COS Town Tidings #26-121
Gmail will truncate so 📖 READ ONLINE
🤣 Today’s Chuckle
📰 COS Gains 100 Acres 🏞️
📰 Health Inspectors Shut This One Down 😳
Recipe: 🍓 Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Bars
🛍 Bargain Box - up to 50% Off
📅 SAVE THE DATE
📆 Local Events + Concerts, Activities
🌤 COS Weather - Mostly sunny, warm with high fire danger/Red Flag Warnings again
Recreation: 🥾 A Favorite Spot Reopens
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How do flowers say hi in May?
👉“Hey bud, how’s it growing?” 🤣
🏞️ COS Gains 100 Acres
A once-industrial site in northwest Colorado Springs is beginning a new chapter.
City Council has approved the donation of about 100 acres of the former Pikeview Quarry, with plans to turn the space into future parkland and open space. While the final use hasn’t been decided yet, the community will have a voice in shaping what comes next.
After more than a century of mining, the land has already undergone major restoration, including planting thousands of trees, setting the stage for something that could benefit residents for generations.
📅 SAVE THE DATE - SUN, MAY 3
😳 Health Inspectors Shut This One Down
Each week, El Paso County Public Health inspects local restaurants and posts the results publicly. We pull directly from their database so you know where things stand. Here's what caught our eye this week.
Here's a breakdown of the most recent results:
🚫 Forced to Close
🔴 Las Palmitas II
📍 3589 N Carefree Cir, COS
📅 Inspection Date: Apr 28, 2026
🚨 Result: CLOSED - 15 violations
Inspectors found widespread food safety failures across the facility, several of them repeat violations. It was ordered closed until they pass re-inspection. Here are the “lowlights summary”
No manager or certified food safety lead on site (repeat issue)
Serious handwashing failures, including no soap available at start of inspection
Cross-contamination risks (raw meats stored above ready-to-eat foods)
Critical temp violations, hot food too cold, cold food too warm → large amounts discarded
Improper cleaning frequency and missing date labels (repeat issues)
Unsafe food handling (bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat food)
❗ Bottom line: Conditions were severe enough that the restaurant was shut down until all issues are fully corrected and approved by the health department.
⚠️ Re-Inspection Required
🟡 Paleteria La Chilindrina
📍 574 S Academy, COS
📅 Inspection Date: Apr 28, 2026
⚠️ Result: Re-Inspection Required - 10 violations
Most serious issues:
Cut melon in cooler holding at 47°F, must be 41°F or below; discarded during inspection
No sanitizer in the 3-compartment sink - staff didn't know which test strips to use or how to fill it properly
Handwashing sink blocked with dishes, no warm water, and no paper towels available at start of inspection
No certified food protection manager on site
🟡 Shanxi Noodle
📍 5935 Constitution Ave, COS
📅 Inspection Date: Apr 24, 2026
⚠️ Result: Re-Inspection Required - 10 violations
Most serious issues:
No one in charge during inspection, owner had to be called in; staff unable to maintain proper temps or sanitizing procedures without supervision
Tofu sitting on top of prep cooler at 50°F; frozen dumplings and green onion pancakes thawing in open air
Prep sink and can opener unclean; cutting boards washed but never sanitized
Gap at bottom of back screen door allowing pest entry, repeat violation
🟡 Arkcleorich African Kitchen
📍 1371 N Academy Blvd, COS
📅 Inspection Date: Apr 29, 2026 (follow-up to Apr 21 routine)
⚠️ Result: Re-Inspection Required - 8 violations
Most serious issues:
Raw tilapia stored over ready-to-eat food in walk-in cooler - repeat violation
Chicken cooling on the floor at 70°F; soups cooling in covered stock pots too slowly; goat meat thawing at room temperature
No certified food protection manager - repeat violation
Wooden spoons and cutting boards used as food-contact surfaces - inspector recommended replacing
🥇 Top Scores! Some great news from this week's inspections — including comeback stories!
✅ High Scores:
Now for some good news…
🎉 Comeback Stories
🟢 BBQ & Hotpot Story PASSED ON Re-Inspection
📍 3255 Cinema Point, COS
📅 Re-Inspection Date: Apr 30, 2026
✅ Result: Pass - 3 violations (all corrected on site)
Two employee beverages on prep table near meat slicers (corrected onsite)
Three 5-gallon buckets of broth in walk-in cooler had no date mark (corrected onsite)
Two unlabeled spray bottles under dishwashing area; three first aid kits stored above bulk rice (both relocated)
Worth noting where they came from: a Re-Inspection Required with a very high violation count. They cleaned things up, passed a re-inspection with 3 minor issues.
✅ Passed
🟢 Schnitzel Fritz
📍 1830 Main St Ste 120, COS
📅 Inspection Date: Apr 29, 2026
✅ Result: Pass - 1 violation
Bag of onions stored on the floor - relocated during inspection
🟢 Craftwood Peak by Wedgewood Weddings
📍 404 El Paso Blvd, Manitou Springs
📅 Inspection Date: Apr 30, 2026
✅ Result: Pass - 2 violations
Unapproved pesticides (Black Flag Ant & Roach, Ultrakill Wasp Killer) found in the dish area, must be applied by a licensed pest control applicator only; all were discarded during inspection
Quaternary chemical test strips expired and not reading accurately, facility must send proof of new test strips to El Paso County Public Health by May 7
********************
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.
Source: El Paso County Public Health | Inspections pulled Apr 17–30, 2026
🛍 Bargain Box: This Week's Hot Deals! (Through May 2)
A new week means new treasures! We're giving you a first look at the incredible finds and amazing sales hitting the floor through May 2 (up to 50% OFF). Watch now to see what's waiting for you!
👉 Remember, you can donate items here too!
Located at 405 S Nevada Ave, Open Tues - Sat 10am-2pm. (719) 475-1029
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🍓 Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Bars
Recipe by Cooking Classy
These Bars have an irresistible crumb topping and a gooey fruit filling everyone will love!
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🍞 Fresh Baked Sourdough breads, pastries
Nature's Start Bread Company
📍3312 Austin Bluffs (Inside The Cupcake Doctor):
M-Sat, 9am-6pm
🎉 EXCITING NEWS!
We are transitioning to a new calendar with lots of additional benefits.
Click to see the new Events Calendar
📆 Local Events
*Weather permitted
Every Wed-Sun, 11am-2:45pm: Tea at the Castle @ Glen Eyrie Castle, 3820 North 30th St $50
Sept 5-7, Labor Day Lift Off Tickets on sale now!
Sept 19-20: Pikes Peak Regional Airshow @ COS Airport $50-$204
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Apr May 1-3: Romeo & Juliet - Theatreworks @ Ent Center for the Arts, Dusty Loo Bon Vivant Theatre $20-$31 (Limited seats)
May 2, 2-3pm: Genealogy Basics @PPLD, Virtual Library on Zoom FREE
May 3, 9-9:30am (First Sun every month): Positive Intention Group Meditation Gathering @ Yoga Studio Satya, 1581 York Rd FREE
May 9, 10am-2pm: Used Gear Collection @ Fire Station 20, 6755 Rangewood Dr at Dublin Blvd
May 16, 6-9pm: Murder Mystery, A Noteworthy Crime @Great Wolf Lodge, 9494 Federal Dr $79.95
🎶 Concerts / Music
May 8 & 9, 7:30pm: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back @Pikes Peak Center, 190 S Cascade Ave $54-$126
May 24, 3pm: Pikes Peak Philharmonic: Rhap @ENT Center for the Arts, 5225 N Nevada $14-$20
July 30,5:30-7:30pm: Jelly Roll @ Weidner Field (will sell out)
🔥 Sept 26 & 27: Bruno Mars Concert @ Falcon Stadium, USAFA (will sell out)
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🥾 A Favorite Spot Reopens
South Catamount Reservoir
After a two-year wait, the North Slope Recreation Area is finally reopening. Starting today, May 1 with full access to North and South Catamount Reservoirs!
After the closure for dam repairs, you can once again enjoy:
Shoreline fishing
Non-motorized boating
Hiking and biking trails
Picnic spots with incredible views
Heads up: Crystal Creek Reservoir will temporarily close for in-water recreation starting May 1 for about 14 days while crews complete maintenance. You can still access the parking lot, visitor center, and nearby trails.
While you wait for Crystal Creek to reopen, there's a new trail to explore. It connects Crystal Overlook to the southeast end of the Crystal Reservoir dam.
That makes it easier to walk between the overlook, the dam, and the visitor center. More upgrades are coming this month.
Workers will stabilize the shoreline near the visitor center and improve access between the center and the fishing dock. Down the road, they plan to add a new boat launch once water levels allow.
Getting into the North Slope Recreation Area costs $5 per person. Children under 16 get in free.
If you drive, you'll need an extra $1 parking permit. You can reserve tickets online ahead of time, or grab what's left at the Pikes Peak Highway Gateway on a first-come, first-served basis.
Anyone 16 or older who wants to fish needs a Colorado fishing license from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Colorado Springs Utilities and the Pikes Peak team are working to balance recreation with protecting water infrastructure.
They encourage you to plan ahead, check current conditions, follow posted signs, and call 719-385-7325 for the latest updates.
📍 North Slope Recreation Area Details
Hours: 9am–3pm daily through May 23 (extended hours later in season)
Activities: Fishing, non-motorized watercraft, hiking, biking, picnicking
Admission: $5/person • Children 15 & under FREE • Parking $1
Location: Off Pikes Peak Hwy (via Drive Pikes Peak pass required)
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