COS Town Tidings #26-314 | 11/10/26

CLICK to READ ONLINE - if it gets cut off below

🤣 Today's Chuckle

📰 The Hidden Cost of City Water 💧

📰 Be Someone's Holiday Wish 🎁

⛸️ TRIVIA: A Frosty Downtown Tradition

🛒 Bargain Box Deals

📅 Local Events + Holiday Markets & Activities

🌦️ COS Weather - Mild with isolated showers, near 68°

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As Colorado Springs continues to grow, so does its need for water. But farmers in the Arkansas River Valley are raising an important question: What happens to their communities when water rights are purchased and the water moves to growing cities?

The Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District has launched a new website called When Water Leaves to help illustrate the economic and environmental impacts. Farmers say decades of water transfers have reduced irrigated farmland, affecting not just agriculture, but local jobs, wildlife habitat and rural communities. The practice is often called “buy and dry,” when cities purchase agricultural water rights and redirect the water elsewhere.

Colorado Springs Utilities sees some things differently. CSU says the district's analysis doesn't fully account for its long-term water plans or existing partnerships with farmers. It points to water-sharing arrangements that help fund irrigation improvements while allowing the utility to use water during certain years, rather than permanently taking farmland out of production. CSU also says its plans include conservation, storage and water reuse, not simply buying more agricultural water rights.

Both sides recognize the need to manage a limited resource, but how that water is shared, and who bears the costs, remains a complicated conversation as Colorado Springs grows. Full Story

A hand-painted portrait of their favorite furry friend, ready for Christmas.

A favorite photo becomes a hand-painted keepsake by Colorado Springs artist Beth. Perfect for someone you love, or a special gift to yourself.

Order by Thanksgiving for Christmas delivery!

🎁 Town Tidings readers save 10% with code COSTOWN10.

The holidays can be the hardest time of year for survivors of human trafficking. Many are starting over from scratch in a new home, working toward stability, and doing it without the family support most of us lean on this time of year.

That's why the Lotus Foundation, a Colorado Springs nonprofit that walks alongside survivors, is inviting all of us to its Winter Giving Tree. Here's how it works:

A card is a lovely touch, just keep it free of religious messages or a specific holiday, since survivors come from many backgrounds. Grab your family, coworkers or church group and take a few lists together. Can't shop? You can give online instead.

Upgrading on Black Friday? Don't toss the old one. Many survivors are moving into their first apartment with little more than a set of keys. You can donate clean, working TVs (with remote and cord), microwaves, toasters, coffee makers, air fryers, slow cookers, vacuums, lamps and fans. Email [email protected] to set up a drop-off.

Every item on those lists says, "Someone in your community sees you and is supporting you."

🎄 Missed the FunD Fair? You can still grab the Best of the Box clothing, now 50% off this week! All shoes are 50% off too, with a nice variety for men, women and kids. Still need Thanksgiving decor? It's 50% off as well.

And the Christmas donations just keep coming, with new holiday decor hitting the sales floor every single day. Watch now for a sneak peek!

👉 Remember, you can donate items here too!

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

Trade the daily grind for the crisp, alpine peaks of Breckenridge or the sunset-soaked charm of Santa Fe. Check availability and book your stay now!

Picture downtown on a cold December night. Twinkle lights glow in the trees, carols drift over from the bandshell, and you can hear the scrape of skates on ice before you even see the rink. A dad steadies his little one, a couple loops by hand in hand, and somebody's grandpa shows the teenagers he's still got it.

Last December, Colorado Springs hit a record 72 degrees, and the rink stayed open. How does an outdoor rink stay frozen when it's warm enough for short sleeves?

That scene happens in one of the oldest spots in town. When General Palmer founded Colorado Springs in 1871, he saved one downtown block for the city's very first park. Folks called it North Park back then, and for 150 years it's been where our town gathers, for band concerts, summer picnics and lazy afternoons in the shade.

Winter skating has deep roots here too. A century ago, kids carried hockey sticks onto the frozen creek in Monument Valley Park, and in January 1922 a big crowd circled the ice there for a winter Ice Carnival. But downtown never had a rink of its own.

That changed in 2013, when Skate in the Park brought holiday ice to Acacia Park. It caught on fast. Now about 22,000 people lace up every season, from wobbly first-timers hugging the wall to families who make it their holiday tradition year after year.

This Friday, Nov 13, the rink opens for its 14th season, right alongside the free caroling and tree lighting. Grab the kids, a thermos of cocoa and someone to hold onto. ⛸️

Answer: Refrigeration units pump below-freezing glycol through lines under the ice. *Source

👵 From "Too Fragile" To Daily Adventures... with Kristen Nielsen

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🍕 Poor Richard’s Downtown, grab a slice

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