Colorado Springs Happenings

Check out the Tri-Lakes Women’s Club Wine Tasting Event tonight (October 23rd). Call (719)488-2124.

Also tonight, Colorado College play Michigan Tech at the World Arena, for more Information call (719)576-2626.

On October 24th, Manitou Springs will have the 15th Annual Coffin Races and Parade. (719)685-5089.

Also on the 24th – the Colorado Baby and Kidz Expo will be held at the Phil Long Expo Center, (719)867-6635.

Halloween – “Mall-O-Ween” at the Citadel Mall, (719)591-5516.

November 4th – The Trans-Siberian Orchestra plays at the World Arena (719)576-2626.

Colorado Springs Summer Events

Looking for something to do in Colorado Springs? Ready to enjoy the summer and have fun? Check out the following:

American Soldier tribute – A photo tribute to the American Soldier – at the Phil Long Expo Center, from Saturday through September 13th. For more info call 867-6635.

Outdoors activities more “your thing”? Check out White Water Rafting Trips. Call 526-5366 for more info. Trips are $40 per person and include transportation, gear and guides.

Enjoy the Colorado State Fair- from August 28th through September 7th at the State Fair Grounds in Pueblo. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or go online at http://www.ticketmaster.com .

From July 8th through the 11th, you can enjoy the 69th annual Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeoat the Norris-Penrose Events Center Arena. The Fort Carson Night is July 8th. Tickets start at $10 for Adults and $7.50 for Children. Call 576-2626, go online at http://www.ticketswest.com or go to any King Soopers Customer Service.

Free entry to National Parks: The weekend of July 18th/19th and August 15th/16th - Entrance Fees to many national parks and monuments in Colorado will be waived.

Fort Carson’s annual Independence Day Celebrationwill happen July 3rd, from 4-10:30 pm at Ironhorse Park. The event is free and the public is invited.

For an Old Fashioned Fourth of July, check out the Rock Ledge Historic Site on July 4th from 9am to 5pm. This includes speeches, carnival games, ice cream, a Civil War encampment, Buffalo Soldier bivouac etc. Solders and retired military get in for half price by showing ID. Regular admission is $2-$6.

Thanks to Nel Lampe and the Mountaineer for compiling this info!

Want To Influence This Regions Future?

…participate in a survey that is supposed to take the pulse of residents in this area. This survey will be part of “Operation 6035″, to determine “which companies and industries are best suited for Colorado Springs, what types of jobs should be pursued and the responsibilities of the community to accomplish those goals will be the focus of a new economic development study launched by a coalition of business people, government officials and community leaders.”

If you love living here and would like to see this area keep it’s family friendly status, with the added bonus of acutally offering jobs for residents, check out their website at “Operation 6035“,  to take the survey and participate.

Climbing In Garden Of The Gods

Have you ever wanted to climb in the Garden of the Gods?

Did you know that you have to register with the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center before you can climb? But if you neglect to do so – you can be find by the park rangers. (And yes – they ARE out there…)

Once you’re registerd – which only takes a few minutes (Honestly!) includes reading over the current rules (pay attention – there are always areas that are Off limits) and regulations and filling out a short form. It’s all done to be sure that you know what you’re doing!

Technical Climbing is permitted on established routes, in group of two or more – NO single climbing! (For safety purposes). Proper climbing equipment is MANDATORY and the use of eco-chalk is recommended/encouraged.

All other climbing or rock scrambling is ILLEGAL.

While this may sound harsh- it’s done – once again – for your safety. Tragic accidents have happened…and they are just trying to prevent them as much as possible. So be safe – and enjoy!

Colorado Springs Ranks…?

Every City likes to be thought of as a great place to live, work and play. And some actually achieve that – as ‘proven’ by rankings given out from magazines, associations etc. (And if the Citizens agree – even better!)

Thought I’d put together – at least a partial list of rankings/awards/etc. Colorado Springs has achieved…so you can compare, agree, comment, disagree, ponder…

According to the Colorado Springs Economic Development Corporation – Colorado Springs offers the “Best Business Climate In The World”.

Considering that’s by a Corporation that’s here in Colorado Springs – does that even count as a ranking?

But then Colorado Springs was named Government Fleet Magazine’s “Top US City with a Biodiesel Fleet“.

Another Article touted “Colorado Springs Energy Bills the 5th lowest in the Nation“.

My Question on that one would be: Can we keep it that way?

Colorado Springs was also named “The fittest City in the Nation” by Men’s Fitness Magazine.

In 2006, Money Magazine named the Springs as “One of the Best Places to Live“.

However, despite all those nice rankings, awards and namings – there are also some rather dubious (or should I say worrisome?) rankings…for example:

“Colorado Springs Named Second Highest In Suicides“

What rewards/namings/rankings do you remember for Colorado Springs? (Aside from the whole “Foreclosure Capital”-one…?)

How Times Have Changed….

Compare 1954 to now…

The above video has been produced by the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce in 1954, to promote Colorado Springs as a Tourist Destination. If you have been in the Springs anytime during the last 5-10 years – you’ll see just how much things have changed…

Colorado Springs Home Show

Did you visit the Colorado Spring Home Show at the Phil Long Expo Center this weekend? What did you think? My two cents – it was a nice show, a way to spend a very snowy and windy afternoon – but overall – it was the same old, same old….most of what was displayed had been displayed for the last several years. Nothing majorly new and exciting – with a couple of exceptions.

One of them: “Quinn Essentials – The Key to finishing your home”, represented during the home show by Wendy Quinn, the Owner. Say you can’t get excited about hardware? Well, you’d have to see their offerings. It’s hardware alright, but it’s not your run of the mill type of items. If you missed them during the home show, check out their website. 

What was your favorite display at the show?

Colorado Springs Still In The Running

According to an article in the Gazette, the U.S. Olympic Committee Chairman, Peter Ueberroth confirmed that Colorado Springs was still in the running for being chosen as the location for the organizations headquarters.

City officials have been working with the USOC for month, in order to keep the Olympic Committee here in town, and are hoping that their latest proposal will do the trick.

Colorado Springs Mayor Lionel Rivera stated: “We have provided everything they have asked for so far, and from my point of view, Colorado Springs is the best location for the Olympic Committee. We’ve provided a top notch proposal that is great for the USOC, great for the athletes and great for the NGBs (national governing bodies). We have put something very valuable on the table, and I hope they accept and we have a partnership for decades to come.”

Colorado Springs Drinking Water To Double In Price?

According to an article by KOAA.com, Colorado Springs Drinking Water could double in price if is to be piped from the Pueblo Reservoir. According to this, the annual water bill for residents would rise from approx. $307 to $693.

It is stated that despite conservation programs, water use is on the rise, and expected to increase further with the increase of soldiers and family members in Ft. Carson.

While I can understand that with increasing numbers of residents, water usage will increase etc – what I can’t understand is Colorado Springs Utilities use of funds – received and collected from current residents.

The following articles are just part of my confusion in this matter:

Utilities bonuses down – but still $10 Million

Utilities bonuses raise pay 20%

THE icing on the Check

Could we maybe have a little more oversight as to how our money is spend and maybe even avoid some of the “double increases”?

Colorado Springs Downtown

The ongoing debate over the Revitalization of the Colorado Springs downtown area just got “moved up a notch” – with the increase of “party crowds” that swamp down town areas on almost any night of the week.

Tejon seems to be the party center, with crowds, supposedly reaching 2000 and more, causing an increase in police calls, as well as letters from citizens stating that they felt they could no longer enjoy an evening out, creating a negative perception of the downtown area; this almost contrary to the efforts to revitalize, add new shops and living areas (lofts).

The city’s answer is to install better lighting in alleys and installing more video cameras in order to reduce the risk from a public safety perspective.

What are your thoughts on this? Does the “party hub” create the wrong perception about Colorado Springs downtown and turn away new neighbors – both businesses and tenants?