COS Town Tidings #25-245

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🤣 Today’s Chuckle

📰 Wild Birds Unlimited Uplifts Memory Care🐦

📰 Pueblo Fights for Fair’s Future🚜

📰 Farewell to Felipe’s 109 on Academy💔

🎈 Trivia Time: How Labor Day Lift Off Took Flight in Colorado Springs

📆 Local Events + Free Concerts & Farmers Markets

🌤 COS Weather - Mostly sunny and warm with slight chance of isolated sprinkles

Sponsored By

What’s a bird’s favorite type of math?

👉Owl-gebra! 🤣

🐦 Wild Birds Unlimited Uplifts Memory Care

As someone who has walked the journey of caregiving for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, I know how meaningful small moments of joy we hold on to. That’s why I’m humbled to share this story.

Springs Ranch memory care residents now enjoy a new bird sanctuary dedicated to the late Raye Chavez, whose daughter wanted to honor his love of birdwatching. With the help of Heather Weber-Langvardt, co-owner of Wild Birds Unlimited, that simple vision blossomed into a sweet view for residents with multiple feeding stations and bird guides for residents to use. This thoughtful gift is more than just a donation—it’s a way of brightening daily life for those in memory care, offering moments of joy and connection that matter deeply as memories fade. Full Story

🌟Local Spotlight: 🐦 Discover the Art of Nature at Wild Birds Unlimited

🚜 Pueblo Fights for Fair’s Future

For over 150 years, Pueblo has been the proud home of the Colorado State Fair, yet the idea of moving it to Denver keeps resurfacing. While advocates of a move point to lower attendance and operating losses, Pueblo’s defenders highlight its $55 million economic impact, $10 million in recent fairground investments, and a tradition woven deeply into southern Colorado’s culture.

With most state fairs nationwide held in larger metros, the question of whether Colorado should follow suit or preserve its Pueblo roots stirs passionate debate about identity, economics, and the value of tradition. Full Story

What do you think? Stay in Pueblo or move it?

🎯 The Secret to Financial Confidence You Deserve

💔 Farewell to Felipe’s 109 on Academy

Felipe’s 109 Taco Burgers has permanently closed on S Academy as of yesterday, Sept 1, after five years in business. The news was delivered in their Facebook post. The team cited equipment issues, operating costs, and upcoming construction projects in the area as reasons behind the difficult decision. While the restaurant itself is gone, Felipe’s isn’t disappearing—their food truck will remain active for events, keeping their unique flavor and community spirit alive. The owners thanked the Southeast community for years of support and shared that this transition is a time to slow down, heal, and return to their roots. The property will be converted into a carwash after the start of the year.

🎈 TRIVIA: How Labor Day Lift Off Took Flight in Colorado Springs

Did you know Colorado Springs' iconic Labor Day Lift Off traces its roots to a group of friends from Black Forest inspired by Dewey Reinhard in 1976, with a quirky entry fee—a six-pack of beer and just 100 curious locals looking on? This homegrown race quickly ballooned into the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic, drawing pilots from across the country and the world to Memorial Park thanks to our weather and the unforgettable backdrop of Pikes Peak. As the festival grew, it gained national fame for eccentric balloon shapes, hare-and-hound races, and the beloved tradition of dipping baskets in Prospect Lake.

What local Colorado Springs secret allows hot air balloons at Labor Day Lift Off to soar higher, use less fuel, and carry heavier loads?

Community passion saved the festival in 2015, after city disputes nearly sent it away—locals and balloon enthusiasts rallied, and the event was reborn as Labor Day Lift Off, now run by Hot Apple Productions. Today, this Colorado Springs tradition welcomes thousands each year, bringing whimsical balloon shapes, drone shows, and sky-high memories to all who wake up early to watch the sunrise spectacle.

Not even the pandemic could dim its spirit—with citywide launches that filled the Colorado sky from multiple new locations, this local tradition continues to bring families together and captivate hearts. The Lift Off isn’t just an end-of-summer party—it’s pure Colorado joy, floating above the city for nearly 50 years. 

Answer: Thin mountain air at higher altitude. *Source

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🎉 Events Calendar! (More events including FREE, click here)

Have an event to share? Reply and let me know (include link)

📆 Sample Local Events

Weather permitting

• Sept 2-7, 1-4 PM: 3-Hour Original Colorado Springs Food Tour @1 Tejon St $69-$87

• Sept 4, 8-10pm: “Weird Al” Yankovic feat Puddles Pity Party @Ford Amphitheater $63+

• Sept 5-21, 10am-6pm: Parade of Homes in Colorado Springs $18

• Sept 5-7: Briarfest @St Gabriel The Archangel Catholic Church, 8755 Scarborough Dr

• Sept 6, 9am-Noon: Back to you - A Revive Experience @Sacred Space Therapeutics, 59 Windchime Pl FREE

• Sept 6, 10-11am: Create Natures Fall Wreath @Phelan Gardens, 4955 Austin Bluffs $28 (Only 1 Ticket Left)

• Sept 6, 6-9pm: Murder Mystery, Dirty Money @Great Wolf Lodge, 9494 Federal Dr $63.71 (6 tickets left)

• Sept 8, 11-14: The Shark is Broken @Springs Ensemble Theatre, 2409 West Colorado $25 (tickets selling out fast)

• Sept 12, 7pm: LA Phil Trio: Mastery in Motion @ENT Center $44

• Sept 12 & Oct 10, 7:30pm: The MAT!ch Game @The MAT, 1626 S Tejon $17.50

• Sept 13, 1-4pm: Food To Power’s annual Harvest Celebration @Hillside Hub, 1090 S Institute St $10

• Oct 3-4: Beyond The Grave Presents: The Phantom of the Opera @Evergreen Cemetery, 1005 Hancock Expressway $28 (tickets selling fast)

👩‍🌾 Farmers Markets - Weather permitting

• Sept 3, 9am-2pm (Wed’s thru Sept 24): Briargate Farmers Market @7610 N Union Blvd

• Sept 3 & 8, 10am-5pm (Mon & Wed’s thru Oct 15): Summer Farmers Market @ Western Museum of Mining & Industry, 225 N Gate Blvd

• Sept 3, 3-7pm (Wed’s thru Oct 15): Colorado Farm and Art Market (CFAM) @Pioneers Museum, 215 S Tejon

• Sept 5, Noon-4pm (Every other Fri thru Oct 3): UCCS Farmers Market @3942 Regent Circle 

• Sept 6, 7am-1pm (Sat's thru Oct 11): OCC Farmers Market @2407 W Colorado Ave

• Sept 6, 8am-2pm (Sat’s thru-Oct 4): Monument Hill Farmers Market @66 Jefferson St, Monument

• Sept 6, 9am-1pm (Sat’s thru Oct 11): Backyard Market @Black Forest, 6845 Shoup Rd

• Sept 6, 10am-2pm: CFAM (Sat's thru Oct 3): The Margarita at Pine Creek, 7350 Pine Creek Rd

• Sept 7, (2x/mth, Jun-Oct), 11am-3pm: Southeast Farmer's Market (Food Coalition) @Stompin' Groundz, 2050 Jet Wing Dr (Produce vendors)

• Sept 14, 9am-2pm (Every other Sun, thru Oct 26): COS Sunday Market @Acacia Park, Downtown

🎶 Summer Concert Series - Weather permitting

• Sept 2, 5:30-7:30pm (Tues’s thru Sept): Music in the Park: @Bancroft Park, 2400 W Colorado Ave FREE

• Sept 5, 6-7pm: Palmer Lake Library Concert Series, Ricky Sweum @Palmer Lake Village Green & Gazebo, 66 Lower Glenway St FREE

• Sept 6, 4-8pm: Music on The Mesa - Harry Mo & The Cru @Goldhill Mesa, 142 S Raven Mine Dr FREE

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