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1-minute voter guide: Crank and Killin battle for the 5th Congressional District 

Democrat Jessica Killin is challenging more than Republican Rep. Jeff Crank's record.

Election

Democrat Jessica Killin is challenging more than Republican Rep. Jeff Crank&#x27;s record — she&#x27;s trying to break a half-century Republican lock on Colorado&#x27;s 5th Congressional District.Why it matters: The Colorado Springs-centered race offers Democrats a potential pickup in the fight for House control, with sharp divisions over household costs, the war in Iran and data centers.

Colorado Springs housing snapshot shows rising costs

Home prices and asking rents have trended higher over the past six months.

News

Colorado Springs&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="home prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.freddiemac.com/research/indices/house-price-index" data-vars-content-id="7251af9f-e840-4475-a365-fb02daf77cd5" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs housing snapshot shows rising costs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.freddiemac.com/research/indices/house-price-index" target="_blank">home prices</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.zillow.com/research/data/" data-vars-content-id="7251af9f-e840-4475-a365-fb02daf77cd5" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs housing snapshot shows rising costs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.zillow.com/research/data/" target="_blank">rents</a> rose from a year earlier in August, fresh housing data show.Why it matters: Both have trended higher over the past six months, adding to affordability concerns.

5 recommendations for visiting Taos

New Mexican food is half the reason to drive the 3.5 hours from Colorado Springs to Taos.

Things to Do

One of my favorite getaways is a trip to Taos, New Mexico.Why it matters: I just returned from the Land of Enchantment and wanted to share a few recommendations.

Aspen Acres Fire caused by tree hitting power lines, report finds

The findings land as survivors seek compensation from San Isabel Electric Association, which faces at least five lawsuits.

A wind-toppled aspen tree ignited the Aspen Acres Fire when it struck live power lines this summer, state investigators concluded.Why it matters: The findings land as survivors of the blaze, which destroyed hundreds of southern Colorado homes, seek compensation from San Isabel Electric Association.

Colorado Springs hotels The Broadmoor, Mining Exchange earn Michelin keys

The two hotels on the Michelin guide give Colorado Springs a foothold in the competitive luxury travel market.

Colorado Springs just checked into elite hotel status — twice.Why it matters: The two new additions to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Michelin hotel guide" data-vars-click-url="https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/article/travel/all-the-key-hotels-united-states" data-vars-content-id="5c4752e1-664b-4e54-bc4b-2d813ef04294" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs hotels The Broadmoor, Mining Exchange earn Michelin keys" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/article/travel/all-the-key-hotels-united-states" target="_blank">Michelin hotel guide</a> give Colorado Springs a foothold in the competitive luxury-travel market and complement its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new Michelin-recommended restaurants" data-vars-click-url="https://axios.com/newsletters/axios-colorado-springs-f27e4ede-7c39-4fb0-82ff-dc2e9f8a2e9b.html?chunk=1&amp;utm_term=twsocialshare#story1" data-vars-content-id="5c4752e1-664b-4e54-bc4b-2d813ef04294" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs hotels The Broadmoor, Mining Exchange earn Michelin keys" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://axios.com/newsletters/axios-colorado-springs-f27e4ede-7c39-4fb0-82ff-dc2e9f8a2e9b.html?chunk=1&amp;utm_term=twsocialshare#story1" target="_self">new Michelin-recommended restaurants</a>.

Project Taurus data center in limbo in Colorado Springs

The controversial project is a test case for the expected expansion of data centers across Colorado.

The company behind Project Taurus is now wavering on whether to build the massive data center after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vocal — and menacing — opposition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/09/18/data-center-project-taurus-vote-delay" data-vars-content-id="29de64b0-4c10-453e-b59e-2a6842fbfcc0" data-vars-headline="Project Taurus data center in limbo in Colorado Springs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/09/18/data-center-project-taurus-vote-delay" target="_self">vocal — and menacing — opposition</a> from residents.Why it matters: The controversial project is a test case for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expected expansion of data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/09/21/colorado-data-centers-build-growth" data-vars-content-id="29de64b0-4c10-453e-b59e-2a6842fbfcc0" data-vars-headline="Project Taurus data center in limbo in Colorado Springs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/09/21/colorado-data-centers-build-growth" target="_self">expected expansion of data centers</a> across Colorado as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="artificial intelligence boom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/22/ai-data-center-backlash-poll" data-vars-content-id="29de64b0-4c10-453e-b59e-2a6842fbfcc0" data-vars-headline="Project Taurus data center in limbo in Colorado Springs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/22/ai-data-center-backlash-poll" target="_self">artificial intelligence boom</a> collides with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vehement public resistance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/09/15/colorado-poll-data-centers-artificial-intelligence-ai" data-vars-content-id="29de64b0-4c10-453e-b59e-2a6842fbfcc0" data-vars-headline="Project Taurus data center in limbo in Colorado Springs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/09/15/colorado-poll-data-centers-artificial-intelligence-ai" target="_self">vehement public resistance</a>.

More data centers are coming to Colorado

The drive for additional computing power in the AI era may outweigh the public's fierce opposition.

Like it or not, data centers are popping up throughout Colorado.Why it matters: The drive for additional computing power in the artificial intelligence era may outweigh the public&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fierce opposition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/09/15/colorado-poll-data-centers-artificial-intelligence-ai" data-vars-content-id="e4fd5f1c-c2fa-4670-a043-c0e5f3a9ca4e" data-vars-headline="More data centers are coming to Colorado" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/09/15/colorado-poll-data-centers-artificial-intelligence-ai" target="_self">fierce opposition</a> to the warehouse-size buildings.

Freeze leaves Penrose without apples again

The farming town will celebrate Apple Day despite another year without a local crop.

Penrose, a town founded on apples, once again has none.The big picture: For the second year running, an early freeze killed the crop at the town&#x27;s two remaining orchards, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Happy Apple Farm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.happyapplefarm.com/" data-vars-content-id="45e333a9-d9be-4c28-be89-88e86ecacf73" data-vars-headline="Freeze leaves Penrose without apples again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.happyapplefarm.com/" target="_blank">Happy Apple Farm</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Third Street Apples" data-vars-click-url="http://www.thirdstreetapples.com/" data-vars-content-id="45e333a9-d9be-4c28-be89-88e86ecacf73" data-vars-headline="Freeze leaves Penrose without apples again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://www.thirdstreetapples.com/" target="_blank">Third Street Apples</a>, both about 45 minutes south of Colorado Springs.

10 years of Colorado Springs shorts

Horror, comedy and Lego animation are among this year's homegrown selections.

Culture

The films run as short as a minute, but the festival showcasing them is now a decade old.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Colorado Short Circuit Film " data-vars-click-url="https://csc.eventive.org/welcome" data-vars-content-id="1808aa14-58bb-4b2c-bc85-6c7838e9156a" data-vars-headline="10 years of Colorado Springs shorts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://csc.eventive.org/welcome" target="_blank">Colorado Short Circuit Film </a>Festival celebrates its 10th year this weekend, with a lineup of 80 productions by independent filmmakers across the state.

Inside Colorado Springs Airport's $63M makeover 

Colorado's second-largest airport opened a new travel lounge.

Business

Colorado Springs Airport is showing off its new digs after a major terminal makeover.Why it matters: Colorado&#x27;s second-largest airport wants to make flying easier and comfier for its nearly 2.5 million annual passengers as it seeks to avoid losing too <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="many passengers to Denver&#x27;s airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/05/26/denver-airport-dia-den-walkways-between-concourses" data-vars-content-id="c536ed7e-3a78-462c-a4b6-4d94f82a8ef1" data-vars-headline="Inside Colorado Springs Airport&#x27;s $63M makeover " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/05/26/denver-airport-dia-den-walkways-between-concourses" target="_self">many passengers to Denver&#x27;s airport</a>.

Colorado Springs puts guardrails on new data centers

Data centers will need to pay the full cost of their electrical infrastructure, invest in water conservation and mitigate noise.

Data centers looking to build in Colorado Springs will have to pay their own infrastructure costs, conserve water and mitigate noise under new citywide standards, the mayor says.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="guardrails" data-vars-click-url="https://coloradosprings.gov/news/colorado-springs-community-first-data-center-standards" data-vars-content-id="334109db-11c0-44df-b5d6-bf83eaa818a6" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs puts guardrails on new data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://coloradosprings.gov/news/colorado-springs-community-first-data-center-standards" target="_blank">guardrails</a>, issued Friday, raise the bar for data centers seeking city approval and arrive as officials consider the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="controversial Project Taurus" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/04/09/data-center-opposition-colorado-springs" data-vars-content-id="334109db-11c0-44df-b5d6-bf83eaa818a6" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs puts guardrails on new data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/04/09/data-center-opposition-colorado-springs" target="_self">controversial Project Taurus</a>.

Colorado ski giant shifts to premium experience

New bougie perks — from rentals to dining — aim to make ski trips smoother.

After a disappointing 2025-26 ski season <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dented visits and sales" data-vars-click-url="https://coloradosun.com/2026/06/15/vail-resorts-pass-sales-2/" data-vars-content-id="6d774b2e-f420-48b9-ab7a-3c122abf376c" data-vars-headline="Colorado ski giant shifts to premium experience" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://coloradosun.com/2026/06/15/vail-resorts-pass-sales-2/" target="_blank">dented visits and sales</a>, Vail Resorts is betting better service will bring back visitors.Driving the news: The Broomfield-based company says its next chapter won&#x27;t come from buying more resorts or selling more season passes.

Colorado Gov. Polis bullish on data centers despite backlash

The governor defends data centers, saying frustration about what the rise of AI means is "what's giving people pause."

Only a small fraction of data center <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="opponents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/17/ai-backlash-polling-sentiment" data-vars-content-id="39a8ae53-2a81-49d7-99d3-622fdbbf10af" data-vars-headline="Colorado Gov. Polis bullish on data centers despite backlash" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/17/ai-backlash-polling-sentiment" target="_self">opponents</a> actually live near one, a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new national survey finds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.milltownpartners.com/insights/behind-the-backlash" data-vars-content-id="39a8ae53-2a81-49d7-99d3-622fdbbf10af" data-vars-headline="Colorado Gov. Polis bullish on data centers despite backlash" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.milltownpartners.com/insights/behind-the-backlash" target="_blank">new national survey finds</a>, but that isn&#x27;t quieting the uproar in Colorado.Why it matters: Data centers have become a stand-in for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="broader anger" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/22/ai-data-center-backlash-poll" data-vars-content-id="39a8ae53-2a81-49d7-99d3-622fdbbf10af" data-vars-headline="Colorado Gov. Polis bullish on data centers despite backlash" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/22/ai-data-center-backlash-poll" target="_self">broader anger</a> and fear surrounding an AI-driven future, one of the few tangible manifestations.

Where to watch the 2026 World Cup in Colorado Springs

From pubs to breweries, here's where fans can catch every match.

For Colorado Springs soccer fans, the road to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026 FIFA World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/10/2026-world-cup-casual-fan-guide" data-vars-content-id="02ebb3f0-ca2c-434c-b68c-aec525524ea9" data-vars-headline="Where to watch the 2026 World Cup in Colorado Springs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/10/2026-world-cup-casual-fan-guide" target="_self">2026 FIFA World Cup</a> won&#x27;t start at kickoff — first you&#x27;ve got to decide where to watch.State of play: Local bars, pubs and breweries are gearing up for packed watch parties, early-morning kickoffs and plenty of celebrations.

Business 🏦

State audit blasts Colorado's marijuana testing framework

Boulder climate case gets boost in Supreme Court

Huntsville and Colorado Springs bury the Space Command hatchet

Colorado Springs hotels The Broadmoor, Mining Exchange earn Michelin keys

Project Taurus data center in limbo in Colorado Springs