Springs and Things: Your Insider's Guide to Colorado Springs Culture & Community

After a year and a half of spotlighting the best people and places in Colorado Springs, we're flipping the script. This week, we answer the questions listeners ask most, from what we do outside the podcast to our favorite local restaurants, most emotional interviews, and the food spots we're still grieving.

In this episode:

• What you might not know about your two hosts
• The local events every Colorado Springs resident should experience at least once
• Favorite restaurants for out-of-town guests
• The episodes that stuck with us long after recording
• What people from out of state consistently get wrong about Colorado Springs
• Plus so much more

Mentioned in this episode:

• Green Box Arts 
• Garden of the Gods Market and Cafe
• Ivywild
• Sushi Row
• Ristorante del Lago
• Stratton Open Space & Mount Cutler Trail
• Penrose Heritage Museum
• Sara Van Hecke 
• The Peaks2Plains Weather App

We Love Our Sponsors
Pikes Peak Library District Summer Adventure Program — All you have to do is spend 30 days reading, creating, and exploring to win prizes.
Vanguard Aesthetics — Skincare treatments with real, noticeable results.
Core Collective — Our favorite spot for pilates! Use code SPRINGSANDTHINGS for 3 classes for $30. 

Connect with us: Leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, subscribe so you never miss an episode, and share with a fellow Colorado Springs local who needs to know what's going on in this city.

Did a monkey bite really launch the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo? Did Spencer Penrose actually ride his horse into the Antlers Hotel lobby? And why is the Shrine of the Sun named after Will Rogers instead of the man who built it?

In this episode of Springs and Things, host Carly Ries sits down with Sarah Woods, Vice President of Collections for El Pomar Foundation, to dig into the archives and separate Colorado Springs legend from fact. As the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo celebrates its 100th anniversary, Sarah pulls back the curtain on some of the wildest, most fascinating stories in our city's history and reveals what the primary source records actually say.

This is one of our most information-packed episodes to date, covering everything from a mysterious box of 1940s newspaper-wrapped clothing to a crash car sitting in a museum exactly how it landed on Pikes Peak.

In this episode, you'll learn:

→ The real reason Spencer Penrose's exotic animals were moved off the Broadmoor Golf Course, and yes, the monkey bite was real

→ How a 21-year-old Spencer Penrose wrote a Harvard thesis that still guides El Pomar Foundation's mission today

→ The story behind the Heritage Gallery's never-before-seen photographs, hats, and personal artifacts of Spencer and Julie Penrose

→ How Michèle Mouton became the only woman to earn the title King of the Mountain, and why she insists on keeping that title

→ The harrowing 2012 crash on Pikes Peak and what the wreckage reveals about safety, thin air, and the psychological demands of the race

→ Why Julie Penrose created the original El Pomar Carriage Museum in 1941, and how a newspaper clipping from the 1920s changed everything we thought we knew about its origins

→ The connection between Spencer Penrose's cancer diagnosis and the founding of the Penrose Cancer Center at Glockner Hospital

→ Why the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun bears that name, and how Spencer Penrose's promotional genius may have played a role

→ What Penrose Heritage Museum has planned for families, accessibility, and community programming

Resources Mentioned:
- Penrose Heritage Museum
- El Pomar Foundation
- United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum

Subscribe to Springs and Things on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you never miss an episode. If you loved this one, leave a five-star review and share it with a friend who loves Colorado Springs history and lore.

Summer is almost here in Colorado Springs, and we are HERE for it. This week, Carly and Lauren share their ultimate summer must-do lists, from flower farms and llama happy hours to hidden gem restaurants and must-see theater. Whether you're a longtime local or new to the Springs, this episode is packed with ideas to make this your best Colorado summer yet.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

Gather Mountain Blooms Fridays feature flower picking, and Tuesdays (June–July) bring Music and Blooms (live fiddle music, food trucks, kids dancing, and beautiful Colorado scenery). 

Hillside Gardens A full lineup of summer concerts, events, and a charming coffee shop you need to check out.

Bike the Santa Fe Trail to Hotel Polaris A dream day trip: If the trail reopens, ride the Santa Fe Trail to Hotel Polaris for happy hour (or yappy hour if you bring your pup!).

Yoga in the Garden Yes, we love Garden of the Gods! Yoga classes right among the red rocks - check their website for class times.

Cave of the Winds & Manitou Cliff Dwellings Classic Colorado Springs attractions that still belong on your must-do list.

A Full Manitou Day The ultimate itinerary: hike the Incline → bagels at The Loft → browse Manitou storefronts → soak at Sunwater Spa → dinner at Crystal Park Cantina → catch a show at Iron Spring Chateau Melodrama Dinner Theater.

Luxy Llama Running May through September: happy hour with wine, cheese, and llamas. Full episode with Lexi Llama coming soon!

Wines of Colorado A gorgeous creekside spot near the Cliff Dwellings area, perfect for a sunny Colorado afternoon.

Juniper Valley Ranch A hidden gem family-owned restaurant on Highway 115 south of Colorado Springs. Fixed menu, home-cooked meals (fried chicken, ham, cherry juice!), open just a few days a week. Pure nostalgia.

Tales, Tunes & Tastes at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo An adults-only evening at the zoo with wine and live music. Plus: the new zoo exhibit opening this summer!

The Little Dipper Pool Total Sandlot vibes. A Colorado Springs summer staple.

PICK OF THE WEEK

Jagged Little Pill at the Fine Arts Center The must-see show of the season. One night had a seven-minute standing ovation mid-show. 

WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS

Vanguard Aesthetics — Skincare treatments with real, noticeable results.

Core Collective — Our favorite spot for pilates! Use code SPRINGSANDTHINGS for 3 classes for $30. 

Why Wait Stories — Legacy films and brand films that capture the stories that matter most. 

Subscribe on Apple or Spotify. Leave a 5-star review. Share this episode with a friend who needs summer plans!

Did you know nearly 150,000 acres around Colorado Springs are permanently protected, and one organization has been leading that effort since 1977? In this episode, Carly sits down with Astrid Monar from the Palmer Land Conservancy to uncover the incredible scope of work happening right in our backyard. From saving the backdrop behind Garden of the Gods to building the Pikes Peak Conservation Corridor, Palmer Land Conservancy has quietly shaped the landscape we all love. Plus: they discuss a local food guide, a brand-new open space coming to Woodland Park, and upcoming events where you can get involved.

In This Episode

• How a small group of volunteers in 1977 launched what would become Palmer Land Conservancy, and why the name has changed twice since then
• The story behind the Garden of the Gods backdrop protection and what that view might look like today without it
• Palmer's ambitious five-year plan to protect 60,000 additional acres (that's four Manhattans!) and 25 miles of waterways
• Why conservation easements are permanent, and what that means for landowners and communities
• The local food guide connecting Colorado Springs residents to farms and ranches south of the city
• The Pikes Peak Conservation Corridor: a legacy project protecting sweeping views along Highway 24
• Avenger Open Space in Woodland Park: a new trail-connected open space in the works
• How you can support local conservation through events, donations, and community advocacy

Key Takeaways

• Conservation is invisible by design. When it's done right, the mountains, meadows, and open spaces just look like they've always been there. They haven't, it takes communities of people to keep them that way.
• Palmer's impact is massive. Nearly 150,000 acres protected. 20 public parks and open spaces. Projects spanning from Garden of the Gods to the Paint Mines.
• Local food is a conservation priority. Palmer created a local food guide highlighting farms and ranches in the Pueblo and Rocky Ford area, Colorado's "bread basket." Grab a copy at their office or find it online.
• You're never far from a trailhead. One of the best things about Colorado Springs is that no matter where you are, you're roughly 10 to 15 minutes from a trail.

Upcoming Palmer Land Conservancy Events

• Pints with Palmer — Wednesday, June 25 at Goat Patch Brewing. A casual night to learn about Palmer's work and connect with fellow land lovers. Perfect if this is your first time hearing about them.
• Donor Guided Hike of Avenger Open Space — May 19. A private hike for donors on the soon-to-be-conserved property in Woodland Park. Interested? Reach out to Palmer Land Conservancy to learn more.

Pick of the Week

Lolley's Ice Cream — A local favorite that's entirely gluten-free, including their waffle cones. They recently opened a new downtown location and are supporters of Palmer Land Conservancy.

Connect with Palmer Land Conservancy

• Visit their website for the local food guide and event info
• Attend a hike, happy hour, or community event this summer
• Make a donation, because people power this work

We Love Our Sponsors

• Vanguard Aesthetics — Personalized skincare treatments. Link in show notes.
• Core Collective — Use code SPRINGSANDTHINGS for 3 classes for $30. Link in show notes.
• Why Wait Stories — Legacy films and brand films that capture the stories that matter most. Visit whywaitstories.com.

If you enjoyed this episode, leave a five-star review, share it with a friend, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. See you next week on Springs & Things!

Everything you've ever wanted to know about skincare in Colorado Springs but didn't know who to ask. Lisa Boness from Vanguard Aesthetics joins us to break down what the high altitude and intense UV are really doing to your skin, and what to do about it. 

We cover the treatments that actually work (and the ones that are just hype), at-home gadgets worth your money, the right way to handle a breakout, and a hidden-gem treatment called the Collagenizer NEO that most locals have never heard of. 

Plus, we talk about Clara's incredible mission to donate 100% of retail profits to local and global charities, including organizations right here in El Paso County. Whether you're a skincare newbie or a full-on product junkie, you'll love this chat.

In this episode, we cover: 

• Lisa's approach to no-pressure consultations and why that matters
• Why people who move here feel like they age overnight 
• IPL and chemical peels, and when to get them
• Botox (the stigma and the truth)
• The Collagenizer NEO and predictive permeation
• Seasonal skincare and why some treatments stop in May
• Red light therapy devices and what to look for
• The right way to pop a pimple (if you're going to do it anyway)
• Clara's charitable giving mission

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Vanguard Skin Specialists
• Vanguard Aesthetics
• Clara Skincare
• Good Gracious Coffee 
• Frankly Coffee 
• The General Bradley and Zita Hosmer Visitor Center
• Fountain Valley School

We Love Our Sponsors

• Vanguard Aesthetics — Colorado Springs medical aesthetics focused on natural-looking results. Book a consultation!
• Core Collective — Reformer Pilates for all levels and body types. Use code SPRINGSANDTHINGS for 3 classes for $30. 
• Why Wait Stories — Colorado Springs video storytelling for legacy films, brand films, and life well lived films.

A month away, a world schooling adventure in Peru, and roughly one thousand bowls of ceviche later, Lauren is finally back. And honestly? We have a lot to catch up on. In this episode, we're hitting the reset button with a full reintroduction: who we are, why we started this show, and what makes Colorado Springs the city we just can't quit.

We're diving into rapid-fire Colorado Springs opinions: is Garden of the Gods a tourist trap or legitimately magical every time? Where do we take out-of-towners first? What's the best dish in town? Plus, we're sharing our perfect days in the Springs from morning coffee to late-night bites, the local hidden gems we can't stop talking about, and a few fun facts about this city that might just blow your mind.

Whether you're a Colorado Springs native, a transplant who never left, or someone who's been here long enough to feel like one, this episode is for you.

We Love Our Sponsors

• Vanguard Aesthetics — Colorado Springs medical aesthetics focused on natural-looking results. Book a consultation!
• Modern Interior Company — Full-service interior design for residential, commercial, and hospitality spaces in Colorado Springs. 
• Core Collective — Reformer Pilates for all levels and body types. Use code SPRINGSANDTHINGS for 3 classes for $30. 
• Why Wait Stories — Colorado Springs video storytelling for legacy films, brand films, and life well lived films.

The FAC is in what they're calling a "liminal year," and we sat down with three of the people leading the charge to find out what that actually means, and why it matters for this community.

Michael Christiano (Director of Visual Arts and Museum) opens the conversation by unpacking how the museum is shifting its exhibition strategy, drawing more from its permanent collection while weaving in new voices. He walks us through photographer William Henry Jackson's complicated legacy, how his images both celebrated and accelerated the exploitation of the Western landscape, and why that tension feels so alive today. He also introduces the Spectrums exhibit on modern and contemporary Native prints and the permanent collection show, Gathering Place. Learn more.

Tara Sevanne Thomas (Director of Bemis School of Art) brings the exciting news: Bemis now has the only community-accessible atmospheric kiln in the Pikes Peak region. She explains what that actually means for ceramics (think salt vapor, soda firings, and gorgeous wood-fire smoke swirls you can see in the finished piece), why it is more eco-friendly than traditional methods, and how it opens up access for everyone from total beginners to professional potters. She also shares the bigger vision: jewelry studios, weaving intensives, high school portfolio classes, and deeper collaboration with Colorado College. Learn more.

Chris Sheley (Producing Artistic Director) rounds things out with a full preview of the upcoming theater season, and it is a thoughtful one. He talks about how Come From Away anchors a season built around kindness, mental health, and community. The lineup also includes Dear Evan Hansen, a one-woman show called Grounded about a female fighter pilot navigating war and motherhood, White Christmas, and a dance showcase with Ormao Dance Company. Plus: new seats and carpet are coming to the JiGaSa Theatre this season! Learn more.

Picks of the Week: 

• Nightingale Bread
• Latin Social
• Sushi Row
• Phelan Gardens
• Dos Santos
• Goat Patch Brewing

We Love Our Sponsors

• Vanguard Aesthetics — Colorado Springs medical aesthetics focused on natural-looking results. Book a consultation!
• Modern Interior Company — Full-service interior design for residential, commercial, and hospitality spaces in Colorado Springs. 
• Core Collective — Reformer Pilates for all levels and body types. Use code SPRINGSANDTHINGS for 3 classes for $30. 
• Why Wait Stories — Colorado Springs video storytelling for legacy films, brand films, and life well lived films.

You probably think you know what foster care is about. A child leaves a bad situation, lands in a safe one, and that's that. But what about everything else they lose in the process: their bedroom, their dog, their neighborhood, their friends? The reality is so much more complicated than most of us realize.

In this episode, Ben Schoch from Kids Crossing pulls back the curtain on what actually happens when a child enters foster care in Colorado Springs, from the Tuesday night phone call a grandparent never expected to the team of professionals that shows up at your door. 

Whether you've ever thought about fostering, know someone who has, or just want to understand what's happening in our community, this conversation will stay with you. 

And remember, the label "foster child" misses the point entirely. These are just kids.

In this episode, we cover: 

• How Kids Crossing supports families across Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Denver beyond traditional foster care. 
• What actually happens the day a child is placed in a foster home. 
• The moment that changed Ben's entire perspective on what "safety" really means. 
• Why you don't need a big house, a partner, or a perfect life to become a foster parent. 
• New kinship care legislation and what it means for grandparents and relatives stepping up. 
• Meaningful ways to support kids in foster care, even if fostering isn't for you, including Camp Faubion and the holiday gift drive. 
• Plus our pick of the week: Panino's.

WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS

• Vanguard Aesthetics — Colorado Springs medical aesthetics focused on natural-looking results. Book a consultation!
• Modern Interior Company — Full-service interior design for residential, commercial, and hospitality spaces in Colorado Springs. 
• Core Collective — Reformer Pilates for all levels and body types. Use code SPRINGSANDTHINGS for 3 classes for $30. 
• Why Wait Stories — Colorado Springs video storytelling for legacy films, brand films, and life well lived films. 

Colorado Springs has a music scene worth bragging about, and Steve Harris has spent years making sure people know it. As the longtime guy who books bands for the Meadowgrass Music Festival and one of the Springs' most plugged-in music advocates, Steve joins Carly to talk about the local venues and artists you should know, why the city might finally be having its breakthrough moment, and what it actually takes to run a beloved festival on a shoestring budget and the power of volunteers.

In This Episode

Steve and Carly dig into what makes the Colorado Springs music scene tick, the metal-punk heartbeat downtown, the rise of free summer outdoor concerts, the loss of local music media, and why Ford Amphitheater means you might never need to fight Red Rocks traffic again. Steve also shares the story behind Meadowgrass, from a scrappy 100-person debut in 2009 to the community institution it is today, including a year they built a pallet bridge over a flooded stage and a snow-blowing crew that saved the festival days before opening.

Topics Covered

• How the Colorado Springs music scene has changed in the last 10–20 years and what the city lost when KRCC went all-news and The Independent shut down
• The metal and punk scene: why it thrives here, and the venues driving it
• The rise of free outdoor summer concerts and the unintended tension they create for working musicians trying to get paid
• Local artists worth knowing right now
• Why Ford Amphitheater is a legitimate Red Rocks alternative...and the parking pro tip that changes everything
• Whether Colorado Springs is on the verge of a real music breakthrough
• The origin story of Meadowgrass and how a conference retreat center, Bristol Brewing, and a room full of community partners launched something in 2009 that's still going strong
• Why Meadowgrass is not a bluegrass festival (and what it actually is)
• The volunteer army behind the scenes and the chaos that made the festival resilient
• How Steve curates the lineup: the one-third local/regional/national formula and why he's especially fired up about this year
• The most unforgettable Meadowgrass performance ever: the Todd Snider story
• What makes Meadowgrass different from bigger Colorado festivals
• What's new in 2026
• Rapid fire: best Colorado Springs venue, most underrated local band, pre-show food, recovery breakfast, and the song that captures the Springs
• The only-in-Colorado-Springs music moment

Artists & Venues Mentioned

Tejon Street Corner Thieves · Jeremy Facknitz · Grant Sabin · A Carpenter's Daughter · Billy Strings · Todd Snider · Kyle Hollingsworth Band · Black Sheep · Vultures · Thrashers Bar · Lulu's Downtown · Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort · Stargazers · Phantom Canyon Brewing · Ford Amphitheater · La Foret Conference & Retreat Center

Connect with Meadowgrass

🎪 Tickets & Lineup: RockyMountainHighway.org
📱 Instagram & Facebook
🗓️ Memorial Day Weekend · La Forêt, Colorado Springs

We Love Our Sponsors

Vanguard Aesthetics — Colorado Springs medical aesthetics focused on natural-looking results. Book a consultation!

Modern Interior Company — Full-service interior design for residential, commercial, and hospitality spaces in Colorado Springs. 

Core Collective — Reformer Pilates for all levels and body types. Use code SPRINGSANDTHINGS for 3 classes for $30. 

Why Wait Stories — Colorado Springs video storytelling for legacy films, brand films, and life well lived films. 

Episode FAQs

Is Meadowgrass a bluegrass festival? Despite the name, no. Steve describes it as an Americana melting pot: expect blues, folk, funk, New Orleans jazz, country, and yes, some bluegrass. The philosophy is that you should love every day of the lineup, not just pick the one that matches your taste.

When is Meadowgrass and how do I get tickets? Meadowgrass takes place Memorial Day Weekend at La Forêt Conference and Retreat Center in Colorado Springs. Music on Friday starts around 5:30 p.m., and a beer festival featuring 8–10 local breweries is included with your Friday or weekend pass. Tickets and full lineup details are at RockyMountainHighway.org.

What is the Colorado Springs music scene actually like; is it worth exploring? Steve says the scene is more developed than most people realize, especially if you didn't grow up here. The metal and punk scene is thriving thanks in part to the city's large military population, with venues like Black Sheep, Vultures, and Thrasher's leading the charge. But there's also a rich Americana, folk, blues, and jazz undercurrent, and free outdoor summer concerts nearly every day of the week make it easy to discover something new without spending a dime.

Enjoyed this episode?
 
Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review, share it with a friend you want to bring to Meadowgrass, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode of Springs & Things.

If you have ever stood in your kitchen on a Saturday morning wondering what to do in Colorado Springs this weekend, this episode is your new best friend. Carly sits down with Jonathan Toman of Peak Radar and the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region, to break down the annual events guide that tracks over 3,000 events across El Paso, Teller, and Fremont Counties every single year.

From heritage festivals to bizarre-but-beloved quirky traditions, Jonathan reveals the anchor events that define life in the Pikes Peak region, plus a few once-in-a-decade celebrations happening in 2026 that you absolutely cannot miss.

In This Episode:

Jonathan and Carly cover the events that best capture the personality of Colorado Springs (including one that feeds the whole family for $5), the festivals that make longtime locals say "how did I not know about this," and the quirky traditions that are uniquely, wonderfully ours. They also dig into the hidden gems worth pairing with bigger events on the same weekend, the newest annual events that have earned their place on the calendar, and why Labor Day weekend in Colorado Springs is so much more than balloons.

Events and Resources Mentioned:

Colorado Springs Western Street Breakfast
Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon
Green Box Arts Festival
Cripple Creek Ice Festival
Emma Crawford Coffin Races
Donkey Derby Days
Common Wheel Arts Festival
Victor Celebrates the Arts
Pikes Peak Air Show
United We Rock Festival
Fiestas Patrias
Rocky Mountain Flower Fest
Gold Rush Days
Meadowgrass Music Festival
Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival
Vintage Baseball Game
Bronc Day

Picks of the Week:

Money Museum in Colorado Springs

Connect with Peak Radar:

Website
Instagram
Facebook
X

We Love Our Sponsors:

Vanguard Aesthetics
Colorado Springs medical aesthetics focused on natural-looking, personalized results. Book a consultation today!

Modern Interior Co.
Colorado Springs full-service interior design studio handling residential, commercial, and hospitality projects from concept to completion. 

Core Collective
Boutique Pilates studio in Colorado Springs offering reformer classes, semi-private sessions, and private training. Use code SPRINGSANDTHINGS for 3 classes for $30 total!

Why Wait Stories
Colorado Springs video storytelling specializing in legacy films, life well lived films, and brand films.

Springs and Things is your weekly guide to living, exploring, and thriving in Colorado Springs. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and leave us a five-star review if this episode helped you fill up that calendar.