Colorado Springs

A Colorado Springs postcard with the letters COS in front of a mountain view

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Colorado Springs with Glenn Wallace.

Axios Colorado Springs Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Colorado Springs Members

Membership

Axios Colorado Springs Partners

Colorado Springs Alerts

Alert

Axios Colorado Springs

Standard

Colorado Springs sees continued growth, new census numbers show

Colorado Springs added 2,288 residents between July 2024 and July 2025.

News

Colorado Springs experienced the largest one-year increase in population among Colorado cities in 2025, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new census data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/vintage-2025-city-town-pop-estimates.html" data-vars-content-id="03ffe73d-0f12-4f1b-86c2-37add32ba03a" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs sees continued growth, new census numbers show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/vintage-2025-city-town-pop-estimates.html" target="_blank">new census data</a> shows.Why it matters: The continued growth is rapidly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="transforming the Springs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2022/12/02/colorado-springs-future-growth-economy-politics" data-vars-content-id="03ffe73d-0f12-4f1b-86c2-37add32ba03a" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs sees continued growth, new census numbers show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2022/12/02/colorado-springs-future-growth-economy-politics" target="_self">transforming the Springs</a> — the state&#x27;s second largest city — into a vibrant urban core.

The new college graduation ritual: booing AI

Grads don't seem to want to hear about the technology on their big day.

Education Brief

As artificial intelligence forces students to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rethink their majors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/02/ai-college-students-change-majors-poll" data-vars-content-id="9f652b1f-e66a-40eb-914a-c6e92c3650f6" data-vars-headline="The new college graduation ritual: booing AI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/02/ai-college-students-change-majors-poll" target="_self">rethink their majors</a> and reshapes the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="job market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/26/ai-entry-level-jobs" data-vars-content-id="9f652b1f-e66a-40eb-914a-c6e92c3650f6" data-vars-headline="The new college graduation ritual: booing AI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/26/ai-entry-level-jobs" target="_self">job market</a>, it&#x27;s clear that many graduates don&#x27;t want to hear about the technology on their big day.The big picture: Several commencement ceremonies last month were interrupted by boos and jeers when speakers brought up AI.

What Colorado Springs college graduation speakers said about AI

Vice President Vance talked about how AI will change warfare.

College graduates elsewhere <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="booed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/19/college-graduates-ai-commencement-speech" data-vars-content-id="2cf60ab9-1fea-47d1-bdfe-3850bc75a87f" data-vars-headline="What Colorado Springs college graduation speakers said about AI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/19/college-graduates-ai-commencement-speech" target="_self">booed</a> AI mentions. In Colorado Springs, not so much.The big picture: As the class of 2026 enters a frosty job market, many are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fearful" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/21/gen-z-jobs-unemployment-college-grads-ai" data-vars-content-id="2cf60ab9-1fea-47d1-bdfe-3850bc75a87f" data-vars-headline="What Colorado Springs college graduation speakers said about AI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/21/gen-z-jobs-unemployment-college-grads-ai" target="_self">fearful</a> about the technology&#x27;s impact on their careers and futures.

Going Dutch tastes great at Boonzaaijer's bakery

Boonzaaijer's just does so many things right — probably why the Fillmore Street sweet spot consistently wins awards.

Food and Drink

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Boonzaaijer&#x27;s Dutch Bakery" data-vars-click-url="https://dutchpastry.com/" data-vars-content-id="bdb21cd4-4b57-49fb-8dd2-85dbe0da00d7" data-vars-headline="Going Dutch tastes great at Boonzaaijer&#x27;s bakery" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dutchpastry.com/" target="_blank">Boonzaaijer&#x27;s Dutch Bakery</a> happens to be a too-convenient place for my family to swing by regularly — 😁 bad news for the waistline.State of play: Boonzaaijer&#x27;s just does so many things right — probably why the Fillmore Street sweet spot consistently wins <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="awards" data-vars-click-url="https://coloradosun.com/best-southeast-bakery/" data-vars-content-id="bdb21cd4-4b57-49fb-8dd2-85dbe0da00d7" data-vars-headline="Going Dutch tastes great at Boonzaaijer&#x27;s bakery" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://coloradosun.com/best-southeast-bakery/" target="_blank">awards</a>.

Polis promotes early literacy in Colorado Springs

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

Education

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>.

Axios Boulder

CU research spending faces $87M decline

Boulder

Axios Denver

Colorado voters to decide on TABOR refunds or more school funding

Denver

CU delays ChatGPT access for students

topics

politics-policy

epstein-files

donald-trump

2026-midterm-elections

immigration

behind-the-curtain

race-and-equity

technology

privacy-tech-regulation

automation-and-ai

tiktok-news

big-tech

social-media

cybersecurity

economy

social-security

inflation

tariffs

federal-reserve

transportation

business

c-suite

retail-news

media

elon-musk

dealmaking

health

rfk-jr

drug-prices

axios-explains-abortion

public-health

world

israel

axios-explains-ukraine

iran

russia

china

energy-climate

nuclear-energy

climate-energy-policy

climate-change

extreme-weather

alternative-energy

electric-vehicles

science

emerging-tech

biomedicine

newsletters

charlotte

salt-lake-city

denver

fort-lauderdale

boulder

kansas-city

austin

chicago

dallas

detroit

washington-dc

atlanta

indianapolis

nashville

nw-arkansas

columbus

hollywood

richmond

san-francisco

boston

des-moines

houston

phoenix

miami

philadelphia

seattle

new-orleans

colorado-springs

huntsville

raleigh

san-antonio

twin-cities

pittsburgh

arapahoe

douglas

san-diego

tampa-bay

portland

cleveland

axios-local

axios-pro

axios-live

the-axios-show

Education 📚

CU research spending faces $87M decline

Colorado voters to decide on TABOR refunds or more school funding

Polis promotes early literacy in Colorado Springs

CU delays ChatGPT access for students

AI in Colorado Springs schools has some bugs