COS Town Tidings #25-345

📖 READ ONLINE

🤣 Today’s Chuckle

📰 El Paso County Approves 2026 Budget With Big Wins 💰

📰 New Facility, New Jobs for COS! 🏭

📰 Ranked #2…but Wait Until You See It 🎇

Recipe: 🥘 Roasted Butternut Squash Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Couscous

🛍 Bargain Box Weekly Sales, Thru Dec 13!

📆 Local Events + Concerts & 🤶 Holiday Fairs/Festivals/Activities

⛅ COS Weather - Cloudy with above average temps

🙋‍♀️ We want to Feature Your Business

There’s one good thing about being hit in the head with a bottle of Coca Cola

👉It’s a soft drink 🤣

💰 El Paso County Approves 2026 Budget With Big Wins

As our area continues to grow, El Paso County has approved a balanced 2026 budget that aims to keep daily services running smoothly while investing in the essentials we rely on, such as safe roads, public safety, parks, and a stable workforce. County leaders emphasized that years of careful planning have allowed them to move forward without layoffs or service cuts, even during uncertain economic times.

Key Budget Highlights

• Total Budget: $532.3 million, fully balanced

• Roads & Infrastructure: $59.1 million

  • Includes $40.2 million for Road & Bridge

  • $12 million dedicated to pavement preservation

• Parks & Facilities: $4.9 million

• Workforce Support: $6.7 million for recruitment, retention, and pay-for-performance

• Operational Improvements: $160,000 to enhance service efficiency

• Strong Reserves:

  • 23% fund balance reserve

  • Additional $10 million emergency reserve

• Taxpayer Benefits:

  • TABOR refund of $4.48 million for residential property owners

  • Temporary mill levy reduction of 1.308 mills

County officials say the goal is clear: protect essential services, invest in long-term community needs, and continue practicing strong fiscal stewardship so El Paso County stays on solid footing well into the future.

📚 Poor Richard's Books & Gifts

🛍 Bargain Box: This Week's Hot Deals! (Through Sat Dec 13)

A new week means new treasures! We're giving you a first look at the incredible finds and amazing sales hitting the floor through Dec 13 (Big Blowout Sale on Sat). Watch now to see what's waiting for you!

Located at 405 S Nevada Ave, Open Tues - Sat 10am-2pm. (719) 475-1029

• —> 🤲 They Have 5,000 Reasons to Work for Free

🏭 New Facility, New Jobs for COS!

Colorado Springs just received a major economic boost: Swire Coca-Cola, USA has chosen Southeast Colorado Springs as the home of its new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. The project represents a $475M investment in the Pikes Peak region and will bring an estimated 170 new jobs, with many more supported indirectly. The company plans to pursue LEED Gold certification, emphasizing sustainability, efficiency, and long-term commitment to the community.

Construction is expected to begin in 2026 at Peak Innovation Park, where the new 620,000-square-foot plant will eventually replace Swire's aging Denver facility and produce more than 230 beverage options across 60+ brands. Local leaders say the project strengthens our region’s workforce, fuels economic growth, and reflects the strong partnerships that helped bring this global brand to Colorado Springs.

🎯 The Secret to Financial Confidence You Deserve

🎇 Ranked #2…but Wait Until You See It

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s beloved holiday tradition, Electric Safari, has once again been recognized nationally, this year earning the #2 spot in USA TODAY’s Best Zoo Lights competition, its highest ranking ever and its 7th consecutive year in the top three.

Guests can explore the glowing displays nightly through Jan 1 (excluding Christmas Eve), with members enjoying early entry and unlimited visits. Because this event draws large crowds, advance timed tickets are now required, and some evenings will sell out. Visitors can also save $5 by choosing non-peak nights or rideshare ticket options. Full details and ticket availability can be found at cmzoo.org/electric.

🍞 Fresh Baked Sourdough breads, pastries 
📍3312 Austin Bluffs (Inside The Cupcake Doctor): 
M-Sat, 9am-6pm
(Seasonal Items Added)

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🥘 Roasted Butternut Squash Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Couscous

Cozy and delicious broccoli cheddar chicken couscous tossed with sweet and spicy roasted butternut squash. You’ll love this easy, comforting dinner recipe for any night of the week! Kid-friendly and easily vegetarian, too.

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

🌡 Pendleton Heating & Cooling
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🎉 Events Calendar! (More events including FREE, click here)

Have an event to share? Click on calendar above and add it

Volunteers Needed! 👇

• Dec 13 (10am-5pm), 14 (10am-4pm): Candy Cane Craft & Gift Show Fundraiser @ Norris Penrose Event Center FREE admission

  • —> Stop by to see Monique: 😲 Why Would She Name Her Candy Shop This?

📆 Sample Local Events

*Weather permitted

• Dec 11-14, 1-4 PM: 3-Hour Original Colorado Springs Food Tour @1 Tejon St $69-$87

• Dec 11-14, 18-28: Mary Poppins @ Fine Arts Center, 30 West Dale St $18-$70

• Dec 12 & 29, 9am-5pm: Dog Days at the Zoo @ Cheyenne Mtn Zoo

• Dec 11-14 & 18-21: The Importance of Being Earnest @ ENT Center $21-$47

• Dec 13-14 & 20: The Ringmaster`s Christmas @The MAT, 1626 S Tejon $26.50

• Dec 17, 6-8pm: Pedestal Flip Calendar Class @ Meraki Springs, 2703 W Colorado Ave $40

• Dec 21, 10am-Noon: Beginner Dot Mandala Painting Workshop @ Treehouse Cafe, 5965 N Academy $50 (6 Seats Available)

🎶 Concerts - Weather permitting

• Dec 12, 7-8:30pm: Heaven and Nature Ring @ Immanuel Lutheran Church, 846 East Pikes Peak Ave FREE

• Dec 13, 3-5pm: Soli Christmas Celebration @ First United Methodist Church, 420 N Nevada FREE (donations appreciated, must register)

• Dec 21, 3pm: Pikes Peak Philharmonic: Jazz @ENT Center for the Arts, 5225 N Nevada $14-$20

• Jan 10-11: The Human Equation @ Ent Center for the Arts $18-$41

🤶 Holiday Festivals, Fairs & Activities

• ⛸ Through - Jan 18: Skate In The Park @Acacia Park $15

• 🕯 Through Jan 4, Fri & Sat (5:30-10pm) & Sun - Thurs (5:30-9pm): Magic of Lights at Pikes Peak International Raceway (PPIR) $28-$72/vehicle

• 🎄 Through Dec 27: Christmas at Forest Bend @ Black Forest, 9525 Burgess Rd $15 (Tickets Sell Out Fast)

• Dec 10-23, 25-Jan 1, 5-8:30pm: Electric Safari @ Cheyenne Mtn Zoo $21-$24

• Christmas Lights Guide - COS, Manitou & Woodland Park

• Jan 3-Feb 21: Ice Castles @ Cripple Creek $16-$29 (tickets on sale now)

   

• Dec 11, 15-18: 2025 Creation: The Spirit of the Games Gingerbread Display @ The Broadmoor

• Dec 11-14 & 18-23, Noon-8pm: OCC Christkindlmarket @ Bancroft Park, 2408 W Colorado Ave FREE to attend

• Dec 11-13, 17-20, 26-27, 5:30-8pm: 🎄 2.5-Hour Holiday Lights & Bites Progressive Dinner @ Downtown COS $99

• Dec 11, 5:30-8:30pm: Holiday Sip-n-Shop @ Backyard Farm Shop, 6845 Shoup Rd FREE admission

• Dec 12, 13, 19 & 20, 6-8pm: Christmas Light Festival 2025 @ St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 7400 Tudor Rd $5.00 Entry fee per family/group + canned goods or a new toy!

• Dec 13, 8am-3pm: Vista Ridge Craft and Vendor Fair @ 6888 Black Forest RD FREE Admission
  Dec 13, 10am-3pm: Black Forest Holiday Market @ Edith Wolford Elementary, 13710 Black Forest Rd FREE admission

• Dec 13, 10am-3pm: Winter Craft Fair @ New Summit Charter Academy, 7899 Lexington Dr FREE admission

• Dec 13, 12-5pm: The Micro Bzzaar @ Blessings Bee Bzzaar, 1287 Lake Plaza Dr, Suite 30 FREE admission

• Dec 13, 4-8pm: Holiday Evening @Rock Ledge Ranch $8

• Dec 14, 3-6pm: Holiday on the Hill @ Goldhill Substation, 955 W Moreno Ave FREE

• Dec 16, 1-4pm: Gelli Prints & Truffle Gifts @ Bella Art & Frame, 251 Front St #11, Monument $45/pp or $39/2 or more (Must register by Dec 13)

• Dec 20, 10-11am: Centerpiece Workshop @ Phelan Gardens, 4955 Austin Bluffs $25

• Dec 20, 2pm: Macramé Ornament Class @ Meraki Springs, 2703 W Colorado Ave $30

• Dec 20 & 27, 6-9pm: Murder Mystery, The Hollywood Hit - Holiday Show @Great Wolf Lodge, 9494 Federal Dr $79.95

• Dec 31, 8:30pm: Broadmoor's New Year's Eve Bash $80 + $25 parking

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