Indy Summer Fun Guide 2023

Victor, Colorado!

An authentic, 1899 Gold Mining town just one hour west, southwest of Colorado Springs! On the Backside of Pikes Peak!

Enjoy clean mountain air, sunshine, hiking, biking, exploring, tours, photography, gold mines, history, relics, craft broom making, shopping, gold panning, museums, art galleries, unique lodging, coffee shop, bakery, restaurants, bars, artists, miners, and other crafty people!

2023 EVENTS!

May 27-Sept. 30 Gold Camp Adventure Tours

June-October

Sunnyside Cemetery Tours

Stranger Side Of Victor Tours

June 16-18

Victor Gem & Mineral Show

June 17-18

Oddities Alley & Hunk-O-Junk Antique Exhibition & Ole Timey Medicine Show

June 24-25

Victor Vintage Baseball Tournament

July 14-16

Victor Gold Rush Days

Sept. 1-4

Victor Celebrates The Arts

Sept. 9

Victor Pack Burro Race

Sept. 15-17

Rocky Mountain Rambler 500

Sept. 29-Oct. 1

Victor/Cripple Creek Yoga Festival

Oct. 27

Haunted Downtown Trick Or Treat Street

Sept. 22-24

Victor Steampunk Soiree

Nov. 25-Jan. 1

Holiday Headframe Lighting

Dec. 8

Victor Parade Of Lights

For more information visit VictorColorado.com

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK! Facebook.com/ VictorMainStreetProgram

Whether you’re looking for vibrant live music, an incredible Old Fashioned, or a place to enjoy a bite to eat or a fireside cigarwe’ve got something for everyone. Located in local community marketplace, Ivywild School. Just a mile south of downtown Colorado Springs.

Summer, king of seasons

WHEN IT COMES TO seasons, summer is king. Don’t believe me?

A web search of songs about winter turned up 305,000,000 results. Not bad, December, January and February. Not bad at all.

Surely summer can’t top that.

*Summer: Hold my light and fruity locally brewed sour…*

A search for tunes celebrating the hottest months of the year netted more than a billion results. That shouldn’t come as a surprise — we Americans are drawn to sunny summer vibes, hotdogs and lemonade like a miller moth invasion to your porch light. But imagine for a second that there were no summer to inspire and rejuvenate…

(Begin blurry alternate reality segue here.)

Hey, I know that song! That’s Alice Cooper singing about school being out for — holiday break? “No more pencils, no more books. Go hang your stockings in your nooks.” Wait, something’s off.

Oh, and there’s DJ Jazzy Jeff and…? Yes! It’s the Fresh Prince slapping our eardrums with the catchy beats of “Autumntime.” Hmmmm…

Hey, I hear Nelly rapping about it being “brisk in herre.” And there’s George Gershwin — but the living looks hard?

Well, we’ll always have Bananarama’s earworm, “Cruel Easter.” Ugh, this just doesn’t feel right. There’s no season like summer... There’s no season like summer... There’s no season like… (Clicks Merrells. Segue thing again.)

Phew, we’re back in Colorado, where summer isn’t just a season — it’s a state of mind. With that, we’ve gathered info on some of the cooler things happening around these parts when the mercury begins its climb. From our sports and arts scenes to our parks and recreational opportunities sitting just a Frisbee’s throw away — all with the backdrop of our astounding natural beauty — there are no excuses for the summertime doldrums.

So, dust off your flops (looks like your feet could use some work too), cover yourself in SPF 100… and go sit in traffic!

Ahhhh — it’s summertime in the Rockies.

—Bryan Grossman Executive Editor

www.axeandtheoakdistillery.com/whiskeyhouse

COVER

BY Dustin Glatz with assets from Adobe Stock

Downtown bars: Hidden in plain sight

BY DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP

Allusion Speakeasy

323 N. Tejon St.

Eclectic bar with whimsical, rotating themes and expertly crafted cocktails. Past themes have included Star Wars, Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland, and Stranger Things Reservations recommended. Enter through Kelley’s Spiedie Shop.

The Archives

15 S. Tejon St.

This alleyway bar was founded to restore the traditional art of tending bar. With a focus on history, they prepare classic and modern classic cocktails. You can’t go wrong with anything on their menu, but we lean toward the Negroni. Their menu/recipe book is also available to purchase for $10 if you want to try your hand at their classic and seasonal cocktails at home!

Bloom Ultra Lounge

114 N. Tejon St., #20

Underground bar featuring gourmet bites, floral-themed cocktails and live DJ sets. New in 2023, they’re known for their cocktails, fondue, dessert and dancing.

Brooklyn’s on Boulder

110 E. Boulder St.

Gin-forward speakeasy with an atmosphere reminiscent of the Prohibition era. Enter through the haberdashery. On your way out, grab a bottle — or pack of their premixed Lee Spirits cocktails — to go!

District Elleven

218 N. Tejon St.

A whisky/ey-themed speakeasy specializing in American whiskey, plus a broad selection of Irish, Japanese and Scotch totaling over 200 bottles. Enter through the vault in Mood Tapas Bar or the back alley under the large flood lamp.

The Rabbit Hole

101 N. Tejon St.

Once the city morgue, The Rabbit Hole is Downtown’s longest-standing underground bar. Visit them for upscale New American cuisine and cocktails surrounded by the “Gothic charm” of local artists Phil Lear and Douglas Rouse. Enter down the stairs of the “subway stop” on Kiowa Street. Reservations are strongly recommended.

LOOKING FOR THAT TRULY OUT-OFthe-way spot? Check out one of the speakeasies and underground or alleyway bars Downtown has tucked away.

Shame & Regret

15 E. Bijou St., Suite C

Sultry, Gothic-inspired alleyway cocktail lounge serving sophisticated, whiskey-forward beverages without pretension. Over 230 types of American whiskey and Scotch whisky. Feeling brave? Ask for a shot of Malört and get your picture on the Wall of Shame.

Shrunken Head Tiki Bar

114 N. Tejon St., #10

Colorado Springs’ first and only Tikithemed cocktail bar, featuring exotic libations in an underground oasis. Fun glassware and strong tropical drinks are frontand-center at this Hawaiian-inspired joint. Check out the swing seating and Lite Brite tables for something truly unique.

The Rabbit Hole

Photos by Stellar Propeller

Please refrain from wearing zebra pants.

Please refrain from wearing zebra pants.

Please refrain from wearing zebra pants.

Thursday, June 29

Thursday, June 29

Thursday, June 29

6 - 10 p.m. » cmzoo.org/moonlight

6 - 10 p.m. » cmzoo.org/moonlight

6 - 10 p.m. » cmzoo.org/moonlight

Advance tickets required.

Advance tickets required.

Advance tickets required.

Sponsored by:

Sponsored by:

Sponsored by:

Full Zoo Experience » Adults 21+ » Live Music

All-Inclusive Food & Drink Samples (while supplies last)

The best things come in threes.

The best things come in threes.

The best things come in threes.

July 27 & August 31

July 27 & August 31

July 27 & August 31

Thursdays, 6 - 9:30 p.m. » cmzoo.org/tails

Thursdays, 6 - 9:30 p.m. » cmzoo.org/tails

Thursdays, 6 - 9:30 p.m. » cmzoo.org/tails

Advance tickets required.

Advance tickets required.

Advance tickets required.

Full Zoo Experience » Adults 21+ » Live Music

Full Zoo Experience » Adults 21+ » Live Music

Full Zoo Experience » Adults 21+ » Live Music

NEW: Includes Unlimited Small Plates + Two Drinks

NEW: Includes Unlimited Small Plates + Two Drinks

NEW: Includes Unlimited Small Plates + Two Drinks

Shopping: Off the beaten path

BY DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP

WHEN IN DOWNTOWN COLORADO SPRINGS, you’ll immediately realize that Tejon Street is home to a myriad of independent restaurants featuring all types of cuisine; cocktail, sports and beer bars; coffee shops; galleries and fresh boutiques. You could spend hours wandering in and out of them and never get bored. But there’s more to Downtown than Tejon Street, so don’t stop there!

On Bijou Street (west and east of Tejon)

• T he Local Honey Collective (9 E. Bijou St.) carries fresh and classic pieces that encourage all women to own their individuality.

• Yobel (11 E. Bijou St.) is a men’s and women’s fair trade boutique representing local and global ethical (and fashionable) clothing and accessories.

• Novis Mortem Collective (22 E. Bijou St.) is a curiosity gallery featuring unique and unusual art, jewelry, and entomological fine art, specimens and taxidermy.

• MST Goods (109 E. Bijou St.) carries sustainably minded men’s and women’s apparel, gifts, vintage home goods and furniture.

• L adyfingers Letterpress (113 E. Bijou St.) is a queer- and trans-owned-and-operated stationery and gift shop and letterpress studio.

On the edges

• A shley’s Attic (708 N. Weber St.) features unique, affordable and resale fashion for women. Keep an eye on their Instagram for new arrivals.

• Coralun Vintage (328½ N. Nevada Ave.) is your one-stop shop for funky, fun, one-of-a kind vintage and retro-styled second-hand fashion.

• Frayla Boutique’s (18 E. Fountain Blvd.) products give back to social causes and equity projects. This women’s clothing boutique supports companies owned by women.

• T he Living Room (22 E. Rio Grande St.) can help you bring life to your home with houseplants and accessories.

• Ted Blum Jewelers (31 N. Tejon St., #206), located upstairs, offers a beautiful and unique selection of diamonds, vintage and estate jewelry, and turquoise.

Visit DowntownCS.com/shop for more shopping options.

Ashley’s Attic

Frayla Boutique

Above courtesy lafayephotography.com

Courtesy Downtown Partnership

Summer Events Downtown

BY DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP

JUNE

JULY

8: Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Parade

16-23: International Jump Rope Championships at Ed Robson Arena on the Colorado College campus

27: Taste of Pikes Peak (outside at Sierra Madre Street and Vermijo Avenue in front of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum)

SEPTEMBER

Saturdays: Spectacular September Sidewalk Sales, Downtown Colorado Springs

1: First Friday Popsicle Promenade (must pre-purchase tickets)

8-10: Pikes Peak APEX

15-16: Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial ceremony, gathering and parade

16-17: Fiestas Patrias

21: City Aud Eats – A Foodie’s Dream

AUGUST

Pikes Peak Pride Festival

International Jump Rope Championships

Pikes Peak APEX

Courtesy Downtown Partnership

James Stokoe Photography

CC Summer Music Festival

Festival Artist Concerts: 7:30 p.m. in Packard Hall (*additional pre-concert recitals at 6:15 p.m. in Packard Hall)

• Wednesday, June 7

• Saturday, June 10

• Thursday, June 15*

• Monday, June 19

• Thursday, June 22*

Cement Stage Series

Film & Music Festival at City Auditorium. Family-friendly, accessible to all series with activities and vendors on the south side of City Aud; 6-10 p.m.

• Friday, June 30

• Friday, July 21

• Friday, Aug. 18

Musical Mondays

Monument Valley Park (lawn west of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center). Concerts are at 6:30 p.m., free and open to the public; food trucks on-site.

• Monday, July 10: Heather and Sam (pop, rock and country)

• Monday, July 17: Tribe with John Wise (blues, reggae and New Orleans R&B)

• Monday, July 24: Frog ’n Fiddle (classic rock, bluegrass and folk)

MUSIC SERIES

Festival Orchestra Concerts: 7:30 p.m. in the Celeste Theatre, Cornerstone Arts Center.

• Tuesday, June 13

• Friday, June 23

Children’s Orchestra: Peter and the Wolf concert at Celeste Theatre, Cornerstone Arts Center; Thursday, June 15, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Jazz in the Garden

Recurring events

Food Truck Tuesdays: June 13-Aug. 29. Multiple food trucks on the Pioneers Museum lawn; 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

First Fridays: First Friday Downtown, various locations; 5-9 p.m

First Saturdays: Downtown Walking Tours; 10 a.m.

Music at Midday free concerts: 12:15 p.m. at Packard Hall.

• Monday, June 12

• Wednesday, June 14

• Friday, June 16

• Monday, June 19

• Wednesday, June 21

• Thursday, June 22

• Friday, June 23

Grace & St. Stephens Episcopal Church (corner of North Tejon and Monument streets). Concerts are at 7 p.m.; free and take place rain or shine (moved indoors in case of bad weather).

• Friday, May 26: Tony Exum Jr.

• Friday, June 9: TRĒO

• Friday, June 23: The Hennessy 6

• Friday, July 7: Gregory Goodloe and the Light Years Ahead Band

• Friday, July 21: Mike Van Arsdale Project

• Friday, Aug. 4: Mango fan Django

• Friday, Aug. 18: U.S. Air Force Academy Band

Courtesy Downtown Partnership

Food Truck Tuesdays

Colorado Springs

shop shop dine & dine & be entertained be entertained Farmers markets 2023

• Patio dining & local restaurants

• Craft coffee, cocktails & local brews

• Specialty shops, galleries & museums

• Public art, live music & more!

Walk, bike, scoot or take the ZEB free shuttle around Downtown this summer.

IF YOU’VE TRIED GROWING TOMATOES in the Pikes Peak region, you know the heartbreak of hail, wind, blossom end rot and the occasional peckish squirrel. That’s why many home gardeners opt to buy their juicy summer ’maters at the local farmers market. Of which we have many, offering up Colorado-grown fruits, greens and veggies, homemade baked goods, plants, sausage, tamales and more. For all of you tomato-challenged people, here’s this summer’s market schedule...

Open all week

• Smith Farm Market, open daily, late June through October, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., 8310 Blue Gill Drive, Peyton; tinyurl.com/indy-farm-15.

Mondays

• Western Museum of Mining & Industry Farmers Market, Mondays from mid-June through September, generally from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 225 North Gate Blvd.; tinyurl.com/indy-farm-1.

Wednesdays

• Briargate Farmers Market, Wednesdays through Oct. 4, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at 7610 N. Union Blvd.; tinyurl.com/indy-farm-2.

• Colorado Farm & Art Market, Wednesdays through Oct. 18, 3-7 p.m. at The Well, 235 S. Nevada Ave.; tinyurl.com/indy-farm-3.

• Western Museum of Mining & Industry Farmers Market, Wednesdays from mid-June through September, generally from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 225 North Gate Blvd.; tinyurl.com/indy-farm-4.

Thursdays

• Banning Lewis Ranch Farmers Market, Thursdays from June 8 through Aug. 24, 3-7 p.m. at the pickleball parking lot; tinyurl.com/indy-farm-5.

Fridays

• Woodland Park Farmers Market, Fridays through Sept. 29, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Memorial Park, 200 N. Park St., Woodland Park; tinyurl.com/indy-farm-6.

DowntownCS.com

DowntownColoradoSprings Downtown_CS

Saturdays

• Old Colorado City Farmers Market, Saturdays from June 10 to Oct. 14, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bancroft Park, 2407 W. Colorado Ave.; tinyurl. com/indy-farm-7.

• Backyard Market in Black Forest, Saturdays through Oct. 28, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 6845 Shoup Road; tinyurl.com/indy-farm-8.

• Colorado Farm & Art Market, Saturdays from June 10 through Oct. 21, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Margarita at Pine Creek, 7350 Pine Creek Road; tinyurl.com/indy-farm-9.

• Fountain Community Metcalfe Park Market, Saturdays through Sept. 30, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 618 E. Ohio Ave., Fountain; tinyurl.com/indyfarm-10.

• Monument Hill Farmers Market, Saturdays through Oct. 14, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 66 Jefferson St., Monument; tinyurl.com/indy-farm-11.

Sundays

• Westside Cottage Foods Market, first and third Sundays, through Oct. 1, noon to 3 p.m. at 1 S. 24th St. in Old Colorado City; tinyurl.com/indy-farm-12.

• Cordera Farmers Market, Sundays through Sept. 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the community center parking lot, 11894 Grandlawn Circle; tinyurl.com/indy-farm-13.

Virtual market

• S OCO Virtual Farmers Market, Pikes Peak region, 719-992-7836, socovirtualfarmersmarket@ gmail.com; tinyurl.com/indyfarm-14.

— Indy staff

Have we’ve left out your favorite farmers market? Let us know at news@csindy.com.

Photos from stock.adobe.com

Fun in the sun

Splish splash

KIDS HOT AND CRABBY? COOL ’EM OFF AT your (free!) neighborhood splash pad.

• Deerfield Hills Sprayground at Deerfield Hills Community Center, 4290 Deerfield Hills Road. Open June 1-Aug. 7, Wednesdays 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., all other days 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Aug. 8-Sept. 4, Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• The Water Hole at John Venezia Park, 3555 Briargate Parkway. Opens May 26, daily hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• The Splash Pad at Panorama Park, 4540 Fenton Road. Opens May 26, daily hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Uncle Wilber Fountain at Acacia Park, corner of Tejon and Bijou streets. Opens May 26, daily hours noon to 6 p.m.

• Julie Penrose Fountain at America the Beautiful Park, 126 Cimino Drive. Opens May 26, daily hours 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Aga Park splash pad, 507 N. El Paso St., Fountain. Daily hours 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Open through Labor Day.

(Note: If your child is still in diapers, please have a care. Water is chlorinated, but no amount of chlorine can deal with a diaper dump.)

Our retro drive-ins

It’s all about the pie

MANITOU’S ICE CREAM SOCIAL AND PIE Baking Contest is back this year, on Monday, July 3, at 5:30 p.m. at Bud Ford Pavilion in Soda Springs Park, 1016 Manitou Ave.; tinyurl.com/ MS-pie-yum. Feeling competitive? Enter your homemade pie in the annual contest — there will be first-, second- and third-place prizes in both Kid and Adult divisions.

FOR A TASTE OF SUMMERS PAST — sundaes, shakes, floats and burgers — you can drive or bike to one of the Springs’ classic drive-ins...

BJ’s Velvet Freez (opened in 1954 as a Tastee-Freez, seen below; bjsvelvetfreez.com), 1511 N. Union Blvd.; Cy’s Drive In (cysdrivein.com), 1833 W. Uintah St.; and The Drive-In Tasty Freeze ( facebook.com/DriveInTastyFreeze), 2309 N. Weber St.

Top: Susan / stock.adobe.com; bottom: Jenifoto / stock.adobe.com

Courtesy BJ’s Velvet Freez

INDY STAFF

Short shorts

More of our favorite things to do outside in the Colorado sunshine...

Fight fire with fire: Spicy foods make you sweat, right? So when the temps are in the 90s, skip the snow cone and cool yourself down with some Pueblo chiles. Our regional fave — delivering up to 20,000 Scoville Heat Units — is the sole focus of the Pueblo Chile Growers Association, which offers a raft of hot, hot chile recipes at pueblochile. org (think Candied Pueblo Chiles and Pueblo Green Chile Corn Bread). Dragon breath!

Hangin’ out the wash: Even if you live in a community with an HOA, Colorado law protects your right to hang your laundry out to dry, so long as you use a retractable or portable clothesline. And nothing smells better in the summertime than bed sheets dried in the sun.

Don’t get lost: Indy Executive Editor Bryan Grossman recommends the Trailforks app (powered by Outside, trailforks.com), which calls itself “a trail database, map & management system” that includes “topographic layer, points of interest, trail popularity, heatmaps, routes, trail conditions, Strava segments, photos, videos” and more. You can use it for free “in your home region.” You might also want to try out Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s free COtrex app (Colorado Trail Explorer, trails.colorado.gov), to “discover Colorado’s expansive network of trails and track your experience out on them.”

Ditch the cola: You will find agua fresca, a chilly smooth blend of summertime fruits, on menus at Mexican restaurants all over town, especially mom-and-pop places. To make your own at home, just combine 4 cups of chopped fruit in a blender — pineapple, cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew, strawberries, guava, papaya or cucumber — along with 3 cups of water, 1 or 2 tablespoons of sugar, and the juice of one lime. Puree till smooth and serve over ice, or refrigerate for up to 72 hours. Enjoy!

And when the sun goes down: The Colorado Springs Astronom ical Society (csastro.org full summer lineup of star parties, plus daytime and evening activities includ ing “SUN-days,” full moon gatherings, and a summer solstice astron omy hike on June 21 at Garden of the Gods.

astrosystem / stock.adobe.com

More from our sponsors

CC SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL PRESENTS 39TH SEASON TOP-TIER MUSICIANS CONVERGE AT COLORADO COLLEGE FOR THREE WEEKS OF MUSIC MAKING THIS JUNE

Contact: Ann Van Horn

Phone: (719) 389-6552

Email: avanhorn@coloradocollege.edu

The Colorado College Summer Music Festival will be presenting more than 20 concerts and special events during its 39th season throughout the month of June. Concerts include chamber and orchestral music, presented by world-class musicians, who teach throughout the three-week festival, and the aspiring preprofessional fellows who are here to study with them. There are numerous free and ticketed events presented on the Colorado College campus, with some outreach throughout the Colorado Springs community.

Summer Music Festival events begin this year with a Festival Artists Concert on Wednesday, June 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Packard Hall on the CC campus. Performers include festival artists Laura Frautschi, Mark Fewer, Stefan Hersh on violin, Alice Dade on flute, Jon Manasse on clarinet, and Steven Beck on piano, among many other familiar faculty members of the festival. The program will include works by Gabrieli, Fuchs, Kernis, Host, and Dohnànyi. The festival highlights its preeminent performance faculty with four more Faculty Artists chamber music concerts, all beginning at 7:30 p.m. in Packard Hall, on June 10, June 15, June 19, and June 22.

The Festival Orchestra is under the direction of Scott Yoo, world-famous conductor and violinist and host of PBS’ Great Performances docu-series Now Hear This Yoo leads the ensemble of 52 high-caliber student fellows who were selected from a rigorous audition process.

The first Festival Orchestra Concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 13 at Celeste Theatre opens the with Beethoven’s Leonore Overture III, followed by Nielsen’s Concerto for flute and orchestra, featuring Dade, and closing with Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 in E minor. Following this concert, the audience is invited to join the fellows and faculty in the Main Space of the Cornerstone Arts Center for food donated by Blue Star Kitchens, wine and beer provided by Summer Music Festival donors, and music by the Ricky Sweum Jazz Quartet. The second, and final, Festival Orchestra concert is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 23 in Celeste Theatre, with Tchaikovsky, Liszt, and Gershwin with featured pianist John Novacek.

Programs for these concerts and single and season-ticket packages, are available on the CC Summer Music Festival website, under 2023 Concerts or by calling the Festival office at (719) 389-6552. There are also many free events during the CC Summer Music Festival:

• Two free Pre-Concert Recitals begin at 6:15 p.m. prior to the Festival Artists Concerts on June 15 and June 22. The June 15 recital features Jennifer DeDominici, mezzo-soprano, performing Heggie’s Camille Claudel: Into the Fire, a song cycle based on the life and works of the French artist. The June 22 recital is “Brass Through the Ages,” featuring all 12 of the Festival’s brass faculty and fellows. A wine reception follows each recital on the Packard courtyard.

• Music at Midday performances are hourlong concerts featuring chamber works performed in Packard Hall by Festival Fellows and begin at 12:15 p.m. on June 12, 14, 16, 21, 22, and 23 at 12:15 p.m. Tickets are not required.

• This year’s Children’s Orchestra Concert features Peter and the Wolf, with performances at 9 and 11 a.m. on June 15 in Celeste Theatre. Tickets are free but required to attend. Paintings by students at Bemis School of Art will be featured during the concert and a presentation by the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center will follow each performance. A screening of the Academy Award-winning short film of Peter and the Wolf by Suzie Templeton will be part of the morning’s extravaganza.

ABOUT COLORADO COLLEGE

Colorado College is a nationally prominent four-year liberal arts college with approximately 2,300 undergraduate students who study on the Block Plan schedule. The College will celebrate its 150-year Sesquicentennial in 2024. For more information, visit www.coloradocollege.edu

STRIKE IT RICH IN CRIPPLE CREEK: WHERE GOLD IS FOUND BELOW, ABOVE AND WITHIN!

Cripple Creek is THE place to be for summer fun! Cripple Creek has it ALL! Visit an oldschool mine, a unique narrow gauge railway, the historic Homestead House, home to leg endary madam Pearl Devere. Enjoy great local theatre at the Butte along with great dining options. Stroll historic Bennett Avenue and shop a variety of local retailers with unique gift options. And meet face to face with the descendants of the donkeys used by the orig inal miners who still roam the streets of Crip ple Creek. Explore what once was known as the “World’s Greatest Gold Camp” which generated more than 22,400,000 ounces of gold, worth more than $11.2 BILLION dollars in today’s dollars. And today Cripple Creek is still the place for striking it rich with nine casinos within walking distance along historic Bennett Avenue with plenty of unique and exciting games and slot machines as well as sports betting. Cheer on your favorite teams in ALL your favorite sports right here in Cripple Creek. The fun and action NEVER STOPS! Casi nos are now open 24-hours with no last call. Summertime is event fun time in Cripple Creek with a wide variety of events. June brings the annual Colorado Pro Rodeo Asso ciation (CPRA)-sanctioned, Top of the World Rodeo which features the most popular rodeo events including Bareback Riding, Barrel Rac ing, Breakaway Roping, Bull Riding, Mixed Team Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, Tie Down Roping and a crowd favorite, Mutton Busting. The Rodeo is rounded out with a Parade and Street Dance featuring, Exit West. July features the Gold Camp 4th celebration, hosting the region’s largest fireworks display as well as family-friendly activities and vendors. August celebrates Cripple Creek’s Donkey population with the crowd-pleasing Donkey Derby Day event. Visit www.visitcripplecreek.com more ideas and information.

CITY OF VICTOR

Join us in celebrating 129 years of gold mining heritage at Victor Gold Rush Days July 14-16, 2023 in historic Victor, Colorado – the City of Gold Mines. While in town, check out our merchants, museums and eateries located in the designated National Historic District. Take a little trip and step back in time! If you decide to stay over, there are several lodging accommodations available.

continued on p. 20

SECRETS Learn The OF THE GARDEN

Before You Visit The Park

DYNAMIC MUSEUM EXHIBITS

•Interactive, educational, and fun exhibits

• Replica of the World’s only Theiophytalia kerri dinosaur

• Discover the Park’s converging ecosystems

•Mountain Majesties, a virtual tour of Colorado’s highest peaks

• Wide-angle, time-lapse video of the Garden through the seasons

• Giant 3D interactive Topographic map

“HOW DID THOSE RED ROCKS GET THERE?”

A show a million years in the making in the Geo-Trekker Theater

• Journey through time and space to learn about the Garden of the Gods

•A fun, exciting, entertaining and educational 12 minute HD movie adventure

•$6 for adults, $4 for children age 5-12 years

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

• FREE Maps, daily nature walks and stimulating presentations, Summer Segway, Jeep Tours, 1909 Trolley Tours, Technical Rock Climbing, Hiking and Biking

DINING AND SHOPPING

• Gateway Cafe - Dine indoor or outdoor with a world famous view

•Award Winning Gift Shop Specializing in Colorado-made items

ESTABLISHED IN 1995. PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE PARK.

Photo by: Sean Holveck

OUTDOOR CONCERTS & EVENTS

➔ continued from p. 18

Throughout the entire three days, activities will include Victor Lowell Thomas Museum gold panning, children’s bouncy house, Salida circus workshops, miniature golf, chainsaw wood carving demos, and a variety of food and merchandise vendors.

FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

GRAB YOUR LAWN CHAIRS GRAB YOUR BLANKETS JOIN THE FUN FAMILY FRIENDLY PETS WELCOMED BEVERAGE TENT FOOD TRUCKS

2023 MUSIC ON THE MESA SCHEDULE

Additionally, on Friday night at 5:30 pm, the Victor Elks Lodge #367 will host a chili supper. There will be live musical entertainment, dance and a beer garden in Pinnacle Park Plaza. Entertainers include Joey Tenuto and Dancing on The Sun.

Additional Saturday activities kick off with the Victor Volunteer Fire Dept. infamous pancake breakfast, followed by VLT Museum’s Spirits of Sunnyside Walking Tour*, vintage baseball games, mining demonstrations, petting zoo, live music & beer garden in the Plaza, Rocky Mountain Tractor Pulling, Victor Ag and Mining Museum blacksmith demos & chuck wagon lunch*, Victor Heritage Society’s Historic Building Tour*, VLT Museum Gold Camp Adventure Tour*, old fashioned kids games. Entertainers throughout the day include Sisters of The Moon, Silver Moon Riders, Brian Grace, The Bushcocks Band, Dave Fraser, Back Stage People, Nick Cindrich, and Levi Richardson. The wellknown Tejon Street Corner Thieves, are back in Victor at 8pm providing popular, fun, dancing music in the Plaza.

Additional Sunday activities kick off with the Victor Volunteer Fire Dept pancake breakfast, followed by live music & beer garden in the Plaza, Rocky Mountain Tractor Pulling, Victor Ag and Mining Museum blacksmith demos & chuck wagon lunch, The Gold Rush Days Parade, and old fashioned kids games. Entertainers include Levi Richardson, Hot Boots Band, Tava Blue, Sound Advice, an Elvis Impersonator, and Cosmic Karaoke.

For detailed schedule go to VictorColorado.com

*Some activities require a fee to be paid.

COLONEL MUSTARD’S SANDWICH EMPORIUM

Phone: 719.203.4743

Website: colmustardsandwich.com

Email: info@colmustardsandwich.com

Colonel Mustard’s Sandwich Emporium, voted BEST SANDWICHES in town, offers Boar’s Head deli meats & cheeses on locally baked bread. We have GLUTEN-FREE, vegetarian and vegan options, including tasty soups and fresh salads. BREAKFAST and LUNCH are served all day. We serve LOCAL CRAFT BEERS, wines and MORNING COCKTAILS and have a kid and dog-friendly BACK40 patio with AWESOME views. Order ON-LINE, PHONE or ON-SITE for DINE-IN, PICK-UP or DELIVERY and WE CATER!

THE ROYAL GORGE DINOSAUR EXPERIENCE

The Jurassic and Cretaceous periods may be long gone, but that’s not stopping a major interest in dinosaurs, as well as the presence of 14 skinned animatronic dinosaurs, at the Royal Gorge Dinosaur

Experience (RGDE), which opened in 2016 just outside of Cañon City, Colorado. The RGDE is Colorado’s newest and biggest dinosaur attrac tion, and it features a 16,200 square foot building, dynamic museum displays and exhibits, a life-size animatronic outdoor dinosaur park, a three-story-tall ropes course, a little kids’ ropes course and fossil dig, a dig pit full of take-home fossils and gems, a fully stocked gift shop, as well as a café that serve light refreshments.

“My family and I have been thrilled to share the unique paleontologi cal history of our area with visitors, by opening the Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience,” said Zach Reynolds, president and co-owner of the RGDE. “Our goal was to create a high-value, low-cost, family oriented museum that educates visitors while treating them to a dinosaur experience unlike anything else in Colorado.” The RGDE is situated on U.S. Highway 50, just a 15-minute drive from downtown Cañon City and a 10-minute drive from the world-famous Royal Gorge.

The RGDE houses an impressive collection of full-scale dinosaur fossil casts, real fossils, and a fossil laboratory.

“The Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience offers fun and education al entertainment that’s focused on creating lasting family memo ries,” continued Reynolds. “Our property is located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, not far from the greater Garden Park Fossil Area, where many important fossils were unearthed starting in the 1870’s and continuing into present time.”

Visit dinoxp.com for more info or call (719)-275-2726 sure to check out their social channels on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for updates and fun posts.

SANGRE DE CRISTO ARTS & CONFERENCE CENTER

Phone: 719.295.7200

Website: www.sdc-arts.org

Address: 210 N. Santa Fe Ave. Pueblo, CO 81003

The Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center gears up for summer with exciting new programs and exhibits!

Upcoming exhibits include Into the Wild: Creature Quilts and Tell Me a Story. Into the Wild will showcase a wide range of fiber art created between 1988 and 2017 that celebrates quilted crea tures. Tell Me a Story encompasses a wide range of international, pop, Cuban, and contemporary art from the collection of Ron and Una Brasch. These exhibits will be up June 3, 2023, through Janu ary 13, 2024. Also, this summer the Buell Children’s Museum will be transporting guests around the world through folktales and movement in their Let’s Dance exhibit.

Summer art programming includes Clay Open Studio and a FREE class series on the art of the Japanese tea ceremony. Through their programming and exhibits, Sangre de Cristo continues to be dedi cated to providing everyone with artistic, cultural, and educational experiences.

SOCCERHAUS

Phone: 719-761-7586

Address: 4845 List Dr.

Website: soccerhauscs.com

Soccerhaus is your very own sports and events oasis! Veteran owned and operated, we are located right off of Garden of the Gods and Centennial boulevard. At 48,000 state of the art square feet, Soccerhaus provides you with three different fields perfect for a wide range of skill levels. More than just a venue to compete within, SoccerHaus serves as a safe and inviting home for multi-age players, members of the military, families and fans alike – accom modating a wide spectrum of league play, recreational interests and special events on the fields with the Upper90 – a full-service restaurant and bar upstairs, overseeing the fields for fellowship and festivities. Soccerhaus has played host to martial arts tourna ments, Rocky Mountain State Games, camps and so much more! If you’re looking for the perfect outing, look no further!

Don’t let the Springs become

BY PK MCPHERSON

ORIGINALLY KNOWN AS TAVA, OR SUN Mountain, by Indigenous Ute tribes, Pikes Peak has been a beacon to visitors for time beyond reckoning. Today the peak is the most accessible fourteener in the U.S., visited by nearly half a million people annually.

That’s why it’s so important to know before you go, so here’s a quick synopsis of the ins and outs of enjoying America’s favorite mountain:

1. A $2-per-vehicle timed entry reservation — which has a two-hour arrival window — is required if you want to drive to the summit from May 26 to Sept. 30. Once you’re on the mountain, you can stay as long as you like. Summer hours — uphill gates, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; summit closes 7 p.m.; downhill gate closes at 8 p.m.

One-day admission tickets are also required — children ages 6-15, $5; adults, $15; carload with up to five passengers, $50. Reservations and admission tickets can be purchased at drivepikespeak.com, and you might want to call 719-385-7325 for current highway conditions.

2. Free shuttles run from the parking lot at mile 16, known as Devil’s Playground, to the summit for those traveling without a reservation. Shuttles will run from May 27 to July 31.

Know before you go

3. Fishing is available without a timed entry, but we recommend reserving a parking spot as space is limited (also at drivepikespeak.com). Fishing passes are $5 for adults and free for those 15 years old and under, and be sure to let the front gate know you’re heading for the lakes. Work will begin on the South Catamount dam in 2024 and they’ve begun draining the reservoir in preparation. Grab your gear and win yourself a trophy trout while the water is low!

4. The country’s second-oldest car race celebrates its 101st running on June 25. The highway will be closed to uphill traffic that whole day and opening will be delayed till 9 a.m. the week prior for practice runs. You can find tickets for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at ppihc.org. Last but not least, there are a number of ways to enjoy the mountain even if mountain driving is not your best skill — from Jeep tours and the Cog Railway, to shuttles, mountain bikes and hiking. For more information, visit pikes-peak.com/about-pikes-peak.

An embarrassment of riches

Summer means the local and regional music scenes are heating up

BY LORING WIRBEL

MUSIC FANS ALWAYS HELD out hope that the official end of the pandemic would lead to a tsunami of pent-up demand, particularly for outdoor shows in the summer months. Locally, this has manifested itself in more neighborhood weekly concerts than at any time before the pandemic. Regionally, fans can count on old-favorite multi-day festivals such as Telluride Bluegrass, RockyGrass and Rocky Mountain Folks Festival. But there are new contenders in the form of festivals in virtually every state of the union, including remote rural fests on the plains and in the mountains that will compete with Colorado’s traditional music extravaganzas. In fact, since festivals in smaller states are striving to add big-name indie and hip-hop acts to their lineups, it will be incumbent upon Colorado to stay relevant. Music fans, meanwhile, can bask in the torrent of tunes headed their way. More than 20 series of weekly concerts now take place in the El Paso/Teller County region, all free except the Hillside Gardens series. These include options like Boot Barn Hall’s Sunset Patio Sessions (bootbarnhallco.com/patiosessions); the Green Mountain Falls Summer Series (discoverutepass.com); Music on the Mesa at Gold Hill Mesa ( goldhillmesa.com/community-life/events); Music Under The Mountain Series at Promenade Shops at Briargate (thepromenadeshopsatbriargate.com); Black Forest Summer Jazz Series (weareblackforest.com/event/summer-concert-series); Music on the Labyrinth at First Christian Church ( firstchristiancos.org/ upcoming-music-events.html); The Drive-In Tasty Freeze Summer Concert Series (driveintastyfreeze.com); Classical Thursdays with CS Philharmonic (coloradospringsphilmusicians.com); Forest Lakes (Monument area) Summer Concert Series ( forestlakescolorado.com); El Paso County Parks Summer Concert Series (Bear Creek, Fox Run, Homestead, Fountain Creek venues — tinyurl. com/epco-parkmusic); First & Main Town Center ( firstandmaintowncenter.com/summer-concert-series); Springs Contemporary Jazz Big Band in Bancroft Park, Old Colorado City (facebook.com/ SCJBB); Paint the Town Blue in Thorndale Park ( pikespeakblues. org); UVC FREE Summer Concert Series at University Village (uvcshopping.com/concert-series.html); Jazz in the Garden at Grace

continued on p. 26 ➔

Michael Martin Murphey

VOTED LOOSEST SLOTS

TRIPLE

TRIPLE CROWN CASINOS

gssepiscopal.org/jazz-in-the-

); Manitou Springs Summer Concert Series at Soda Springs

); Manitou Springs

Library Lawn Concert Series at Carnegie Library ( ppld.librarymarket.com/manitou-springs-library-lawn-concert-series); Monument townofmonument.org/568/

); Summer Concerts in the Glen, Broadmoor broadmoorcommunitychurch.org); Colorado coloradospringsconservatory.org); Music fmvp.net/musical-mondays. banninglewisranch.com/ hillsidecolorado.com/upcom-

). A few innovative venues like University Village and Drive-In Tasty Freeze take pride in presenting artists not often seen in the area. But in-demand artists like Martini Shot, The Inman Brothers, Dotsero, Jeremy Facknitz and Grant Sabin often have to juggle summer calendars to ensure they can play all the venues at which they are demanded.

THE BIGGEST LOCAL ADDITION TO LARGER TICKETED summer venues is Weidner Field Downtown (weidnerfield.com/ ), which expanded from country concerts last year to include shows this summer by Five Finger Death Punch Aug. 25, and Incubus Aug. 27. Most fan attention may be focused on outdoor venues, but don’t miss upcoming indoor gigs sunshinestudioslive.com);

Robyn Hitchcock June 15 and Bonnie “Prince” Billy July 14 at Lulu’s

Downstairs (lulusdownstairs.com); Summer Dean June 30 at Vultures (vulturesrocks.com); Michael Martin Murphey at Boot Barn Hall July 21 (bootbarnhallco.com); Chris Duarte Aug. 11 and Jake Loggins Band Aug. 26 at Stargazers (stargazerstheatre.com); The Marshall Tucker Band at Pikes Peak Center Aug. 9 (pikespeakcenter.com); and Wildermiss at The Black Sheep Aug. 19 (blacksheeprocks.com).

In the Denver metro area, Taylor Swift is the largest individual draw of the summer for her July 14 show at Mile High Stadium. Some big draws are at a variety of venues: The Cure at Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre June 6; All Them Witches at the Bluebird June 9-10; Baby Rose at Marquis June 10; Marc Cohn and Shawn Colvin at Chautauqua Auditorium June 20; Sparks at Boulder Theater July 9; Paramore at Ball Arena July 14; Esperanza Spalding at Denver Botanic Gardens July 11; Madonna at Ball Arena July 25; Andrew Bird at Chautauqua Auditorium Aug. 5; The National at Mission Ballroom Aug. 11; Lil Baby at Ball Arena Aug. 15; and Postal Service/Death Cab for Cutie at Mission Ballroom Sept. 26.

But Red Rocks Amphitheatre goes broadest, now offering shows almost nightly from April to November, with even a smattering of outdoor events in midwinter (theredrocksamphitheater. com). Appearances by one band for multiple nights are becoming commonplace, almost exceeding single-night appearances — even May featured multi-night stops by Billy Strings, LCD Soundsystem, Old Dominion and Lord Huron. The summer mini-residencies of multiple-night shows include Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (June 3-4), King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (June 7-8), Umphrey’s McGee (June 16-17), Widespread Panic continued on p. 28 ➔

LCD Soundsystem Bertrand / Wikimedia Commons

(June 23-25), Rainbow Kitten Surprise (July 5-6), The Avett Brothers (July 7-9), The String Cheese Incident (July 14-16), Tedeschi Trucks Band (July 28-29), Beck with Phoenix (Aug. 15-16), Mt. Joy (Aug. 17-18), Nathaniel Rateliff (Aug. 22-23), My Morning Jacket (Aug. 25-26), Brandi Carlile (Sept. 8-9), Arctic Monkeys (Sept. 18-19), Sting (Sept. 20-21), and Goose (Oct. 5-6).

Those too bedazzled by the new normal of a Red Rocks residency might miss some impressive single-night stops, however. These include Yeah Yeah Yeahs (June 5), Big Head Todd & the Monsters (June 10), Rodrigo y Gabriela (June 11), Barenaked Ladies/ Semisonic/Del Amitri (June 13), Shakey Graves (June 22), Lyle Lovett (June 28), The Head and The Heart (June 29), Blues Traveler (July 4), Trampled by Turtles (July 13), Tori Amos (July 17), Portugal the Man with the Colorado Symphony (July 23), Jimmy Eat World/Manchester Orchestra (July 25), Big Thief/Lucinda Williams (July 31), Ween (Aug. 3), boygenius (Aug, 5), Joe Bonamassa (Aug. 6), Maggie Rogers (Aug. 9), Sylvan Esso (Sept. 10), Steve Miller Band (Sept. 11), and The Mars Volta (Oct. 9).

IN MULTIPLE-DAY FESTIVALS, the Memorial Day Meadowgrass at La Foret locally ushered in a season with familiar players such as the three big fests from Planet Bluegrass (Telluride Bluegrass Fest, RockyGrass and Folks Fest — find all three at planetbluegrass.

com). The sold-out 50th Telluride Bluegrass features familiar artists like Chris Thile, Sarah Jarosz, Leftover Salmon and Sam Bush. RockyGrass in Lyons at the end of July features Sierra Hull, Sam Bush Bluegrass Band, Big Richard and Molly Tuttle. Rocky Mountain Folks Fes-

The Lumineers Drew de F Fawkes / Wikimedia Commons

tival in Lyons Aug. 11-13 features Larkin Poe, Shovels & Rope, The Tallest Man on Earth, and The Secret Sisters. Other fests with established reputations include Sonic Bloom, an electronic music festival in Rye June 15-18, featuring Dirtwire and Lotus (sonicbloomfestival.com); Coun-

try Jam in Grand Junction, featuring Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton and Lainey Wilson (countryjam.com); Global Dance Festival, a leading EDM showcase July 21-22 in Denver ( globaldancefestival.com/ lineup); and the Underground Music Showcase in Denver (undergroundmusicshowcase.com). Three long-standing jazz fests in the summer include Telluride Jazz Aug. 10-13 (telluridejazz.org/lineup) Winter Park Jazz July 15-16 (playwinterpark.com/jazzfest); and Jazz Aspen Snowmass on Labor Day weekend (though a purist may wonder whether a festival headlining Foo Fighters, Lumineers, Old Dominion and Billy Idol has anything to do with jazz — hazzaspensnowmass.org). There also are newcomers on the scene, like the Meow Wolf Vortex fest launched in late May, followed by Meow Wolf summer shows by emerging bands like Black Country, New Road (tickets.meowwolf.com/events/denver/concerts). More southern Coloradans also are discovering Del Norte’s Rhythms on the Rio Aug. 4-6, this year featuring The Motet, Lindsay Lou and Kitchen Dwellers.

But Colorado must be wary of an uptick in competition on a regional front — in fact, a nationwide festival craze. Where pre-pandemic years were domi-

nated by predictable shows like Coachella and Bonnaroo, there now are well over 100 pop music festivals in virtually every state, including in rural areas of Kansas and Utah. In fact, the year is so packed, the festival scene already has experienced its first cancellations, The All Day I Dream in Oakdale, California, and Echoland in Live Oak, Florida. Festivals now range geographically as widely as Whitefish, Montana; Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Ninichik, Alaska. Regionally, we’ll face state-level competition from Nebraska’s Maha in Omaha (July 28-30); Outlandia in Bellevue, Nebraska (Aug. 11-12), and Dancefestopia in La Cygne, Kansas (Sept. 4-10). Utah is becoming so packed with festivals that two are competing in the second week of June — Fort Desolation in Torrey, Utah, and HIVE Festival in Salt Lake City. Early July brings the Deer Valley Music Festival in Park City, Utah.

Because so many regional festivals are scrambling to snare national headline acts, Colorado festival promoters ignore this at their peril. Jazz Aspen Snowmass might be chided for diluting the jazz roots at their festival, but luring names like Foo Fighters and Lumineers may represent what it takes to succeed.

- PHOTO BY JACKI VITETTA

More than 20 series of weekly concerts now take place in the El Paso/Teller County region.

BY PK MCPHERSON AND LESLIE LEWIS

JUST WEST OF COLORADO SPRINGS, NESTLED between the Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak, lies Manitou Springs. Best known and named for the cold water mineral springs through town, the area was home to Indigenous people long before Europeans came to the region. Arapaho, Cheyenne, Shoshone, Kiowa, Comanche, Apache and others frequently visited this area on their migrations while the Utes considered the springs part of their mountain homeland. The effervescent waters provided comfort from pain and toil.

Many early explorers who came to the area wrote about the springs and their benefits. However, it was Gen. William Palmer and Dr. William A. Bell who envisioned creating a European-style health resort built around the springs. By January 1872 the land had been surveyed and Manitou was officially declared a town. Bell’s home, Briarhurst Manor, still stands today and serves as one of Manitou Springs’ destination restaurants.

Health-seekers traveled across the country for the dry air and healing waters of Manitou Springs. The first hotel opened in August 1872 with many others following. Scenic drives, the Pikes Peak Cog Railway and promenades among the springs were popular pastimes. Of the original hotels, three are still standing, though only one operates as a hotel. The historic Cliff House suffered a fire in 1982, and with a full restoration reopened as a luxury hotel in 1998.

Following the turn of the 20th century, tourists began replacing health-seekers and attractions became more important. Many attractions from the late 1880s are still part of the Manitou Springs landscape today.

Iron Springs Chateau began as a candy and cigar store opening in 1880. The location was purchased by the Iron Springs Company which sold Iron Spring mineral water. In 1964, the Chateau Players formed and the melodrama began and continues to delight locals and visitors alike with performances throughout the summer season.

Cave of the Winds history tells us the caves were discovered in 1881 however early legends many years before told of a cave near Manitou Springs where the Great Spirit of the Winds resided. Guided tours of the cave began in February 1881. Today operations have expanded to include lantern tours as well as adventure activities and experiences at The Cave of the Winds Mountain Park.

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S T. A NDREW’S

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In the late 1880s, Zalmon Simmons, of Simmons Beautyrest Mattress Company, rode a mule to the top of Pikes Peak. He decided there had to be a better way to enjoy the views and reach the summit of the mountain. From his experience, the Cog Railway was born. The first passenger train reached the summit in June 1891. The views are as spectacular as ever and the ride is a lot more comfortable today!

Construction on Miramont Castle began in 1895. From private residence to sanitarium, boarding house for wealthy guests, retreat location for clergy, to apartments, there have been many lives lived in this historic castle. Today it serves as a museum dedicated to Manitou Springs’ past.

Garden of the Gods Trading Post opened in 1929 as a dream of Charles Strausenback. While the store has greatly expanded through the years, it honors the original building and its history. Today it features a large gift shop, art gallery, restaurant and boutique.

The Penny Arcade opened in 1933 and is under the same family ownership today. Located in the heart of downtown Manitou Springs, kids of all ages continue to enjoy the variety of games available.

Manitou Springs Heritage Center is another museum not to miss as you learn all about Manitou Springs’ history and the people who lived here.

For additional information, visit manitousprings.org or stop by the Chamber of Commerce, Visitors Bureau & Office of Economic Development, for a copy of the Historic Walking Tour brochure (31 locations), additional information, maps of downtown and the mineral springs tour, and a cup to sample the waters that made Manitou Springs famous.

A base camp at the foot of Pikes Peak

BY COLE POWELL

YOU CAN FIND A PLACE TO STAY ANYwhere, but nothing compares to the eccentric vibes and eclectic mixture of restaurants, shops and attractions in Manitou Springs. This little mountain town nestled at the foot of Pikes Peak serves as the perfect base camp for all your Colorado adventures.

Finding a place to stay may prove difficult for more indecisive folks — there are just too many options! One of the coolest and most convenient hotels is The Cliff House, a luxurious historic hotel right in the center of downtown Manitou. If that isn’t what you’re looking for, we have lots of other options, including the Blue Skies Inn and Red Wing Motel. Manitou Springs is the perfect place for a staycation as well as for your out-of-town guests.

—

S. Colorado Springs

Manitou Avenue is lined with restaurants for whatever mood you might be in. From family-style to 4-star dining — whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner — Manitou Springs has something on the menu to suit everyone’s cravings! All locally owned and operated, ask the locals for their favorites!

Manitou Springs also has its fair share of quirky souvenir shops. Have you ever been to a store that sells a whole variety of rubber ducks? How about a year-round Christmas shop? And if you’re an animal lover, don’t miss Gigi’s – The Animal Lovers’ Gift Shop. From art to jewelry, to clothing and antiques, Manitou Springs has something for everyone on your list (don’t forget yourself!).

Another reason Manitou is such a perfect base camp is that it’s surrounded by attractions. There’s a vintage outdoor penny arcade in the middle of downtown. Head up the road a bit and you’ll find a castle from the 1800s. A bit farther you’ll find a historic theater that hosts melodramas during the summer months. If you plan to summit Pikes Peak, the Cog Railway depot is right next door! If you don’t mind a bit of driving, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings and Cave of the Winds are both right across Highway 24.

No matter what you value most while on vacation, Manitou Springs is the perfect base camp to make the most of your getaway.

Terry Sharpton

Manitou Springs

Manitou trails range from a saunter to an extreme challenge

BY PETER COLE

MAKE MANITOU Springs your starting point for outdoor activities with quick connections to many of the region’s best trails, including the infamous Manitou Springs Incline.

Creek Walk

When completed, this trail will travel through the heart of Manitou Springs. Creek Walk diverts from the hustle and bustle of downtown and takes you on an excursion along Fountain Creek. You will encounter small waterfalls and get up close with the creek while you walk through the shade of old cottonwoods, until you finish the trail at the back entrance to Garden of the Gods.

Details: length, approximately 3 miles one way; time, 1 hour; difficulty, easy.

Red Mountain Trail

Ascend this beautiful trail up Red Mountain. From the summit you can see the Manitou Incline, Pikes Peak, Cave of the Winds, The Cliff House, Garden of the Gods and Colorado Springs. You can park at the Hiawatha Gardens lot and ride the Incline shuttle since the trailheads aren’t too far apart. The hike can be a bit steep, so hiking boots are a must and spikes may be worth bringing along.

Details: length, 2.5 miles out-and-back; elevation gain: 944 feet; time: approximately 2 hours; difficulty, moderate.

Paul Intemann Nature Trail

This trail connects Manitou to Section 16 and Bear Creek Regional Park and links Colorado Springs and Manitou. It’s a great

year-round trail with views of Garden of the Gods, Red Rock Canyon Open Space and Manitou Springs, and can be extended for miles by taking the connecting trails.

Details: length, 1.8 miles out-and-back; elevation gain, 344 feet; time, 1 hour; difficulty, easy.

Manitou Springs Incline

Infamous for more reasons than one, this 2,744-stair behemoth is a hike like no other. Make sure to bring plenty of water, wear proper footwear, and ensure you are in shape to safely make the climb. The Incline does require a reservation. Learn more at manitousprings.org/where-toplay/manitou-incline.

Details: length, 0.9 mile one way (3.9 miles with Barr Trail back down); elevation gain, 2,000 feet; time: 2 hours up the Incline; difficulty, extreme.

These great trails are just the beginning. Visit Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce for more trail ideas.

"Good vibes, friendly staff. Above and beyond customer service. 5 stars with out a doubt. I will definitely be returning with friends." - Brittany S

Manitou Springs

Jenna Gallas

PUEBLO

COLORADO STATE FAIR & RODEO

So much of what there is to love about the state converges onto the famous fairgrounds in Pueblo for an end-of-summer week full of live entertainment, thrilling competitions, quirky vendor booths and good ol’ Western fun.

DISCOVER THE CHARM OF THE SOUTHWEST AND STROLL ALONG THE PUEBLO RIVERWALK

The Riverwalk hosts a variety of outdoor activities and events throughout the year, including concerts every Friday and Saturday nights, festivals, and farmers’ markets. You can also rent a paddle boat or kayak to explore, or go fishing in designated areas.

E XPLORE PUEBLO’S GRE ADV ENTURES AT THE ARKANSAS L EVEE

The Pueblo Levee Mural Project is a one-of-a-kind public art project that stretches for over three miles featuring over 300 murals created by local artists. The Whitewater Park on the levee, is a thrilling destination for kayakers, stand-up paddleboarders, and rafters seeking an adrenaline-pumping adventure

PUEBLO CHILE & FRIJOLES FESTIVAL

As summer fades into fall, celebrate Pueblo’s rich agriculture. The event features live entertainment, street vendors, cooking competitions, and chilies, chilies, chilies! Held downtown along Union Avenue.

THE U.S. OLYMPIC & PARALYMPIC EXPERIENCE