3 Things You Might Not Know Are Going on in Colorado Springs

Want to meet, network or hang out with locally minded people? 1 Million Cups, #cstweetup and Vegan Drinks for a Cause are all going on in Colorado Springs.

Looking for a chance to meet, network or just hang out with locally minded people? Here are three great options happening regularly around Colorado Springs: 1 Million Cups, #cstweetup and Vegan Drinks for a Cause.

1 million cups presentation
Photo courtesy 1 Million Cups

1 Million Cups

Every Wednesday at 9 a.m. you can find about 50 entrepreneurs, community supporters, students, educators and mentors drinking a cup of coffee at Episouthcentral at Ivywild, learning how a local business or organization is changing our community. It’s speed-dating, of sorts. Every week two presenters each have six minutes—yep, six—to dazzle attendees with his or her entrepreneurial journey. Then come 20 minutes of questions, some tough but all designed to help them do better, which ultimately helps the business and the community at large.

1 Million Cups COS is part of a national movement founded by the Kaufman Foundation in 2012. Now there are 77 communities in 35 states who are supporting their entrepreneurial community one cup of coffee at a time. “There is a great energy growing in the entrepreneurial community here in the Springs,” says 1MC COS organizer Amy Lester. “And it is great to be able to connect and support other entrepreneurs on their journey.”

1millioncups.com/coloradosprings


 

crowd at #cstweetup
Photo by Kevin Westendorf

#CSTweetup

For networking of the more social variety, follow the hashtag #cstweetup on Twitter or Facebook, so you don’t miss the next gathering of some of the Springs most prolific tweeters. You don’t even really have to be into social media yourself. The once-a-month gathering is designed to bring locals together to meet new folks, strengthen the Springs community and support local businesses.

With no formal agenda, the #cstweetup is usually held at a different location each month. “The #cstweetup is a fun and fantastic way to comfortably meet and get to know the diverse members of the Colorado Springs community while supporting local businesses, creating lasting friendships and enjoying great food and drinks,” says Kevin Westendorf who tweets as @tonedeafvoice (and has over 14,000 followers). The next #cstweetup, most likely over a local brew, is in May. And there are only two ways to get the details:

Follow the #cstweetup hashtag on Twitter

Like the #cstweetup page on Facebook, facebook.com/cstweetup.


pigs in mud who love vegan drinks for a cause
[L to R] Felix and Franklin. Photo courtesy Luvin Arms Sanctuary
Vegan Drinks for a Cause

Speaking of brew, thirsty animal-lovers gather at The Burrowing Owl the third Thursday of each month for Vegan Drinks for a Cause. The Colorado Springs Vegan & Vegetarian Group spotlights a city or state organization working on behalf of companion and farmed animals, as well as wildlife. Disclosure: I’m one of the organizers. This no-pressure event is simple: Entry is free. Order plant-based food and drinks (if you want). And hear from the animal rights or welfare organization for about two minutes. You might hear about the dog adopted to a new home after her human companion passed away or the two local celebrity pigs—Felix and Franklin—who were spared slaughter and now live on an animal sanctuary. Just be warned, after stories like those, you’ll be pulling out your checkbook.

meetup.com/coloradospringsveg

—JL Fields

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JL Fields
JL Fieldshttp://JLgoesVegan.com
JL Fields is a vegan chef, culinary coach, and chef consultant to restaurants and food, health, and wellness brands. She is the founder and culinary director of the Colorado Springs Vegan Cooking Academy and is a Master Vegan Lifestyle Coach and Educator. JL is the author of several books, including Fast & Easy Vegan Cookbook, Vegan Meal Prep, The Vegan Air Fryer, and Vegan Pressure Cooking and writes the monthly vegan dining review for the Colorado Springs Gazette. She produces vegan markets and the annual vegan restaurant week in Colorado Springs where she lives with her husband, Dave, and their rescued cat, Oliver, and rescued dog, Harry.
Looking for a chance to meet, network or just hang out with locally minded people? Here are three great options happening regularly around Colorado Springs: 1 Million Cups, #cstweetup and Vegan Drinks for a Cause.
1 million cups presentation
Photo courtesy 1 Million Cups
1 Million Cups Every Wednesday at 9 a.m. you can find about 50 entrepreneurs, community supporters, students, educators and mentors drinking a cup of coffee at Episouthcentral at Ivywild, learning how a local business or organization is changing our community. It’s speed-dating, of sorts. Every week two presenters each have six minutes—yep, six—to dazzle attendees with his or her entrepreneurial journey. Then come 20 minutes of questions, some tough but all designed to help them do better, which ultimately helps the business and the community at large. 1 Million Cups COS is part of a national movement founded by the Kaufman Foundation in 2012. Now there are 77 communities in 35 states who are supporting their entrepreneurial community one cup of coffee at a time. “There is a great energy growing in the entrepreneurial community here in the Springs,” says 1MC COS organizer Amy Lester. “And it is great to be able to connect and support other entrepreneurs on their journey.” 1millioncups.com/coloradosprings
 
crowd at #cstweetup
Photo by Kevin Westendorf
#CSTweetup For networking of the more social variety, follow the hashtag #cstweetup on Twitter or Facebook, so you don’t miss the next gathering of some of the Springs most prolific tweeters. You don’t even really have to be into social media yourself. The once-a-month gathering is designed to bring locals together to meet new folks, strengthen the Springs community and support local businesses. With no formal agenda, the #cstweetup is usually held at a different location each month. “The #cstweetup is a fun and fantastic way to comfortably meet and get to know the diverse members of the Colorado Springs community while supporting local businesses, creating lasting friendships and enjoying great food and drinks,” says Kevin Westendorf who tweets as @tonedeafvoice (and has over 14,000 followers). The next #cstweetup, most likely over a local brew, is in May. And there are only two ways to get the details: Follow the #cstweetup hashtag on Twitter Like the #cstweetup page on Facebook, facebook.com/cstweetup.
pigs in mud who love vegan drinks for a cause
[L to R] Felix and Franklin. Photo courtesy Luvin Arms Sanctuary
Vegan Drinks for a Cause Speaking of brew, thirsty animal-lovers gather at The Burrowing Owl the third Thursday of each month for Vegan Drinks for a Cause. The Colorado Springs Vegan & Vegetarian Group spotlights a city or state organization working on behalf of companion and farmed animals, as well as wildlife. Disclosure: I’m one of the organizers. This no-pressure event is simple: Entry is free. Order plant-based food and drinks (if you want). And hear from the animal rights or welfare organization for about two minutes. You might hear about the dog adopted to a new home after her human companion passed away or the two local celebrity pigs—Felix and Franklin—who were spared slaughter and now live on an animal sanctuary. Just be warned, after stories like those, you’ll be pulling out your checkbook. meetup.com/coloradospringsveg —JL Fields