Travel

Find Your Stillness in Taos

A Tranquil Escape to Savor the End of Summer Article by Jacey Blue Renner If immersing yourself in the artistic culture of the Southwest and relaxing in the warm glow of a New Mexico sunset sounds like heaven, then Taos could be your perfect end-of-summer getaway. We all need a place to breathe and find respite. Taos, New Mexico gives both breath and heartbeat to a region celebrating its heritage, art and creative thought. Explore these Taos hotels, restaurants and experiences as you build...

Arts + Culture

Collected with Intention

At VIV Home & Goods, Every Object Tells a Story Article by Jessi Scoletti | Photography by VIV Home & Goods Before Laurel Schaffer opened VIV Home & Goods, her boutique on Colorado Springs' west side, she spent years traveling across the world as a sustainable fashion designer, working with various artisans and makers. Those experiences shaped her belief that the items we bring into our homes should be more than decorative—they should carry history, intention and connection. “When I moved to...

Local Services

Sky’s the Limit

50 Years of Labor Day Liftoff Photography by Labor Day Lift Off This Labor Day weekend, Colorado Springs balloon festival Labor Day Liftoff celebrates half a century with three days of exciting events in Memorial Park. In addition to hot air balloon rides, attendees will enjoy concert series, drone shows, various food vendors and more. Admission is free, but add-ons are available for those looking to enhance their experience. Consider the Liftoff Lounge ($150 per adult, $75 per child), which...

Arts + Culture

Peak Flavor

Green Box Farm & Art Market Gathers Colorado’s Best Seasonal Goods Article by Brandy Lovelace | Photography by Karin Ellis & Tom Kimmel Once a year, the Green Box Farm & Art Market signals the beginning of autumn as Colorado vendors bring their produce, baked goods, candles, olive oils and other specialty items to the picturesque town of Green Mountain Falls. Hosted by Green Box, an arts community with year-round education programming and activities, the market is an experience meant to be...

Style + Beauty

Wear It Well

Reynolds West Specializes in Restoring Well-Loved Cowboy Hats to Their Former Glory Article by Christa Hays A well-worn cowboy hat can tell a story before its owner ever says a word. The creases, the dust, the sweatband that's molded perfectly over time—every mark represents a memory. In Colorado Springs, hats aren't only accessories. They're part of people's lives, which is why Reynolds West feels special. Walk through the store’s front door, and you'll quickly realize this isn't a trendy...

Entertainment

A New Century Begins

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Celebrates 100 Years with a Bold Vision for the Future Article by Rochelle Reeder | Photography by Cheyenne Mountain Zoo & The Broadmoor As the cool morning mist lifts from the trees along Cheyenne Mountain, the gates of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo open to welcome another day of guests. Members and visitors pour through the entrance, where towering giraffes are often the first to greet them. This scene has welcomed generations, but today it carries special significance. ...

Home + Design

Where Art and Function Intersect

Local Woodworker Handcrafts Custom Pieces Designed to Last Article by Cara Bukacek | Photography by Jenna Jennings & Kyle McGuire Kyle McGuire grew up in Northern California and attended the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. As a multidisciplinary artist, he explored several creative mediums in search of the one he enjoyed most. In the meantime, he joined the U.S. Forest Service as a ranger and firefighter. A severe knee injury sustained while fighting a fire in 2012 prompted...

Education

Learning From History

At Fountain Valley School, Curriculum Embodies the Ethos of the American West Article by Linden Butrym | Photography by Fountain Valley School When Santiago Bedoya-Correa’s older sister started at Fountain Valley School, the independent coed college prep academy for boarders and day students in grades eighth to 12th, he tagged along for a tour. “As soon as I saw the campus and the dynamics between teachers and students, I knew it was the school where I needed to be to promote my own growth,”...

Local Services

For the Love of Animals

Community Support for This Humane Society Keeps Its Mission Alive Article by Christa Hays | Photography by Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region Animal lovers in Colorado Springs probably know the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region works tirelessly to find homes for every one of the pets in its care. Adoption remains their top priority: Last year alone, HSPPR assisted in nearly 13,000 adoptions, with animals staying an average of just seven days before heading home. “Our most important...

Arts + Culture

A Legacy Preserved

The Historic Sharp Mansion Enters Its Next Chapter Article by Rochelle Reeder | Photography by Spacecrafting One Colorado Springs residence has quietly witnessed more than a century of the city's evolution. Traveling through the wide boulevards and stately tree-lined streets of the city’s Old North End district, a green-tiled roof emerges beyond an ornate wrought-iron gate. It is a glimpse of another era, one marked by exceptional craftsmanship, architectural ambition and the vision of the...