Stay up to date on everything happening in Colorado Springs. From new restaurant openings and must-see attractions to local news, community spotlights, and seasonal events, this section gives you a complete look at life in the Pikes Peak region. Whether you're a local, relocating, or stationed at a nearby military base, you'll find helpful insights to explore, enjoy, and stay informed.

Labor Day weekend is the last full stop of the summer around here, and for a lot of families at Fort Carson, Peterson, Schriever, and the Academy it lands as a four-day weekend. It is also the point where the Colorado Springs housing market quietly changes character. The summer PCS surge is over, buyer competition thins out, and the homes still sitting on the market start getting more flexible. Below is what is worth doing September 5 through 7, and then an honest look at where the numbers actually stand heading into fall.

Labor Day Lift Off turns 50

The Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off runs Saturday, September 5 through Monday, September 7 at Memorial Park, and this is the 50th year. General admission is free. Roughly 65 balloons launch each…

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Colorado is in the middle of one of its most active wildfire seasons in recent memory. As of July 8, 2026, six large wildfires have burned more than 129,000 acres across the state, with the Aspen Acres Fire in Pueblo and Custer counties now the largest active fire — sitting at approximately 93,500 acres and 16% contained after starting June 29.

For Colorado Springs residents and military families with Fort Carson orders, here's what's actually relevant right now.

Where the Fires Are and What's Burning

The Aspen Acres Fire is the most significant fire affecting the Colorado Springs region. It started June 29 in Pueblo and Custer counties — southwest of Pueblo along the Wet Mountains corridor — and has been driven by record-low fuel moisture…

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The Fourth of July 2026 lands on a Saturday, and it's not a standard holiday — America turns 250 this year, and Colorado Springs is treating it accordingly. The city has multiple events running across the metro on July 4th, ranging from a full ticketed symphony concert with fireworks over the Pikes Peak skyline to free neighborhood celebrations that don't require parking anywhere near downtown. Here's everything worth knowing before you make plans.

Star-Spangled Symphony at Ford Amphitheater — The Main Event

The marquee event in Colorado Springs for the Fourth is the Star-Spangled Symphony and Grand Fireworks Show at the Ford Amphitheater at 95 Spectrum Loop. Gates open at 5:30 PM, the show starts at 6:30 PM, and fireworks launch around 9:00 PM…

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Fort Carson families don't have a lot of locally owned breakfast options within walking distance of the installation itself — the south corridor is chain-heavy and the best independent breakfast spots require a short drive north. But the drive is worth it. Colorado Springs has a genuinely strong breakfast and brunch scene once you get into the city proper, and military families who make the effort to find these spots tend to become regulars. Here's where to go.

Urban Egg — The Consistent Favorite

Urban Egg has multiple locations across Colorado Springs and has become the go-to recommendation for military families looking for a reliable, high-quality breakfast. The menu runs through elevated versions of breakfast classics — eggs benedict variations,…

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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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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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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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Colorado Springs is one of the best hiking cities in the country — and the access is built directly into the city's geography. You don't need to drive hours to reach genuinely impressive terrain. Garden of the Gods is a city park. The Incline is 20 minutes from downtown. Cheyenne Canyon is on the edge of the south side. For military families spending a tour here, getting to know the trail system is one of the best investments you can make in your quality of life during the assignment. Here are the hikes worth knowing about.

The Manitou Incline

The Incline is the most well-known physical challenge in Colorado Springs and has become a genuine community institution — you'll see active duty soldiers, veterans, retirees, and civilians of every fitness…

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Most people who come to Colorado Springs know about Garden of the Gods, the Manitou Incline, and Pikes Peak. Those are worth doing — but they're also what everyone does. Military families spending a full tour here have the time and proximity to find the spots that don't show up on the first page of search results. Here are the places and experiences that consistently surprise people who've been stationed here long enough to find them.

Cave of the Winds Mountain Park

Cave of the Winds sits in Williams Canyon just above Manitou Springs and offers guided tours through a series of underground caverns with impressive geological formations. It's been a Colorado Springs attraction since the 1880s and has expanded over the years to include a via ferrata, a…

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Colorado Springs sits in one of the best outdoor recreation corridors in the country, and military families stationed here have access to weekend adventures that most people drive hours to experience. Whether you're looking for something the whole family can do or a more serious physical challenge, the region delivers. Here are five weekend adventures worth putting on your list during your tour.

1. Hike the Manitou Incline and Explore Manitou Springs

The Manitou Incline is the most iconic physical challenge in Colorado Springs — nearly 2,000 feet of elevation gain in under a mile via steep railroad tie steps. It draws active duty soldiers, veterans, and civilians of every fitness level and has become a genuine community institution. Pair it with…

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