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El Paso County primary election turnout mediocre

The ballot featured competitive Democratic and Republican races for statewide and local offices.

Election

El Paso County&#x27;s registered voter turnout in the recent primary election did not impress.Why it matters: The ballot <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="featured" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/23/colorado-voter-guide-what-to-know-about-the-candidates-and-top-races" data-vars-content-id="72a889a0-a9c9-4724-8381-b471c3290d22" data-vars-headline="El Paso County primary election turnout mediocre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/23/colorado-voter-guide-what-to-know-about-the-candidates-and-top-races" target="_self">featured</a> competitive Democratic and Republican races for statewide and local offices. In some cases, the contests essentially determined the winner because the districts skew toward one party.

Where Colorado Springs ranks among fittest cities

The score is based on residents' health indicators, cities' parks and recreation infrastructure, environmental conditions and more.

News

Let&#x27;s get moving. Take a walk. Do a plank. How about 10 push-ups? Or bust out some jumping jacks.Why it matters: Turns out, we need it.

The lowdown: What's happening this weekend in Colorado Springs

This weekend, Colorado celebrates its 150th birthday and local organizations are hosting back-to-school events.

Things to Do

This weekend, Colorado celebrates its 150th birthday and local organizations are hosting back-to-school events, so don&#x27;t miss the action.🎒 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Victory World Outreach" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/events/930442150104724/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22discovery_custom_tab%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D" data-vars-content-id="dcc5d095-6142-4a29-9d0e-b20fc1de2c59" data-vars-headline="The lowdown: What&#x27;s happening this weekend in Colorado Springs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/930442150104724/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22discovery_custom_tab%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D" target="_blank">Victory World Outreach</a> at 3150 S. Academy Blvd. is hosting a back-to-school event at 7pm Friday with 300 free backpacks, live music and free haircuts, as well as face painting and food. Free.

Documentary follows Colorado man's 500-mile run on psychedelics

A new Colorado Springs-made documentary follows a local ultra-endurance athlete's 500-mile run to Moab while on psychedelics.

Culture

A new Colorado Springs-made documentary follows a local ultra-endurance athlete&#x27;s 500-mile run to Moab while on psychedelics. Why it matters: Colorado Springs doesn&#x27;t have a booming <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="film industry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/05/18/el-paso-coroner-colorado-horror-film" data-vars-content-id="ca0d1115-b4ee-4906-b765-ef0ef7ded848" data-vars-headline="Documentary follows Colorado man&#x27;s 500-mile run on psychedelics" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/05/18/el-paso-coroner-colorado-horror-film" target="_self">film industry</a>. It&#x27;s rare to see a documentary created by locals and centered on a local story — especially one with such an unusual and polarizing premise.

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.

How Colorado Springs' parks stack up

68% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park.

In a study of park quality across U.S. cities, Colorado Springs ranked 66th.Why it matters: Residents love their parks, and parks in turn help improve <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="resident health and area tourism" data-vars-click-url="https://coloradosprings.gov/parks/page/economic-benefits-parks" data-vars-content-id="fee6c40d-80f7-4b24-b995-93dbfe2aff13" data-vars-headline="How Colorado Springs&#x27; parks stack up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://coloradosprings.gov/parks/page/economic-benefits-parks" target="_blank">resident health and area tourism</a>.

Air Force Academy artist's home to hit market with 727 inside

The unusual property tells the story of a longtime Air Force Academy artist.

There&#x27;s a house going up for sale in Colorado Springs — five bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and half a Boeing 727.Why it matters: The unusual property tells the story of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rick Broome" data-vars-click-url="https://gazette.com/2017/07/08/colorado-springs-artists-love-of-flight-leads-to-aviation-honor-c295f0e6-6e57-5742-b437-d0717904e75b/" data-vars-content-id="bd1b9cb1-f8b9-4211-8d69-aefd8c817bc1" data-vars-headline="Air Force Academy artist&#x27;s home to hit market with 727 inside" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gazette.com/2017/07/08/colorado-springs-artists-love-of-flight-leads-to-aviation-honor-c295f0e6-6e57-5742-b437-d0717904e75b/" target="_blank">Rick Broome</a>, a local aviation artist whose paintings became a generations-long tradition at the U.S. Air Force Academy — and whose work documented the evolution of American air power for nearly half a century.

Colorado Springs summer music guide for 2026

Summertime, and finding outdoor music in Colorado Springs is easy.

Memorial Day unofficially kicks off Colorado Springs&#x27; outdoor music season — and this year, there are more live concert options than ever.Why it matters: Music fans can pair live shows with summer weather, mountain views and long holiday weekends.

Former El Paso County coroner is making a horror movie

A Colorado Springs horror fest is now making feature films.

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.

Colorado Springs to take a Swig

Swig's soda-and-cream drinks are headed to El Paso County.

Business

Swig, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a drive-through &quot;dirty soda&quot; chain" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/08/11/swig-sodalicious-dirty-soda-phoenix-mesa-tiktok-popular" data-vars-content-id="22f63a48-48e7-4b88-a6af-6005e66e6cd1" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs to take a Swig" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/08/11/swig-sodalicious-dirty-soda-phoenix-mesa-tiktok-popular" target="_self">a drive-through &quot;dirty soda&quot; chain</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="plans to expand" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nrn.com/quick-service/swig-announces-10-unit-deal-in-colorado-springs" data-vars-content-id="22f63a48-48e7-4b88-a6af-6005e66e6cd1" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs to take a Swig" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nrn.com/quick-service/swig-announces-10-unit-deal-in-colorado-springs" target="_blank">plans to expand</a> to the Colorado Springs area, with the first location expected to open by year&#x27;s end, and a total of 10 planned for El Paso County.For the uninitiated: This is soda mixed with cream, syrups and other flavorings.

Ford Amphitheater opens with local artwork

A local artist's mural will greet fans as Ford Amphitheater opens its 2026 season.

Colorado Springs artist <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tyler Haynie&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://bsky.app/profile/tynamedty.bsky.social" data-vars-content-id="82f5a815-8423-4c72-ac71-24b32d1bbcd3" data-vars-headline="Ford Amphitheater opens with local artwork" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bsky.app/profile/tynamedty.bsky.social" target="_blank">Tyler Haynie&#x27;s</a> mural &quot;Front Row Colorado&quot; is one of two works debuting inside the Ford Amphitheater as the venue opens its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026 season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fordamphitheater.live/standard-shows/" data-vars-content-id="82f5a815-8423-4c72-ac71-24b32d1bbcd3" data-vars-headline="Ford Amphitheater opens with local artwork" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fordamphitheater.live/standard-shows/" target="_blank">2026 season</a>.Why it matters: The 8,000-seat amphitheater gives local artists like Haynie a built-in audience every show — a major boost for their creative work.

Pulpit Rock adds "Inspiration" to trail offerings

A new trail will improve access to Pulpit Rock but bring temporary closures.

Colorado Springs is building a 400-step trail up Pulpit Rock as part of a broader overhaul to Austin Bluffs Open Space.Why it matters: The new trail expands access to one of the city&#x27;s most visible landmarks and highlights the importance of outdoor recreation to the city&#x27;s identity and economy.

CityServe returns for spring volunteer weekend

Thousands will volunteer across the city, helping nonprofits, schools and neighbors in need.

Expect volunteers to fan out across Colorado Springs — along trails, in church parking lots and inside homes — for this weekend&#x27;s springtime CityServe event.Why it matters: The twice-yearly effort, now in its 10th year, is built on a simple idea: get residents out of their routines to show up for their neighbors in need.

Axios Denver

Coloradans love Colorado and its way of life

Denver

A bar chart that shows which aspects of Colorado life voters rate as very important in a June 26-July 1 poll of 655 registered voters. Protecting lands, water and wildlife leads at 86%, followed by freedom and personal choice at 79%. Rooting for pro sports teams ranks last at 24%.

What attributes of Colorado's way of life are "very important"

Data: Colorado Polling Institute; Note: Margin of error is +/- 3.83 percentage points; Chart: John Frank/Axios

Culture

Coloradans love Colorado and its way of life

Colorado Springs weekend guide: tacos, tunes trails

Documentary follows Colorado man's 500-mile run on psychedelics

Fort Collins named one of America's best towns to visit in 2026

Where to watch the 2026 World Cup in Colorado Springs