Take A Look
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...
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...
And the Winning S’more Is …
The Toasty S’mores Tasting Contest came down to the bottom of the ninth, and with a final surge of votes, Till Kitchen claimed victory with a walk-off homer. Congratulations...
Women’s Car Care Clinics: She Goes Under the Hood
My dad always told me …”
Over the next few hours, I’ll hear this phrase multiple times during a free women’s automotive clinic at Honest Accurate Auto Service. Sometimes Dad’s...
So. Many. Summer Festivals. In Colorado Springs and Beyond
Summer is high season for festivals in Colorado Springs, up and down the Front Range and in mountain towns all over the state. Go for a day or immerse...
Olympic Snowboarder JJ Thomas About to Shred TEDx
JJ Thomas and Shaun White have some history. Back in 2002, Thomas edged out the 15-year-old White for the fourth and final spot on Team USA for the Salt...
Mud Runs and Obstacle Course Races: Let’s Get Dirty!
Dressed in knee socks, ’80s gym shorts, miniskirts and Richard Simmons headbands, my siblings and I hit the trail at the base of Copper Mountain. We belly-crawled through drainage...
Meet Supansa Banker, Top Chef at Taste of Pikes Peak
When Colorado Springs’ top chefs gathered this April at the Taste of Pikes Peak, aka the 24th annual Pikes Peak Food, Wine and Beer Expo, one came out on...
Meet the Artists of MeadowGrass
If it’s Memorial Day weekend in Colorado Springs, it means MeadowGrass is back to the open festival season. Whether the weather is ready to cooperate or not, people are...
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...
Women’s Theatre Festival: Plays From Her Perspective
Technically it’s just the second year of the Millibo Art Theatre’s Women’s Theatre Festival —aka WTF — but the MAT has been highlighting the work of women playwrights for...
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...
Buzz Band Flora Cash Plays Colorado Springs
Say what you will about digital dating, but if it weren’t for the back and forth Facebook and Skype sessions across the world, Flora Cash wouldn’t have even formed....
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...
14 Free Things to Do in the Springs in April and May
Here are 14 upcoming events and activities you can do for free—or within a few bucks of free.
Earth Day
Rock Ledge Ranch, April 20
Celebrate the environment at Rock Ledge Ranch,...
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...
Inside the Taste of Pikes Peak
More than 80 restaurants and vendors will gather at The Broadmoor World Arena on April 28th to host the largest food and beverage event in Southern Colorado: the 24th...
Spring Into Preseason Ski Pass Deals
It’s been an epic snow season, which makes it even easier for skiers and snowboarders to keep hitting the slopes as Front Range temps begin to rise. And while...
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...
CC Hockey: Robson Arena Brings Downtown State of Mind
Eighty years is a long time to rent. But Colorado College hockey is about to bring the program home for good. Beginning during the 2020-21 season, CC hockey will...
How to Stop Stroke
As Marty Gordon spent time with his wife and grandkids at home, he started feeling more tired than usual, his words turned to mumbling, and when he tried to...
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...
Peak Arts Prize Returns
How would you sum up all your creative vision for your next art project in a three-minute video? The nine finalists for the Peak Arts Prize had to do...
Nordic Skiing in Woodmoor
As sweat began to saturate my long sleeve base layer and my unnecessary fleece layer and my ski jacket, I realized I had naively been thinking like a downhill...
Military Arts Connection: Joining Creative Forces
Music has always played a role in Cory Sandoval’s life, from participating in high school band to playing drums and guitar to writing song lyrics. It wasn’t until he...
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...
It’s Time to Appreciate Portuguese Wines
Wine insiders have started clamoring for an untapped and underappreciated wine region of Western Europe. Say hello to Portugal, recently featured at the Colorado Springs Wine Festival.
“The wines of...
Ski-Inspired Six-Pack
Skiing and drinking beer are two beloved Colorado activities, though it’s not in your best interest to do both at the same time. Look for these snow-worthy brews at...
Of Beasts and Brews: Butcher Jason Nauert
"I don’t know how I got here,” Jason Nauert says with a laugh.
After years of working in construction, law enforcement and landscaping, Nauert, 45, reached his late 30s and...
Leftover Salmon Brings the Boogie to the Broadmoor
For four years, Colorado jam band Leftover Salmon headlined a festival at Estes Park’s historic Stanley Hotel, the locale that inspired the fictional Overlook Hotel in Stephen King’s The...
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...
Winter Wonderland: Dillon Ice Castles
Don’t want to break your bank or leg skiing? There’s another wintery way to dazzle the whole family: Step inside the Dillon Ice Castles. Back for a second consecutive...
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...
Unique Slopeside Eats
Not much beats a bluebird day on the slopes but shredding the pow can make your stomach howl. Who wants to head all the way down to the main...
Recipe: Vegan Peppered Pinto Beans
Meal prepping is a thing, and local vegan instructor JL Fields makes it easy with her latest book, Vegan Meal Prep. Read about the book in "Vegan Meal Prep...
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...
Neon Alley Lights Up Pueblo
Off South Union Avenue in Pueblo’s Downtown Historic District, the alluring glow of Neon Alley illuminates the eyes and hearts of awed onlookers. The collection of vintage neon signs—currently...
Q&A: Gregory Alan Isakov Gets Universally Personal
Boulder-based folk musician Gregory Alan Isakov has been crafting his warm sepia songs since 2003, in between summer seasons spent as a working full-time farmer outside of Boulder. Rolling...
TrueSport Is on a Mission
It’s maddening to see an athlete, at the height of his or her powers, suddenly fall to one of the worst words in sports: cheating. The hero is not...
Champion Barista Sam Neely Talks Competitive Coffee
As the youngest ever competitor at the U.S. Barista Championship, Sam Neely, then 18, placed sixth among 36 finalists this year. We chatted with the director of coffee for...
Axed and Answered
Axes and I have a history. Five years ago, I put an ax straight through the center of my left foot.
My friend Doug and I were camping near Crestone,...
Amazing Barrel-Aged Beers
Brewers today are creative artists always looking for ways to enhance the beers they produce. And aging beer in wine, whiskey or rum barrels has provided a popular palette...
CC Hockey: Regaining the Eye of the Tigers
Colorado College hockey is on the road to a new arena in the next couple years, and momentum has been building on the ice as well.
The Tigers, who hadn’t...
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...
Q&A: Idris Goodwin and American Prom
Idris Goodwin may have physically left Colorado Springs last year to take up residence in Louisville, Kentucky, but the influence of the award-winning playwright, poet, director and former Colorado...
Art-O-Mat Dispenses Creativity
I stand in front of the Art-o-mat at Ivywild School, surveying the tiny artwork for sale from this vending machine for only $5 each. Do I want earrings, a...
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...
Restoring Waldo Canyon
New life for Waldo Canyon is on the way more than six years since the devastating eponymous wildfire scorched the popular hiking area, along with much of Colorado Springs’...
The Skinny on Skin Care
Even as winter sets in, Colorado Springs residents don’t slow down. They take advantage of the sun’s regular appearances and the promises of snow. But the dipping temperatures, high...
Recipe: Red Chile Pork Tamales
You read about our family's Delicious Traditions for the holidays. Now here's how to make your own authentic tamales from scratch.
Start to finish: 3-4 hours
Servings: approximately 60
60-70 corn husks...
Theatreworks: The Interviews
Theatreworks has gone through a lot in the last few years. In 2017, founder and artistic director Murray Ross, 74, died unexpectedly after more than 40 years at the...
Local Comedy: A Comic Goes Into Colorado Springs…
It’s 7 o’clock on a Friday, the regular crowd has shuffled in—and they’re killing themselves laughing.
This is Loonees Comedy Corner on North Academy, Colorado Springs’ longstanding comedy club. Chris...
Delicious Traditions: Tamales and Biscochitos for the Holidays
I was in college the first time I realized that families might not eat the same thing as mine for Christmas dinner. As we sat at dinner, a couple...
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...
Ask a Bartender
Where bartenders answer your questions on cocktails, bar etiquette or the mysteries of life—and give recipes for DIY holiday cocktails.
Should you tell a bartender if you don’t like the...
A Good Time for Taos
Taos is the end of many roads,” says Steven Rose, director of hospitality of The Blake at Taos Ski Valley. The famous Southwestern outpost represents the convergence of the...
4 Coffee Hot Spots to Go Try Now
The local caffeine scene continues to thrive. Some of the latest coffee hot spots offer a little something for everyone, whether you’re carrying out a cup or settling into...
How To Propose a Toast
There inevitably comes a time when you’ll be having a family dinner, office party, wedding or simply a small gathering of friends at home. With the holidays upon us,...
The Seasonal Spirit of Santa Fe
The air is crisp and cold as you step out into the Santa Fe evening. Strings of hanging lights add a romantic glow to the trees and adobe buildings,...
Recipe: Butternut Squash Crostini
This time of year “when the frost is on the punkin,” new dishes arise as the leaves fall. “My favorite aspect of autumn is the food.… People break out...
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...
Find Your Perfect Ski Pass
There’s an ancient Colorado proverb that goes something like this: The best time to buy your ski season pass was last spring. The second best time is now.
Procrastinating powderhounds...
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...
Extreme Makeover: Kitchen Remodel Edition
Perhaps the hardest thing to accept about life is the fact that one day you will have to remodel your kitchen.
Maybe you’ve been there already, or maybe it’s in...
Monse’s Taste of El Salvador: Sweetly Salvadoran
Monse Hines stuffs her pupusas with some classic combinations: mozzarella cheese and black beans, for instance, or pinto beans and Pueblo chiles. But what really makes Monse’s Taste of...
Honoring Fannie Mae Duncan
It’s been 100 years since Fannie Mae Duncan was born, and the centennial of the entrepreneurial businesswoman and social changemaker is being recognized in multiple ways for her groundbreaking...
Disc Golf in Colorado Springs: Disc-cover the Fun
The ca-ching of a hard-plastic flying disc falling into a metal chain basket means you’ve finished a hole in disc golf. It’s also the sound of saving money. A...
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...
Inspiration for Mind and Soul at Local Speaker Series
After listening to poet Richard Blanco speak, I want to run outside and embrace the moon. My mind is alive and my soul inspired. I want to relish in...
Recipe: Impress Your Guests With Elk Strudel
This is delicious served as a hot appetizer or light dinner. In the restaurant we use morel mushrooms and truffles in the sauce, but any mushroom works well. Hearty...
Burro Racing: Gone Donkin’
Hooves are pounding inches behind me. The path continues to drop out below. My legs strain to maintain the increased speed, and my feet bound over loose granite, roots...
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...
All Hail the Dixon Trail and Lake Moraine Trail – And the Devotees Who Build Them
Do you see any over there?” I call to my teenage daughter from deep inside a tangle of scrub oak and pine branches.
“No … There!” she shouts pointing uphill...
Pete Schuermann: Outsider Art
It catches your eye, that shiny, gold Emmy sitting on a lonely filing cabinet. “Pete Schuermann, Writer,” it says, along with Tell Me Something I Don’t Know, the name...
Project Imagination at the Twine Lab
The 3- to 5-year-old students in Mini Makers Class are playing in the dirt at the Twine Lab. They dig their hands into plastic tubs on the ground, gleefully...
Healthcare Heroes 2018
Talk to these men and women and you’ll hear: “I’m just doing my job” or “We have an excellent team.” But what comes through loud and clear is their...
The Art(us) of Van Briggle
After training in Paris as a renowned young painter, Van Briggle returned to Ohio to pursue his true artistic love: pottery. But at just 30, he was diagnosed with...
Colorado Springs Philharmonic: Raising the Baton – and the Bar
In 2011, Josep Caballé-Domenech burst upon the Springs classical music scene like a fireball: smart, passionate, deeply knowledgeable about the repertoire, and perhaps most important, determined to propel the...
Jay Gust Goes Scandi With Smorbrod
There’s been a lot of buzz since the summer opening of Colorado Springs’ first Scandinavian restaurant, Smørbrød. And there’s a good chance you’ve seen social media photos of its...
Upgrade Your S’mores
Campfires are one of the most beloved traditions of trail-trekkers everywhere. A source of light and warmth. A place to cook and share company. Nostalgia and experience merge in...
She Brews: Jessica Fierro of Atrevida Beer Company
Jessica Fierro discovered her love for beer while living in Europe for five years with her husband, Rich. When they returned to the United States in 2007, Fierro began...
5 More Food Trucks to Go Find Now
The Colorado Springs food truck just keeps rolling as more and more food trucks pop up around town. Whether you’re stopping in for Food Truck Tuesday at the Pioneers...
Baamaste: Getting Into Goat Yoga
Under a hot, clear sky, we shift from Tabletop pose to Downward Dog. Pikes Peak is shrouded in a bluish haze above the neighborhood near Goat Patch Brewery. Between...
3 Favorite Road Cycling Routes
Colorado Springs has a strong cycling community that includes all types of riders, from casual enthusiasts and commuters to Olympians, world champions and Tour de France veterans. Keep an...
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...
Forever Yours, The Land
If the land around the Pikes Peak Region could talk, what do you think it would say? Perhaps it would tell you about the eons it has borne witness...
Dr. House: Rolling Past Limitations
Dr. House—no, not the one on TV—grins when he talks about the action sports he loves. That’s not an uncommon statement in Colorado perhaps, but there is a twist....
How to PikeRide
Bike sharing arrives in the Springs this summer, meaning you’ll be able to hop on a high-tech, purple PikeRide bicycle for short rides around downtown. “It is a transit...
Mountain Chalet: 50 Years of More Than Gear
On a recent spring day, a customer walks into Mountain Chalet, the long-running outdoor equipment store to report a problem with a pair of skis he had purchased elsewhere....
