COS Town Tidings #24-068

📰 Taxpayer Burden: Liability Insurance Surge 💸
📰 COS Apartments Emptying: Rents Dip 🏙️
📰 Veterans Find Solace in New Group 🤝

📅 Save the Date 📆 Local Events
🛍 Local Deals

Recipe: 🍪 Protein Cookie Dough Bark

🌨 COS Weather - AM snow, trace accumulation
🤝 Affordable Advertising

I’m not sure about this daylight savings thing…

👉 I give it 6 months 🤣

💸 Taxpayer Burden: Liability Insurance Surge

Over the last 5 years, liability insurance premiums for Colorado Springs and El Paso County surged by about 600%. While the county frequently uses its insurance for settlements, the city's high deductibles mean its insurance is mostly unused, leaving taxpayers to cover settlements, including a portion of a $3 million settlement for an incident in the county jail. The city's deductible, ranging from $1-1.5 million, often surpasses settlement amounts, resulting in limited use of insurance despite rising premiums.

These hikes, linked to post-George Floyd market conditions, strain municipal budgets, diverting funds from vital services like infrastructure maintenance. Additionally, the city anticipates further premium increases in 2024, reflecting broader market trends impacting homeowners and motorists.
*Source

🏙️ Colorado Springs Apartments Emptying: Rents Dip

The latest report reveals a surge in apartment vacancies, with Colorado Springs experiencing a 7.5% vacancy rate in the fourth quarter of 2023. This increase is attributed to the substantial delivery of new apartment units outpacing rental demand. Analysts note that over 5,000 new apartments became available in 2023, yet only 2,317 were occupied by year-end. Consequently, this oversupply causes a decline in rent, which decreased by almost 2% year over year, though the average rent remains around $1,500.

Despite the decline in rental prices, the issue of affordable housing persists, as developers prioritize constructing higher-end units with greater profit margins. Economists predict the vacancy trend to persist into 2024, which could discourage future development, perpetuating the cyclic nature of the housing market.

🤝 Veterans Find Solace in New Group

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is initiating a Veterans Support Group tailored for active duty and retired service members coping with mood disorders. Starting on March 26 at the Hillside Community Center, the group will convene every Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Led by a local veteran, the confidential and peer-led sessions seek to foster connection and mutual support among attendees. No registration is needed, and there is no cost to participate. For further details, individuals can reach out via email to [email protected].

📚 Careers: D49 Hiring Fair!

District 49 is hosting a Hiring Fair TOMORROW, March 9th from 9 AM–1 PM at The Campus in COS (6113 Constitution Ave), 150+ job openings i.e. teachers, bus drivers, and custodians, etc. Meet with representatives, same-day interviews, child care services and food trucks. Click for details and registration link.

TAX RETURN HELP: Get help in preparing and filing your tax returns! AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers no-cost tax preparation services (by appointment only) to anyone, especially those 50 years and older or those who cannot afford paid tax preparation services, thanks to a team of IRS-certified volunteers.

Every Tues, Wed, Thurs until April 11th: AARP Foundation Tax Aide (in partnership with PPLD)

👉 Submit Your Event Here 👈

📆 Local Events

• Mar 8th-9th, 2-5 PM: 3-Hour Original Colorado Springs Food Tour @1 Tejon St $69-$87

• Mar 8th-9th: Ice Castle @Cripple Creek $21-$27

• Mar 8th, 9th, 14th-17th, 21st-24th, 7:30 PM: The Making of a Great Moment @Millibo Art Theater, 1626 S. Tejon St $25

• Mar 8th-10th, Noon - 5 PM: COLORADO SPRINGS REMODELING EXPO @Norris Penrose Center, 1045 Lower Gold Camp Rd

• Mar 8th-10th, (Fri 4-7 PM MEMBERS ONLY PREVIEW, Sat 10 AM-4 PM, Sun 11 AM-3 PM): Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale @Pikes Peak Library District-East Library, 5550 N Union Blvd

• Mar 8th-9th (every Fri & Sat), 3:30 PM: 2.5-Hour Cocktails & Canapés Walking Tour @1 N Tejon St. $79 per person Must be 21+

• Mar 8th, 6-7 PM: How to optimize your body's operating system with Dr. Codi @3510 Galley Road Ste 102 FREE

• Mar 9th, 10 AM-3 PM: Backyard Market in Black Forest @Edith Wolford Elementary, 13710 Black Forest Rd FREE

• Mar 9th, 6-8 PM: Yoga w/Live Music and Sound Bath @Yoga Studio Satya 1581 York Rd $45-$55

• Mar 10th, 10 AM-2 PM (every Sun): Backyard Market at Park Union @108 W Cimarron St FREE

• Mar 10th, 2:30-6 PM: Women of the World: An International Fashion Show @Anthem Live Studios, 975 Garden of the Gods Road #h $45-$100

• Mar 10th, 17th, 23rd-24th: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! @COS Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, 30 West Dale St. $22-$26

• Mar 11th, 1-2 PM: Mountain Harmony Music Senior Program @Southeast YMCA, 2190 Jet Wing Dr. FREE ages 50+

• Mar 11th-12th, 7 PM: The Thorn @Pikes Peak Center, 190 S Cascade Ave $52-$84

• Mar 12th & 14th, 9 AM-5 PM: March Dog Days @Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

• Mar 12th, 6:30-8:30 PM: Cotton Candy Moon | $3 Drinks | Blacklight Paints @Painting With A Twist, Powers Blvd $35-$55 (ONLY 9 SPOTS LEFT)

• Mar 13th, 4-7 PM: TASTE OF D49 FOOD SHOW @Vista Ridge High School, 6888 Black Forest Rd FREE

• Mar 14th, 6-8 PM: Fox Run Open House @Pikes Peak Brewing Co, 1756 Lake Woodmoor Dr, Monument FREE

• Mar 16th, 10 AM-Noon: Painting in the Park: Pottery Edition @Fountain Creek Nature Center, Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain $25

🍪 Protein Cookie Dough Bark

This protein cookie dough bark is so easy to make with just 5 simple ingredients. It's packed with 4 grams of protein per serving and is the perfect post-workout treat or healthy dessert.

Access the complete recipe with tailored modifications to suit your dietary requirements, along with convenient print options.

🛍 Discounts, Specials & More

Want to let us know of local deals you want us to add? [email protected]

• Blue Spruce Mercantile, Mar 8th-12th, ALL CLOTHING in store is 2 for $5! 5677 N. Academy Blvd. 719-728-8599 (Mon, Tues & Fri 10 AM-5 PM, Sat 10 AM-4 PM, Sun 1-5 PM)

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