Happy Tuesday, Colorado Springs. In today’s edition: K9 Roam support, a John Denver Christmas, a winter solstice hike, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Fellow K9s lend aid: After K9 Roam’s stabbing and leg amputation, support poured in. The Police Foundation paused sales of Roam stuffies after 600 orders to ensure they could fulfill every purchase — read the full story.

Breaking ground next year: Swire Coca-Cola plans to open a 620,000-square-foot manufacturing plant at Colorado Springs’ Peak Innovation Park, creating 170 jobs and replacing its 90-year-old Denver facility, while seeking LEED Gold certification — read the full story.

Mayor praises visionary leadership: Colorado Springs Downtown Partnership named Chelsea Gondeck permanent CEO after serving as interim since June. She starts Jan. 1, following the Clean and Safe program’s launch under her interim leadership — read the full story.

Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since January. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week

• Shop local art at Annual Holiday Show
• Join the 43rd Annual Christmas Giveaway
• Hand-feed giraffes amid dazzling lights
• Colorado Springs Christmas Symphony delights generations
• Browse handmade gifts at Holiday Market
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A home warranty that actually pays is 30% off

🫶 We got your back

Old Colorado City festivities: Colorado Springs finally has a large-scale Christkindlmarket. After 25 years in Denver, the festive market has set up in Bancroft Park with 10 wooden-hut vendors, imported German bites, twinkling lights, and an Alpenhütte pouring drinks with nightly entertainment. It reopens Dec. 18–23, 12–8 p.m., and admission is free. Get dates, hours and details.

Alleyway safety steps underway: Manitou Springs is two weeks into a rockfall mitigation project on Lovers Lane (between Lafayette Rd and Cañon Ave) after August’s rockslide crushed two parked cars. Crews have set concrete barriers below the cliffs and temporarily made the lane one-way westbound to protect drivers and pedestrians. No injuries were reported. Read the full story.

Movie night, leveled up: Sink into recliners, order real dinner and cocktails delivered to your seat at RoadHouse Cinemas Colorado Springs. Crave more action? Their Rail Yard neighbor adds bowling and arcade energy for post‑credits hangs, so the night keeps rolling without the multiplex hassle.

Hear me out: My mom’s been asking people to repeat themselves 5,281 times too many for years. She always avoided hearing aids like the plague — they’re clunky, obvious, expensive, not really worth it. I always thought “she’s not wrong” until I saw these new invisible hearing aids going viral. In the same boat? Now’s a great time to check them out before unused health benefits expire on the 31st.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now + you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.

📆 Around town this week

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

This week

🎄 ChoralSong Presents: Festival of Carols @ Grace & St. Stephens Episcopal Church | Tuesday (12/16) at 7:00pm – Settle into the glow of candlelight and let organ, brass, and soaring voices wrap you in pure Christmas nostalgia. James Whitbourn’s Missa Carolae anchors the night with familiar carols dressed up in lush choral harmonies, perfectly suited to the church’s gorgeous acoustics.

🍺 Taproom Takeover Rocky Mountain Field Institute @ Mash Mechanix Brewing Co | Thursday (12/18) at 5:00pm – Raise a pint at Mash Mechanix for a Taproom Takeover that actually does something useful. Proceeds fuel Rocky Mountain Field Institute, the crew keeping Garden of the Gods, the Sangres, and your favorite switchbacks from crumbling. Beer, good folks, guilt-free trail karma.

🎸 A John Denver Christmas @ Pikes Peak Center | Thursday (12/18) at 7:30pm – This festive tribute at Pikes Peak Center channels peak 70s Denver vibes, with Rick Schuler, a string ensemble, and all the singalongs you secretly love. Think Country Roads, Annie’s Song, and cozy carols, plus that warm, Rocky Mountain glow your cocoa never achieves.

🌿 The Useful Yucca @ Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center | Friday (12/19) at 1:00pm – Getting hands-on with the humble yucca at Garden of the Gods, you’ll learn how this semi-arid survivor thrives, then turn it into cordage or soap. It’s free, all ages, no reservations. Practical skills, a little history, and bragging rights for the next trail chat.

🔥 Frost & Flame Festival| Friday (12/19) at 2:00pm – Slip into your coziest cloak (or, you know, hoodie) and step into a grassroots winter festival where witches, makers, and magick-workers light up the cold season. Friday kicks off the weekend-long celebration with the Return of Light Ceremony at 5:30 pm, plus a vendor market full of handcrafted goods, potions, and other witchy delights.

This weekend

🎶 Canyon Winds Winter Concert @ Coronado High School Auditorium | Saturday (12/20) at 3:00pm – Trade mall madness for a 75-piece wall of sound and some seriously festive goosebumps. From Renaissance vibes to The Nightmare Before Christmas and a dash of vintage cheer in “Christmas from the 50’s,” this program is holiday nostalgia in surround sound.

🎄 Caroling & Cocktails Tour @ The Mining Exchange Hotel | Saturday (12/20) at 4:00pm – Sip your way through three festive downtown bars, each pouring a holiday cocktail with just-right appetizer bites to keep you feeling merry (but not too full). Between rounds, belt out classic carols from provided songbooks—no vocal talent required, just enthusiasm and maybe a little liquid courage.

🎤 Katie Hale and the P-47s Live @ Rico’s Cafe and Wine Bar | Saturday (12/20) at 6:00pm – Craving swing close to home? Colorado Springs’ Katie Hale and the P-47s turn Rico’s Cafe & Wine Bar into a 1930s and 40s time capsule, all velvet vocals, tight rhythms, and toe taps. Order a glass, lean back, and let nostalgia do the work.

🕯️ Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings @ First United Methodist Church | Saturday (12/20) at 8:45pm – Trade mall speakers for real strings and candlelight at First United Methodist downtown, where a quartet turns Christmas carols into goosebumps. It is all the joy, none of the tinsel. Sit back, breathe, and let Colorado Springs actually sound peaceful for once.

🥾 Winter Solstice Hike @ Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center | Sunday (12/21) at 6:00pm – Celebrate the longest night with a guided hike through Garden of the Gods, a little Solstice lore, then telescope views of the Moon and winter skies. Wear smart shoes, pack warm layers, and call it quality stargazing. Finally putting those early sunsets to good use.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/18 Critical Rock Theory @ Armadillo Ranch – 7 pm
• 12/18 Darci Lynne and Friends: Christmas Tour @ Phil Long Music Hall – 7:30 pm
• 12/18 Yule Be Naughty…Of Course! @ The Millibo Art Theatre – 7:30 pm
• 12/19 Christmas Extravaganza @ Peak Improv Theater – 5:30 pm
• 12/19 Revele and Paul @ Rico’s Cafe and Wine Bar – 6 pm
• 12/19 The Long Run (Eagles tribute) @ Phil Long Music Hall – 7:30 pm
• 12/19 DeadPhish Orchestra @ Lulu’s Downtown – 9 pm
• 12/20 Chris Cagle @ The Whiskey Rose – 7 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Jesse Hernandez (Keller Williams Clients Choice Realty)

This 5-bed, 5-bath spread spans 6 acres of trees and meadowland with mountain views. A vaulted great room centers on a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, with formal rooms. The country kitchen has granite, a gas grill-top stove, walk-in pantry, and opens to a wraparound deck with seating.

Upstairs, the sunrise-facing primary features a vaulted ceiling and a spa bath with a glass-brick double shower. The garden level adds two more bedrooms, a fireplace-warmed family room with wet bar, walk-out to a covered patio, horse and chicken zoning, and a spot less than a mile from Black Forest Fire & Rescue.

Take a peek inside →