Why is water such a hot-button issue in Colorado right now? Host/producer Ally Richardson dives into the heart of local water challenges with Dave Gardner, Mark Robinson, and Mike Callicrate. From policy to permaculture, they explore innovative solutions that could shape the future of our region’s most precious resource.

In the conversation today:

Farmer Mark Robinson from Green Hill Farm in Peyton, Colorado. 

Mark hopes to have Grains & Vegetables coming soon!  Find him at the Grain Chain: https://www.coloradograinchain.com/nexus/organizations/green-hill-farm

Rancher Mike Callicrate from Saint Francis, Kansas. 

Mike has 2 local Colorado Spring stores, Ranch Foods Direct, that are worth a visit! 

Find him at:  https://www.mikecallicrate.com/

Dave Gardner from Colorado Springs, Colorado. 

Dave manages Studio 809 Podcasts, where he produces some episodes of Peak Environment and co-hosts Loving the Springs. He also hosts the GrowthBusters podcast, which recently visited the water issue: https://www.growthbusters.org/growth-addiction-water-southwest/

This episode is brought to you by Pikes Peak Permaculture, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to teaching the ethics and principles of permaculture design in Southern Colorado. Permaculture is all about working with nature rather than against, to regenerate land, water, and food systems, and build resilient communities for generations to come. Learn more about their work with schools, organizations, and community members at https://pikespeakpermaculture.com.

Mentioned in This Episode:

2023 Colorado Water Plan: https://dnrweblink.state.co.us/CWCB/0/edoc/219188/Colorado_WaterPlan_2023_Digital.pdf

Colorado Springs Utilities - Tiered Water Plans found here:  https://www.csu.org/rates/tiered-water-rate

Zack Weiss creates brilliant videos to illustrate how water moves through land and atmosphere.  https://waterstories.com

The Watershed Death Spiral:  https://www.waterstories.com/story/the-watershed-death-spiral     

The Revived Water Cycle:  https://www.waterstories.com/story/the-revived-water-cycle

Denver 7 News Article by Brandon Richard, Foreign ownership of Colorado's agricultural land raising concerns found here: https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/foreign-ownership-of-colorados-agricultural-land-raising-concerns

The following environment/sustainability organizations in the Pikes Peak region collaborate to produce the Peak Environment podcast about environmental stewardship, sustainable living and enlightened public policy in the Pikes Peak Region.

Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future https://peakallianceco.org/

Pikes Peak Permaculture https://www.pikespeakpermaculture.org/

GrowthBusters https://www.growthbusters.org

Keep up with all the organizations and events making our area a better place to live. Follow on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss an episode.

A small but mighty organization is doing critical advocacy and organizing work of low-income residents who are renters in our community. Host Beth Roalstad sits down with Max Kronstadt and Will Smith of the COS Pro Housing Partnership. Through their efforts, tenants are using their voice to organize for better living conditions and for vital community services. The group uses grassroots organizing and social justice ideals to advance the rights of our community members.

COS Pro Housing Partnership: https://cosphp.org/

a Place for everyone is produced by Homeward Pikes Peak. We empower individuals and families to access stable housing, increase mental health, increase recovery and achieve economic stability.  Learn more at http://homewardpp.org/. You can reach us at (719) 473-5557. Street Outreach, housing, and clinical services are provided.

Stuck on how to grow food in our region of Southern Colorado? Don’t know where to start? Feeling overwhelmed? Or shoot, do you just want to pick good local food up? Peak Environment Cohost Ally Richardson joins Kristie Taylor at Vermijo Community Garden to talk about how the garden is transforming more than just the landscape. It’s sparking a movement, cultivating connections, and nourishing more than just vegetables. 

Featured in This Episode:

Vermijo Community Garden

Contact: Kristie Taylor | [email protected]

Find the garden on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575044404344 and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vermijocommunitygardencos/

Partnered with Flying Pig Farm https://flyingpigmanitou.org/

Volunteer Day: Last Saturday of every month—drop in and lend a hand!

Find Community Gardens Near You

https://coloradosprings.gov/gardens

https://www.communitygardensppr.com/home

A Mom’s Guide to Survive

This nonprofit empowers Colorado Springs moms with resources, support, and a sense of community. Check out the Mothers Guide To Survive events on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/amomsguidetosurvive.

Sankofa Community Orchard

Located in Richmond, Virginia, this five-acre green oasis is dedicated to food justice and climate resilience, featuring over 100 fruit trees. Learn more at https://thenaturalfestival.com/sankofa/.

Pro Tip: Mulch!

Mulching is essential for building healthy soil and conserving water in our dry climate. Free mulch is available in a pile next to the train tracks near 1401 Recreation Way, courtesy of Colorado Springs Park & Recreation Department.

Upcoming Permaculture Workshop

Soil for Every Garden

Date: Saturday, August 2nd, 2025

Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Location: Vermijo Community Garden

Struggling with high-altitude gardening or pests like grasshoppers? Join this interactive two-hour class to learn about building resilient soil and practical pest control techniques. Each participant will take home a jar of homemade garlic spray. Register at http://wildoasispermaculture.com/.

This episode was produced by Pikes Peak Permaculture, a sponsor and content partner with Studio 809 Podcasts. Visit http://pikespeakpermaculture.org/ for opportunities to learn more about sustainable organic living through permaculture design – certifications, workshops, classes, field trips, and networking.The following environment/sustainability organizations in the Pikes Peak region collaborate to produce the Peak Environment podcast about environmental stewardship, sustainable living and enlightened public policy in the Pikes Peak Region.

Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future https://peakallianceco.org/

Pikes Peak Permaculture https://www.pikespeakpermaculture.org/

https://350colorado.org/

GrowthBusters https://www.growthbusters.org

Keep up with all the organizations and events making our area a better place to live. Follow on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss an episode.

Are you looking for ways to make your home safer or get support with housing costs? Brothers Redevelopment has been serving the Colorado Springs community for years, offering a variety of programs to help residents make essential home improvements.

Jason McCullough, Director of Home Modification and Repair Programs at Brothers Redevelopment, shares insights into the organization’s mission, and the services they offer – including home repairs, accessibility modifications, and housing counseling. He also explains how they're helping seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income households live more safely and independently. From free home modification services to community events like the annual Paint-A-Thon, Brothers Redevelopment is committed to making a lasting impact.

Colorado Housing Connection Hotline: 303-685-4225

Colorado Housing Connect Line: 1-844-926-6632

Brothers Redevelopment: https://brothersredevelopment.org/

Aging with Altitude is recorded in the Pikes Peak region with a focus on topics of aging interest across the country. We talk about both the everyday and novel needs and approaches to age with altitude – whether you’re in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida or Leadville, Colorado. The Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging is the producer. Cynthia Margiotta with PEARLS Program of Colorado and All About Dignity is our moderator. Learn more at:

Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging  - https://ppacg.org/pikes-peak-area-agency-on-aging/

Or call 719-471-2096 

PEARLS Program of Colorado - https://pearlsprogram.net/

As the Colorado Springs Independent morphed, and ultimately disappeared from the local news media scene, the longtime Manitou Springs newspaper has been expanding its coverage and distribution throughout the Pikes Peak region. We invited the publisher and the editor to spill the tea on what’s happening with the Pikes Peak Bulletin.

Lyn Harwell, President and Publisher, and Heila Ershadi, Managing Editor, fill us in on developments since Sixty35 Media shut down and cut the Pikes Peak Bulletin loose, including why they are currently running an “emergency fundraiser.” 

LINKS:

Pikes Peak Bulletin: https://pikespeakbulletin.org

Emergency fundraiser: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/01bc4b42-8c8d-498e-8e0d-102c48ca4174

A detailed history of the Pikes Peak Bulletin: https://pikespeakbulletin.org/news/a-look-back-through-manitou-springs-history-by-rhonda-van-pelt/

Public Input Opportunities:

Our Spacious Skies – Pikes Peak Regional Perspectives survey by Pikes Peak Community Foundation: https://ppcf.org

2026 Colorado Springs Park System Master Plan – public input phase; survey open through August 3: https://coloradosprings.gov/ParkSystemMasterPlan

Peak Radar 2025 Survey: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/yTJRFDI/PeakRadar2025

MENTIONED:

SoCo Insider

CommunityWorks

CASA

Pikes Peak Community Foundation

Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services

Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region

Downtown Colorado Springs

Experience Downtown Master Plan Update

Loving the Springs celebrates the best of Colorado Springs and elevates the rest.

Plug into what’s happening in the Pikes Peak region, learn about awesome people, places and happenings, and explore opportunities to make life here even better. Longtime Springs booster Carrie Simison co-hosts with local gadflies Al Brody and Dave Gardner. All three love our two springs – Colorado and Manitou, so they give them the mic in this twice-monthly podcast. Nothing’s off the table – recreation, the arts, government, business, politics – if it touches your life, they’ll talk about it. We’ll invite the movers and shakers, conspiracy theorists, NIMBYs, YIMBYs, yaysayers and naysayers to join them.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and give us feedback and suggestions via comments at https://studio809podcasts.com/loving-the-springs or lovingthespringspodcast at gmail.com

What can we expect in the future for both public and automobile transportation in the Pikes Peak Region? We hear from the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (PPACG) and Mountain Metro (Colorado Springs’ bus system). John Liosatos, Transportation Director of Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments, discusses the recently adopted 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan for the Pikes Peak Region as well as the role the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (PPACG) plays in bringing together local communities. Jacob Matsen, Planning and Operations Supervisor for Mountain Metropolitan Transit, shares the agency’s short and long-term visions for improved public transit service throughout the Pikes Peak Region – including increased services, greater regional connections, innovative modes of transit, and more.

LINKS:

PPACG John Losiatos Presentation Slides: https://studio809podcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2050-LRTP-Presentation-for-SustainabilityInProgress.pdf

Mountain Metro Jacob Matsen Presentation Slides: https://studio809podcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Peak-Alliance-for-a-Sustainable-Future-2025.06.18.pdf

Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments Transportation Planning: https://ppacg.org/transportation/

PPACG Long Range Transportation Plan: https://ppacg.org/transportation/long-range-transportation-plan/

Mountain Metro Transit: https://coloradosprings.gov/mountainmetro

2050 Regional Transit and Specialized Transportation Plans: https://coloradosprings.gov/2050-regional-transit-and-specialized-transit-plans

This episode was recorded at the Sustainability in Progress (SIP) virtual event on June 18, 2025. Sustainability in Progress is a monthly program of the Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future. Join us (free) the third Wednesday of every month. We're taking some time off this summer, but be notified when the next SIP is planned: https://tinyurl.com/4h4ujnya

The following environment/sustainability organizations in the Pikes Peak region collaborate to produce the Peak Environment podcast about environmental stewardship, sustainable living and enlightened public policy in the Pikes Peak Region.

Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future: https://peakallianceco.org/

Pikes Peak Permaculture: https://www.pikespeakpermaculture.org/

350 Colorado: https://350colorado.org/

GrowthBusters: https://www.growthbusters.org

Keep up with all the organizations and events making our area a better place to live. Follow on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss an episode.

Interim Executive Director Steph Vigil updates us on changes at nonprofit Citizens Project and previews the organization’s upcoming community breakfast.

The Creating Community Breakfast is an annual event hosted by Citizens Project, a nonprofit organization in Colorado Springs dedicated to promoting equity, inclusion, and justice through civic engagement . This gathering serves as a platform to bring together community members, leaders, and advocates to celebrate shared values and recognize local contributions to social progress.

The event features inspirational speakers, musical performances, and the presentation of the Amy Divine Award, which honors individuals or organizations that have made significant impacts in advancing equity and inclusion in the Pikes Peak region. For instance, the 2024 award was presented to Yevgeniya Tsyganok, while the 2023 recipients included Ladyfingers Letterpress, Naomi Lopez, and Shaun Walls .

This event not only celebrates the ongoing efforts of community members but also reinforces Citizens Project's mission to inform, inspire, and engage the public in fostering a more inclusive and equitable society

Creating Community Breakfast 2025

July 12, 2025 @ 8:00AM — 9:30AM 

The Carter Payne: 320 S. Weber Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Info and Tickets: https://citizensproject.networkforgood.com/events/86641-creating-community-breakfast-2025

MENTIONED:

The Carter Payne

League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region

Making Democracy Work podcast

Amendment 2

Black Lives Matter

De'Von Bailey

Mountain Metro Transit

The Lincoln Center

Angletech

Karman Line annexation

Citizens Project Voters Guides

The Indy (RIP)

Pikes Peak Bulletin

Loving the Springs celebrates the best of Colorado Springs and elevates the rest.

Plug into what’s happening in the Pikes Peak region, learn about awesome people, places and happenings, and explore opportunities to make life here even better. Longtime Springs booster Carrie Simison co-hosts with local gadflies Al Brody and Dave Gardner. All three love our two springs – Colorado and Manitou, so they give them the mic in this twice-monthly podcast. Nothing’s off the table – recreation, the arts, government, business, politics – if it touches your life, they’ll talk about it. We’ll invite the movers and shakers, conspiracy theorists, NIMBYs, YIMBYs, yaysayers and naysayers to join them.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and give us feedback and suggestions via comments at https://studio809podcasts.com/loving-the-springs or lovingthespringspodcast at gmail.com

Bicycle racing isn’t just an elite or extreme sport, and this local club is making it fun and accessible. Nao Nozawa and Terry Lott fill us in. Terry Lyons fills in as host for Tori Giffin. The conversation covers everything from a brief history of COS Racing, advice for beginning racers, and a rundown of 2025 sponsors, to COS Racing's goals for future community involvement and talent development.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 

COS Racing: https://cosracing.wildapricot.org/home

Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort: https://www.bicycleresort.com

2025 COS Racing Sponsors:

https://positiveoutcomesllc.com/

https://fossilcraftbeer.com/

https://www.pactimo.com/

https://fitnesssystems.biz/

https://www.pikespeakathletics.com/

https://rectorlawfirm.com/beau-worthington/

https://agents.allstate.com/jeremy-dixon-colorado-springs-co.html

https://homesmart.com/real-estate-agent/colorado/coloradosprings/41914-leeann-perea/Welcome

https://www.bicycleresort.com/

https://www.trailsendtaproom.com/

https://www.oakley.com/

https://flowformulas.com/

https://cognitiveprotocol.com/

Pedal the Springs is produced and presented by the Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort, the only bicycle-themed lodging and must-stay for cyclists coming to Colorado. Check us out at https://www.bicycleresort.com for more information.

Episodes are recorded in the Studio 809 Podcasts community podcast studio at The Next Us. https://thenextus.spaces.nexudus.com/?public&

Find other great podcasts produced in and for the Pikes Peak Region - at https://studio809podcasts.com

Don't miss an episode of Pedal the Springs. Follow on your favorite podcast app.

Pikes Peak Housing Network’s mission is to foster innovative and collaborative solutions that advance housing affordability, access and production in the Pikes Peak Region. Executive Director Jill Gaebler shares data and details about her work. Jill is a former member of the Colorado Springs City Council where she served two terms. Prior to that, Jill worked for Greccio Housing and served in the Us Air Force. Jill is also a former board member of Homeward Pikes Peak.

Website: https://pphousingnetwork.org/

State of Housing Report:  https://pphousingnetwork.org/resources.html

a Place for everyone is produced by Homeward Pikes Peak. We empower individuals and families to access stable housing, increase mental health, increase recovery and achieve economic stability.  Learn more at http://homewardpp.org/. You can reach us at (719) 473-5557. Street Outreach, housing, and clinical services are provided.

Bike to Work Day June 25 is an especially fun way to discover that bicycling to get around the Pikes Peak Region is a joy. Sharing the details are Kerry Childress, City of Colorado Springs’ multimodal transportation planner, and Karole Campbell of Madwoman Marketing Strategies. We also get a report from Carrie Simison on last weekend’s “Pride Fest” and No Kings protest.

LINKS:

2025 City of Colorado Springs Bike to Work Day – map, breakfast stations and other information: https://coloradosprings.gov/biketowork

Interactive Colorado Springs Bicycling Map: https://coloradosprings.gov/bikemap

MENTIONED:

Bristol Brewing Company Beers & Gear Expo

Bike Colorado Springs

Cerberus Brewing

PikeRide

Mayor Yemi Mobolade

Mission Coffee Roasters

Kids on Bikes

Colorado College

U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum

City of Colorado Springs

Underline Infrastructure

UCCS

Ent Center for the Arts

University Village

Fossil Craft Beer

SRAM and Molly Murrow

Bicycle Colorado

Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort

The Lincoln Center

Goat Patch Brewing Company

GoCOS App

Village Seven

Palmer Park

Pikes Peak Pride Fest

No Kings protest

Art on the Streets

Art on the Streets episode of Loving the Springs

Southern Colorado Juneteenth Festival

Citadel Mall

Loving the Springs celebrates the best of Colorado Springs and elevates the rest.

Plug into what’s happening in the Pikes Peak region, learn about awesome people, places and happenings, and explore opportunities to make life here even better. Longtime Springs booster Carrie Simison co-hosts with local gadflies Al Brody and Dave Gardner. All three love our two springs – Colorado and Manitou, so they give them the mic in this twice-monthly podcast. Nothing’s off the table – recreation, the arts, government, business, politics – if it touches your life, they’ll talk about it. We’ll invite the movers and shakers, conspiracy theorists, NIMBYs, YIMBYs, yaysayers and naysayers to join them.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and give us feedback and suggestions via comments at https://studio809podcasts.com/loving-the-springs or lovingthespringspodcast at gmail.com