Loving the Springs

With the critical November election coming up, how can you be certain you’ll receive a ballot? How do you vote? How secure is our voting system? Get the answers from the ultimate election nerd, El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleiker. Steve wants registering and voting to be so easy for you, he practically offers to be your personal election concierge. If you have questions, call him! We...

While the proposed Project Taurus data center awaits its city council hearing, we learn about another project being fast-tracked in southern Colorado Springs that will have data center equipment and needs, but we are told is not a data center. Project Primestone will begin with a facility requiring twice the electrical power of Project Taurus and may ultimately use four times Taurus’ 50 megawatt a...

Efforts in our community are helping individuals and their children achieve safety and wellbeing while challenging us to end sexual and family violence. TESSA CEO Anne Markley fills us in on all the local nonprofit agency is doing, including a confidential Safehouse, Victim Advocacy, Counseling and Children’s Programs, a 24/7 Safe Line, and Community Outreach and Education. We learn that teens and...

Venetucci Farm is a community treasure celebrating its 90th anniversary. Get the scoop on annual pumpkin giveaways, a flower farm, and much more making community happen in the aftermath of the PFAS water contamination disaster. Sam Clark, Executive Director of the Pikes Peak Real Estate Foundation, and Nikki McComsey, owner of Gather Mountain Blooms share the history and legacy, current happenings...

Passenger rail service is coming to Colorado’s front range in 2029, Colorado Springs by 2032. Get details in this conversation with Sal Pace, General Manager of the Front Range Passenger Rail District. The district has secured funding to provide initial service between Fort Collins and Denver. Phase 2 will extend service to Colorado Springs and Pueblo. Pace shares the history of the district and a...

Bicycling improves our physical and mental health, and helps us be more connected. Conversations recorded live on Bike to Work Day during the final hour of our live stream from the Studio 809 Podcasts breakfast station at The Next Us on June 24, 2026. Included: an excellent conversation with PikeRide CEO Tara McCarthy about how bicycling is “human scale.” “ Today's world is so fast and so overwhel...

Learn about some of the other Studio 809 podcasts, and discover what both Manitou and Colorado Springs are doing to aid mobility – in this continuation of a conversation recorded live on Bike to Work Day. This is from the second hour of our live stream from the Studio 809 Podcasts breakfast station at The Next Us on June 24, 2026. We hear from several guests (see chapters) LINKS: Video Replay of S...

Bicycling fans share their reasons for riding, we explore “complete streets,” and we discuss safety and infrastructure issues for bicyclists and pedestrians – in this conversation recorded live on Bike to Work Day. This is from the first hour of our live stream from the Studio 809 Podcasts breakfast station at The Next Us on June 24, 2026. See the video live stream replay here We'll share hours 2...

How or if this community institution might change largely depends on what makes Joe and Sarah tick. REALLY get to know them in this no-holds-barred conversation. Poor Richard’s changed hands in April, 2026 after 50+ years in the hands of Richard Skorman and Patricia Seator. Sarah Gibeau Cole says they don’t feel like Poor Richard’s belongs to them; they feel like they are stewards. Do NOT miss the...

Get the scoop on a variety of area news and summer happenings, plus a report on the recent block party celebrating Richard Skorman and Patricia Seator passing the torch for Poor Richard’s to Joe Cole and Sarah Gibeau. Also, how many bikes do you think Carrie and Al each own? The role John Crandall and Old Town Bike Shop have played in the community. Are we ignoring Briargate? And what is the Meanw...

Joe Reagan shares his reasons for running, and how and why he thinks he can unseat GOP incumbent Jeff Crank to represent Colorado’s 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House. Get to know Joe as we explore his military service, history working in the nonprofit sector, and his time in Colorado Springs. We also get a few updates from Pikes Peak Bulletin Managing Editor Heila Ershadi: 43:38 - Appoi...

Downtown population doubled, retail sales broke a half-billion dollars, and more than 800 arts/culture/sports events took place downtown in 2025. These are just a few highlights of the highlights Downtown Partnership CEO Chelsea Gondeck shares from the State of Downtown Colorado Springs 2026 Report. Note: we discussed the “rumored” sale of Poor Richard’s in this episode, apparently just minutes be...

Learn how the City of Colorado Springs has been studying our garbage and laying out a plan to divert a lot of that trash away from the landfill and into recycling and composting. Kurian, the City’s project manager for its new Waste Diversion Action Plan shares study and survey results, and explains next steps in the project. We also get a festival preview from Music Director Steve Harris about the...

The odds have never been better that a Democrat will represent Colorado’s 5th District in U.S. Congress next year. Meet the woman who may just send Jeff Crank packing, Jessica Killin. Jessica is one of a field of 5 vying for the Democratic Party nomination to represent Colorado Springs and environs. Get to know Jessica as we ask her about her history in Colorado Springs, her military experience, h...

We get important perspective on the value and meaning of Black History Month from a remarkable young Black man who lives and breathes civic engagement. Chauncy Johnson has worked in the Colorado State Capitol, pitched in on important initiatives, and run for Colorado Springs City Council in 2025. He is currently seeking the Democratic Party nomination for Colorado State Representative in House Dis...

Colorado Springs City Councilor Gold was reprimanded recently, for comments “in violation of the rules and procedures of City Council,” when in fact her comments were an example of the civility and decorum council rules strive to achieve. We share what went down in the January 13, 2026 Colorado Springs City Council meeting – in which faith leaders made comments about Martin Luther King Jr. Day whi...

Our beloved Trails and Open Space Coalition is sure to be up to something you didn’t already know. Executive Director Glenn Carlson shares his vision, what TOSC has been up to since he took the reins, and exciting news about a new web tool that will help us all enjoy our trails, parks and open spaces that much more. We also get tips for trail etiquette when mud is the order of the day. Great news...

Spoken word artist, idealist, and entrepreneurial cheerleader Judy Pearring shares some of her poetry and explains the vibe we love at The Next Us. The Next Us is home to Studio 809 Podcasts’ community podcast studio, as well as a family of extraordinary entrepreneurs. “We’re all the weirdos,” she tells us, and she means it with affection and respect. We also find out Carrie is a “recovering poet,...

This active young citizen is leading People Centered Colorado Springs, advocating for safer streets, and in her spare time running for Congress. Zuri Horowitz hopes to be chosen as the Democratic Party’s candidate for U.S. Representative in Colorado Congressional District 5. She wears her values on her sleeve, and has a very clearly delineated platform. She is a local champion for safer streets –...

Carrie and Kelsee from the Downtown Partnership talk with Renee Behr from Behr and Behr Real Estate Team about holiday traditions in Downtown Colorado Springs - from ice-skating and parades, to shopping and experiences. If you’re still looking for the perfect holiday way to engage with friends and family for the holidays, you’re gonna want to give this special episode a listen. We talk h...

Cast member and UCCS theatre professor Birgitta DePree and Ent Center for the Arts Executive Director David Siegel fill us in on the Ent Center, Theatreworks, and an exciting 50th season of professional theatre. The Importance of Being Earnest opens in a few days. It’s “a trivial comedy for serious people.” David and Birgitta give us all the colorful details. We also chat briefly about: Our first...

Bundle up and follow the twinkle of Downtown’s lights where shop windows glow, and every block feels like a snow globe come to life. Even big downtown fans like us were amazed at the vast array of events, experiences and shopping options revealed in this conversation – as Kelsee Swenn, Marketing Manager for the Downtown Partnership and shop owner of Good Intentions, joined Carrie in the studio for...

Sure, PikeRide puts ebikes you can borrow at over 90 rental hubs throughout central Colorado Springs and Manitou, but did you know they also have programs to make it affordable for low-income residents to get to work? This treasured community nonprofit is on a mission to close the transportation gap. Learn all about PikeRide as we visit with Executive Director Tara McCarthy. More than a bikeshare...

We went live and on-location to get acquainted with downtown’s newest pub, a true community gathering spot next to Weidner Field. Two of the co-owners, Meredith Klube and Nova, sat down with us the day before The Brit Pub’s grand opening on October 24, as we gazed at footballers on the field. The pub is located on the lower two floors of Experience at Epicenter Apartments at 645 S. Sierra Madre St...

A super fun family bike ride is coming up, benefitting cancer patients and their families. Get the details in this conversation with Todd Haller. The 3rd Annual Colorado Springs Witches, Warlocks, and Ghouls Bike Ride happens October 18, 2025, almost entirely on paved bicycle path, from Stir in the Bon Shopping Center, to Acacia Park in downtown Colorado Springs. It’s a 3.5 mile affair. Decked out...