Three days and two stages will turn the Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort in Colorado Springs into a slice of music and community heaven October 3-5. Lodge owner Torie Giffin takes the mic, along with GM Sara Branham and Director of Marketing Shelby Clarke, to give us all the details about Buffalo Grass. Our discussion includes how Torie and her staff have turned Buffalo Lodge into a vibrant community hub and music performance center.

LINKS:

Buffalo Grass music festival: https://www.bicycleresort.com/buffalograss

Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort: https://www.bicycleresort.com/

MENTIONED:

Rocky Mountain Highway Music Collaborative

Manitou Music Foundation

Black Rose Acoustic Society

Pikes Peak National Bank

Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain

Cerberus Brewing

3 Hundred Days of Shine

Old Dangerfield Bluegrass Band

Manitou Strings Band

Bald'n Gray'n & one Brunette

K squared

Meadowgrass Music Festival

Colorado Springs Shrine Club

Monsters Mini Donuts

Wobbly Waffles

La Gran Tenochtitlan

Good Grub

Wirewood Station

Magoo

Blue Canyon Boys

John Spengler

Ceria Brewing

Gruvi Spirit Free Beverages

Springs Culture Kombucha

UpaDowna Folk’n’Flannel Festival & Fundraiser (September 20-21)

Cheyenne Mountain Conference Resort

The Broadmoor

Hilton Garden Inn

The Antlers hotel

Kinship Landing

Loving the Springs celebrates the best of Colorado Springs and elevates the rest.

Plug into what’s happening in the Pikes Peak region, learn about awesome people, places and happenings, and explore opportunities to make life here even better. Longtime Springs booster Carrie Simison co-hosts with local gadflies Al Brody and Dave Gardner. All three love our two springs – Colorado and Manitou, so they give them the mic in this twice-monthly podcast. Nothing’s off the table – recreation, the arts, government, business, politics – if it touches your life, they’ll talk about it. We’ll invite the movers and shakers, conspiracy theorists, NIMBYs, YIMBYs, yaysayers and naysayers to join them.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and give us feedback and suggestions via comments at https://studio809podcasts.com/loving-the-springs or lovingthespringspodcast at gmail.com

Art exhibitions, a film festival, urban terrorists, downtown ambassadors, a walkability summit, and how safe do you feel bicycling our city? These are just a few of the items on our smorgasbord in a free-for-all episode.

MENTIONED:

Ditching Your Turf Grass

Burning Man

Mutant Airplane at Burning Man 2024

The bicycle 3-feet clearance law

New Colorado law now requires vehicles in both directions to stop for a school bus with its stop sign out

Roundabout etiquette

Zipper etiquette in traffic

Seeing more bicycles around town

Air Force Academy

The GoCOS app

Buffalo Lodge

Cottonwood Center for the Arts

First Friday – September 5

Downtown Colorado Springs

Old Colorado City

Manitou Springs

Platte Furniture – awesome basement art gallery

Auric Gallery

Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center

Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC

Colorado Springs Police Department

Downtown Development Authority

City of Colorado Springs Housing and Homelessness Response

Colorado Springs Rescue Mission

Colorado Springs Urban Renewal Authority

Weidner Apartment Homes

Tejon Street Revitalization project

Urban terrorists

Ivywild School

Bristol Brewing Company

Axe and the Oak Distillery

Bike Colorado Springs

Parking or stopping in bike Lanes

Riding your bike or walking to school

Old Town Bike Shop

Criterium Bicycles

The Next Us

LINKS:

Rampart Rager gravel bicycle race – info and registration: https://rampartragergravel.com

2025 COS Walkability Summit: https://forms.gle/ermeHn7g6mAeUUF38

Doug Mansfield’s Devilish Living Exhibition at Cottonwood: https://dougmansfieldart.com/devilish-living

Erin Kittelson’s Stuck exhibition at Cottonwood: https://peakradar.com/event/stuck/

Downtown’s new Clean & Safe Program: https://downtowncs.com/clean

Experience Downtown Master Plan update – survey open through August 22: https://downtowncs.com/xdt2

Downtown Partnership Annual Breakfast – Sept 19: https://downtowncs.com/breakfast

Colorado Springs Fire Dept: More Than Just Putting Out Fires - Episode 20 of a Place for everyone: https://studio809podcasts.com/csfd-more-than-just-putting-out-fires/

Colorado Short Circuit Film Festival: https://csc.eventive.org

Pikes Peak Regional Perspectives survey for Our Spacious Skies: https://emea.focusvision.com/survey/selfserve/1710/250602?list=2

Bicycle Friendly City Survey: https://www.bikecoloradosprings.org/help-make-biking-better-in-colorado-springs-survey-open-now/

Loving the Springs celebrates the best of Colorado Springs and elevates the rest.

Plug into what’s...

As the Colorado Springs Independent morphed, and ultimately disappeared from the local news media scene, the longtime Manitou Springs newspaper has been expanding its coverage and distribution throughout the Pikes Peak region. We invited the publisher and the editor to spill the tea on what’s happening with the Pikes Peak Bulletin.

Lyn Harwell, President and Publisher, and Heila Ershadi, Managing Editor, fill us in on developments since Sixty35 Media shut down and cut the Pikes Peak Bulletin loose, including why they are currently running an “emergency fundraiser.”

LINKS:

Pikes Peak Bulletin: https://pikespeakbulletin.org

Emergency fundraiser: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/01bc4b42-8c8d-498e-8e0d-102c48ca4174

A detailed history of the Pikes Peak Bulletin: https://pikespeakbulletin.org/news/a-look-back-through-manitou-springs-history-by-rhonda-van-pelt/

Public Input Opportunities:

Our Spacious Skies – Pikes Peak Regional Perspectives survey by Pikes Peak Community Foundation: https://ppcf.org

2026 Colorado Springs Park System Master Plan – public input phase; survey open through August 3: https://coloradosprings.gov/ParkSystemMasterPlan

Peak Radar 2025 Survey: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/yTJRFDI/PeakRadar2025

MENTIONED:

SoCo Insider

CommunityWorks

CASA

Pikes Peak Community Foundation

Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services

Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region

Downtown Colorado Springs

Experience Downtown Master Plan Update

Loving the Springs celebrates the best of Colorado Springs and elevates the rest.

Plug into what’s happening in the Pikes Peak region, learn about awesome people, places and happenings, and explore opportunities to make life here even better. Longtime Springs booster Carrie Simison co-hosts with local gadflies Al Brody and Dave Gardner. All three love our two springs – Colorado and Manitou, so they give them the mic in this twice-monthly podcast. Nothing’s off the table – recreation, the arts, government, business, politics – if it touches your life, they’ll talk about it. We’ll invite the movers and shakers, conspiracy theorists, NIMBYs, YIMBYs, yaysayers and naysayers to join them.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and give us feedback and suggestions via comments at https://studio809podcasts.com/loving-the-springs or lovingthespringspodcast at gmail.com

Bike to Work Day June 25 is an especially fun way to discover that bicycling to get around the Pikes Peak Region is a joy. Sharing the details are Kerry Childress, City of Colorado Springs’ multimodal transportation planner, and Karole Campbell of Madwoman Marketing Strategies. We also get a report from Carrie Simison on last weekend’s “Pride Fest” and No Kings protest.

LINKS:

2025 City of Colorado Springs Bike to Work Day – map, breakfast stations and other information: https://coloradosprings.gov/biketowork

Interactive Colorado Springs Bicycling Map: https://coloradosprings.gov/bikemap

MENTIONED:

Bristol Brewing Company Beers & Gear Expo

Bike Colorado Springs

Cerberus Brewing

PikeRide

Mayor Yemi Mobolade

Mission Coffee Roasters

Kids on Bikes

Colorado College

U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum

City of Colorado Springs

Underline Infrastructure

UCCS

Ent Center for the Arts

University Village

Fossil Craft Beer

SRAM and Molly Murrow

Bicycle Colorado

Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort

The Lincoln Center

Goat Patch Brewing Company

GoCOS App

Village Seven

Palmer Park

Pikes Peak Pride Fest

No Kings protest

Art on the Streets

Art on the Streets episode of Loving the Springs

Southern Colorado Juneteenth Festival

Citadel Mall

Loving the Springs celebrates the best of Colorado Springs and elevates the rest.

Plug into what’s happening in the Pikes Peak region, learn about awesome people, places and happenings, and explore opportunities to make life here even better. Longtime Springs booster Carrie Simison co-hosts with local gadflies Al Brody and Dave Gardner. All three love our two springs – Colorado and Manitou, so they give them the mic in this twice-monthly podcast. Nothing’s off the table – recreation, the arts, government, business, politics – if it touches your life, they’ll talk about it. We’ll invite the movers and shakers, conspiracy theorists, NIMBYs, YIMBYs, yaysayers and naysayers to join them.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and give us feedback and suggestions via comments at https://studio809podcasts.com/loving-the-springs or lovingthespringspodcast at gmail.com

Richard Skorman joins us for an elaborate trip down memory lane, as he recounts the history of the Poor Richard’s family of businesses on the north end of downtown Colorado Springs. We couldn’t help but include some exploration of Richard’s political career and activism. While he is the face and name of Poor Richard’s Restaurant, Rico’s Café and Wine Bar, Poor Richard’s Books & Gifts, and Little Richard’s Toy Store, Skorman is quick to share credit with his business partner and wife, Patricia Seator.

MENTIONED:

The Granite Harp Bookstore

The Flick

Kimball Bayles

Kimball’s Peak Three Theater

Citizens Project

TOPS (Trails, Open Space and Parks Sales Tax)

Trails and Open Space Coalition

Beany Babies

Focus on the Family

Amendment 2

Richard’s Rubbish Roundup

Robin Izer

The Mitguards

Revele & Paul

Douglas Rouse

Pikes Peak Permaculture

Chinook Book Store

Tattered Cover

Compleat Games and Hobbies

CJ Kard

Bonanza

Lorne Greene

Strawberry Fields

Stratton Open Space

Sacred Grounds Café

Natasha Shnaper

Art on the Streets

LINKS:

Poor Richard’s Downtown: https://poorrichardsdowntown.com/

Front Range Passenger Rail District - CDOT Open House: https://frpropenhouse.com

RMG Photography - Ralph Giordano photography reception and exhibit at Cottonwood Center for the Arts: https://www.facebook.com/share/16UPc454p3/

The Next Us: https://thenextus.spaces.nexudus.com/

Loving the Springs celebrates the best of Colorado Springs and elevates the rest.

Plug into what’s happening in the Pikes Peak region, learn about awesome people, places and happenings, and explore opportunities to make life here even better. Longtime Springs booster Carrie Simison co-hosts with local gadflies Al Brody and Dave Gardner. All three love our two springs – Colorado and Manitou, so they give them the mic in this twice-monthly podcast. Nothing’s off the table – recreation, the arts, government, business, politics – if it touches your life, they’ll talk about it. We’ll invite the movers and shakers, conspiracy theorists, NIMBYs, YIMBYs, yaysayers and naysayers to join them.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and give us feedback and suggestions via comments at https://studio809podcasts.com/loving-the-springs or lovingthespringspodcast at gmail.com

Twelve new pieces of public art hit the streets of Downtown Colorado Springs for 2025-2026 – launching June 6. Learn more about the art and how this program turns our city into a yearlong outdoor gallery. Downtown Ventures Executive Director Michelle Winchell regales the gang with details and fun tales – like the great Humpty Dumpty Heist, and the story behind Adaman Alley. Get details on the June 6 launch and June 7 walking tour. See links below.

MENTIONED:

Downtown Colorado Springs

Norwood Development Group

Story Coffee

AdAmAn Club

Adaman Alley

Colorado Craft Social

PikeRide

Colorado Creative Industries

Otocast

Kasia Polkowska

Pikes Peak Center

Mountain Chalet

Colorado College

Nancy Rios

Brendan Picker-Mahoney

Michelle Sunset

University of Wyoming

Boulder Crescent Park

Jules Mendoza

Bike to Work Day June 25

Fine Arts Center

Kimber Fiebiger

LINKS:

Downtown Ventures: https://downtowncs.com/ventures/

Art on the Streets: https://downtowncs.com/arts-and-culture/aots/

Art on the Streets Digital Archive: https://downtowncs.com/aots-archive/

Downtown Walking Tours: https://downtowncs.com/walking-tours/

June 6 Scavenger Hunt: https://downtowncs.com/event/art-on-the-streets-scavenger-hunt/

June 7 Walking Tour/Launch: https://downtowncs.com/event/walking-tour-art-on-the-streets-2025-launch/

Discover Downtown Pass: https://downtowncs.com/pass/

AdAmAn Alley: https://downtowncs.com/adaman-alley/

Bronze Humpty Dumpties: https://downtowncs.com/bronze-humpty-dumpties-by-kimber-fiebiger/

First Friday: https://downtowncs.com/first-friday/

Loving the Springs celebrates the best of Colorado Springs and elevates the rest.

Plug into what’s happening in the Pikes Peak region, learn about awesome people, places and happenings, and explore opportunities to make life here even better. Local gadflies Al Brody and Dave Gardner love our two springs – Colorado and Manitou, so they give them the mic in this twice-monthly podcast. Nothing’s off the table – recreation, the arts, government, business, politics – if it touches your life, they'll talk about it. We’ll invite the movers and shakers, conspiracy theorists, NIMBYs, YIMBYs, yaysayers and naysayers to join them.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and give us feedback and suggestions via comments at https://studio809podcasts.com/loving-the-springs or lovingthespringspodcast at gmail.com

Get to know a funny, inspirational champion for people recovering from trauma or other setbacks. Joi Towner suffered a stroke at age 31, beginning a journey that inspired her to help others. After 6 weeks in the hospital, she went on to establish a nonprofit foundation, develop a comedy routine, launch a podcast and write a book. “You’re not handicapped, you’re handi-capable,” she tells us.

She provides counseling, a support group, and inspirational speaking. She also advocates for accessibility. Her book, Fight Lives in the Heart of a Survivor, is a story of strength and determination through the odds of adversity. It’s a stroke survivor's guide to hope, encouragement, and inspiration. She provides details on an upcoming event, King of Kings, on June 7, honoring the amazing men in our lives who are often overlooked.

Also discussed:

Penny Arcade in Manitou Springs purchased by John Weiss

Colorado Springs corners the market on expired vehicle registrations

Where do those registration fees go?

Dave’s 25 parking tickets story

LINKS:

Fight Lives in the Heart of a Survivor – by Joi Towner

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/78710970-fight-lives-in-the-heart-of-a-survivor

Audio Book On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Fight-Lives-Heart-Survivor-Strength-ebook/dp/B0B4VC3HK4/

Strength in You Foundation: https://www.strengthinyou.org/

Strength in You podcast: https://blog.pod.link/1673153175

Strength in You YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thestrengthinyou

King of Kings June 7 at Peak31, 7 to 10 p.m.: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/king-of-kings-tickets-1344807799329

MENTIONED:

Thubthumping, by Chumbawamba: https://youtu.be/2H5uWRjFsGc?si=nPh_pPoJYS-s12Wy

Ivywild School: https://www.ivywildschool.com/

Willie CROW the Comedian: https://www.facebook.com/groups/452103915749254/

UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central

Spokes Fighting Strokes: https://www.spokesfightingstrokes.org/

Penny Arcade in Manitou: https://manitouspringsarcade.com/

Skee-Ball: https://skeeball.com/

Dig Dug: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dig_Dug

Loving the Springs celebrates the best of Colorado Springs and elevates the rest.

Plug into what’s happening in the Pikes Peak region, learn about awesome people, places and happenings, and explore opportunities to make life here even better. Longtime Springs booster Carrie Simison co-hosts with local gadflies Al Brody and Dave Gardner. All three love our two springs – Colorado and Manitou, so they give them the mic in this twice-monthly podcast. Nothing’s off the table – recreation, the arts,...