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COS Town Tidings #26-212 | 7/31/26
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🤣 Today's Chuckle
📰 Paying to Park Just Got...Easier? 🤔
😳 This Restaurant Failed AGAIN
Recipe: 🍑 Peach Crostini
🛍️ Bargain Box This Week's Deals
📅 Local Events
🌦 COS Weather - Hot, high 80's with possible isolated T-storms
Recreation: 🥾 This Westside Trail Has a Secret
🙋♀️ Let's Feature Your Business Apply Now
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2 dogs walk over to a parking meter, 1 dog says to the other...
👉 How do you like that? Pay toilets 😂
🤔 Paying to Park Just Got...Easier?
Paying to park has never been on anyone’s fav list, and figuring out which meter, kiosk or app to use can make it feel even more complicated. The City is rolling out its new “Now You Know” campaign to explain the growing number of ways drivers can pay and where those parking dollars go.
The good news for those of us who don’t want another app: ParkMobile is only one option. Depending on where you park, you can also pay with coins, a credit card, tap-to-pay or text-to-pay. New kiosks are also replacing some individual meters along Tejon Downtown and Colorado Ave in OCC.
City-owned garages and lots remain $1 per hour, with a $12 daily maximum, $6 after 4pm, and free parking on Sundays.
And where does the money go? The City says parking revenue stays within the parking system, helping maintain garages and lots, improve accessibility and security, add EV chargers, and support sidewalks and other improvements Downtown and in OCC.
😳 One Restaurant Failed AGAIN
El Paso County Public Health inspects local restaurants and posts results publicly. We pull directly from their database so you know where things stand.
⚠️ RE-INSPECTION REQUIRED
🍺 Copperhead Road Bar, 2nd Failure in a Row
📍 3330 N Academy | Originally inspected July 17 (failed) | Re-inspected July 24 (failed again) | 7 violations still
2nd straight re-inspection failure. Inspectors found bare-hand contact with fresh fruit (corrected on site), handwash sinks at multiple bar stations blocked or missing soap and paper towels (corrected on site, repeat), moldy nacho cheese discarded on the spot (repeat), a dish machine not reaching sanitizing levels with dirty ice machine (not corrected, repeat), thermometer reading 8 degrees off (repeat).
🥡 Shangri La Restaurant
📍 8850 N Union | Inspected July 29 | 5 violations
Tubs of raw chicken, beef, and pork found holding at 43-46°F, all were discarded on site. Fried chicken at 58°F was also discarded. Employees not washing hands long enough and made bare-hand contact with food after handling raw chicken (both corrected on site). Improper cooling methods were also in use.
🌮 Macos Tacos Antojitos Mexicanos
📍 6 S Roosevelt St | Inspected July 29 | 6 violations
A prep cooler running low; all meat relocated on site. No thermometer in cooler. The cooler was broken and inspectors directed staff not to use it until repaired.
✅ Passed Re-Inspection
3 restaurants from last week’s list came back for their follow-up and passed.
🐉 Dragon King Restaurant
📍 6867 Mesa Ridge Pkwy, Fountain | Re-inspected July 29 | 1 violation
1 violation: employee made bare-hand contact with cooked noodles (repeat), immediately corrected.
🍗 BB.Q Chicken
📍 1575 Space Center Dr | Re-inspected July 27 | 4 violations, all corrected on site
Raw chicken above sauces in the walk-in cooler, and hot-holding equipment left off, leaving fried rice and rice cakes at risk. All were reheated to safe temperatures on site.
🥩 Colorado's Rib and Chop House
📍 5935 Dublin | Re-inspected July 28 | 4 violations
2 handwash sinks still out of order (plumber called, not finished during visit). Bar dish machine not sanitizing properly. Baked potatoes at 130°F were reheated to 194°F on site. Fish thawing in sealed packaging was corrected on site.
⭐ Perfect Score
☕ Pikes Perk | 7770 Milton E Proby Pkwy (in COS Airport) | Inspected July 30 | Zero violations
Black Forest Bistro
📋 Also Passed This Cycle
🛒 Urban Grocer | 29 W Cimarron | July 29 | 1 violation: raw eggs above cheese in the dairy cooler (corrected on site). Colorado Springs' newest downtown grocery store.
🍗 Wing Force | 1824 Democracy Pt | July 29 | 1 violation: no written illness response procedure posted (corrected on site).
🍴 Tony's | 326 N Tejon | July 28 | 4 violations: raw beef above cooked wings (corrected), TCS foods at 44-50°F (discarded), chicken wings over 7 days old (discarded), reach-in cooler at 45°F with repair company already on site.
🥩 The Famous A Steakhouse | 31 N Tejon | July 28 | 1 violation: raw lamb in reduced-oxygen packaging without an approved HACCP plan.
🍛 The Urban Tandoor | 8125 N Academy | July 27 | 3 violations, all corrected on site: towels in hand wash sink basin, employee adjusted hair without changing gloves, fly strip over food prep counter (repeat, removed).
🥪 Cheba Hut | 3171 N Chestnut | July 27 | 4 violations: employee handled dirty then clean dishes without handwashing (corrected), no paper towels at back hand wash sink (corrected, repeat), dented cans pulled from service, and many flies in the kitchen near the meat slicer. Pest control came in that morning to repair 3 fly-zapping stations.
🍽️ Black Forest Bistro | 6750 Shoup Rd | July 24 | 3 violations, all corrected: no paper towels at bar hand wash sink, dish machine at 0 ppm sanitizer (new bottle installed, re-tested at 50 ppm), dishes towel-dried instead of air-dried.
🍵 Coffee and Tea Zone | 12225 Voyager Pkwy | July 24 | 4 violations: handwash sink blocked (corrected), open foods missing date labels (corrected), hand sink leaking under a wall and pooling in the dining room (not yet fixed), 3-compartment sink improperly connected to sewage drain (not yet fixed).
📌 Fargo's Pizza Update (2910 E Platte): Ordered to close July 20, a reopening authorization inspection on July 22 confirmed the closure violations were corrected and Fargo's was cleared to reopen. That inspection was not a full routine reinspection; a complete follow-up is expected within 5-10 business days of reopening. We'll update you when that comes in.
Source: El Paso County Public Health | Inspections pulled July 24-30, 2026 |
Scoring: 0-49 pts = Pass; 50-109 pts = Re-Inspection Required; 110+ pts = Closed
🛍 Bargain Box: This Week's Hot Deals! (Through Aug 1)
A new week means new treasures! We're giving you a first look at the incredible finds and amazing sales hitting the floor this week Watch now to see what's waiting for you!
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🍑 Peach Crostini
Recipe by Ambitious Kitchen
Simple and delicious, this beautiful peach crostini recipe takes just about 15 minutes to make for the perfect summer appetizer or snack! Options to jazz it up with prosciutto for a little something extra.
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Every Wed-Sun, 11am-2:45pm: Tea at the Castle @ Glen Eyrie Castle, 3820 North 30th St $50
Jul 31-Aug 2: Circus Gold Star @ Citadel Mall $25-$40
July 31-Aug 2: Teller county fair: Celebrating 250 Years of American Grit @ Cripple Creek
Aug 28-Sept 7: Colorado State Fair @ Pueblo, CO $9-$162 on sale now!
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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JUL 31 |
🎶 Music Under the Mountains Concert Series thru Aug 7 - FREE 🎶 Music 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM · 📍 1605 Briargate Pkwy, Colorado Springs **FREE** outdoor concerts every **Friday evening from 5 PM–7 PM on Pikes Peak Patio thru Aug 7**. Bring your friends, f… |
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JUL 31 |
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street 🎭 Arts/Theater🎶 Music 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM · 📍 Ent Center for the Arts at UCCS, 5225 N Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs This summer, the Colorado Springs Conservatory presents Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Stephen Sondheim… |
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JUL 31 |
🎶 UVC Free Summer Concert Series thru Aug 14 - FREE 🎶 Music 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM · 📍 4880 N Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs University Village Colorado is once again hosting the UVC FREE Summer Concert Series. It is going to be another great c… |
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JUL 31 |
Haunted Manitou Ghost Tours Activity 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM · 📍 502 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs Embark on a spine-tingling journey through the haunted history of Manitou Springs, Colorado, on our ghost tour. Traverse… |
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AUG 1 |
👩🌾 Old Colorado City Farmers Market - thru Oct 17 👩🌾 Markets/Fairs 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM · 📍 Bancroft Park, 2408 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO, United States, 80904 The Old Colorado City Farmers Market, presented by Pikes Peak Farmers Markets, operates seasonally from June through Oct… |
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AUG 1 |
👩🌾 Fountain Community Metcalfe Park Market Every Sat thru Sept 26 👩🌾 Markets/Fairs 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM · 📍 618 E Ohio Ave, Fountain th Season at Metcalfe Park Excitement is brewing...So much is planned-All we need is YOU Shop, Stroll, Share your time… |
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AUG 1 |
👩🌾 The Hometown Market in Monument - Every Sat thru Oct 3, 2026 👩🌾 Markets/Fairs 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM · 📍 66 Jefferson Street, Monument Fresh Local Produce At The Hometown Market in Monument, we offer a wide variety of fresh, locally sourced products. Ou… |
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AUG 1 |
🧶 OCC Craft Fair - Every Sat thru Oct 17 👩🌾 Markets/Fairs 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM · 📍 Old Colorado City History Center 1 S 24th St, Colorado Springs Explore the heart of Old Colorado City: Local artisans and makers. Enjoy a weekly rotation of 28 artists. Shopping smal… |
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AUG 1 |
👩🌾 Backyard Market in Black Forest - Every Sat thru Oct 17, 2026 👩🌾 Markets/Fairs 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM · 📍 6845 Shoup Rd, Colorado Springs Your favorite farmers market in the forest is starting this weekend! Saturdays through Oct 17, 2026 from 9am-1pm Loca… |
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AUG 1 |
Colorado Farm and Art Market - Margarita at Pine Creek 👩🌾 Markets/Fairs 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM · 📍 7350 Pine Creek Rd, Colorado Springs The Summer 2026 Saturday Market season of [**Colorado Farm and Art Market**](https://www.facebook.com/farmandartmarket?_… |
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Aug 6, 10-11am: Genealogy Basics @PPLD, Virtual Library on Zoom FREE
Aug 8, 6-9pm: Murder Mystery, Dirty Money @Great Wolf Lodge, 9494 Federal Dr $79.95
🎵 Concerts / Music
Aug 22, 8-10pm: Danny Elfman's Music from the Films of Tim Burton @Ford Amphitheater
Sept 26 & 27: Bruno Mars Concert @ Falcon Stadium, USAFA
🍞 Nature's Start Bread Co
Still a work in progress but they are now open for business at:
📍 4935 Centennial Blvd, Suite A, Colorado Springs, CO 80919
⏰ Hours: M-Sat: 7:00am - 6:00pm, Closed Sundays
*Official Grand Opening will be Aug 15, 10am-2pm
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🥾 This Westside Trail Has a Secret, Palmer-Mesa Trail
You don’t have to head deep into the mountains for a scenic walk. Palmer-Mesa Trail stretches about 3.5 miles along Mesa Rd, mixing paved and natural surfaces with foothill views, neighborhood scenery, and glimpses of Garden of the Gods.
Starting near Blair Bridge Open Space, the trail follows Mesa Rd and connects with other westside trails, making it easy to keep your outing short or add some mileage. Walkers, runners, cyclists, and families can all use the route, and the relatively gentle terrain makes it approachable for a casual outing.
One of the more interesting features is a historic stone arch bridge built by John Blair, who worked as a landscape gardener for the Glen Eyrie estate. Add in views of red rock formations and the Front Range foothills, and there’s plenty to enjoy along the way.
Hours: free and open from sunrise to sunset.
Parking near Blair Bridge is limited, so busy times, particularly around sunset, may require a little planning.
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