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

Standard

Axios Colorado Springs Partners

Colorado Springs Members

Membership

Axios Colorado Springs Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Colorado Springs Alerts

Alert

Coloradans reveal the state's most annoying stereotypes

From skiing and Subarus to pot and weather jokes, readers set the record straight on Colorado.

History

All states have their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stereotypes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/06/03/northwestern-study-lgbtq-candidates-gender-presentation-voter-bias" data-vars-content-id="92ab8b8e-8846-4af8-beff-0571ea57e16b" data-vars-headline="Coloradans reveal the state&#x27;s most annoying stereotypes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/06/03/northwestern-study-lgbtq-candidates-gender-presentation-voter-bias" target="_self">stereotypes</a> — those traits that outsiders assign them to clump all its inhabitants into a neat box. Some are unkind, some are funny and some are just flat out wrong.Flashback: In anticipation of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Colorado&#x27;s sesquicentennial" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/07/31/colorado-150th-anniversary-what-leaders-love-most" data-vars-content-id="92ab8b8e-8846-4af8-beff-0571ea57e16b" data-vars-headline="Coloradans reveal the state&#x27;s most annoying stereotypes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/07/31/colorado-150th-anniversary-what-leaders-love-most" target="_self">Colorado&#x27;s sesquicentennial</a>, we asked readers to share which stereotypes about their beloved state really irk them.

What's wrong with Pikes Peak's bighorn sheep

The annual count of bighorn sheep atop Pike's Peak is a window into their survival as a deadly disease threatens the herd.

News

The annual count of bighorn sheep atop Pike&#x27;s Peak is a window into their survival as a deadly disease threatens the herd.Why it matters: The Pikes Peak herd is a priority for Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials because it&#x27;s endemic and among the state&#x27;s most closely watched, thanks to the thousands of visitors who flock to America&#x27;s mountain each year.

Air Force Academy revamps curriculum for modern warfare

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

Education

<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.

What's happening in Colorado this weekend

The Mountain Arts Festival takes over Woodland Park from 9am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday.

Things to Do

🎭 The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mountain Arts Festival" data-vars-click-url="http://mtnartists.com/" data-vars-content-id="b129d20f-04e8-4529-81a9-0c71bfcf35ae" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s happening in Colorado this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://mtnartists.com/" target="_blank">Mountain Arts Festival</a> takes over Woodland Park from 9am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday. It&#x27;s the 41st annual juried art exhibition. Free.🎬 🎞️ The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Colorado Diasporic Film Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://cdfilmfestival.com/" data-vars-content-id="b129d20f-04e8-4529-81a9-0c71bfcf35ae" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s happening in Colorado this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cdfilmfestival.com/" target="_blank">Colorado Diasporic Film Festival</a> kicks off Thursday night with four days of global cinema, art, food and music.

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.

Colorado Springs' elections discriminate, groups say

The case is about how far the state can go in regulating local election timing for constitutionally protected home-rule cities.

Even before this year&#x27;s midterm election is over, Colorado voting rights groups are targeting Colorado Springs&#x27; 2027 municipal election.Why it matters: The Springs faces the first legal test of Colorado&#x27;s new Voting Rights Act, with advocates alleging the city&#x27;s odd-year April elections disproportionately suppress Black and Hispanic voter turnout.<ul><li>The lawsuit could force the city to move its municipal elections to November — and set a precedent for how Colorado&#x27;s 2025 voting rights law is used against local election systems.</li></ul>Driving the news: A coalition of voting rights groups, led by Common Cause Colorado and the League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region, recently <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sued the city" data-vars-click-url="https://www.commoncause.org/colorado/press/voting-rights-groups-sue-colorado-springs-over-covra-violation/" data-vars-content-id="85cfb774-b4f4-439a-a8fd-963840537795" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs&#x27; elections discriminate, groups say" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.commoncause.org/colorado/press/voting-rights-groups-sue-colorado-springs-over-covra-violation/" target="_blank">sued the city</a> over the timing of its elections, alleging it violates election practices that create a &quot;material disparity&quot; in voter participation among protected classes.By the numbers: The plaintiffs cite data from the city&#x27;s last six local elections, from 2017 through 2025, showing average turnout at:<ul><li>18.1% of Black registered voters</li><li>17.8% of Hispanic registered voters</li><li>34% of white registered voters</li></ul>Zoom in: The lawsuit says the racial gap shrinks in November even-year elections. In those elections, the voting rights organizations say average turnout was:<ul><li>61.2% among Black registered voters</li><li>63.6% among Hispanic registered voters</li><li>79.1% among white registered voters</li></ul>The suit argues that moving city elections to November would reduce the disparity and create a more representative electorate because off-cycle elections are easier to miss, less visible and less connected to voting habits built around the November elections.The other side: Springs officials say the lawsuit attacks the city&#x27;s home-rule authority and ignores the benefits of keeping municipal races separate from national politics.<ul><li>Mayor Yemi Mobolade said the current system helps local issues stand on their own instead of being drowned out by presidential, congressional and statewide races.</li><li>Wayne Williams, Mobolade&#x27;s chief of staff and a former Colorado secretary of state, argued that lower turnout may be tied to the nonpartisan nature of municipal elections, where voters cannot rely on party labels.</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;I find it extremely troubling when people claim that the very election system that elected Colorado Springs&#x27; first Black mayor is somehow inherently exclusionary,&quot; Mobolade <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="told" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/26/colorado-springs-voting-rights-groups-suing-city/" data-vars-content-id="85cfb774-b4f4-439a-a8fd-963840537795" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs&#x27; elections discriminate, groups say" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/26/colorado-springs-voting-rights-groups-suing-city/" target="_blank">told</a> KRCC.Between the lines: This isn&#x27;t the first legal fight about Colorado Springs&#x27; election calendar.<ul><li>The League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region and Citizens Project lost a case in court because it lacked standing to challenge the timing of the city&#x27;s election under the federal Voting Rights Act.</li></ul>The bottom line: The case isn&#x27;t just about Colorado Springs. It&#x27;s about how far the state can go in regulating local elections for constitutionally protected home-rule cities.

Colorado Springs election results: November races set in key districts

Here's a look at the results from local races, based on preliminary vote counts.

El Paso County District Attorney Michael Allen <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cruised to victory" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/07/01/michael-allen-wins-colorado-gop-attorney-general-race" data-vars-content-id="a5e5e8f5-1edf-40c6-9252-26e130a1f8ad" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs election results: November races set in key districts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/07/01/michael-allen-wins-colorado-gop-attorney-general-race" target="_self">cruised to victory</a> in the Republican primary for attorney general, but two Colorado Springs candidates for governor appeared to falter.State of play: Here&#x27;s a look at local results based on preliminary vote counts.

Jessica Killin wins 5th Congressional District race

Her victory sets up a November fight in one of Colorado's reddest congressional districts.

Jessica Killin won the Democratic nomination Tuesday in Colorado&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="5th Congressional District" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/06/23/colorado-5th-congressional-district-democratic-primary-killin-reagan" data-vars-content-id="d0db64a4-bf96-49c7-a1db-df1b1f9aa289" data-vars-headline="Jessica Killin wins 5th Congressional District race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/06/23/colorado-5th-congressional-district-democratic-primary-killin-reagan" target="_self">5th Congressional District</a> race, defeating Joe Reagan and giving Democrats their preferred challenger against Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank in November.Why it matters: Killin&#x27;s victory sets up a general election fight in one of Colorado&#x27;s reddest congressional districts — one Democrats see as newly competitive.

1-minute voter guide: Democratic race for 5th Congressional District

Democrats Jessica Killin and Joe Reagan share U.S. Army backgrounds and a desire to flip the 5th Congressional District,

Democrats Jessica Killin and Joe Reagan share U.S. Army backgrounds and a desire to flip the 5th Congressional District, but they&#x27;re offering primary voters different visions for the future.Why it matters: Even though the district is seen as strong Republican territory, Democrats believe they have an opportunity to defeat incumbent U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank in November as growth <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shifts the electorate" data-vars-click-url="https://coloradosun.com/2026/02/10/5th-congressional-district-national-democrats-focus/" data-vars-content-id="e619c397-2c39-4e29-bdbd-a5b85a3cf262" data-vars-headline="1-minute voter guide: Democratic race for 5th Congressional District" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://coloradosun.com/2026/02/10/5th-congressional-district-national-democrats-focus/" target="_blank">shifts the electorate</a> in their direction.

What to know about the 2026 caucuses in Colorado Springs

It's the start of the process for statewide and local candidates to get on the June primary ballot.

Colorado&#x27;s 2026 election season begins Tuesday with El Paso County political party caucuses.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the start of the process for statewide and local candidates to get their names on the June primary ballot.

Axios Denver

Democrats think they can win all GOP seats in Colorado

Denver

4 numbers to know in Colorado's governor's race

A line chart that shows El Paso County voter turnout in June primary elections from 2014 to 2026. Turnout rose from 19.2% in 2014 to a peak of 35.6% in 2020, then fell to 23.1% in 2024 before edging up to 27.4% in 2026.

Election 🗳️

Democrats think they can win all GOP seats in Colorado

4 numbers to know in Colorado's governor's race

El Paso County primary election turnout mediocre

Weiser taps Lesley Dahlkemper for lieutenant governor

Phil Weiser is poised to be Colorado's accidental governor