Colorado Springs runs a packed summer events calendar — and for military families on a PCS tour, summer is often when you have the most time and motivation to actually get out and experience the city. Here's what's worth putting on your calendar for 2026, from major festivals to recurring weekly events that make the whole season worth showing up for.

Pikes Peak International Hill Climb — June

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb runs every June and is one of the oldest and most distinctive motorsports events in the country — a timed race from the base of Pikes Peak to the 14,115-foot summit on a winding mountain road. It draws professional drivers, amateur competitors, and significant crowds from across the region. Practice days earlier in the…

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The VA funding fee is one of those costs that catches military buyers off guard — not because it's hard to understand, but because a significant number of buyers who qualify for a full exemption end up paying it anyway. On a $460,000 purchase, the funding fee at first use with no down payment runs about $9,890. That's nearly $10,000 that qualified buyers are leaving on the table because nobody verified their exemption status before closing day. Here's exactly who qualifies and what you need to do to make sure you're not in that group.

Who Is Exempt from the VA Funding Fee

The exemption is complete — not a reduction, a full waiver down to zero — for anyone receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability at any rating level. That means a…

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Colorado Springs has a chain restaurant problem — drive down Academy Boulevard or Powers and you'll see the same franchises you'd find in any suburban corridor in America. But if you know where to look, the city has a genuinely interesting independent restaurant scene worth exploring during a tour. Here are five locally owned spots that military families stationed here consistently recommend.

Shuga's — Downtown Coffee and Cocktails

Shuga's sits in a small storefront on South Tejon Street in downtown Colorado Springs and has been a local institution for years. It operates as a coffee shop during the day and transitions into a cocktail bar at night, with a menu that changes regularly and a vibe that leans creative and eclectic. The interior is small…

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The VA appraisal is one of the most misunderstood parts of the VA loan process — and one of the most consequential. It's not the same as a home inspection, it doesn't guarantee the home is in perfect condition, and a low appraisal doesn't automatically kill your deal. Understanding what a VA appraisal actually does and what your options are when one comes in below purchase price is one of the most practical things a Colorado Springs military buyer can know before going under contract.

What a VA Appraisal Actually Does

A VA appraisal covers two things simultaneously: it establishes the market value of the property, and it evaluates the home against the VA's Minimum Property Requirements — the baseline safety, soundness, and sanitation standards every…

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Colorado Springs has a genuine farmers market scene — not just one central market but several worth knowing about depending on where you live and what you're after. For military families spending a summer here, the markets are one of the better ways to get oriented to the city and connect with the local community. Here's what's actually worth putting on your calendar for the 2026 season.

Colorado Springs Downtown Farmers Market

The Downtown Farmers Market runs Saturdays from May through October at Acacia Park in the heart of the city. It's the largest and most established market in Colorado Springs, drawing vendors from across El Paso County and the broader Front Range. You'll find fresh produce, local honey, baked goods, Colorado-made products, and…

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One of the most powerful and underused tools in the Colorado Springs real estate market right now is the VA loan assumption. If you're PCS'ing here and want to step into a mortgage rate from 2020 or 2021 — rates that ran between 2% and 3% — that option exists right now on hundreds of homes in the metro. Here's how it actually works and what you need to know before you pursue one.

What a VA Loan Assumption Is

A VA loan assumption lets a buyer take over the seller's existing VA mortgage — including the original interest rate, remaining balance, and repayment terms — rather than originating a new loan at today's rates. If a seller bought their Colorado Springs home in 2021 with a VA loan at 2.75% and they're now PCS'ing out, a qualified buyer can…

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Two of the most common neighborhoods Fort Carson families land in are Fountain and Security-Widefield. They're both close to the base, both affordable relative to most of Colorado Springs, and both have strong military community presences. But they're not the same place — and which one fits your family depends on what you're actually prioritizing. Here's the honest comparison.

Fountain — Best for Commute and Newer Construction

Fountain sits directly south of Fort Carson and offers one of the shortest commutes to most base gates — typically 10 to 20 minutes depending on which gate you use and what time you're driving. The city has grown considerably over the past decade, with master-planned communities like Lorson Ranch bringing newer construction,…

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Colorado Springs is one of the most consistently strong military rental markets in the country — and the reasons behind that reputation are structural, not cyclical. Five major military installations, a steady PCS-driven tenant pool, and a cost of living that keeps rents affordable relative to most Colorado markets combine to make this one of the better cities in the country for military families who want to hold real estate as a long-term investment. Here's why the fundamentals are so strong and what it means if you're considering buying near one of the Colorado Springs installations.

Five Installations Create Year-Round Demand

Most cities with strong rental markets are tied to a single employer, industry, or university. Colorado Springs has five…

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