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

Making friends as an adult is hard... but it doesn’t have to be!

In this feel-good episode, Carly sits down with Kelli and Isabel of Girl Get After It, a nationwide women’s wellness community that’s making waves right here in Colorado Springs. From Orange Theory to pottery nights, standup paddleboarding to mountaintop dreams, they’re helping women try new things, make meaningful connections, and say yes to showing up solo.

Whether you’re new in town or just ready to shake things up, this episode will inspire you to get after it—Colorado casual style.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Orangetheory
• EVEREVE
• Grit Athletics
• Burn Boot Camp
• Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (Miley version)
• Sacred Grounds
• Kinship Landing

PICKS OF THE WEEK

• The World's Largest Swimming Lesson at Little Fins
• Taste of Pikes Peak

WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS

Core Collective
Core Collective Pilates is a boutique studio dedicated to helping clients build strength, flexibility, and confidence through expert-led, personalized Pilates sessions. With a welcoming atmosphere and a focus on mindful movement, Core Collective transforms workouts into empowering experiences. Enter code SPRINGSANDTHINGS to get 3 classesfor $30!

Why Wait Stories
Why Wait Stories captures the moments that matter, transforming personal legacies, business journeys, and nonprofit missions into beautifully crafted films. With a gift for storytelling and a heart for connection, Lauren preserves memories and messages before they fade, ensuring they inspire for generations to come.

Tucked in the mountains just 15 minutes from Colorado Springs lies a town where art, nature, and community create pure magic.

In this episode, we explore the charm of Green Mountain Falls and the unforgettable experiences of the Green Box Arts Festival. We chat with Executive Director Scott Levy about how this small town became a big destination for creativity and connection.

PICKS OF THE WEEK

• The Crafts & Drafts Passport
• Gather Mountain Blooms

WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS

U.S. Senior Open
The U.S. Senior Open returns to The Broadmoor, where legends of the game compete on one of Colorado’s most iconic courses—don’t miss your chance to witness history in the making. Tickets start at just $30, military discounts, and children are free!

Core Collective
Core Collective Pilates is a boutique studio dedicated to helping clients build strength, flexibility, and confidence through expert-led, personalized Pilates sessions. With a welcoming atmosphere and a focus on mindful movement, Core Collective transforms workouts into empowering experiences. Enter code SPRINGSANDTHINGS to get 3 classesfor $30!

Why Wait Stories
Why Wait Stories captures the moments that matter, transforming personal legacies, business journeys, and nonprofit missions into beautifully crafted films. With a gift for storytelling and a heart for connection, Lauren preserves memories and messages before they fade, ensuring they inspire for generations to come.

Be sure to leave us a five-star review and share this episode with a friend!

Imagine a secret club that gets you drink discounts across Colorado Springs, and all you have to do is sign up...for free. In this episode, we sat down with the amazing Director of Marketing at VisitCOS, Melissa Williams, and spill the tea (or the IPA?) on the Crafts & Drafts Passport, swap hilarious tourist stories, and map out the perfect 24-hour Colorado Springs itinerary. 

Warning: You’ll be making weekend plans before the outro even hits.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Mash Mechanix
• Bristol Brewing
• Axe and the Oak Distilery
• 1350 Distilling
• Milkshake Factory
• Local Motive
• Blk Mgk Coffee Shop
• Icons
• Hillside Gardens
• Colorado Springs Pioneer's Museum
• Concrete Coyote
• North Cheyenne Canon Park
• Homa Cafe
• Ladyfingers Letterpress
• Eclectic Co
• Cronk Art and Curiosities
• Streetcar520
• 503W
• Voodoo Brewing Co
• Goat Patch Brewing Company
• Loyal Coffee
• Louie Louie's
• The Mining Exchange
• Peak Into COS Podcast
• Emma Crawford Coffin Races
• Manitou Wine Festival
• The Great Fruitcake Toss
• Royal Gorge White Water Festival

PICKS OF THE WEEK

• Carly's Pick: The Peas & Love Market
• Lauren's Pick: Green Box Arts Festival

WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS

U.S. Senior Open
The U.S. Senior Open returns to The Broadmoor, where legends of the game compete on one of Colorado’s most iconic courses—don’t miss your chance to witness history in the making. Tickets start at just $30, military discounts, and children are free!

Core Collective
Core Collective Pilates is a boutique studio dedicated to helping clients build strength, flexibility, and confidence through expert-led, personalized Pilates sessions. With a welcoming atmosphere and a focus on mindful movement, Core Collective transforms workouts into empowering experiences. Enter code SPRINGSANDTHINGS to get 3 classesfor $30!

Why Wait Stories
Why Wait Stories captures the moments that matter, transforming personal legacies, business journeys, and nonprofit missions into beautifully crafted films. With a gift for storytelling and a heart for connection, Lauren preserves memories and messages before they fade, ensuring they inspire for generations to come.

Be sure to leave us a five-star review and share this episode with a friend!

Looking for the ultimate girls’ night out (or in) in Colorado Springs? We’ve got you covered, and so does our honorary third host, Meagan Thomas, aka Springs Native!

From martinis and sushi at Sushi Row to s’mores at Cork & Cask, dive bar tours, glam spa nights, and so much more, this episode is your BFF-level guide to making memories with your favorite gals. Whether you’re craving cocktails, karaoke, or cozy vibes with pizza and pajamas, we’ve got recs, laughs, and a lot of opinions. 

Grab your crew and press play!

Oh, and be sure to check out Meagan's next Gals, Golf, and Glizzies on the third Friday of every month this summer.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Caddie's
• Benny's
• O'furry's
• Murphy's
• Mother Muff's
• Crooked Cue
• Thunder & Buttons
• Icons
• Ivywild
• Axe and the Oak
• Bar Thirty Three
• MedSpa by Beauty Bar
• Paravicini's
• uva wine bar
• The Aviator at Hotel Polaris
• The Chamonix in Cripple Creek
• The Famous Steak House
• Dos Santos
• White Pie
• AMBLI
• Pizzeria Rustica
• Tapateria
• Masala Mingle
• Crystal Park Cantina
• Evergreen
• Event Cinema At Roadhouse Cinemas
• Vine & Wheel

PICKS OF THE WEEK

• Lauren's Picks: SunWater Spa Sacred Sundays
• Carly's Picks: Blanc de Cabernet at Evergreen

WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS

Alysia Loerch Photography
Alysia Loerch Photography specializes in capturing authentic, light-filled moments that feel as natural as they are beautiful. Known for her warm, easygoing approach and mastery of lighting and location, Alysia helps even the most camera-shy clients feel comfortable, delivering timeless images you’ll treasure forever.

Core Collective 
Core Collective Pilates is a boutique studio dedicated to helping clients build strength, flexibility, and confidence through expert-led, personalized Pilates sessions. With a welcoming atmosphere and a focus on mindful movement, Core Collective transforms workouts into empowering experiences. Enter code SPRINGSANDTHINGS to get 3 classesfor $30!

Why Wait Stories
Why Wait Stories captures the moments that matter, transforming personal legacies, business journeys, and nonprofit missions into beautifully crafted films. With a gift for storytelling and a heart for connection, Lauren preserves memories and messages before they fade, ensuring they inspire for generations to come.

In this episode, hosts Carly and Lauren dish on the absolute best summer concert series around town. From the laid-back vibes of Meadowgrass to magical evenings at Hillside Gardens to the neighborhood charm of Porchfest, and everything in between.

Plus, you’ll hear all about the local bands they’re fangirling over, the family-friendly setups, and the one dish on our favorite new menu that we can't get enough of.

Whether you're a jazz snob, a pop princess, or just here for the food trucks and sound baths, this episode is your cheat sheet for a perfect summer of music in Colorado Springs. 

Bring a picnic blanket, crank up the nostalgia, and press play.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• MeadowGrass
• Banning Lewis Ranch concert series
• Hillside Gardens concert series
• Jazz in the Garden
• Musical Mondays at Monument Valley Park
• First & Main concert series
• Old Colorado City Music In The Park
• SofaKillers
• The Martini Shot
• Porchfest
• Hey Neighbor
• Hinterland
• BottleRock

PICKS OF THE WEEK

• Carly's Picks: Homa's menu and yurt at Shuga's
• Lauren's Picks: The Homestead Collective and Springs Bagel Company

WE LOVE OUR SPONSOR

Core Collective
Use the code SPRINGSANDTHINGS to get 3 classes for $30. Head to their website to get this offer!

Why Wait Stories

Preserve your legacy with award-winning filmmakers who turn memories into powerful, cinematic stories. From family tributes to business milestones, your story deserves to be told beautifully.

You don’t have to know Monet from macaroni art to fall in love with the art scene blooming in Colorado Springs. In this episode, we explore the city's evolving art scene with Ikebana sensei Heidi Almosara, of Yanagi Botanic Arts, whose botanical creations are as meditative as they are beautiful. 

Whether you're deep in the local gallery scene or just wondering what "Ikebana" even means, you’ll find something to love in this conversation about community, creativity, and why now’s the perfect time to dive into the arts in the Springs.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• The Lookup Gallery
• Yobel
• Surface Gallery
• The Sluice
• Bemis School of Art
• Story Coffee
• Auric Gallery

PICKS OF THE WEEK

• Carly's pick: Idyll Manor and Toodles Tearoom
• Lauren's pick: Mausam 

WE LOVE OUR SPONSOR

Core Collective
Use the code SPRINGSANDTHINGS to get 3 classes for $30. Head to their website to get this offer!

Colorado Springs is changing—and in all the best ways. In this episode, we chat with community powerhouse, Lauren Ripko of Studio Q Events, about the people, places, and passion projects making the Springs cooler than ever. From alley dance parties to city-shaping events, she’s helping build a more connected, creative Colorado Springs—and we’re here for it.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

- Taste of Pikes Peak
- Meanwhile Block
- Kinship Landing
- Fiddles, Vittles, & Vino
- Old Colorado City Christkindlmarket
- White Pie
- Youth Documentary Academy
- Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival
- Loyal Coffee
- Story Coffee
- Book: Your Brain On Art
- Shuga's
- Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
- United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum
- Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
- Masala Mingle

PICKS OF THE WEEK

- Lauren's Pick: The Homestead Collective
- Carly's Pick: Goodie Bag App

WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS

U.S. Senior Open at The Broadmoor
Use promo code GOLF by 5/31 to save some bucks - just for S&T listeners.  ;)

Core Collective
Use the code SPRINGSANDTHINGS to get 3 classes for $30. Head to their website to get this offer!

Colorado Springs: where the air is thin, the vibes are high, and the golf balls fly farther!

In this tribute to golf in the Springs, we're teeing up trivia, local history, and an unforgettable interview with 2025 U.S. Senior Open Championship Manager, Keri Hardin. Whether you're a hardcore golfer or just crush it at mini golf, you’ll love the behind-the-scenes scoop on why this isn’t just any tournament coming to The Broadmoor—it’s golf’s toughest test on one of the most scenic courses in America.

Keri spills championship secrets you won’t hear anywhere else—from players traveling with their own mattresses (seriously!) to altitude training tips, family-friendly fun, unexpected course quirks, and even a bear mitigation plan.

Golf fan or not, this episode is your all-access pass to one of the biggest events hitting Colorado Springs this summer. Promo codes? Wild rituals? Food trucks? We've got it all.

Don't forget to stay until the end of the episode to get a promo code for the event!!

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

- Patty Jewett
- Broadmoor Golf Course
- Top Golf
- X-Golf
- Tribe Golf
- Drive, Chip, and Put Experience
- The Sports Corp

PICKS OF THE WEEK

- Meraki Springs
- The Loft

WE LOVE OUR SPONSOR

Core Collective

These pilates classes are designed to help you build strength and flexibility, improve your posture and mental health, and reduce stress.
If you use the code SPRINGSANDTHINGS, you can get 3 classes for $30. Head to their website to get this offer!

Who says fun has to cost a fortune? We’re flipping the script and diving into free and low-cost gems Colorado Springs has to offer. 

From donation-based yoga to hidden waterfalls, from free summer camps to secret museum passes, we’ve got you covered—without spending a dime (or at least very few of them).

And hey, we’re kicking off our own no-spend challenge—so join us! Share your favorite free finds and let’s make this the season of doing more with less.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

- Film In The Community by Rocky Mountain Women's Film
- Concrete Couch (Citizen Science, Fab Lab, free summer camps, etc)
- Seven's Gate Free Yoga
- Paint Mines Interpretive Park
- Bear Creek Nature Center
- Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center
- DCPA Access
- Final dress rehearsal at Fine Arts Center
- Pikes Peak Culture Pass
- Geocaching
- Helen Hunt Falls
- Pikes Peak Library District activities and events

PICKS OF THE WEEK

- Kidpower Colorado Springs
- Yobel
- The Look Up Gallery

WE LOVE OUR SPONSOR

Core Collective

These pilates classes are designed to help you build strength and flexibility, improve your posture and mental health, and reduce stress.
If you use the code SPRINGSANDTHINGS, you can get 3 classes for $30. Head to their website to get this offer!

If your house is screaming chaos but your soul is craving calm, this episode is your spring cleaning spirit guide.

We’re chatting with Colorado Springs’ own organizing wizard, Jen Campo, of The Simple Sort, about how clearing the clutter can clear your head. From laundry chairs that became permanent furniture to junk drawers that have their own zip code, we cover it all—without judgment. 

Get ready to ditch the mess, reclaim your time, and maybe even breathe a little easier in your own home. This episode is like a deep exhale for your life…

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Kinship Landing
• Homa Cafe and Bar
• Frankly Coffee
• The Exchange
• OCC Brewing

PICKS OF THE WEEK

• UpaDowna Headlamp Hikes
• Dog Days At The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

WE LOVE OUR SPONSOR

Core Collective
These pilates classes are designed to help you build strength and flexibility, improve your posture and mental health, and reduce stress.
If you use the code SPRINGSANDTHINGS, you can get 3 classes for $30. Head to their website to get this offer!