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GOP candidates try to blame state Dems for affordability crisis

Five weeks before ballots go to Colorado voters, the political blame game is taking a turn.

Election

Five weeks before ballots go out to Colorado voters, the political blame game is taking a turn.The intrigue: For Democrats, President Trump is the source of nearly all economic problems.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's next act is looking up

In September, the zoo will debut its $40 million giraffe center — its biggest new attraction in years.

News

Dave Ruhl is taking over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cheyenne Mountain Zoo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/06/26/orphaned-grizzly-bear-cubs-new-home-cheyenne-mountain-zoo" data-vars-content-id="71e70f80-be89-49b5-922b-e3fade21aea9" data-vars-headline="Cheyenne Mountain Zoo&#x27;s next act is looking up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/06/26/orphaned-grizzly-bear-cubs-new-home-cheyenne-mountain-zoo" target="_self">Cheyenne Mountain Zoo</a> just as the 100-year-old institution prepares to unveil a sky-high vision for its future.Why it matters: The leadership change comes before the zoo&#x27;s September centennial and the debut of a $40 million giraffe center — its biggest new attraction in years.

Labor Day events feature hot air ballons

This Labor Day weekend in the Springs is full of music, art and hot air balloons. And much of it is free.

Things to Do

This Labor Day weekend in the Springs is full of music, art and hot air balloons. Even better? Much of it is free.

Colorado Springs sees record hot and dry summer

It was also one of the driest Augusts on record.

Colorado Springs just sweated through its fourth-hottest August on record, with an average temperature of 73.8° — 3.7° above normal, the National Weather Service <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.weather.gov/pub/climate2026AugustReviewSeptemberPreview" data-vars-content-id="641d3b6f-4a83-4b55-bad1-7855bd179568" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs sees record hot and dry summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.weather.gov/pub/climate2026AugustReviewSeptemberPreview" target="_blank">reports</a>.<ul><li>It was also one of the driest Augusts on record, with just 1.09 inches of rain — 1.87 inches below normal.</li></ul>

Nonprofit Hope COS plans additional homeless shelter

The nonprofit is launching a fundraising campaign that seeks $4.5 million for the project.

Hope COS is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pitching plans" data-vars-click-url="https://hopecos.org/hope-cos-continuum-shelter-expansion-plan/" data-vars-content-id="92ce87e1-8409-45a4-9f51-63d51a071210" data-vars-headline="Nonprofit Hope COS plans additional homeless shelter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://hopecos.org/hope-cos-continuum-shelter-expansion-plan/" target="_blank">pitching plans</a> to open Colorado Springs&#x27; second permanent, year-round emergency shelter for adults experiencing homelessness.Why it matters: The effort acknowledges the area&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homeless population is growing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/05/20/homelessness-rise-pikes-peak-region-colorado-2025" data-vars-content-id="92ce87e1-8409-45a4-9f51-63d51a071210" data-vars-headline="Nonprofit Hope COS plans additional homeless shelter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/05/20/homelessness-rise-pikes-peak-region-colorado-2025" target="_self">homeless population is growing</a> and is increasingly difficult to address, even as Mayor Yemi Mobolade <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="touts his administration&#x27;s work" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/08/12/colorado-springs-mayor-yemi-mobolade-homelessness-action-plan-team" data-vars-content-id="92ce87e1-8409-45a4-9f51-63d51a071210" data-vars-headline="Nonprofit Hope COS plans additional homeless shelter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/08/12/colorado-springs-mayor-yemi-mobolade-homelessness-action-plan-team" target="_self">touts his administration&#x27;s work</a> on the issue.

Colorado Springs notches big economic development win

Colorado Springs officials hope to build on the announcement to attract more companies to the area.

A U.S. Department of Defense agency with a $4 billion budget is relocating to Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado Springs officials told Axios.Why it matters: The move could give local aerospace and military companies an edge in competing for government contracts and help Colorado Springs recruit more defense businesses to the region.

Colorado Springs puts guardrails on new data centers

Data centers will need to pay the full cost of their electrical infrastructure, invest in water conservation and mitigate noise.

Data centers looking to build in Colorado Springs will have to pay their own infrastructure costs, conserve water and mitigate noise under new citywide standards, the mayor says.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="guardrails" data-vars-click-url="https://coloradosprings.gov/news/colorado-springs-community-first-data-center-standards" data-vars-content-id="334109db-11c0-44df-b5d6-bf83eaa818a6" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs puts guardrails on new data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://coloradosprings.gov/news/colorado-springs-community-first-data-center-standards" target="_blank">guardrails</a>, issued Friday, raise the bar for data centers seeking city approval and arrive as officials consider 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="334109db-11c0-44df-b5d6-bf83eaa818a6" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs puts guardrails on new data centers" 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>.

Colorado Springs mayor marks progress on homelessness plan, adds new team

Homelessness is "one of the most visible and complex challenges facing the city," Mayor Yemi Mobolade said.

Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade said Wednesday his Homelessness Response Action Plan is more than halfway complete, even as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homelessness worsens" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/05/20/homelessness-rise-pikes-peak-region-colorado-2025?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="6d2edad9-256f-4c67-9f98-773c31c11dc1" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs mayor marks progress on homelessness plan, adds new team" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/05/20/homelessness-rise-pikes-peak-region-colorado-2025?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_self">homelessness worsens</a>.Why it matters: Homelessness is &quot;one of the most visible and complex challenges facing the city,&quot; the mayor said <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="at a briefing" data-vars-click-url="https://vimeo.com/1217722914/1eb90ce645?share=copy&amp;fl=sv&amp;fe=ci" data-vars-content-id="6d2edad9-256f-4c67-9f98-773c31c11dc1" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs mayor marks progress on homelessness plan, adds new team" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://vimeo.com/1217722914/1eb90ce645?share=copy&amp;fl=sv&amp;fe=ci" target="_blank">at a briefing</a>, and there&#x27;s no clear solution.

Homelessness stymies downtown cleanup project

The Downtown Partnership's pilot project aims to improve the safety and cleanliness of the city's urban core.

The Downtown Partnership is touting its $1.8 million pilot project to improve the safety and cleanliness of the city&#x27;s urban core even as a debate rages about how to address homelessness.Why it matters: The paradox is one of the greatest challenges in Colorado Springs, as efforts to revive downtown in the post-pandemic era collide with the city&#x27;s growing mental health crisis.

Buc-ee's draws more opposition

It's the most prominent opposition to date against the mega-travel center looking to build its second Colorado location.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="In a formal letter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.townofmonument.org/DocumentCenter/View/5753/832026-Council-Position-Letter-re-EPC-ADM364-Buc-ees" data-vars-content-id="c00aeaff-b1d8-4be4-9242-e734fe3ef71d" data-vars-headline="Buc-ee&#x27;s draws more opposition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.townofmonument.org/DocumentCenter/View/5753/832026-Council-Position-Letter-re-EPC-ADM364-Buc-ees" target="_blank">In a formal letter</a>, the Monument Town Council unanimously called on the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners to reject a permit for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new Buc-ee&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://planningdevelopment.elpasoco.com/buc-ees/" data-vars-content-id="c00aeaff-b1d8-4be4-9242-e734fe3ef71d" data-vars-headline="Buc-ee&#x27;s draws more opposition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://planningdevelopment.elpasoco.com/buc-ees/" target="_blank">a new Buc-ee&#x27;s</a> just north of town.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the most prominent opposition to date against the Texas-based mega-travel center looking to build its second Colorado location.

Food insecurity reaches 13% in El Paso County

Feeding America's annual Map the Meal Gap report shows food insecurity is rising locally and statewide.

More than one in 10 residents in El Paso County struggle to consistently access enough food, a new report shows.Why it matters: The substantial need is putting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pressure on local food banks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kktv.com/2025/11/25/el-paso-county-man-turns-driveway-into-free-food-pantry-receives-international-support/" data-vars-content-id="4df99f97-fd90-4b92-8983-ae55bd1bf2a7" data-vars-headline="Food insecurity reaches 13% in El Paso County" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kktv.com/2025/11/25/el-paso-county-man-turns-driveway-into-free-food-pantry-receives-international-support/" target="_blank">pressure on local food banks</a> as families grapple with the high costs of groceries, housing and gas, all while <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cpr.org/2025/10/30/lawmakers-approve-10-million-for-food-banks/" data-vars-content-id="4df99f97-fd90-4b92-8983-ae55bd1bf2a7" data-vars-headline="Food insecurity reaches 13% in El Paso County" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cpr.org/2025/10/30/lawmakers-approve-10-million-for-food-banks/" target="_blank">cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a> (SNAP) create additional uncertainty.

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.

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.

Axios Boulder

Colorado's film industry sees an opening with Sundance

Boulder

Axios Denver

Now's your chance to be Colorado's "governor for a day"

Denver

What Canadian tariffs mean for Colorado

A column chart that shows estimated monthly executive tariffs on imports from July 2024 to June 2026. Totals jump sharply in spring 2025.

Executive tariffs on imports into Colorado by month

Data: Trade Partnership Worldwide, via the National Taxpayers Union Foundation. Note: Includes only executive-action tariffs. Excludes tariffs established by legislative statute. Chart: Brad Jennings/Axios

News 🗞

Colorado's film industry sees an opening with Sundance

Colorado Springs sees record hot and dry summer

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's next act is looking up

Now's your chance to be Colorado's "governor for a day"

What Canadian tariffs mean for Colorado