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Colorado Springs enters race to host U.S. Space Academy

Landing the NASA-led school could strengthen the city's aerospace workforce.

News

Colorado Springs is making a play for the proposed U.S. Space Academy — even as the city loses <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Space Command" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/09/02/space-command-huntsville-north-alabama-congress-trump-battle-tuberville" data-vars-content-id="fed506db-2d70-4c6b-8a8c-43f9b1b7dff1" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs enters race to host U.S. Space Academy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/09/02/space-command-huntsville-north-alabama-congress-trump-battle-tuberville" target="_self">U.S. Space Command</a> to Alabama.Why it matters: Landing the NASA-led school could give the Springs&#x27; aerospace industry a major boost, bringing new opportunities for universities, businesses and the region&#x27;s workforce.

Mobolade touts Colorado Springs' gains and tests ahead

The mayor's pitch: A growing city doesn't have to mean a harder place to live.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mayor Yemi Mobolade&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/05/22/spotlight-yemi-mobolade-colorado-springs-mayor" data-vars-content-id="329e30c9-00e7-403c-b0df-7405d547d73c" data-vars-headline="Mobolade touts Colorado Springs&#x27; gains and tests ahead" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/05/22/spotlight-yemi-mobolade-colorado-springs-mayor" target="_self">Mayor Yemi Mobolade&#x27;s</a> message to Colorado Springs: Growth doesn&#x27;t have to come at the expense of quality of life.Why it matters: As Mobolade seeks reelection, he&#x27;s making the case that Colorado Springs can maintain its low-tax, business-friendly identity while keeping pace with growth.

Colorado Springs area's first licensed psilocybin therapy center opens

Founder Scott DeWalt sees potential for helping veterans with combat-related trauma.

The Pikes Peak region&#x27;s first state-licensed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="psilocybin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/05/31/magic-mushrooms-go-mainstream-in-colorado" data-vars-content-id="739fb073-9e2e-4358-8f61-5366cd5bb4ed" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs area&#x27;s first licensed psilocybin therapy center opens" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/05/31/magic-mushrooms-go-mainstream-in-colorado" target="_self">psilocybin</a> healing center has opened in Manitou Springs — just beyond Colorado Springs&#x27; regulatory roadblocks.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Elevated Healing Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.elevated-hc.com/" data-vars-content-id="739fb073-9e2e-4358-8f61-5366cd5bb4ed" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs area&#x27;s first licensed psilocybin therapy center opens" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.elevated-hc.com/" target="_blank">Elevated Healing Center</a> gives adults seeking alternative mental health treatments a local option for supervised psychedelic sessions, despite opposition to the facilities in neighboring Colorado Springs.

Coffins, costumes and candy in Colorado Springs

This is the spooky season, when frights are fun and costumes are customary.

Things to Do

Spooky season&#x27;s in full swing — when frights are fun and costumes are customary.State of play: From coffin races to pumpkin dives, here&#x27;s a collection of 15 events to get your boo on.

1-minute voter guide: Crank and Killin battle for the 5th Congressional District 

Democrat Jessica Killin is challenging more than Republican Rep. Jeff Crank's record.

Election

Democrat Jessica Killin is challenging more than Republican Rep. Jeff Crank&#x27;s record — she&#x27;s trying to break a half-century Republican lock on Colorado&#x27;s 5th Congressional District.Why it matters: The Colorado Springs-centered race offers Democrats a potential pickup in the fight for House control, with sharp divisions over household costs, the war in Iran and data centers.

Colorado Springs budget tops $1B and includes pay hikes

The spending outlook is night and day compared to the current year.

Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$1 billion 2027 budget" data-vars-click-url="https://coloradosprings.gov/document/2027preliminarybudget.pdf" data-vars-content-id="3a88a6fc-a040-400b-b7f6-7e21e2c9a8d0" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs budget tops $1B and includes pay hikes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://coloradosprings.gov/document/2027preliminarybudget.pdf" target="_blank">$1 billion 2027 budget</a> proposal includes raises for city employees, a dedicated crew to fix potholes, and a new police tactical robot.Why it matters: The outlook is night and day from this year, when slowing revenues forced the city to furlough employees and cut jobs, spending and services.

What's in El Paso County's $559M budget

The county plans to spend 4.7% more while tapping reserves for one-time costs.

Politics

El Paso County&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="proposed $558.6 million budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.elpasoco.com/el-paso-county-releases-2027-preliminary-balanced-budget/" data-vars-content-id="62b94c80-094d-41f3-9a75-982dc5347369" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s in El Paso County&#x27;s $559M budget" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.elpasoco.com/el-paso-county-releases-2027-preliminary-balanced-budget/" target="_blank">proposed $558.6 million budget</a> for 2027 boosts spending on roads, infrastructure and personnel while keeping a hefty cushion in reserve.Why it matters: The spending plan determines how Colorado&#x27;s most populous county pays for everything from roads and parks to public safety for its more than 750,000 residents.

Colorado Springs mayor moves to eliminate final furlough day

The mayor's office reported that sales and use tax collections topped projections by $9.2 million.

Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade wants to eliminate the city&#x27;s Nov. 25 furlough day after tax revenues exceeded expectations this year.Why it matters: City employees would get paid that day, plus the uptick in tax revenue is a positive signal for the local economy and city budget outlook.

2027 ballot push tackles water, noise and surveillance

Miller said the ballot ideas grew from conversations with friends, family, neighbors and coworkers.

While voters <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="focus on November" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/09/03/colorado-ballot-measures-2026-taxes-transgender-tabor" data-vars-content-id="aca5dc46-3efb-40a0-841b-ffc4447976c8" data-vars-headline="2027 ballot push tackles water, noise and surveillance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/09/03/colorado-ballot-measures-2026-taxes-transgender-tabor" target="_self">focus on November</a>, petition organizer Anita Miller is already looking to next April — with four proposed measures for Colorado Springs&#x27; 2027 ballot.Why it matters: If approved, the measures would restrict large water users, tighten noise regulations and ban city use of automated license plate readers.

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.

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.

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.

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.

El Paso County primary election turnout mediocre

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

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.

Axios Denver

Trump DOJ plans election monitors in Colorado battleground

Denver

Colorado's ballot measures are the hardest to read in the U.S.

Where the Colorado governor candidates stand on ballot measures

A list of where the candidates stand on the Colorado ballot measures with Marx supporting all the conservative measures and Weiser supporting most of the liberal ones.

Politics 🇺🇸

Trump DOJ plans election monitors in Colorado battleground

Colorado's ballot measures are the hardest to read in the U.S.

Where the Colorado governor candidates stand on ballot measures

Colorado Dems focus on Trump in their closing message

Colorado voter guide: What to know about the candidates and ballot measures