COS Town Tidings #25-352

📖 READ ONLINE

🤣 Today’s Chuckle

📰 Seen This Person? Call CSPD 👀

📰 Age Shifts Hit Workforce Hard 📉

📰 Christkindlmarket Tweaks for Week Two 🎄

Recipe: 🍁 Pomegranate Maple Glazed Baked Ham Recipe

🛍 Bargain Box Weekly Sales, Thru Dec 20!

✅ Home and Living: Furnace Tips 

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

🌤 COS Weather - Mostly sunny, still breezy and cooler temps

🙋‍♀️ We want to Feature Your Business

How do you know if a ham is ready for Christmas?

👉It’s wearing its best “glaze!” 🤣

👀 Seen This Person? Call CSPD

Colorado Springs police and fire officials are investigating an arson case after a fire broke out Saturday afternoon outside a business on N Century St, near East Fillmore and North El Paso. Crews arrived around 2:43pm to find styrofoam and construction supplies burning, sending heavy smoke across the city and prompting nearly 60 calls to dispatch. Investigators say a person seen walking in the area just after the fire began may have valuable information about what happened.

CSPD is asking anyone who recognizes the individual to reach out to police at 719-444-7000, or call Crime Stoppers, (719) 634-STOP (7867) anonymously if preferred. Full Story

🧝 Downtown Gift: The Parking Elf Returns!

🛍 Bargain Box: This Week's Hot Deals! (Through Sat Dec 20)

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 20 (Up to 75% OFF certain items). 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

📉 Age Shifts Hit Workforce Hard

El Paso County is beginning to feel the effects of a major demographic shift: our population is aging, while fewer working-age people are moving here. This imbalance is making it harder for local businesses to hire and retain staff, especially as the cost of living continues to climb. Workers are juggling multiple jobs just to stay afloat, and some are questioning whether they can continue building a life here.

Experts say the slowdown in new residents isn’t just local, it’s part of a nationwide trend, but solving Colorado Springs’ workforce challenges could start with expanding affordable housing options to help people stay and grow here. Full Story

🎯 The Secret to Financial Confidence You Deserve

🎄 Christkindlmarket Tweaks for Week Two

If you’re planning to visit Old Colorado City’s new Christkindlmarket again today through Tues, here’s an update. After a very busy opening week, the first of its kind in Colorado Springs, organizers are already making improvements to help ease crowding and create a better experience for everyone.

While the market overflowed with people and long lines last weekend, it also brought a major boost to local businesses, with some reporting Black Friday–level sales and an influx of new customers. With feedback in hand, organizers are expanding layout space, adding food options, and better preparing for the larger crowds expected this week.

The excitement around this European-style holiday market is already proving to be a welcomed lift for Old Colorado City, both economically and in holiday spirit. Full Story

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

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🍁 Pomegranate Maple Glazed Baked Ham Recipe

This Pomegranate Maple Glazed Ham is covered with a sticky sweet tangy glaze made with pomegranate juice, coconut sugar, dijon, maple syrup and warm spices. An easy holiday ham recipe is guaranteed to be the star of your dinner table.

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

✅ Furnace Tips

🏠 Brandy’s Must-Know Tips

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🎉 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 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, 11am: Kemper Dance Academy presents WONKA WONDERLAND @ UCCS ENT Center for the Arts $18-$20 (Limited Seats Left)

• 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 (2 Seats Left)

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

🎶 Fall Concerts - Weather permitting

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

• Dec 18-20, 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 (7 Spots Left)

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

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

• Dec 21, 6pm: Holiday Sing & Dance with 719 Swing 'n Jam @ 2103 N Weber $8-$10

• Dec 24, 5pm: Candlelight Christmas Eve Service @ The Table at Highland Park, 2550 E San Miguel St COS FREE to attend

• Dec 24, 6pm: Christmas Eve Service & Candle Lighting @ Renovation Church, 13071 Bass Pro Dr FREE to attend

• Dec 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

• Dec 31, 9pm-midnight: New Year’s Eve Party @ Mining Exchange, 8 S Nevada Ave $99 (21+)

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