COS Town Tidings #25-350

Gmail will clip so click to 📖 READ ONLINE

🤣 Today’s Chuckle

📰 Lane Closures Near I-25 🚧

📰 Premiums Rising: Options Still Available 🏥

📰 His Stories Shaped Generations 🎬

🎄 Trivia Time: Which New Springs Market Shocked Organizers?

🛍 New: Bargain Box Weekly Sales, Dec 16-20! 

📆 Local Events + Concerts & 🤶 Holiday Fairs/Festivals

🌤 COS Weather - Mostly sunny with ridiculously above average temps

Imagine if your cell phone battery was on ten percent and it lasted for eight days…

👉Congratulations. You now understand Hanukkah 🤣

🚧 Lane Closures Near I-25

If you travel Garden of the Gods Road near I-25, expect overnight lane closures east of I-25 as crews continue work on new traffic signals near Northpark Drive and Mark Dabling. Two lanes in both directions will close nightly tonight and tomorrow night. One lane will remain open each way. Construction activity will include safety barriers, lighting, heavy equipment, and workers on foot. Late night and early morning travels should be extra cautious when in this area.

🛍 Bargain Box: This Week's Hot Deals! Dec 16-20

A new week means new treasures! We're giving you a first look at the incredible finds and amazing sales hitting the floor for Dec 16-20. Watch now to see what's waiting for you! This week get items from $1 to 75% OFF!

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

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

🏥 Premiums Rising: Options Still Available

Even though yesterday’s Dec 15 deadline to secure health coverage starting January 1 has passed, Coloradans still have time to enroll during open enrollment through Jan 15, with coverage beginning Feb 1. This reminder comes as officials warn that health insurance premiums in parts of Southern Colorado, especially El Paso County, could rise significantly in 2026. Despite that concern, expanded state-funded assistance is helping many residents keep costs low, particularly for individuals and families earning moderate incomes.

Enrollment numbers are currently down compared to last year, but health leaders stress that shopping around, using cost-estimator tools, and getting free expert help can uncover plans that remain within reach for many households. Full Story

🎬 His Stories Shaped Generations

Although the details surrounding Rob Reiner’s (and his wife’s) deaths (their son is currently in custody) are painful and still unfolding, for many in our community, this moment is about pausing to honor a once-in-a-lifetime storyteller whose work became part of our collective memory. From heartfelt coming-of-age tales to timeless comedies and courtroom dramas, Reiner helped define what movies could mean in our lives. Lines like “As you wish,” “I’ll have what she’s having,” and “You can’t handle the truth” aren’t just quotes, they’re shared moments, repeated across decades, reminding us where we were when we first heard them.

Rob’s films gave us laughter, love, bravery, and belonging, and while his passing is a deep loss, the stories he told will continue to live on, quoted, cherished, and passed down for generations.

Rob was the director of these iconic films, including This Is Spinal Tap (1984), Stand By Me, The Princess Bride (1987), and A Few Good Men (1992), among others.

💸 Watch Erik's no-nonsense, 60 second financial tip (updated monthly)

🎄 TRIVIA: Which New Springs Market Shocked Organizers?

Did you know Colorado Springs just joined a 500‑year‑old European holiday tradition? Christkindlmarkets began in German-speaking Europe as open‑air Christmas markets with wooden huts, handmade gifts, and hot spiced wine, meant to bring light and community to dark winter nights.

In traditional German Christkindlmarkets, what warm holiday drink is considered the classic market beverage?

In Colorado, that tradition has been nurtured for 25+ years by the German American Chamber of Commerce–Colorado Chapter through the Denver Christkindlmarket, which now draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each season.​

This year, for the first time, that same group has brought a full Christkindlmarket to Bancroft Park in Old Colorado City (Dec 18-23, noon-8pm.) Featuring 10 wooden huts, imported German food and drinks, and nightly entertainment in a cozy Alpenhütte, all with FREE admission and a focus on local vendors and performers. It taps into the deep German heritage in the Pikes Peak region and gives Colorado Springs its own storybook-style market right in the heart of historic OCC.​

Because this is the market’s debut year, organizers did not fully anticipate the crowds, so early feedback has been mixed as vendors, neighbors, and visitors all adjust to the new tradition. If your schedule allows, consider stopping by, enjoying the lights and treats, and giving the event a chance to grow, your visit this year helps shape what could become one of Old Colorado City’s signature winter traditions.​

Answer: Glühwein, hot mulled red wine spiced with ingredients like cloves and cinnamon, which many German cities serve in special souvenir mugs that change design each year.

Would you do us a favor and spread the word? We need your HELP! Please share Colorado Springs Town Tidings 🤗

👉 Are you on Nextdoor? Share our newsletter there too! 

Don’t want to be up to date on the latest Colorado Springs news, events, and more with our daily newsletters? Reply to this email with “2-3 Times/Week” and we’ll only send you Wed, Sun and if we do a special issue.

PLEASE DON’T MARK US AS SPAM! This negatively impacts those who DO want to receive this newsletter. Remember, YOU signed up, there’s a link at the bottom to unsubscribe or reply with “please unsubscribe.”

🎟 Colorado Springs Just Got More Rewarding

Colorado Springs Town Tidings VIP PASS, a FREE digital wallet pass you can easily add to your Apple or Google Wallet. (Click image below to find out WHY I created this for you!) 

🙋‍♀️ Yes, I want my VIP Pass

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

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

📆 Sample Local Events

*Weather permitted

• Dec 17, 5:30-7:30: Polar Express Movie Night @ Lebowski's Taproom, 3240 Centennial Blvd

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

• Dec 18, 9am-3pm: Veterans Claims Clinic @ 101 North Main Street, Fountain (Community Room), FCFS arrive early

• Dec 18-21, 1-4 PM: 3-Hour Original Colorado Springs Food Tour @1 Tejon St $69-$87

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

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

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

• Dec 21, 10am-Noon: Beginner Dot Mandala Painting Workshop @ Treehouse Cafe, 5965 N Academy $50 (4 Seats Left)

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

🎶 Fall Concerts - Weather permitting

• Dec 16, 7-9pm: Festival of Carols @ Grace & St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 631 N Tejon $30

• Dec 18, 7:30pm: A John Denver Christmas starring Rick Schuler @ Pikes Peak Center $38-$67

• Dec 20, 7:30pm: Christmas Symphony @ Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, 190 S Cascade $57-$69

• Dec 20, 7:30pm: Cowboy Christmas featuring Red Mountain Highway & Sandy Wells @ Phil Long Music Hall, 13071 Bass Pro Dr $19-32

• Dec 20 (7:30pm) & 21 (2:30pm): Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Christmas Symphony @ Pikes Peak Center $57-$69

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

• Dec 30 & 31, 7:30pm: New Year’s Eve: Rhapsody In Blue @ Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, 190 S Cascade $70-$120

• Dec 31, 8pm: New Year's Eve Bash featuring Disco Revue @ Phil Long Music Hall, 13071 Bass Pro Dr $50+ (21+ yrs old)

• 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 16-23, 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 16-18: 2025 Creation: The Spirit of the Games Gingerbread Display @ The Broadmoor

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

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

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

• Dec 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 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 21, Noon-5pm: Christmas Farmers Market @ Ivywild School, 1604 S Cascade Ave FREE admission

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

OWN a local business and would like to be featured? 👇Click below:

✅ Own a local Business? Apply

👋 Colorado Springs Town Tidings is for you, our readers. We encourage you to share your news, local hero stories, events, and more with us! Email us at [email protected]