy.
I’ll give him...
Great Wolf Lodge: A Howlin’ Good Time
The green beast has been staring me down all morning. I’ve watched countless thrill-seekers disappear down its watery chute. And my 11-year-old son is showing me up, completing laps...
The Peak of Local Cinema
I remember the exact auditorium where I saw certain films at Kimball’s Peak Three Theater. Far from the Madding Crowd screened in upstairs Auditorium Three. The Young Victoria and...
Parker the Snow Dog Lives the Deluxe Dog’s Life
He’s on first-name basis with Von Miller. He opens concerts at Red Rocks, such as Icelantic’s Winter on the Rocks. He has his own signature microbrew—oh, he also has...
The Warrior Women of Streetcar520
When Streetcar520 owner Ari Howard re-imagined the former McCabe’s Tavern as a globally-inspired culinary destination on South Tejon Street, she had a clear vision of art for its 22-foot...
Sasquatch Cookies: No Hoax
Reported Sasquatch sightings around Pike National Forest date back to the 1800s. A Bigfoot crossing sign is posted along Pikes Peak Highway, and a wooden statue of the hairy...
Cozy Hideaways in Colorado Springs
The cold closet of wintertime doesn’t mean you have to hibernate. Whether you’re looking for a romantic date or unique girls’ night out, try one of these intimate hangouts.
Sopra
This...
How to Do Date Night in Colorado Springs
Looking for new ways to make an impression on someone special, kindle (or rekindle) a romance or just get out on the town? We’ve got you covered with these...
4 Fun Dates in Colorado Springs
So you want to make an impression on someone special? Get to know a new interest but keep it casual? Find some new fun with your significant other? Try...
How to Write a Better Dating Profile
While you might spend all of your time swiping right, that doesn’t mean the person on the other side of the screen is doing the same for you. Or...
Tea Time in Colorado Springs
The midafternoon slump hit hard on my first day back in the office after a recent trip to England. “I really want some tea and a scone right now....
Your Best of Colorado Springs Bucket List Events
Maybe you’ve lived here for years. Maybe you’re a newcomer to Colorado Springs. Maybe you go every year to (fill in the blank for your favorite). Maybe you’ve always...
Explore Cañon City’s Mountain Biking Gem: Oil Well Flats
Fuel Up: Coyote’s Coffee Den
Join the locals at Coyote’s Coffee Den in Penrose for some pre-ride calories and caffeine. Wrapped and ready breakfast burritos and a full breakfast menu...
Waltz Away
Stepping into a Broadmoor Waltz Club ball is like stepping back into history.
Ladies in full-length formal gowns twirl under the chandeliers in the Grand Ballroom at The Broadmoor. Men...
Where to Eat, Shop, Play in Briargate
Created in the 1980s and booming since the ’90s, Briargate has long drawn families looking for the newer suburban amenities of a master-planned community, as well as the high-ranking...
3 Great Foothills Trail Runs
A preponderance of sunny days is one of the great perks of the Front Range region, no matter the season. While plummeting temperatures and precipitation can make high country...
Cocktails 101: How to Mix Your Own Craft Libations
So you don’t want to take off your sweatpants or deal with crowds—but you still want a great cocktail? Some Colorado Springs bartenders are making it easier to learn...
Hike: Dixon Trail to the Top of Cheyenne Mountain
Where to Find It: Cheyenne Mountain State Park
Distance: 17-plus miles out and back from Limekiln Trailhead covering the entire trail network
Difficulty: Advanced / Extreme
Know Before You Go: Access to...
Don’t-Miss Northside Eats
Atmosphere Gastropub
This trendy bar boasts upscale pub fare, and fresh, carefully crafted cocktails. The tuna tartare is our favorite, made with sushi grade ahi tuna and served with wonton...
47 Ways to Play on Pikes Peak
Hike to the Top
1. Barr Trail: The classic, popular route out of Manitou Springs is quick to reach and long to travel, at 13 miles one way, with about...
8 Great Running Clubs and Group Runs in Colorado Springs
A little peer pressure can be a good thing when it comes to running and fitness. Rather than braving the trails alone, you can find plenty of sweat-filled comradery...
Home Design Secrets: The Architect
Harboring visions of building that dream home? Longing for some stylish upgrades to your current space? Desperately seeking creative tips on a budget? We’ve got you covered—or at least...
Spas: Feeling Adventurous?
Walk On
The idea of someone standing on your back, pressing her cold, bare feet into your body might not sound comfortable, but an ashiatsu massage relieves tension and is...
Hike: Dome Rock State Wildlife Area
Where to Find It: Between Divide and Cripple Creek, southwest of Mueller State Park
Distance: 11 miles for a loop around Dome Rock; other options vary
Difficulty: Easy to intermediate
Know Before...
Relax. Renew. Repeat. Find Your Perfect Spa
As winter gives way to spring, spas are the perfect place to help you reset and embrace optimal health for the warming season and all year long. Whether you...
3 Great Trails for Fun Family Hikes
From the youngest trail tykes to the fit and fast adventure rippers, these family-friendly trails are sure to keep your whole hiking family happy.
Siamese Twins
Garden of the Gods
Rating: Easy
Want...
3 Great Trails for Year-Round Mountain Biking
Shhh, don’t tell anyone, but Colorado Springs is perfect for year-round mountain biking. Forget stashing your steed for ski season. Thanks to plenty of sunshine and mild weather, you...
Trivia Night in the Springs
Everyone has a friend (or two) who knows the artist and name of every song, the name of obscure historical figures and why they're important, who was in which...
Sexy Cocktails and Where to Find Them
Sexy is in the eye of the beholder, especially when it comes to cocktails. Some people want a boozy drink to help them loosen up, while others prefer a...
