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❓ Trivia: Pikes Peak Hwy 🚧 I-25/Nevada/Tejon 🦒CMZ CEO Retirement 🎖️ Veteran of the Year

❓ Trivia: Pikes Peak Hwy 🚧 I-25/Nevada/Tejon 🦒CMZ CEO Retirement 🎖️ Veteran of the Year

4 Min Read | Issue #24-135 5/14/24

14 May • Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes

COS Town Tidings #24-135

📰 Safety Upgrades at I-25/Nevada/Tejon 🚧

📰 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo CEO Retirement Set 🦒

📰 Honoring Heroism: Veteran of the Year Named 🎖️

💡 Trivia: How Penrose Changed Pikes Peak Forever! 🏔️

⛈ COS Weather - T-storms after Noon and warm temps

📆 Local Events

What happens when you spill jelly on the road?

👉 A traffic jam 🤣

🚧 Safety Upgrades at I-25/Nevada/Tejon

A $9 million safety improvement project started yesterday at the I-25/Nevada/Tejon interchange in south Colorado Springs. Over the next nine months, the project will upgrade pedestrian facilities, enhance traffic flow, and improve safety measures.

Key highlights include widening sidewalks, constructing a pedestrian bridge over Cheyenne Creek, and adding new traffic signals. Phases include building a center median on Nevada Avenue, widening the I-25 South Connector Road, and completing sidewalk and bicycle lane upgrades on Tejon. Expect lane closures, flaggers guiding traffic, and occasional weekend work throughout the project.

🦒 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo CEO Retirement Set

Bob Chastain, President and CEO of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, will retire in 2026 after nearly 30 years with the organization, 20 of which were spent in his current role. During his tenure, annual visitors to the zoo soared from 365,000 to 900,000. In February, the zoo celebrated raising $5 million for conservation efforts. Chastain's retirement coincides with the zoo's centennial year. The Zoo has also consistently ranked among the top five zoos in North America during Chastain's tenure.

🎖️ Honoring Heroism: Veteran of the Year Named

Joe Lewis, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret), has been named the 2023 Veteran of the Year by the El Paso County Division of Veterans Services. Recognized at the Military Affairs Council Armed Forces Luncheon, Lewis dedicated 25 years to the armed forces before founding Angels of America’s Fallen. Under his leadership, the organization has impacted over 550 children nationwide, securing a significant grant leading to a 25% expansion. Lewis expressed gratitude for the honor, emphasizing the importance of supporting children of fallen heroes. Since 2017, the Veteran of the Year Program has acknowledged veterans making significant contributions to the local community.

💡 Trivia: How Penrose Changed Pikes Peak Forever! 🏔️

Pikes Peak Auto Highway, an engineering marvel of its time, was the brainchild of Spencer Penrose to promote automobile tourism around Colorado Springs. Costing $400,000 to build in 1916, this 19-mile roadway to the summit was a bold investment.

As a marketing mastermind, Penrose created the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, 🏎️ now known as the "Race to the Clouds," to drive visitors to this new highway attraction and his Broadmoor Hotel. The race, which began in 1916, is the second oldest auto race in the United States.

💭 What was the toll cost to drive Pikes Peak Auto Hwy in 1916, to help Spencer Penrose recoup his investment?

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