Peak Into COS

July is Disability Pride Month and the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in the United States. Communications Manager Sheridan Powell sat down with Mark Windle of the Independence Center to talk about Disability Pride Month, accessibility in Colorado Springs and the importance of celebrating disability all year long!  Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss our next...

What started as a passion for history and a personal offering to family and guests has expanded into a full-fledged business for Mary Louise Fiddler. Now, visitors and locals alike have the opportunity to take a Colorado Springs Historic Walking Tour around Downtown Colorado Springs. Whether it's a peek into local history or discussion of unconfirmed urban legends, attendees are bound to walk away...

Happy Pride Month! Content Coordinator Kate Hertz sat down with two members of the Pikes Peak Pride team - President Jessica Laney and Communications Coordinator Amanda Ridenour. Tune in to hear the trio chat about Pikes Peak Pride, queer-owned businesses in the Pikes Peak Region and local organizations you can support year-round.  Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss our next episode! Send any...

From his background as an Army Veteran, member of the Peace Corp s , founder of the Pikes Peak Historical Street Railway Foundation and a volunteer at Visit Colorado Springs, John Haney is a wealth of kno wledge. In his 77 years living in Colorado Springs , he has witnessed the city's biggest periods of growth – including the vast expansion fueled by the railroad. Hear from John about how he devel...

Born and raised in Manitou Springs, Justin Armour was surrounded by the restaurant industry his whole life. He developed a love for sports early on and left town to play football and basketball for Stanford, then ended up drafted into the NFL. Years later, his journey led him back to his hometown of Manitou Springs where he opened Crystal Park Cantina. Learn about what makes Manitou Springs such a...

The Holy Cross Abbey in Cañon City was originally a working monastery and boarding school. Built in 1925, the property sits on 180 acres and was once home to more than 90 monks and 250 students. As the school closed, the monks looked to repurpose the gorgeous property. A trip to perform an exorcism at a winery in Palisade , Colorado opened their eyes to the potential of a winery at Holy Cross Abbe...

Ever found yourself wondering what we  really  do at Visit Colorado Springs? This episode is for you! Listen in as Alexea Veneracion and Lindsey Pevey talk about some of the things you might not know we're responsible for at Visit Colorado Springs. From assisting with weddings and reunions, bringing in meetings and conventions and supporting our small business community, the world of Destination M...

Blandine Mazeran moved from France to Colorado Springs with her three young daughters in 2008. As a self-taught chef who has always appreciated the art of cooking from scratch, it has been a lifelong passion and now a career. She started only cooking for her friends and family, became a personal chef and then finally opened her own busines ses . Now Blandine op erates a 5 -in- 1 culinary center th...

Sam Cobble has always considered himself an avid mountain biker – even when he was living in Kansas. Sharing a love for the outdoors and biking with his father Gregory, the two put their heads together to create what is now the Manitou E - Bike Company. At the heart of it, they want to make the outdoors accessible and enjoyable to everyone from first-timers to seasoned riders. There's a lot of way...

Women's History is rich in Colorado Springs. Director of Communications Alexea Veneracion sat down with Leah Witherow, Curator of History at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum to discuss notable women in our region's history. Listen in as they chat through change makers past and present, as well as some of their favorite women-owned businesses to patron!  Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss o...

All aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railroad – a piece of history is back in action! The original 403 engine, that pulled the very first train, is back on the tracks for a short time . What was once a commuter rail is often called "the most scenic train ride in North America." A two-hour journey through the Royal Gorge alongside the Arkansas River offers visitors and residents alike a breat htaking v...

Listen in as Content Coordinator Kate Hertz chats with Kimberly Gold, President and CEO of the Colorado Springs Black Chamber of Commerce about all things Black History Month. From noteworthy individuals in Colorado Springs history to some black-owned businesses around the Pikes Peak Region, you're sure to learn a thing or two!  Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss our next episode! Send any que...

Lisa and Ben Nelson never imagined they'd open their own winery . When it comes down to it, Lisa is to blame. About 15 years ago, she bought Ben some beer and wine making kits. He picked up the hobby and loved making wine for Lisa to enjoy . Fast forward to 2020, and they were producing wine for commercial sale. Now with a local tasting room, Latigo Winery has truly become a hidden gem in the Blac...

At Visit COS we love to say it all starts with a visit – and with Lindsay Flanagan Huban, it really rings true. After visiting Colorado Springs last summer, s he and her husband quickly packed up their belongings and moved from Florida to Olympic City USA . Al Michaels once asked : "Do you believe in Miracles?" and for Lindsay, a job as the Chief of Content at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museu...

Listen in as members of the Marketing & Communications teams discuss some of the most common misconceptions we hear about Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region. From cultural cuisine to the nightlife scene, there's more to Colorado Springs than you may think.  Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss our next episode! Send any questions or inquiries to  Media@VisitCOS.com . 

As a military veteran with a background in nursing, Kelly McKay had a dream to open a comprehensive aesthetics and wellness clinic to elevate clients to feel their best inside and out. After meeting wellness expert Katie Mills, the two joined forces to make that dream become a reality. Their clinic, Aspen Aesthetics + Wellness, puts medicine and education at the forefront of their services. Hear a...

Curtis Bova has worked at hotels and resorts around the world and the Pikes Peak Region and is now the General Manager at the newly opened Hotel Polaris . Designed to be an extension and a complement to the U.S. Air Force Academy, Hotel Polaris honors our service men and women in ways both big and small. With intentional design, six food and beverage outlets and three interactive flight simulators...

Rochelle Janecek   discovered the gift of salt cave therapy back in 2019 and knew she needed to bring it here to Colorado Springs. Now six months post-opening Colorado Salt Cave Wellness Center, Ro has brought her wellness dream to life. Learn about her journey discovering salt therapy and the many reasons adventurers can benefit from building some rejuvenation time into their itineraries. Be sure...

Brandon Mantz moved to Colorado in 2018 excited about building a lifestyle focused on health, fitness and adventure. Just two months later, he was in a skiing accident resulting in complete spinal cord compression. Coming up on his 6 year " lifeiversary " since his accident , Brandon is an adaptive athlete and has a new perspective on travel , accessibility and outdoor adventure from a seated lens...

Dianne Hartshorn has had a love for cemeteries from a young age . With a passion and curiosity surrounding history, she founded Evergreen Heritage with the intent of helping to care for the cemetery and to preserve the stories within. From Helen Hunt Jackson to William Jackson Palmer, key players in the history and development of the Pikes Peak Region are laid to rest just inside the gates. Whethe...

When Kent Sturman came to Colorado Springs to run the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, it wasn't his first rodeo. Born and raised on a ranch in Wyoming, the Western rodeo culture has surrounded him since the beginning. While he never imagined himself as a museum director, he quickly found his passion for preserving and honoring the athleticism and accolades of American cowboys (and girls!). Tune in to learn...

A thriving arts & culture scene creates a thriving community. Whether it's a film festival, the opera or a new culinary experience, the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region works diligently to cultivate and promote creative opportunities for visitors and locals alike to enjoy. Listen in as Angela Seals and Dylan Craddock discuss Arts Month , the importance of arts and culture for a destination...

From a band kid to the President of the Philharmonic, Nathan Newbrough has always been passionate about music. Over the last 16 years he has propelled the Colorado Springs Philharmonic into a cornerstone of the community. With a focus on philanthropy and community engagement, they encourage symphony fans new and old to immerse themselves in the magic of live music. Learn more about his journey and...

Listen in as Kate chats with one of the Visitor Information Specialists at Visit COS - Doris McCraw. As the resident office historian, Doris has spent the last 20 years researching, writing about and reeancting Colorado Springs history.  Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss our next episode! Send any questions or inquiries to Media@VisitCOS.com . 

As a pioneer in the Colorado Springs music scene, Amy Whitesell has truly made her mark on live music in the Pikes Peak Region .  She worked closely with local artists and entrepreneurs to launch the Pikes Peak Blues Community, the Meadow Grass Music Festival and no w Blues on the Mesa, she believes strongly in the power of local, accessible music for a community. Be sure to subscribe so you don't...