COS Town Tidings #25-276

📖 READ ONLINE

🤣 Today’s Chuckle

📰 Pothole Patrol Expands 🕳️

📰 Pink Isn’t Just a Color 👚

📰 Health Violations Shut 2 Restaurants Down😲

Recipe: 🥐 Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins (Starbucks Copycat)

📆 Local Events + Free Concerts, Farmers Markets & Fall Fairs/Festivals

🌞 COS Weather - Mostly sunny and hot with above average temps

Recreation: 🥾 Crags Trail = Autumn Magic

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That’s my favorite part of the muffin...

👉Is apparently not the right answer when your wife asks if her pants give her a muffin top 🤣

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🕳️ Pothole Patrol Expands

Colorado Springs recently added 12 new workers to its pothole repair crews, with many already receiving on-the-job training—like last week patching asphalt near Woodmen and Union. While the new hires won’t make fixes faster (the city still aims for a five-business-day turnaround), they will allow for more coverage as residents continue to report potholes using the city’s updated GoCOS app. Repairs during good weather use a more permanent hot-mix process, while colder conditions rely on quicker, temporary cold-mix fixes.

The city made the hires by shifting resources away from some large capital projects to prioritize street-level maintenance. Ten of the 12 workers are currently training, and the goal remains the same: safer roads, filled faster, with help from engaged community members. Full Story

😍 Neighbors Are Raving About This Local Company
Brandy’s Must-Know Tips for Saving On Your Energy Bill

👚 Pink Isn’t Just a Color

October brings a sea of pink as a powerful reminder that breast cancer touches so many lives—including mine. This month is more than symbolic; it’s an invitation to take real steps toward prevention and early detection. Mammograms remain the gold standard, especially for women 40 and up, while MRIs offer added clarity for those at higher risk. Self-exams, clinical checks, and even genetic testing all have their place in protecting your health.

If you or someone you love needs help accessing screenings, the El Paso County Public Health Reproductive Health Clinic is a great local resource (call 719-578-3199, option 1). Let’s honor this month not just by wearing pink, but by taking care of each other—and ourselves.

🎯 The Secret to Financial Confidence You Deserve

😲 Health Violations Shut 2 Restaurants Down

It was a rough week for restaurant inspections in El Paso County. New Panda on E Cheyenne Mtn Blvd was briefly shut down after 27 health code violations, including food handling issues and insects near storage areas.

Pho-N-Thai on N Nevada followed with 19 violations, from poor sanitation practices to unsafe food storage. While New Panda quickly reopened after corrective actions, Pho-N-Thai has not yet.

Several other restaurants also failed inspections, while many earned top marks. Here’s the quick rundown ⬇️

❌ Failing Scores (re-inspection required):

• King Buffet (801 N Academy) – 13 violations

• La Carreta Mexican Restaurant (35 Iowa Ave) – 13 violations

🥇 Top Scores! On a brighter note, several local favorites earned top scores—Back East Bar & Grill in Monument owners Mike credits their long-standing teams and strict daily routines for keeping things up to standard. It’s a good reminder that food safety isn’t just about inspection day—it’s a commitment every single shift. Full Story

✅ High Scores:

• Toastique COS (North on Ridgeline and Voyager) – Perfect score ⭐

• The Loop (Manitou Springs)

• Gyros Plus (Briargate Neighborhood)

Health inspection results across El Paso County are available online for those wanting to check their favorite spots.

*Note: Most local restaurants take food safety incredibly seriously. In fact, many owners respond to violations swiftly and thoroughly, often making fixes the same day while they wait for reinspection. 

🥐 Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins (Starbucks Copycat)

Make your own copycat pumpkin cream cheese muffins at home! These taste just like the ones from Starbucks. They’re super moist and soft, filled with cozy spices, and have sweet cheesecake-like centers. Simple to make and perfect for fall!

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

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

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📆 Sample Local Events

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*Weather Permitting

• Oct thru 31: Old Colorado City October Strolls

• Oct 3 (Noon-6pm), 4 (10am-5pm), 5 (11am-4pm): The Springs Home Show @Colorado Springs Event Center, 3960 Palmer Park Blvd FREE

• Oct 3-5, 1-4 PM: 3-Hour Original Colorado Springs Food Tour @1 Tejon St $69-$87

• Oct 3, 5-8pm: Make Your Own Fabric Candy Tote! @The Vintage Sewing Club, 1826 E Platte $15

• Oct 3, 5-9pm: First Friday Art Walk @Downtown COS

  • —> 🖼️ Where Art Speaks to Your Soul

• Oct 4, 6:30-8pm: Movies Under the Stars - Zombieland @Bristol Brewing FREE

• Oct 4, 7pm: Fashion With A Purpose @Phil Long Music Hall $78-$153

• Oct 5, 11am: The Local Motive - Leaf Peepin' Party @Kinship Landing $54.50

• Oct 5, 1-3:30pm: LiteraTEA party fundraiser for Harley’s Hope @Black Forest Community Center, 12530 Black Forest Rd $35

• Oct 8, 2-3:30pm: South/Southeast Colorado 50+ Workforce Listening Session (Virtual)

• Oct 10-12, 17-19, 24-26: First Company Theater Presents, Brigadoon @First United Methodist Church, 420 N Nevada $20

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

• Oct 11, 9am-11am: Beginning Bridge Workshop @Bridge Center, 901 N 17th St $10

• Oct 11, 6-9pm: Murder Mystery, Game Over @Great Wolf Lodge, 9494 Federal Dr $74.95 (3 ticket left)

• Oct 11, 7pm: Oxymorons Comedy: Hocus Jokus @Peak Improv Theater, 3440 N Carefree $15 (family friendly)

• Oct 17, 6pm & 9pm: The Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th anniversary @Ivywild School Gym Auditorium, 1604 S Cascade Ave $22

• Oct 29, 6pm: Secret of Black Forest Bistro Murder Mystery Dinner @6750 Shoup Rd $80

• Nov 8, 3-6pm: Senior Holiday Dinner Dance @COS City Hub, 4304 Austin Bluffs 65+ FREE (must register, tickets going fast)

👩‍🌾 Farmers Markets - Weather permitting

• Oct 3, Noon-4pm: UCCS Farmers Market @3942 Regent Circle (Last one for the season)

• Oct 4, 7am-1pm (Sat's thru Oct 11): OCC Farmers Market @2407 W Colorado Ave

• Oct 4, 8am-2pm: Monument Hill Farmers Market @66 Jefferson St, Monument (Last one for the season)

• Oct 4, 9am-1pm (Sat’s thru Oct 11): Backyard Market @Black Forest, 6845 Shoup Rd (Local produce advertised)

  • 🌟Stop by this booth…🧄 You HAVE to Taste What They're Growing at The Green Witch Homestead!

• Oct 4, 10am-2pm: CFAM: The Margarita at Pine Creek, 7350 Pine Creek Rd (Local produce advertised & Last one for the season)

• Oct 5 & 19, 11am-3pm: Southeast Farmer's Market (Food Coalition) @Stompin' Groundz, 2050 Jet Wing Dr

• Sept Oct 6 & 8, 10am-5pm (Mon & Wed’s thru Oct 15): Summer Farmers Market @ Western Museum of Mining & Industry, 225 N Gate Blvd

• Oct 8, 3-7pm (Wed’s thru Oct 15): Colorado Farm and Art Market (CFAM) @Pioneers Museum, 215 S Tejon

• Oct 12, 9am-2pm (Every other Sun, thru Oct 26): COS Sunday Market @Acacia Park, Downtown

🎶 Fall Concerts - Weather permitting

• Oct 8, 6-9pm: Jazz Thursdays - On The Brink @Mining Exchange Hotel, 8 S Nevada FREE

🍂 Fall Festivals & Fairs - Weather permitting

• Oct 3-26, 10am-5pm (Every Fri, Sat & Sun): Long Neck Pumpkin Farm @ 7595 California Dr, COS $18

• Oct 4, 8am-2pm (Sat's thru Oct 11): OCC Craft Fair @Old Colorado City History Center, 1 S 24th St

• Oct 4, 9am-10pm: Oktoberfest @Pikes Peak Brewing, 1756 Lake Woodmoor Dr, Monument

• Oct 4-31 (Fri's 9:30am-2:30pm), (Sat/Sun 9:30-4pm): Pumpkin Fest @Gaither Mountain Blooms, 5210 S Hwy 85 $11.17

• Oct 4 (Every Sat in Oct), Miner's Pumpkin Patch @ Western Museum of Mining & Industry, 225 North Gate $13

• Oct 4, 10am-4pm: Harvest Festival @Rock Ledge Ranch $8

• Oct 4 (10am-6pm) & 5 (10am-4pm): Market Days @Norris Penrose Event Center $7.23 (Early Bird, ends TODAY Oct 3)

  • —>Say hi to Sandie 🌿 Zenfullyme: Your Answer To Aches, Stress & Problem Skin

• Oct 4 & 5, 10am-6pm: Oktoberfest @Gather Mountain Blooms, 5210 S Hwy 85 $18-$35

• Oct 4, Noon-4pm: Oktob"HER"fest @Everyday Girl Adventures, 2506 W Colorado Ave $0-$10

• Oct 4, 2-5pm: Fall Festival @Martinez Elementary, 6460 Vickers Dr

  • —> Say hi to Victoria 🍞 A Slice of Home: Nature's Start Bread Co Rises in Colorado Springs

• Oct 4, 2-7pm: Oktoberfest @Whistle Pig Brewing , 2117 Templeton Gap $13-$45

• Oct 4, 5pm: Fall Fest with Chuckwagon Dinner Show @Flying W Ranch, 3330 Chuckwagon Rd

🥾 Crags Trail = Autumn Magic

Just when you saw fall color at Mueller State Park, check out the golden opportunity right across the street to the Crags Trail. This 4.8 to 5.1-mile moderate hike is a favorite for good reason: from forest switchbacks and open meadows to dramatic rock spires and sweeping views of Pikes Peak, the scenery never disappoints.

You’ll follow a gentle creek most of the way before a final push to the summit, where ancient bristlecone pines and panoramic mountain views await. It’s family-friendly, pup-approved, and a perfect weekend escape before the trail gets snow-covered. But heads-up: the parking lot fills fast on nice days, so start early if you can!

Location: 615 Teller County Rd 62, Divide, CO 80814

Take US-24 west and turn left at traffic light in Divide. Drive south on US-67 for about 4 miles. Turn left to CR-62 right after you pass the entrance to Mueller State park on the right. Drive 3 miles on the dirt road and you will see the new trailhead parking lot on the right side. Crags campground located 1/4 of a mile further down the road is no longer used as the official trailhead.

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