🕰️ It’s Time To Open The Box

Issue #26-021 1/21/26

Author

Sandy Zuniga
21 Jan • Reading Time: 17 minutes

COS Town Tidings #26-021

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🤣 Today’s Chuckle

🌟Local Feature: 🕰️ It’s Time To Open The Box

📰 One-Lane Traffic on Marksheffel 🚧

📰 History, Pride & Community 🎂

📰 Care Hours Cut, Families Alarmed 💔

📆 Local Events + Concerts & Fairs/Festivals, Activities

🌤 COS Weather - Mostly sunny with cool temps

🌟 Let’s Feature YOUR business!

 

How did the wedding dress calm down?

👉It took a few bridal showers! 🤣

 

🥰 Why We Spotlight Local Businesses

Every Wednesday, we shine a light on the local entrepreneurs who make Colorado Springs vibrant and unique. When you support these featured businesses, you're investing in our neighbors' dreams and helping build a stronger community by creating jobs and keeping our city thriving. 🤗

 

🕰️ It’s Time To Open The Box

Forget Me Not Boutique in Colorado Springs

👰 Sage gives us a beautiful reason to finally break the seal

Many of us have that special box. Carefully sealed, rarely opened, taking up space yet impossible to part with. Inside waits a wedding dress worn just once, on perhaps the most significant day of your life.

Sage Brunk understands the emotional weight of these preserved treasures. She also recognizes their untapped potential. It was during her own frustrating experience in a well-known boutique, feeling pressured to spend double her budget, when she realized there had to be a better way to connect women with meaningful wedding gowns they'll cherish without the stressful experience or overwhelming cost.

This revelation led to Forget Me Not Boutique in Colorado Springs, where Sage welcomes visitors into her home for intimate, pressure-free appointments. Her collection features nearly 100 pre-loved wedding gowns (with new inventory every week) in sizes 0-28, with affordable pricing. Unlike traditional bridal shops with their time limits and sales quotas, Sage offers a relaxed experience in her home where pressure-free guidance and honest feedback replace upselling tactics. There's no rushing through appointments or pushing higher-priced options, just genuine conversation about finding your dream gown within your budget.

The moment someone finds their perfect match is pure magic, whether it's a mature woman celebrating a new chapter or a younger bride who values quality and sustainability over "brand new."

For those ready to share your treasured wedding dress, Sage offers a generous 60% commission well above industry standard. One consignor's unexpected funds came precisely when needed, revealing how Sage isn't just recycling beautiful gowns, but creating connections between women's stories.

Beyond her boutique, Sage stays active in the community. She's co-hosting the "Happily Ever After Sale" on April 18th, a wedding garage sale where brides can sell décor. She's also a participating designer at the "Celebrate Her Fashion Show" at the Antlers Hotel on Feb 28th.

Ready to give your cherished gown new purpose or find one with history? Sage would love to chat about your bridal journey. Connect with her on her website ForgetMeNotBridal.com or on Facebook.

 

🚧 One-Lane Traffic on Marksheffel

One-Lane Traffic on Marksheffel

Marksheffel Road, between south of Tarren Heights and north of Stetson Hills Blvd, will close overnight tonight and Thurs evening for drainage work, shutting down at 7pm and reopening by 5:30am each morning. During the day on Thurs and Fri, steel plates will temporarily cover pipe crossings, and on Friday from 9am to 3pm, drivers should expect alternating one-lane traffic with flaggers while crews finish paving. A signed detour will route traffic via Peterson Rd, Dublin Blvd, and Stetson Hills Blvd, while Tarren Heights remains local access only. Some overnight construction noise is expected, and schedules may shift depending on weather.

 

Poor Richard's Books & Gifts

New Book Releases

 

🎂 History, Pride & Community

History, Pride & Community Celebrating 250 & 150 Together

El Paso County is joining communities across Colorado in commemorating the rare overlap of America’s 250th anniversary and Colorado’s 150th year of statehood, using the moment to reflect on shared values, local history, and civic pride. County departments are working together to highlight our region’s unique role in shaping Colorado from early settlement and military roots to innovation and growth, while offering residents opportunities to learn, participate, and celebrate throughout the year.

The 2026 El Paso County Fair will embrace the theme United We Celebrate, and Bear Creek Nature Center will mark its 50th anniversary with special programming. A new county webpage now serves as a hub for events, resources, and ways to get involved, with more additions planned as the celebration unfolds.

 

Baskin Financial Planning

 

💔 Care Hours Cut, Families Alarmed

Care Hours Cut, Families Alarmed

Families across Colorado Springs and beyond are pushing back on a policy change from the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing that would cut paid family caregiving hours from 112 to 56 per week starting this spring, following an executive order from Governor Polis. State officials say the cap is designed to prevent burnout and promote better outcomes, but families caring for children and adults with complex disabilities say they already shoulder this level of care because qualified nurses are simply unavailable.

Parents worry the reduction could force them into outside jobs, reduce hands-on care, or leave medically fragile loved ones without adequate support, creating stress and risk rather than relief. Many families say they want help, not fewer hours, and fear the policy overlooks the realities of Colorado’s healthcare staffing crisis. Full Story

 

Kristen Nielsen

 

🛍 Bargain Box: This Week's Hot Deals!
Jan 21-24

Bargain Box: This Week's Hot Deals!

A new week means new treasures! We're giving you a first look at the incredible finds and amazing sales hitting the floor for through Jan 24. Watch now to see what's waiting for you!

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

 

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Nature's Start Bread Company

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

 

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Disclaimers: All content deemed accurate at publishing. Independent of local entities. Aims to inform, connect, entertain. Updates on website version.