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Colorado Springs avoids new drought restrictions for now

Utilities officials say the city has about three years of water in reserve.

Climate

As Front Range communities tighten <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drought restrictions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.9news.com/article/weather/weather-colorado/colorado-water-restrictions-2026/73-b842cb62-3b88-4653-ad45-abaf6eae26b1" data-vars-content-id="8e4862c2-7e94-4902-97aa-8876646f290f" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs avoids new drought restrictions for now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.9news.com/article/weather/weather-colorado/colorado-water-restrictions-2026/73-b842cb62-3b88-4653-ad45-abaf6eae26b1" target="_blank">drought restrictions</a>, Colorado Springs utilities <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="officials say" data-vars-click-url="https://www.csu.org/water-service/water-supply-watch" data-vars-content-id="8e4862c2-7e94-4902-97aa-8876646f290f" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs avoids new drought restrictions for now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.csu.org/water-service/water-supply-watch" target="_blank">officials say</a> the city has roughly three years of water supply in reserve.Between the lines: Springs residents already live under year-round &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Water Wise Rules" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpCH4jZB6J4" data-vars-content-id="8e4862c2-7e94-4902-97aa-8876646f290f" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs avoids new drought restrictions for now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpCH4jZB6J4" target="_blank">Water Wise Rules</a>,&quot; which resemble many of the new drought restrictions rolling out in nearby cities.

Former El Paso County coroner is making a horror movie

A Colorado Springs horror fest is now making feature films.

Culture

Former El Paso County Coroner Leon Kelly is producing his first feature-length film, &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Devil in the Trunk" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/devilinthetrunk/" data-vars-content-id="d0cdbf7a-80aa-435d-a2da-5d5c40f1fed9" data-vars-headline="Former El Paso County coroner is making a horror movie" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/devilinthetrunk/" target="_blank">Devil in the Trunk</a>,&quot; teaming up with fellow forensic pathologist Dan Lingamfelter to bring a homegrown project to the silver screen.Why it matters: Kelly&#x27;s unlikely evolution — from elected official to horror producer — mirrors how a niche hobby helped carve out one of Colorado Springs&#x27; most unusual grassroots arts communities.

Homegrown eateries expand across Colorado Springs

Homegrown favorites are adding new neighborhood spots.

Business

Colorado Springs&#x27; Lebowski&#x27;s Taproom is about to debut its second location, part of a broader wave of locally owned eateries expanding across the city.Why it matters: The expansion of homegrown restaurants gives Springs diners more local flavor in a city long dominated by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="chain restaurants" data-vars-click-url="https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/first/s/schlosser-fast.html?gclid=deleted/" data-vars-content-id="5985c7cd-1134-41d5-9922-9b50afc39f88" data-vars-headline="Homegrown eateries expand across Colorado Springs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/first/s/schlosser-fast.html?gclid=deleted/" target="_blank">chain restaurants</a>.

Pikes Peak region saw state's biggest uptick in homelessness

New statewide data shows homelessness rose locally while Colorado improved overall.

Politics

Homelessness in El Paso and Teller counties rose in 2025, even as statewide numbers declined slightly, according to a statewide report released Monday.Why it matters: The increase is adding strain to local shelters and housing programs even as much of Colorado saw modest improvement.

Colorado Springs wildfire risk grows after dry winter

Officials warn dry conditions could fuel a dangerous wildfire season ahead.

Colorado Springs faces <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="severe wildfire risk" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/04/10/heat-wave-fuels-early-wildfire-fears-for-colorado-springs" data-vars-content-id="de3c69a3-0858-489d-b874-4fef889c7c82" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs wildfire risk grows after dry winter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/04/10/heat-wave-fuels-early-wildfire-fears-for-colorado-springs" target="_self">severe wildfire risk</a> after a hot, dry winter, leading to a growing push for mitigation.Why it matters: Homes and humans are at risk, especially along the wooded western edges of the city.

Colorado Springs gardeners face a dry start

Dry, warm weather is forcing gardeners to rethink planting and watering this season.

Colorado Springs gardeners face a tricky start this season after an unusually <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hot and dry beginning" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/16/winter-temperature-records-western-us" data-vars-content-id="f1fd9d8a-2b01-4bac-b407-7a0e292484e2" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs gardeners face a dry start" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/16/winter-temperature-records-western-us" target="_self">hot and dry beginning</a> to the year.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Limited mountain runoff" data-vars-click-url="https://www.csu.org/water-wise-rules/" data-vars-content-id="f1fd9d8a-2b01-4bac-b407-7a0e292484e2" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs gardeners face a dry start" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.csu.org/water-wise-rules/" target="_blank">Limited mountain runoff</a> could strain the city&#x27;s water supply as residents head into peak planting season.

Officials: Vehicle malfunction likely sparked 24 Fire near Highway 115

Officials say a vehicle malfunction likely sparked the 24 Fire near Highway 115.

News

A vehicle malfunction on March 18 along Highway 115 likely sparked the 7,385-acre 24 Fire south of Colorado Springs, officials said Tuesday at a community town hall.Why it matters: Though crews are working toward reopening the highway, the fire has forced its closure between Colorado Springs and Cañon City for roughly a week, filling the air with smoke and threatening homes near Penrose.

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Colorado Springs avoids new drought restrictions for now

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Colorado Springs wildfire risk grows after dry winter

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