Axios Colorado Springs

June 04, 2026
π Well, hello, Thursday! Aren't you looking good ... almost as good as Friday, but let's not get ahead of ourselves!
π¦οΈ Today's weather: "A little bit of everything all of the time." Expect mostly sunny before showers and thunderstorms try to crash that party later. High: 86.
Today's newsletter is 756 words β a 3-minute read.
1 big thing: Public lands face increasing threats
Public lands we use for recreation and wildfire protection could face new pressures under possible federal policy changes, conservation advocates warn.
Why it matters: Public lands in and around the Pikes Peak region help power the local outdoor economy and project a first line of defense against wildfires.
Threat level: National forests, wildlife refuges and other public lands face mounting pressure from development, climate change and heavy recreational use.
- The Trump administration and Republican lawmakers are looking to sell millions of acres of public land for development and energy extraction.
- Other threats include climate change, chronic underfunding and wear-and-tear from heavy use in places like Pike National Forest.
What they're saying: "There's no [better] time for people to stand up β¦ to protect our public lands β¦ than today," said Ken Salazar, former interior secretary and Colorado U.S. senator, during last week's summit on the sidelines of the Outside Days festival.
The big picture: About 36% of Colorado is public land, totaling roughly 24 million acres and fueling the state's $18 billion outdoor recreation industry.
What we're watching: Conservation groups are backing a November ballot measure that supporters say would help fund wildfire mitigation, forest restoration and outdoor rec projects across Colorado, including in the Pikes Peak region.
- Yes, but: In years without excess revenue, the measure could siphon money from the general fund, the discretionary spending account used for education, health care and other key government functions.
The bottom line: For Colorado Springs residents, the debate isn't just about distant federal lands β it's about the future of nearby forests, trails and recreation areas that define life in the Pikes Peak region.
2. The pick-me girls of produce are so back
You wouldn't know it from this bounty, but a late-April deep freeze nearly wiped out fruit crops in Colorado's North Fork Valley.
π Thankfully, cherries, apricots, plums, strawberries and tomatoes escaped major damage and are now showing up (and showing off) at local markets.
Don't miss these fresh picks from Palisade at the Colorado Springs Sunday Market:
- π Acacia Park
- π Sundays, through Oct. 25
- β° 9amβ2pm
3. The Peak: New mayoral candidate
π§’ Former El Paso County Commissioner and Air Force veteran Stan VanderWerf is running for mayor, arguing in his campaign announcement that Colorado Springs is at a crossroads "between continued success" and "the dysfunction seen in other American cities." (CPR)
- Mayor Yemi Mobolade announced his re-election bid in April.
π Denver Airport CEO Phil Washington plans to retire Aug. 1. (Axios Denver)
The Department of Defense said in a release sent to Axios that active-duty soldier Sgt. Devin Seibel, 26, died May 31 while training at Erbil Air Base, Iraq.
- He was assigned to the Air Ambulance Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, at Fort Carson.
π Riverstone Academy in Pueblo County, a 30-student "public Christian school," has shut down after just nine months in operation. The school's executive director said changes in state law cut off funding. (Denver Post)
π» World-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma plays the Ford Amphitheater tomorrow at 7:30pm alongside the Colorado Symphony.
- π My thought bubble: I saw Yo-Yo Ma at Red Rocks about a decade ago and was riveted. No chatter, no shuffling, no phones waving in the air β just thousands of people so silent and still that you could hear a pin drop. I've never seen another performer command a crowd quite like that.
4. πThe best beat in town
Want to be at the center of the city's biggest conversations?
- Great news: We're hiring!
State of play: Axios is on the hunt for a successor to reporter Glenn Wallace, who launched this newsletter and helped make it a must-read for thousands of locals.
- We're looking for a journalist with deep curiosity, sharp news instincts and a knack for spotting stories everyone will be talking about tomorrow.
- Plus: You get to work with me.
Between the lines: We want a seasoned, self-directed reporter with ideas, personality and an entrepreneurial streak β someone who's excited to dig into source relationships, experiment with new tools and storytelling formats and help shape what's next for local journalism.
What's next: If you're passionate about the Springs and ready to make yourself indispensable to local readers, we'd love to hear from you.
Hit reply with interest or questions.
βΈοΈ Gigi is heading to Ball Arena for a spin around the rink.
This newsletter was edited by Hadley Malcolm.
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