If you find yourself downtown on a Tuesday evening, you might spot an unusually large number of runners wearing green or white shirts. Follow them to join Tejon Street, and you’ll see them gathered at Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub and Restaurant. There, they’ll welcome you in to raise a pint and join the Jack Quinn’s Running Club.
With about 1,200 runners each week, Jack Quinn’s is the largest running club in the Springs, and you don’t have to be a hardcore runner. This is a purely social, and free, 5k run/walk/trot/stagger/crawl, and the website describes. Anyone can join–and they do. Strollers, kids, families, dogs, old and young are always a part of the Tuesday runs. “Since our founding [we’ve] had over 40,000 runners run at least once with us,” says Scot Raffelson, the club’s volunteer VP of operations. “We also have a satellite branch of the club at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Africa.”
Maybe it’s the fitness. Maybe it’s the $1 tacos and $3 beers back at Jack Quinn’s afterward. Maybe it’s the official shirt you earn after your 10th visit or the coveted century shirt earned at 100 club runs. Sure, that’s all part of it, but what seems to matter most to the Jack Quinn’s crowd is the community.
You may not be into running, but how about gardening, stargazing, dancing, fencing, cooking or more? No matter your interest, there’s a group of people ready to welcome you into your place in Colorado Springs. Read on for more Colorado Springs clubs, ways to step into a new community, and make some fulfilling connections of your own.
Organizations and Clubs in Colorado Springs
For the Artsy
Three-year-olds to adults can find innovative, inclusive and non-competitive dance opportunities at Ormao Dance Company. ormaodance.org
Spoken word poets gather at monthly open mics, workshops and poetry slams with Hear, Here! Poetry. hearherepoetry.org
Whether you love watching independent films or are engaged in making an independent film, join the Independent Film Society of Colorado for screenings, festivals and monthly Peak Film Forums. ifsoc.org
For the Career-Minded
Colorado Springs Young Professionals gathers folks multiple times a month to facilitate professional and social connections. @cosyoungpros
For business connections and networking, find the oldest local branch of the Rotary Club service organization. The Rotary Club of Colorado Springs meets every Friday at The Antlers. rotaryclubofcoloradosprings.org
For Busy Brains
Pub quiz aficionados can find trivia sessions most nights somewhere around town between Geeks Who Drink, This Is a Clue and others. Get more info in our article Trivia Night in the Springs. @GWDCOS, thisisaclue.com
Fascinated with the nighttime sky? Check out the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society’s monthly star parties and educational meetings for hobbyists and pros. csastro.org
For Foodies
Colorado Springs Vegan Events hosts cooking classes, supper clubs and events for those interested in a vegan lifestyle. coloradospringsveganevents.com
Pikes Peak Urban Gardens helps to grow food, community and a more sustainable local food system through education and community gardens. ppugardens.com
For the Outdoorsy
UpaDowna offers classes, activities and meetups to connect people through hiking, biking, camping, climbing or stand-up paddleboarding. upadowna.org
Join the two-wheeled crowd at group rides for all ages and abilities with the Colorado Springs Cycling Club, mountain biking Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates or the Women’s Mountain Bike Association of Colorado Springs. bikesprings.org, medwheel.org, wmbacos.org
For the Politically Minded
Citizens Project is dedicated to strengthening equality, civic engagements, separation of church and state and respect for diversity. citizensproject.org
The Trails and Open Space Coalition preserves local open space and parks, and advocates for trails and bikeways. trailsandopenspaces.org
Yeah, We Have That Too
Archaeology: Colorado Archaeological Society, coloradospringsarchaeology.org
Beer: COS Craft Beer, @coscraftbeer
Backyard Farming: Colorado Springs Backyard Farms, @colorado-springs-back- yard-farms
Cosplay: Colorado Springs Cosplay and Anime, @CoSpringsCosplay
Christian Imagination: Anselm Society, anselmsociety.org
Gaming: Pikes Peak Gamers, pikespeakgamers.com
Kickball: Go Kickball, gokickball.com
LGBTQ: Queer Friends Colorado Springs, @QueerFriendsColoradoSprings
Makers and DIYers: Pikes Peak Maker-space, pikespeakmakerspace.org
Motherhood: Colorado Springs Moms, @cospringsmoms
Outdoor Seniors: Pikes Peak Over the Hill Gang, ppothg.com
Photography: Colorado Springs Creative Photography Group, @coloradospringscreativephotography
Science and Technology: Science on Tap, coolscience.org
Sword Fighting: Front Range Fencing Club, frontrangefencingclub.com
Ultimate Frisbee: Colorado Springs Ultimate Network, springsultimate.org
Watercolor: Pikes Peak Watercolor Society, pikespeakwatercolorsociety.com
Yoga: Embracing Spirit Yoga and Wellness, meetup.com
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8 Great Running Clubs and Group Runs in Colorado Springs
