This weekend's Southern Colorado Juneteenth Festival is moving indoors after the city of Colorado Springs cut its financial backing and increased the price for park permits.

Why it matters: Municipalities and sponsors are reevaluating their support for DEI causes, including the holiday that celebrates the end of slavery in the U.S., AP reports.

The big picture: Colorado is among 33 states and D.C. that give most state government workers a paid day off for Juneteenth this year, according to Pew Research Center. The state officially recognized June 19 as a paid holiday in 2022.

State of play: This year's local commemoration takes place at the Norris Penrose Event Center Saturday and Sunday, and smaller crowds than in previous years are expected.

• The nonprofit organizer, One Body Ent, lost half its funding from the city, and the price to reserve the America the Beautiful Park increased to $5,000 a day, the Gazette reports.
• About five companies are sponsors, said Jennifer Smith, an organizer with One Body Ent. In prior years, dozens of corporate sponsors supported the event.

What they're saying: "They have said their budgets have been cut because of DEI," and they can no longer afford it, Smith told the AP.

Flashback: The Springs' Juneteenth celebration in 2021 drew 1,800 people for three days, far exceeding expectations.

• By 2024, it attracted 36,000 people.
• A move to The Citadel mall in 2025 led to a smaller crowd of 22,000.

What to expect: This year's indoor event features more than 60 vendors, music and kids' activities, as well as a fashion show and car rally.

The bottom line: "We don't want to give up on it," Smith told the Gazette. "We want people to know it's important."

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🚀 U.S. Space Force presents the PBR Space Cowboys event Saturday as part of America's 250th anniversary celebration. Country music star Tim McGraw headlines the programming at Falcon Stadium.

• Other features include military flyovers, parachute landings, a drone show and bull riding. Tickets start at $31.

🏎️ The 104th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is Sunday, with the green flag waving at 7:30am.

• The Fan Fest starts at 5pm downtown along Tejon Street from Platte Avenue south to Vermijo Avenue with autograph sessions and a motocross demonstration.
• Tickets to the race vary in cost. The fan fest is free.

🎶 The Downtown Acacia Park Summer Concert Series continues at 6pm today. Free.

🎤 The Out Loud Colorado Springs Men's Chorus hosts a "Slay Like a Gay Cabaret" show at 7pm Saturday featuring music, entertainment and special guest appearances.

• Tickets are $50.

"I would probably say 50% of my day is answering emails or texts in regards to election disinformation."

Less than two weeks before the June 30 primary election, concerns about voter fraud and misinformation are accelerating.

The intrigue: Schleiker, the county's clerk and recorder, said he doesn't mind the calls because he has the opportunity to present the facts.

• "I just don't want individuals not to participate in an election because they want to have a concern about the security of their ballot, security of them as a voter, or basically they don't believe in the system," he added.

💰 Republican gubernatorial candidate Victor Marx must return thousands of dollars in campaign contributions alleged to exceed legal limits, as he faces more than 150 complaints of excessive donations. (CBS Colorado)

🍄 Colorado Psychedelic Church is moving from the founder's basement to a strip mall at 5028 N. Academy Blvd. and says it has more than 2,500 members. (Gazette 🔑)

💰 Colorado Springs police arrested three additional suspects tied to a string of bank robberies dating back to 2024, marking the final arrests in a two-year investigation.. (KKTV11)

🍷 Denver's Angelo's Taverna and Carboy Winery are opening an outpost in the Springs at 7115 Commerce Center Dr. (Gazette 🔑)

A good tune can carry you up a brutal trail, and Colorado's Front Range is basically a StairMaster with views.

State of play: With hiking season upon us, we're sharing the tracks we'd queue up for these stairways to heaven.

Stairway to Heaven, Air Force Academy: Seems like this 311-stair entry would write itself; but "No Stairway. Denied," since you need someone with a military ID to get to the climb, and the academy is currently closed to all recreational visitors. If you do get in...

• "Under Pressure," by Queen and David Bowie, in honor of the academic and physical pressures cadets face.

Manitou Incline: Tackling all 2,768 steps requires a level of funky positivity that only Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground" can provide.

Seven Falls: "Waterfalls," by TLC. Throw it back.

Bishop Castle (Rye): The outlaw vibes of the castle, mirrored by the creator's life story, pair well with some "Whiskey in the Jar," by Metallica.

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