We made it to Friday, and the weekend looks gorgeous.

☀️ Today's weather: Sunny, with a high of 59.

🎂 Happy birthday to our member Linda Meredith! Have a great day!

Today’s newsletter is 852 words — a 3-minute read.

Last month, in the back of a bustling Grand Junction bagel shop, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Weiser spent an hour courting a key Republican budget writer.

The intrigue: The meeting with state Rep. Rick Taggart didn't appear on Weiser's public schedule — and it's not the only time he's quietly reached across the aisle.

Why it matters: Weeks before the Nov. 3 election, Weiser — the runaway favorite — is acting like the winner and looking ahead to build a bipartisan coalition.

State of play: The two-term attorney general has promised to tap diverse leaders across the state for his administration — and he's seriously considering appointing a Republican to his cabinet.

• In addition to Taggart, Weiser name-dropped state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, a former Republican candidate for governor, and Senate GOP leader Cleave Simpson at a recent forum with business leaders.

What he's saying: "We are absolutely better together," Weiser said at the race's lone candidate forum, hosted by the Colorado Chamber. "That's going to be a core value that I will lead, and we're going to come together."

The latest: Weiser on Wednesday revealed endorsements from more than a dozen prominent Republican leaders, lobbyists and local officials, notably former Attorney General Cynthia Coffman and former U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, who also served as state GOP chair.

• He also landed the endorsement of the state's largest police union, the Colorado Fraternal Order of Police.
• Weiser is "the kind of leader who's going to include everyone from all four corners of this great state," Buck said.

The other side: U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert is the only Colorado elected official listed publicly backing Republican nominee Victor Marx.

• "After a year on the campaign trail, I've learned one thing: The establishment doesn't decide this race," Marx said in a statement to Axios.
• "The only endorsement that matters comes from the people of Colorado, and they want real change, not more of the same."

Zoom in: After meeting with Weiser, Taggart declined to say whether he'd vote for the Democrat.

• But he thanked him for "a very straightforward, honest conversation," much of it about the difficult budget situation the next governor will inherit.
• Taggart also encouraged Weiser to appoint a bipartisan cabinet. "I think that sends a very positive message to the Legislature," Taggart told Axios, "that whether you have a D behind your name or an R behind your name, we have to work together."

Share with a voter

"We may not always share the same perspectives, but it is important that we continue working together to move Colorado Springs forward."

1️⃣ Colorado Springs was named the No. 1 city for small businesses, mostly because of its recent growth, according to Bluevine, a financial services company.

• Denver ranked No. 2.

🏈 The new Colorado Springs UFL team hosts a launch party to introduce its new coach at 1pm on Oct. 25 at Weidner Field. Tickets are free.

🚶 The Greenway Trail in Monument Valley Park is closed for repairs to the historic bridge that are expected to last up to four weeks. The closure impacts the west side of Monument Creek between the Duck Pond and the pickleball courts. (News5)

👀 El Paso County district attorney Michael Allen said in a debate this week that his Democratic opponent in the attorney general's race, Jena Griswold, isn't qualified for the job. (Colorado Sun)

This weekend, double your fun with two film fests and two ski swaps in the Springs.

Here are six fun things to put on your calendar.

📽️ The Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival starts today and runs through Sunday at Colorado College. The event includes documentaries, narrative films, shorts and conversations with filmmakers. Tickets start at $20.

🎿 The Colorado Springs Ski Swap takes place today and tomorrow at the Roy J. Wasson Academic Campus. Used gear drop-off is 10am to 3pm today. Free to attend.

🎃 Boo at the Zoo goes down today and tomorrow at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. The event encourages costumes and includes trick-or-treat stations, as well as evening animal viewing. Tickets start at $24.75 and must be purchased in advance.

🏂 A ski swap benefiting the Special Olympics, hosted by The Ski Shop, starts tomorrow and runs through Oct. 24. Free to attend.

😱 The Three Nights of Horror Film Festival starts today and goes through the weekend at the Ivywild School.

• It's hosted by the Independent Film Society of Colorado. The lineup includes "American Psycho," both versions of "The Fly," "Pan's Labyrinth" and "Young Frankenstein." A four-ticket pack starts at $38.

🧱 The Brick Convention for LEGO enthusiasts is tomorrow and Sunday at the Colorado Springs Event Center on Palmer Park Boulevard with two sessions each day. Tickets start at $17.94.

🎿 John is back to working part-time as a ski tech this winter.

Thanks to my editor, Gigi Sukin.