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COS Town Tidings #26-142
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🤣 Today’s Chuckle
📰 Why Are The City Offices Closed Today? 🏛️
📰 Restaurant Wins and Warnings 🥩
Recipe: 🍎 Chai Spice Apple Crumble
🛍 Bargain Box - up to 50% Off
📆 Local Events + Concerts, Activities
🌤 COS Weather - Partly cloudy, warm with PM T-storms possible
Recreation: 🥾 Sometimes You Just Need Nature
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Why do squirrels swim on their backs?
👉To keep their nuts dry! 🤣
🏛️ Why Are The City Offices Closed Today?
Today is a scheduled furlough day for the City of Colorado Springs, and Monday, May 25 is Memorial Day. Most City administrative offices and departments will be closed for regular business on both days.
Emergency services are not affected. Police, fire, and the 911 call center operate normally on both days. City enterprises that are self-funded will remain open Fri.
Closed Both Fri and Mon
The following City of Colorado Springs administrative and elected administrative offices and agencies will be fully closed on Fri and Mon.
• City Administration Building
• City Clerk
• City Hall
• Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum – Open regular hours on Saturday
• Municipal Court
• Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Administrative Building
• Sales Tax Office
• Sports Office at Memorial Park
• Westside Community Center
Open Fri, Closed Mon
The following City services and facilities will be open on Friday but closed on Monday in observance of Memorial Day.
Administrative offices for Mountain Metropolitan Transit, Buses operate on regular schedules both days.
Deerfield Hills Community Center
Evergreen and Fairview Cemeteries offices — Gates open to visitors both days
Hillside Community Center – Additional closure on Tues, May 26th
Therapeutic Recreation Program – Administrative offices will be closed, but scheduled programs will operate
Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center/Helen Hunt Falls Visitor Center
Open Both Fri and Mon
The following City entities are either open as usual or have adjusted operating hours, as noted below:
All neighborhood, community and regional parks, open spaces and trails
Garden of the Gods Park
Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain – Open normal hours
Patty Jewett and Valley Hi golf courses – Open normal hours 9am to 2pm (weather permitting)
Patty Jewett Bar & Grill – Indoor dining open 8am to 5pm
Valley Hi Grill & Pub – Indoor dining open 8am to 5pm
Sertich Ice Center – Check schedule online for public sessions and events
Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site – All buildings on site will be closed Mon and Fri, however the park will be open to visitors
🥩 Restaurant Wins and Warnings
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:
🤨 Re-Inspection Required
🍽️ Prime25 North
📍 1895 Democracy Point Ste 100, COS
📅 Inspection Date: May 20, 2026
⚠️ Result: Re-Inspection Required, 8 violations
An upscale restaurant on the northeast side. Multiple food temperature and labeling issues flagged during routine inspection.
Most serious issues:
Food temperature failures: Foods were reheated or discarded on site.
Expired and unlabeled food: Walk-in cooler items past the 7-day safe limit were discarded. Reduced-oxygen packaged chicken and lamb lacked proper labels and were also discarded.
Shellfish recordkeeping: Tags were missing sell-by dates and were not kept in chronological order as required.
Station hygiene: No hand soap at the cook line handwashing sink.
🐉 Coal Mine Dragon
📍 1779 S 8th St Ste B and C, COS
📅 Inspection Date: May 20, 2026
⚠️ Result: Re-Inspection Required, 9 violations (floors/walls a repeat violation)
A Chinese restaurant on the south side of town. Several concerning issues including a dish machine with no sanitizer and repeat cleanliness violations.
Most serious issues:
Cross-contamination risks: Raw shrimp stored above ready-to-eat noodles and sauces. Raw chicken above raw pork in the walk-in. All items relocated during inspection.
Dish sanitizer failure: Chemical dish machine was out of sanitizer entirely.
Food temperatures: Moved to proper cold storage during inspection.
Dirty surfaces (repeat violation): Food debris on prep cooler handles and surfaces. Significant grease and food buildup on floors, walls, and floor drains.
Date marking: Noodles, marinated shrimp, cream cheese filling, and wontons lacked date labels. Labels added during inspection.
Chemical storage and allergens: Cleaning spray bottles were stored next to single-use condiment packets. Allergen notice was also missing from the facility.
🍩 Amy's Donuts
📍 2704 E Fountain Blvd, COS
📅 Inspection Date: May 19, 2026
⚠️ Result: Re-Inspection Required, 6 violations
The beloved local donut shop on Fountain Blvd had a rough inspection, with cleanliness issues throughout the facility.
Most serious issues:
Dirty surfaces throughout: The mixer, speed racks, utensils, cooler, freezer, walls, and multiple containers had significant buildup of food debris and grime. Facility was cleaning only once per day; code requires every 4 hours or as needed.
Handwashing gap: Employee was going from the register directly to handling donuts without washing hands or changing gloves. Corrected on site.
Utensil storage: Utensils stored in standing ambient water. Scraper was in direct contact with bacon. Both corrected during inspection.
Cardboard liners: Cardboard was being used as shelf liners and grease traps throughout the facility. This is not permitted.
🥇 Top Scores! Some great news from this week's inspections — including comeback stories!
🎉 Comeback Stories
🌮 La Unica Authentico
📍 3317 W Colorado Ave, COS
📅 Re-Inspection Date: May 20, 2026
✅ Result: Pass
Previously flagged with food handling and temperature violations. Cleared on re-inspection.
🍛 Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh
📍 3779 Bloomington St, COS
📅 Re-Inspection Date: May 20, 2026
✅ Result: Pass
Previously had 10 violations including cold holding and facility cleanliness. Passed their re-inspection.
How clean is Poor Richard's? Click video to find out! ☝
😊 Passed
🍕 Poor Richard's Restaurant
📍 324 1/2 N Tejon St | 📅 May 19, 2026 | ✅ Pass
One of Colorado Springs' most beloved downtown institutions passed with just one minor plumbing note on a dish area drain connection. All food safety items were fully compliant. If you haven't been to Poor Richard's lately, it's always a good excuse to stop in.
🍷 Ricos Cafe and Wine Bar
📍 324 1/2 N Tejon St | 📅 May 19, 2026 | ✅ Pass
Three minor issues, all corrected on the spot.
Also passed this week:
🍺 The Edge Bar and Grill • 7685 McLaughlin Rd, Peyton • May 21
🌽 La Fruteria Guatemalateca • 648 Peterson Rd • May 20
🍽️ Garden Cafe • 1580 Space Center Dr Ste 106 • May 20
🌭 Wienershnitzel • 3201 E Platte Ave • May 20
🍕 Mountain Mike's Pizza • 8099 Carmela Grv • May 20
🍦 Summersweet Frozen Yogurt • 7142 N Academy Blvd • May 20
🍛 Little Nepal • 1747 S 8th St • May 19
********************
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 May 16–22, 2026
🛍 Bargain Box: This Week's Hot Deals! (Through May 23)
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 23 (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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🍎 Chai Spice Apple Crumble
Recipe by Amy’s Healthy Baking
An easy recipe for a naturally sweetened apple crisp flavored with cozy chai spices. Those spices make it absolutely irresistible… And maybe even more delicious than traditional recipes! Perfect for any gathering too.
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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
*Add your favorite events directly to your Google or Apple calendars, submit events, and mark & save favorites!
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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May 22-24: Do Portugal Circus @ 400 S Sierra Madre (Next to the US Olympic & Paralympic Museum) $15-$70
May 22-24: Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill: The Musical @ Fine Arts Center $30
May 30, 6-9pm: Murder Mystery, A Noteworthy Crime @Great Wolf Lodge, 9494 Federal Dr $79.95
Jun 4, 10-11am: Genealogy Basics @PPLD, Virtual Library on Zoom FREE
🎶 Concerts / Music
May 24, 3pm: Pikes Peak Philharmonic: Rhap @ENT Center for the Arts, 5225 N Nevada $14-$20
July 4, 6:30-10pm: Star Spangled Symphony 2026 @Ford Amphitheater, 95 Spectrum Loop $18-$25 (will sell out, get your ticket today)
July 30,5:30-7:30pm: Jelly Roll @ Weidner Field (will sell out)
Aug 22, 8-10pm: Danny Elfman’s Music from the Films of Tim Burton @Ford Amphitheater (on sale now)
🔥 Sept 26 & 27: Bruno Mars Concert @ Falcon Stadium, USAFA (will sell out)
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🥾 Sometimes You Just Need Nature
Looking for an easy outdoor adventure close to the heart of the city? Palmer Park offers more than 25 miles of trails, scenic overlooks, unique sandstone rock formations, mountain bike routes, hiking, and sweeping views of Pikes Peak and the Front Range.
At nearly 700 acres, it is one of Colorado Springs' most accessible urban open spaces and a favorite spot for trail runners, dog walkers, climbers, and sunset seekers alike.
This weekend bonus: Palmer Park is open all Memorial Day weekend including Monday. No fees, no reservations. Just fresh air, great views, and a solid workout if you want one.
Location: 3650 Maizeland Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Parking: Multiple lots located at trailheads, Grandview Overlook, and sports fields
Hours: 5 am–9 pm
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Disclaimers: All content deemed accurate at publishing. Independent of local entities. Aims to inform, connect, entertain. Updates on website version.
