Our Can't-Miss Colorado Springs Summer List

Your Colorado Springs Summer Adventure Guide with PPLD

This summer, we're trading coffee dates for library dates! In this episode, we go behind the scenes of the Pikes Peak Library District's Summer Adventure program, recorded live from Library 21C on kickoff day. First, we sit down with Melody Alvarez, Director of Programming, to break down everything families need to know about Summer Adventure: this year's "Unearth a Story" theme, how simple it is to sign up, what the program entails, and the prizes that had us giddy (hello, Cloud Camp [https://www.broadmoor.com/cloud-camp]).  Then we head into the library's own podcast studio for round two with Christa Funke, Senior Librarian in Programming and 16-year PPLD veteran, who reveals just how much a modern library can be. In this episode: * What Summer Adventure is and how to sign up (it's free, and you can start anytime in June or July!) * This year's "Unearth a Story" theme  * Why over 18,000 people participated last year (with a goal of 20,000 this summer) * The free PPLD summer concert series in Manitou Springs, Palmer Lake, and beyond * Non-traditional library finds: seed libraries, makerspaces, gross-motor toys, cameras, and equipment * Free lunches for kids ages 0–18 at the East Library this summer * The Colorado 150 / US 250 passport program (visit every library and earn prizes) * A heartfelt patron story that captures what Summer Adventure is really about * Pick of the week: Theatreworks' The Garbologists [https://entcenterforthearts.org/events/garbologists-theatreworks] at the Ent Center for the Arts How to register for Summer Adventure with PPLD [https://ppld.org/summer]: Visit any PPLD location, sign up online, or use the BeanStack app. Whether you're a lifelong library lover or haven't walked through those doors in years, this one's for you, because as Christa says, everyone belongs at the library. Loved this episode? Please leave a 5-star review, and share it with a friend you want to join you for Summer Adventure this year! We Love Our Sponsors Pikes Peak Library District Summer Adventure Program [https://ppld.org/summer] — All you have to do is spend 30 days reading, creating, and exploring to win prizes. Vanguard Aesthetics [https://www.vanguardskin.com/medical-services/aesthetic-services/] — Skincare treatments with real, noticeable results. Core Collective [https://corecollectivecos.com/] — Our favorite spot for pilates! Use code SPRINGSANDTHINGS for 3 classes for $30.  Why Wait Stories [https://www.whywaitstories.com/] — Legacy films and brand films that capture the stories that matter most.

Our Most Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado Springs and Beyond, Answered!

After a year and a half of spotlighting the best people and places in Colorado Springs, we're flipping the script. This week, we answer the questions listeners ask most, from what we do outside the podcast to our favorite local restaurants, most emotional interviews, and the food spots we're still grieving. In this episode: * What you might not know about your two hosts * The local events every Colorado Springs resident should experience at least once * Favorite restaurants for out-of-town guests * The episodes that stuck with us long after recording * What people from out of state consistently get wrong about Colorado Springs * Plus so much more Mentioned in this episode: * Green Box Arts [https://greenboxarts.org/]  * Garden of the Gods Market and Cafe [https://godsmarketandcafe.com/] * Ivywild [https://www.ivywildschool.com/] * Sushi Row [https://www.sushi-row.com/] * Ristorante del Lago [https://www.broadmoor.com/dining/ristorante-del-lago] * Stratton Open Space [https://coloradosprings.gov/stratton] & Mount Cutler Trail [https://www.visitcos.com/directory/mount-cutler/] * Penrose Heritage Museum [https://www.elpomar.org/About-Us/museum-and-legacy-properties/penrose-heritage-museum/] * Sara Van Hecke  [https://www.saravanhecke.com/] * The Peaks2Plains Weather App [https://peaks2plainsweather.com/] We Love Our Sponsors Pikes Peak Library District Summer Adventure Program [https://ppld.org/summer]— All you have to do is spend 30 days reading, creating, and exploring to win prizes. Vanguard Aesthetics [https://vanguardskin.com/aesthetics/injectables/botox-cosmetic/] — Skincare treatments with real, noticeable results. Core Collective [https://corecollectivecos.com/] — Our favorite spot for pilates! Use code SPRINGSANDTHINGS for 3 classes for $30.  Connect with us: Leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, subscribe so you never miss an episode, and share with a fellow Colorado Springs local who needs to know what's going on in this city.

Unpacking the Colorado Springs Lore of Spencer and Julie Penrose

Did a monkey bite really launch the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo? Did Spencer Penrose actually ride his horse into the Antlers Hotel lobby? And why is the Shrine of the Sun named after Will Rogers instead of the man who built it? In this episode of Springs and Things, host Carly Ries sits down with Sarah Woods, Vice President of Collections for El Pomar Foundation, to dig into the archives and separate Colorado Springs legend from fact. As the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo celebrates its 100th anniversary, Sarah pulls back the curtain on some of the wildest, most fascinating stories in our city's history and reveals what the primary source records actually say. This is one of our most information-packed episodes to date, covering everything from a mysterious box of 1940s newspaper-wrapped clothing to a crash car sitting in a museum exactly how it landed on Pikes Peak. In this episode, you'll learn: → The real reason Spencer Penrose's exotic animals were moved off the Broadmoor Golf Course, and yes, the monkey bite was real → How a 21-year-old Spencer Penrose wrote a Harvard thesis that still guides El Pomar Foundation's mission today → The story behind the Heritage Gallery's never-before-seen photographs, hats, and personal artifacts of Spencer and Julie Penrose → How Michèle Mouton became the only woman to earn the title King of the Mountain, and why she insists on keeping that title → The harrowing 2012 crash on Pikes Peak and what the wreckage reveals about safety, thin air, and the psychological demands of the race → Why Julie Penrose created the original El Pomar Carriage Museum in 1941, and how a newspaper clipping from the 1920s changed everything we thought we knew about its origins → The connection between Spencer Penrose's cancer diagnosis and the founding of the Penrose Cancer Center at Glockner Hospital → Why the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun bears that name, and how Spencer Penrose's promotional genius may have played a role → What Penrose Heritage Museum has planned for families, accessibility, and community programming Resources Mentioned: - Penrose Heritage Museum [https://www.elpomar.org/About-Us/museum-and-legacy-properties/penrose-heritage-museum/] - El Pomar Foundation [https://www.elpomar.org/] - United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum [https://usopm.org/] Subscribe to Springs and Things on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you never miss an episode. If you loved this one, leave a five-star review and share it with a friend who loves Colorado Springs history and lore.

Our Can't-Miss Colorado Springs Summer List

Summer is almost here in Colorado Springs, and we are HERE for it. This week, Carly and Lauren share their ultimate summer must-do lists, from flower farms and llama happy hours to hidden gem restaurants and must-see theater. Whether you're a longtime local or new to the Springs, this episode is packed with ideas to make this your best Colorado summer yet. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Gather Mountain Blooms [https://www.gathermountainblooms.com/] Fridays feature flower picking, and Tuesdays (June–July) bring Music and Blooms (live fiddle music, food trucks, kids dancing, and beautiful Colorado scenery).  Hillside Gardens [https://www.hillsidecolorado.com/] A full lineup of summer concerts, events, and a charming coffee shop you need to check out. Bike the Santa Fe Trail to Hotel Polaris [https://www.thehotelpolaris.com/] A dream day trip: If the trail reopens, ride the Santa Fe Trail to Hotel Polaris for happy hour (or yappy hour if you bring your pup!). Yoga in the Garden [https://gardenofgods.com/events/] Yes, we love Garden of the Gods! Yoga classes right among the red rocks - check their website for class times. Cave of the Winds [https://caveofthewinds.com/] & Manitou Cliff Dwellings [https://www.cliffdwellingsmuseum.com/] Classic Colorado Springs attractions that still belong on your must-do list. A Full Manitou Day The ultimate itinerary: hike the Incline → bagels at The Loft [https://www.instagram.com/theloft_manitou] → browse Manitou storefronts → soak at Sunwater Spa [https://www.sunwaterspa.com/] → dinner at Crystal Park Cantina [https://crystalparkcantina.com/] → catch a show at Iron Spring Chateau Melodrama Dinner Theater [http://ironspringschateau.com/]. Luxy Llama [https://www.luxyllama.com/] Running May through September: happy hour with wine, cheese, and llamas. Full episode with Lexi Llama coming soon! Wines of Colorado [https://winesofcolorado.com/] A gorgeous creekside spot near the Cliff Dwellings area, perfect for a sunny Colorado afternoon. Juniper Valley Ranch  [https://junipervalleyranch.com/]A hidden gem family-owned restaurant on Highway 115 south of Colorado Springs. Fixed menu, home-cooked meals (fried chicken, ham, cherry juice!), open just a few days a week. Pure nostalgia. Tales, Tunes & Tastes at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo [https://www.cmzoo.org/events-programs/special-events/tails-tunes-tastes/] An adults-only evening at the zoo with wine and live music. Plus: the new zoo exhibit opening this summer! The Little Dipper Pool [https://www.thelittledipperpool.com/] Total Sandlot vibes. A Colorado Springs summer staple. PICK OF THE WEEK Jagged Little Pill at the Fine Arts Center  [https://fac.coloradocollege.edu/]The must-see show of the season. One night had a seven-minute standing ovation mid-show.  WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS Vanguard Aesthetics — Skincare treatments with real, noticeable results. Core Collective — Our favorite spot for pilates! Use code SPRINGSANDTHINGS for 3 classes for $30.  Why Wait Stories — Legacy films and brand films that capture the stories that matter most.  Subscribe on Apple or Spotify. Leave a 5-star review. Share this episode with a friend who needs summer plans!

The Local Protector of Land and Water in Colorado Springs

Did you know nearly 150,000 acres around Colorado Springs are permanently protected, and one organization has been leading that effort since 1977? In this episode, Carly sits down with Astrid Monar from the Palmer Land Conservancy to uncover the incredible scope of work happening right in our backyard. From saving the backdrop behind Garden of the Gods to building the Pikes Peak Conservation Corridor, Palmer Land Conservancy has quietly shaped the landscape we all love. Plus: they discuss a local food guide, a brand-new open space coming to Woodland Park, and upcoming events where you can get involved. In This Episode * How a small group of volunteers in 1977 launched what would become Palmer Land Conservancy, and why the name has changed twice since then * The story behind the Garden of the Gods backdrop protection and what that view might look like today without it * Palmer's ambitious five-year plan to protect 60,000 additional acres (that's four Manhattans!) and 25 miles of waterways * Why conservation easements are permanent, and what that means for landowners and communities * The local food guide connecting Colorado Springs residents to farms and ranches south of the city * The Pikes Peak Conservation Corridor: a legacy project protecting sweeping views along Highway 24 * Avenger Open Space in Woodland Park: a new trail-connected open space in the works * How you can support local conservation through events, donations, and community advocacy Key Takeaways * Conservation is invisible by design. When it's done right, the mountains, meadows, and open spaces just look like they've always been there. They haven't, it takes communities of people to keep them that way. * Palmer's impact is massive. Nearly 150,000 acres protected. 20 public parks and open spaces. Projects spanning from Garden of the Gods to the Paint Mines. * Local food is a conservation priority. Palmer created a local food guide highlighting farms and ranches in the Pueblo and Rocky Ford area, Colorado's "bread basket." Grab a copy at their office or find it online. * You're never far from a trailhead. One of the best things about Colorado Springs is that no matter where you are, you're roughly 10 to 15 minutes from a trail. Upcoming Palmer Land Conservancy Events * Pints with Palmer — Wednesday, June 25 at Goat Patch Brewing [https://www.goatpatchbrewing.com/]. A casual night to learn about Palmer's work and connect with fellow land lovers. Perfect if this is your first time hearing about them. * Donor Guided Hike of Avenger Open Space [https://www.trailforks.com/region/avenger-open-space-70643/] — May 19. A private hike for donors on the soon-to-be-conserved property in Woodland Park. Interested? Reach out to Palmer Land Conservancy to learn more. Pick of the Week Lolley's Ice Cream [https://lolleys.com/] — A local favorite that's entirely gluten-free, including their waffle cones. They recently opened a new downtown location and are supporters of Palmer Land Conservancy. Connect with Palmer Land Conservancy * Visit their website [https://www.palmerland.org/] for the local food guide and event info * Attend a hike, happy hour, or community event this summer * Make a donation, because people power this work We Love Our Sponsors * Vanguard Aesthetics [https://vanguardskin.com/aesthetics/injectables/botox-cosmetic/] — Personalized skincare treatments. Link in show notes. * Core Collective [https://corecollectivecos.com/] — Use code SPRINGSANDTHINGS for 3 classes for $30. Link in show notes. * Why Wait Stories [https://www.whywaitstories.com/] — Legacy films and brand films that capture the stories that matter most. Visit whywaitstories.com. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a five-star review, share it with a friend, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. See you next week on Springs & Things!