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Colorado Springs colleges see enrollment declines and budget woes

Fewer students means fewer tuition dollars to pay for faculty, academic programs and services at both campuses.

News

Colorado Springs higher education institutions are struggling with continued enrollment slumps carving millions out of already-distressed budgets.Why it matters: Fewer students means fewer tuition dollars to pay for faculty, academic programs and campus services.

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.

How 9/11 reshaped Colorado Springs

Ceremonies and tributes will take place across the region Friday.

History

Twenty-five years ago, the Sept. 11 attacks killed nearly 3,000 people and transformed Colorado Springs&#x27; role in national defense.Why it matters: NORAD personnel at Cheyenne Mountain shifted from a Cold War exercise to a real-world emergency that Tuesday in 2001, coordinating fighter scrambles and the nationwide grounding of commercial flights.

Colorado voters strongly object to data centers, new poll shows

55% of voters support a ban on data center construction in their communities.

Colorado voters overwhelmingly oppose building <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/25/data-centers-ai-electricity-water-politics" data-vars-content-id="98dc0459-657b-4f5d-9154-2289c21f2972" data-vars-headline="Colorado voters strongly object to data centers, new poll shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/25/data-centers-ai-electricity-water-politics" target="_self">data centers</a> — even when they&#x27;re nowhere near their own backyards, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new poll" data-vars-click-url="https://magellanstrategies.com/colorado-2026-ai-data-center-opinion-survey/" data-vars-content-id="98dc0459-657b-4f5d-9154-2289c21f2972" data-vars-headline="Colorado voters strongly object to data centers, new poll shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://magellanstrategies.com/colorado-2026-ai-data-center-opinion-survey/" target="_blank">a new poll</a> finds.Why it matters: The results come as communities <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grapple with" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/08/19/colorado-communities-data-centers-rules" data-vars-content-id="98dc0459-657b-4f5d-9154-2289c21f2972" data-vars-headline="Colorado voters strongly object to data centers, new poll shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/08/19/colorado-communities-data-centers-rules" target="_self">grapple with</a> the AI-driven data center boom, and just days before <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Colorado Springs officials" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/08/17/data-center-colorado-springs-regulations" data-vars-content-id="98dc0459-657b-4f5d-9154-2289c21f2972" data-vars-headline="Colorado voters strongly object to data centers, new poll shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/08/17/data-center-colorado-springs-regulations" target="_self">Colorado Springs officials</a> decide whether to permit 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="98dc0459-657b-4f5d-9154-2289c21f2972" data-vars-headline="Colorado voters strongly object to data centers, new poll shows" 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>.

CMAS scores offer mixed learning outlook

The annual standardized tests serve as a benchmark for Colorado educators and policymakers.

Education

Colorado&#x27;s elementary and middle school students saw improvement on math tests, but literacy remains a challenge, according to new Colorado Measures of Academic Progress test results.Why it matters: The annual standardized tests serve as a benchmark for Colorado educators and policymakers to gauge how students are learning, our education reporting partners at Chalkbeat <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/2026/08/19/2026-cmas-scores-see-how-your-school-did-in-literacy-math/" data-vars-content-id="8932d6ab-62af-4413-ac82-ad62d888e967" data-vars-headline="CMAS scores offer mixed learning outlook" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/2026/08/19/2026-cmas-scores-see-how-your-school-did-in-literacy-math/" target="_blank">report</a>.

Air Force Academy revamps curriculum for modern warfare

The academy says the changes will better prepare cadets for future combat.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The U.S. Air Force Academy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/04/30/air-force-academy-opens-new-visitor-center-may-16" data-vars-content-id="3d0c2d21-fb22-480e-86c1-d4c57cf9c1c4" data-vars-headline="Air Force Academy revamps curriculum for modern warfare" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/04/30/air-force-academy-opens-new-visitor-center-may-16" target="_self">The U.S. Air Force Academy</a> is overhauling its curriculum and renaming its academic leadership as it pushes to educate &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Day One&quot; warfighters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.usafa.edu/usafa-realigns-academic-enterprise-to-forge-day-one-warfighters/" data-vars-content-id="3d0c2d21-fb22-480e-86c1-d4c57cf9c1c4" data-vars-headline="Air Force Academy revamps curriculum for modern warfare" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.usafa.edu/usafa-realigns-academic-enterprise-to-forge-day-one-warfighters/" target="_blank">Day One&quot; warfighters</a>.Why it matters: Academy leaders say the change will better prepare cadets for modern warfare — including cyber threats — by integrating liberal arts, STEM, AI and military readiness instead of teaching in silos.

Air Force chapel's reopening date set for 2028

The end is finally within sight for the Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel's renovation project.

The end is — finally — within sight for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.usafa.edu/facilities/cadet-chapel/" data-vars-content-id="b18cad2c-3531-46b2-8abe-7d2daa2ff2e9" data-vars-headline="Air Force chapel&#x27;s reopening date set for 2028" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.usafa.edu/facilities/cadet-chapel/" target="_blank">Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel&#x27;s</a> renovation project.Why it matters: The magnificent 150-foot-tall aluminum spires and interlocking tetrahedra are an iconic feature on the Pikes Peak skyline.

Polis promotes early literacy in Colorado Springs

Colorado expands free book access as leaders push early literacy gains statewide.

Gov. Jared Polis marked a milestone Thursday in Colorado Springs: the delivery of 3 million free books to Colorado children, as the state ramps up early childhood investment aimed at boosting literacy.Why it matters: Colorado has rapidly expanded early education access, including <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="universal pre-K" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/08/25/colorado-universal-preschool-debut-classroom" data-vars-content-id="88d12b8d-0c9e-40e0-b3ea-9c8f51c143ea" data-vars-headline="Polis promotes early literacy 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/denver/2023/08/25/colorado-universal-preschool-debut-classroom" target="_self">universal pre-K</a> and free book programs — but reading outcomes still lag statewide.

AI in Colorado Springs schools has some bugs

Public anxiety about AI's safety and cheating risks is colliding with its potential to reshape learning and the future of work.

The promise and peril of artificial intelligence in education were on display last week, when a tech-focused Colorado Springs high school had to shut down the use of an AI model.Why it matters: Public anxiety about AI&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="safety" data-vars-click-url="https://www.the74million.org/article/four-takeaways-from-new-report-on-ais-risks-in-education/" data-vars-content-id="66f55dc3-3844-4caf-a7ed-53d425a0aa7e" data-vars-headline="AI in Colorado Springs schools has some bugs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.the74million.org/article/four-takeaways-from-new-report-on-ais-risks-in-education/" target="_blank">safety</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cheating" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/26/ai-chatgpt-cheating-college-teachers" data-vars-content-id="66f55dc3-3844-4caf-a7ed-53d425a0aa7e" data-vars-headline="AI in Colorado Springs schools has some bugs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/26/ai-chatgpt-cheating-college-teachers" target="_self">cheating</a> risks is colliding with its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="potential" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nsf.gov/news/nsf-announces-new-funding-opportunities-advance-ai-education" data-vars-content-id="66f55dc3-3844-4caf-a7ed-53d425a0aa7e" data-vars-headline="AI in Colorado Springs schools has some bugs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nsf.gov/news/nsf-announces-new-funding-opportunities-advance-ai-education" target="_blank">potential</a> to reshape learning and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="future of work" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/ai-optimism-gen-z-millennial-college" data-vars-content-id="66f55dc3-3844-4caf-a7ed-53d425a0aa7e" data-vars-headline="AI in Colorado Springs schools has some bugs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/ai-optimism-gen-z-millennial-college" target="_self">future of work</a> — forcing schools to make big decisions in real time.

Colorado Springs charter school drops creationism lesson

A complaint prompted the school to remove creationism from an eighth-grade science unit.

A Colorado Springs charter middle school teacher planned to include creationism in a science lesson this semester, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Times Recorder" data-vars-click-url="https://coloradotimesrecorder.com/2026/03/co-springs-public-school-teaching-creationism/77146/" data-vars-content-id="6d16fe7d-bfd7-4ea5-a908-98e480ee3c2d" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs charter school drops creationism lesson" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://coloradotimesrecorder.com/2026/03/co-springs-public-school-teaching-creationism/77146/" target="_blank">Times Recorder</a> first reported last week — prompting a constitutional complaint.Why it matters: Public schools cannot teach religious doctrine as science under the Constitution — and curriculum disputes have become a flashpoint in culture war battles at school districts <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="across the country" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/culture-wars-impact-public-schools" data-vars-content-id="6d16fe7d-bfd7-4ea5-a908-98e480ee3c2d" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs charter school drops creationism lesson" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/culture-wars-impact-public-schools" target="_blank">across the country</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="including" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cpr.org/2023/01/12/woodland-park-school-district-american-birthright-social-studies-standards/" data-vars-content-id="6d16fe7d-bfd7-4ea5-a908-98e480ee3c2d" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs charter school drops creationism lesson" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cpr.org/2023/01/12/woodland-park-school-district-american-birthright-social-studies-standards/" target="_blank">including</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in the" data-vars-click-url="https://www.koaa.com/news/covering-colorado/two-books-are-back-in-district-20s-school-libraries-after-being-removed-in-april" data-vars-content-id="6d16fe7d-bfd7-4ea5-a908-98e480ee3c2d" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs charter school drops creationism lesson" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.koaa.com/news/covering-colorado/two-books-are-back-in-district-20s-school-libraries-after-being-removed-in-april" target="_blank">in the</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pikes Peak region" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rmpbs.org/news/education/d49-bathroom-policy-colorado-springs" data-vars-content-id="6d16fe7d-bfd7-4ea5-a908-98e480ee3c2d" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs charter school drops creationism lesson" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rmpbs.org/news/education/d49-bathroom-policy-colorado-springs" target="_blank">Pikes Peak region</a>.

Education 📚

CU rolls out ChatGPT amid continuing concerns

CMAS scores offer mixed learning outlook

AI tests metro schools' comfort zones

Air Force Academy revamps curriculum for modern warfare

Air Force chapel's reopening date set for 2028