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Dec. 27 - Jan. 2, 2023 | ALWAYS FREE

A PUBLICATION OF CITIZEN-POWERED MEDIA

LOOKING

BACK A recap of the year in news BY PAM ZUBECK

PUBLISHER

Fran Zankowski

CONTENTS Feb. 23 - March 1, 2023 | Vol. 1, No. 7

Our mission is to deliver the truth, build community and engage citizens.

Wing

Prayer

EDITORIAL

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Bryan Grossman COPY EDITOR Mary Jo Meade SENIOR REPORTER Pam Zubeck CONTRIBUTOR Bill Forman

AND A

Local church files suit over hangar project after spending $400,000 and being left empty-handed By Pam Zubeck || 8

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LOOKING BACK: A recap of the year in news

NEWS 3

GONE COLD? Father of murder victim wants to know why CSPD has yet to arrest anyone

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 8 8 9 10

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13 Check out content from this week’s Colorado Springs Business Journal and be sure to visit csbj.com for more...

Courtesy Santiago Calleros

GONE COLD?

Father of murder victim wants to know why CSPD has yet to arrest anyone in his son’s homicide BY PAM ZUBECK | zubeck@csindy.com

ANTIAGO CALLEROS, THE a blotter entry and repeated in a July 8, father of Santiago Calleros III, 2022, news release. who was murdered on July That release identified Santiago as the 6, 2022, in Colorado Springs, victim and announced it was the 27th wants answers as to why it appears the homicide in the city as of that date in investigation by the Colorado Springs 2022. It’s the only public statement the Police Department has department has ever made gone cold. about the case. His son, a rapper who KRDO NewsChannel went by the name Lil Tra13 reported on the case in vieso, died from a gunshot December 2022 after Crime wound as he sat in a vehiStoppers offered a $10,000 cle at about 10:47 p.m. at reward for information the El Morro Mobile Home leading to an arrest of a perPark in the 3600 block of El son or persons responsible Morro Road, west of South for his death. Academy Boulevard and That’s also about the time — Santiago Calleros north of Astrozon Boulesigns were put up by the vard. family in efforts to seek tips “Upon arrival, officers in his killing. located an adult male suffering from at Though Calleros says CSPD appears to least one gunshot wound. Officers and have forgotten about his son’s murder, a medical personnel provided medical CSPD spokesman says that’s far from the aid to the victim, but he succumbed to case. More on that later. his injuries. Violent Crimes Detectives CALLEROS SAYS THERE WERE responded and assumed responsibility many cameras in that area of the trailer for the investigation,” CSPD stated in

My son had a bright future.

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park and that he’s viewed some of the footage. “I basically had to watch my son assassinated by some pos [piece of shit] coward that just drove by and shot into his car,” Calleros tells the Indy by email. “I strongly believe they’ve done nothing because it was a gang related killing,” he adds. “My son had a bright future. He was already making thousands and thousands of dollars with his music.” The El Paso County Coroner’s Office autopsy report says the 19-year-old was shot once but documented six wounds. “The multiple wounds may have been caused by a single bullet which fragmented while passing through the vehicle door,” the autopsy report states. Calleros says his family has even hired a private investigator “because of the police department’s unwillingness to do anything about his murder,” though he tells the Indy by phone he hopes his remarks don’t offend the department. Calleros goes on to say his son’s death

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continued on p. 5 ➔

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Stucco & stone end unit 3068 sq ft 4 bed, 3 bath rancher townhome with amazing mountain & city views. Master suite with 2 walk-in closets & 5-piece master bath. Open kitchen with wrap around bar. 2 gas log fireplace. Built-ins. 12x12 covered Trex deck & 12x12 patio. Walkout basement with large family & wet bar. 2-car finished garage. A/C. HOA takes care of everything outside for you. Move-in ready! MLS# 7912985 NEWS | Dec. 27 - Jan. 2, 2023 | INDY

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Lil Travieso’s father says police are slow to investigate due to gang activity. ➔ continued from p. 3

devastated him and likely played a role in the elder Calleros’ daughter’s death. She died Nov. 15 and was buried Dec. 4 after “her health steadily went downhill” after her brother’s murder. “This city is so small you can’t tell me the police have not heard what the hell happened,” he says. Besides being well known for his music, his son’s identity was used to start the “Lil Travi” merchandise company, “and we’ve shipped his merchandise as far as Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and England,” he says. “He has fans all over the U.S. and the world.” CSPD PUBLIC RELATIONS MANager Ira Cronin says he checked with the homicide division and was told the case is far from cold. “We are still working on this one pretty actively despite how old it is,” Cronin reports in a phone interview. “It’s still an open and active investigation, and we are following up on substantial leads as we receive them. I can tell you our homicide unit desperately wants to solve this case, and every lead that presents itself we are pursuing vigorously.” Cronin acknowledged that, speaking generally, it’s understandable when families of victims want to see progress

made more quickly and that new media coverage often can flush out additional witnesses. “It’s very frustrating for any family member when results aren’t as immediate as they should be,” he says. One reason law enforcement generally is reluctant to disclose details of a pending investigation relates to the potential fleeing of those involved, he says. “We could be 90 percent close to who we believe the suspect is, and we might be surveilling somebody,” he says, speaking generally, and not about the Calleros case. “We don’t want to, by discussing the investigation, give information that might indicate to that person that we’re getting close, and then they leave, and we can’t arrest them and hold them accountable.” Again, speaking generally, Cronin says “exposure in the media could jog someone’s memory.” If a story appears some time after the initial crime, it could result in someone coming forward, he says. But this case isn’t unique. Cronin reports that while the numbers are fluid and can change quickly, as of Dec. 13, 10 of the 54 homicides in 2022 remain unsolved, while through Dec. 13 of this year, 10 of the 31 homicides have not been solved, though “we expect seven of those 10 to be solved in the near future.”

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NEWS | Dec. 27 - Jan. 2, 2023 | INDY

January 12 - 18, 2023 | Vol. 1, No. 1

THE

DEADLIEST

YEAR

Fifty-six people died in traffic accidents in the Springs in 2022, the most ever

By Pam Zubeck | P. 8 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID MAILED FROM ZIP CODE 80910 PERMIT NO. 1038

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“Out of the box,” Jan. 26: Cedric Martin got out of prison and healed h i msel f t h rough a r t. From that story: “Martin spent more than two decades as a number in Colorado Department of Out of the Corrections for murdering a woman when he was 18. He was released in November 2022. He’s CSMNG still reorienting to the basics: get t i ng f rom point A to point B in a Colorado Springs he barely recognizes from his teens, using a smartphone, sharing a workspace with other creatives at Yellow Couch and — simply — freedom. It’s a life he didn’t think possible, up until the day of his parole hearing... Still incarcerated, and before parole became a possibility, Cedric Martin had become an artist.” Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, 2023 | Vol. 1, No. 3

BACK

“The deadliest year,” Jan. 12: More people died in traffic crashes in 2022 than in any prev ious yea r. Th rough photos, stories and a podcast, the newspaper told t he stor y of who wa s k i l led a nd how. Colorado Springs Po l i c e D e p a r t m e n t said the chief causes we r e i ntox ic at e d or inattentive drivers.

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LOOKING

S 2023 COMES TO A CLOSE, NOW IS A good time to review the past year in terms of the stories the Indy covered, as well as milestones for the region.

A recap of the year in news

box

How Cedric Martin embraced art to express himself — and get out of prison

By Greta Anderson Johns & Nick Raven /// 10 CREATED BY

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BY PAM ZUBECK zubeck@csindy.com

COLORADO SPRINGS MILITARY NEWSPAPER GROUP

Feb. 23 - March 1, 2023 | Vol. 1, No. 7

“Wing and a prayer,” Feb. 23: Church For All Nations and its pastor, Mark Cowart, sued an airport hangar association at the Colorado Springs Airport after trying to secure a hangar for its multiple aircraft. Cowart said they are used to ferry him to and from speaking engagements. The church lost and was ordered to pay $86,699 in attorney fees incurred by a construction company the church also sued. The church ended up paying about $650,000, not AND A including the construction company’s attorney fees, in efforts to secure a hangar. Meantime, it came to light that Cowart has been active in the real estate market and has bought and sold CSMNG houses here, in Oklahoma and in Florida.

Wing

Prayer

Local church files suit over hangar project after spending $400,000 and being left empty-handed By Pam Zubeck || 8

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“Do or Die,” about the Indy’s struggles, March 23: The newspaper shed half its staff in mid-March and, having converted to a nonprofit organization, sought memberships and donations from readers to stay afloat. In January, Publisher Amy Gillentine resigned and shortly after, the

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INDY | Dec. 27 - Jan. 2, 2023 | NEWS

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May 25 - 31, 2023 | ALWAYS FREE

“Mayor Yemi,” M ay 2 5 : Voter s elected Nigerian i m m ig ra nt a nd local businessman Yemi Mobolade as mayor to succeed two-term Mayor Joh n Sut hers in a decisive 57-43 victory over City Councilor Wayne WELCOME, FRAN! Williams. Mobo24 lade is a political newcomer who’d never held elective office. He promised to address the affordable housing crisis, homelessness, a shortage of police officers and city infrastructure issues. A PUBLICATION OF CITIZEN-POWERED MEDIA

MAYOR YEMI

The election of its first Black mayor, an independent in a historically Republican stronghold, marks a shift in the city’s identity

BY PAM ZUBECK

Zankowski, the Indy’s new publisher, is no stranger to the community

June 8 - 14, 2023 | ALWAYS FREE

“Homeless highway,” June 8: The Indy reported how Judith Daley and her Westside neighbors live near a “homeless highway,” and have seen trash, syringes, human feces, and piles of blankets and clothes litter their neighborhood, which sits adjacent to Blunt Park. One neighbor awoke in the wee hours in early May to find a homeless man shooting up between his toes in her bathroom. Neighborhood residents reported they’d noticed more homeless people are armed — most ly w it h k nives — and camps lead to f i re s i n a n a rea t hat pose a r isk due to a prof usion of trees along Fountain Creek. Westside neighborhood demands city take action Neighborhood to curb crisis efforts led the city P. 5 to extend a fence IT’S PRIDE MONTH! between homes’ 21 backya rds a nd the creek.

HOMELESS HIGHWAY A PUBLICATION OF CITIZEN-POWERED MEDIA

By Pam Zubeck

Check out our Calendar for a list of ways to celebrate and show support

“Flagged,” July 12: The state’s red flag law, effective Jan. 1, 2020, empowers family and household members, peace officers, and mental health professionals to seek to remove firearms from those deemed a danger to themselves or others. Gun-rights groups warned the law would lead to

Extreme risk protection law leads to 15 orders to remove firearms from those deemed a threat BY PAM ZUBECK

GET SHREWED

Theatreworks takes on The Bard, but with some big twists along the way

Nov. 7, election, Nov. 15: Voters in the general elect ion c ho s e c ons er vat ive slat e s for loca l sc hool boards, most notably Colorado Sp r i n g s S c h o ol D i s t r ic t 11 a nd Academy School District 20 where incumbents were ousted. A dark money group spent $388,000 backing the D11 conservative candidates and another $110,000 backing conservative hopefuls in D20. Those were unprecedented sums for local school board races. Voters also rejected several school districts’ funding measures for facilities and teacher raises. City voters soundly defeated, by a 53-47 margin, Mobolade’s proposal to retain $4.75 million from 2022 revenues that exceeded the city’s cap imposed by the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights. The mayor wanted to put the money toward a new police training academy that could cost between $12.5 million and $45 million, depending on various decisions yet to be made. Lastly, statewide voters defeated, by a 59-41 margin, the Democrats’ Proposition HH designed to curtail property tax increases due to the latest property reappraisal that pushed home values up by 40 percent and more. The measure would have dipped into state TABOR excess funds for 10 years to help hold the line on taxes. The defeat led to a special session during which Democrats, who hold the majority in both the Senate and House, enacted a measure that for one year will push down the rise in taxes due to exploding values. A PUBLICATION OF CITIZEN-POWERED MEDIA

FORK IN THE ROAD BY PAM ZUBECK

Nov. 7 election sees tax measures fail, more right-wing school board candidates installed

“Hitting the fan,” Nov. 1: Some Colorado Springs Utilities customers have waited months for reimbursement for damages caused by sewer backups —

Nov. 1 - 7, 2023 | ALWAYS FREE

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at least two waited a year. Records obtained by the Indy through a Colorado Open Records Act request showed that the more expensive the claim, the longer it took for reimbursement. One couple waited 609 days to be paid. Average wait time was 80 days. From 2013 through August this year, 272 customers filed claims, and the city paid 79 of those, or 29 percent. The payments totaled $736,878. It’s not known whether the 193 uncompensated customer claims were not legitimate or if those customers simply gave up rather than pursue legal action. Utilities CEO Travas Deal told the Indy after the story ran that he hopes to overhaul the Claims Review Board’s procedures in reviewing sewage backup claims to speed up the process and make better determinations of who’s at fault. Deal says he’s met with the Claims Review Board and imposed a 72-hour “turn around” time for reports to leadership on the initial invest igat ions of the causes. “I can’t remove barriers if HITTING I don’t know what’s THE FAN going on,” he says. “The process needs 6 to be c ha nged. This needs to be handled with sensit iv it y, a nd I’m always goi ng to err on the side of the customer.” A PUBLICATION OF CITIZEN-POWERED MEDIA

Springs Utilities denies most sewage backup claims, and payments are delayed on those costing the most

BY PAM ZUBECK

Bodies found, Nov. 8: Jon Hallford and Carie Hallford, owners of Return to Nature Funeral Home in Colorado Springs and Penrose, were arrested in Wagoner, Oklahoma, on Nov. 8 and brought to El Paso County to face charges of abuse of a corpse, theft, money laundering and forgery — all felonies. Charges stem from the discovery of 190 decomposing bodies in a building in Penrose. Those bodies had originally been destined for cremation. The investigation by the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office started on Oct. 3 when a foul odor was detected near the building. “Soaked,” Dec. 13: Residents of ED GUIDE Falcon Highlands Metropolitan District are fighting to have the development’s underdrai n i nspected 4 and repaired after sump pumps there began mitigat i ng f loodi ng last May and, in some cases, a re still running. The ordeal is entangled in water rights issues, because the water being pumped onto streets is owned by the Upper Black Squirrel Creek Ground Water Management District. The county disavows responsibility but says it’s trying to prod the district to take action, and the district board said in a statement on its website that it’s looking into the matter. Dec. 13 - 19, 2023 | ALWAYS FREE

Help! Or forever say goodbye to 30 years of local independent journalism

July 12 - 18, 2023 | ALWAYS FREE

DO OR DIE

frequent firearms confiscation; however, a review by the Indy of the 63 cases f iled i n El Paso County since t he red f lag law went i nto effec t found that fewer than a quarter (15) of t hose led 5 to Extreme Risk Protection Orders 21 being issued. None of the petitions were filed by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. All of the seven petitions filed by Colorado Springs Police Department, including one against a man who threatened to carry out a mass shooting during Territory Days on the Westside, were granted. The stor y reported t hat alt hough a new law empowers more people to file petitions, such as teachers and health care providers, it appears those workers have received little training in how to do so. Nov. 15 - 21, 2023 | ALWAYS FREE

March 23 - 29, 2023 | Vol. 1, No. 11

board of directors discovered more t han $300,000 in unaccounted-for debt. The pap er ditc hed t he new Sixt y35 Media bra nd i n st a l le d under Gillentine’s watch in January a nd ret ur ned to its original brandCSMNG ing, but financial complicat ions now prevent the weekly newspaper from continuing to publish in January.

PAGE 11

A PUBLICATION OF CITIZEN-POWERED MEDIA

SOAKED Falcon Highlands Metro District residents search for flooding solutions

BY PAM ZUBECK

NEWS | Dec. 27 - Jan. 2, 2023 | INDY

PLAYING AROUND

Thu, Dec. 28 - 7:00pm

A RONIN’S TEST EP RELEASE SHOW

A RONIN’S TEST LAST CHANCE FOR FIRST PLACE, ALMOST DECENT, DEATHRIDE, INTERROBANG Fri, Dec. 29 - 7:00pm

THE IRON MAIDENS DIRTY KINGS Sat, Dec. 30 - 8:00pm, Ages 21+

GIMME GIMME DISCO A DANCE PARTY INSPIRED BY ABBA Sun, Dec. 31 - 6:00pm

NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH FEATURING

FLESH DIGEST DEATH UPON THE IGNORANT,

SKIN DANCER, THE GUISE OF A DEMON Thu, Jan. 11 - 8:00pm, Ages 21+

THE EMO NIGHT TOUR Fri, Jan. 19 - 6:00pm

STRONG SURVIVE & BKG PRESENTS

JARREN BENTON WITH SPECIAL GUESTS Thu, Jan. 25 - 7:00pm

GUTTERMOUTH BRICHEROS Fri, Jan. 26 - 8:00pm, Ages 21+

GASOLINA REGGAETON PARTY Sat, Jan. 27 - 5:30pm THE MOTHER TOUR

VEIL OF MAYA ANGELMAKER, LEFT TO SUFFER, REFLECTIONS, ALLUVIAL Wed, Jan. 31 - 7:00pm BANDWAGON PRESENTS

CHARLIE FARLEY WITH SPECIAL GUESTS Fri, Feb. 2 - 7:00pm

CATCH 22 WITH SPECIAL GUESTS Sun, Feb. 11 - 7:00pm

KOFFIN KATS

HANS GRUBER AND THE DIES HARDS, DOOM SCROLL Fri, Feb. 16 - 7:00pm

EARLY EYES TRASH PANDA, THANK YOU, I’M SORRY FEB 23 - THE GREEN W/ MIKE LOVE FEB 25 - GIDEON MAR 1 - DEXTER AND THE MOONROCKS MAR 2 - LITTLE STRANGER, DENM MAR 3 - YOUNG DUBLINERS MAR 13 - HOCKEY DAD MAR 15 - NICOTINE DOLLS MAR 26 - TEENAGE BOTTLEROCKET, AUTHORITY ZERO

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LIVE FORECAST

Seven shows to look forward to in 2024 | BY BILL FORMAN Todd Terry: While Chicago is rightfully regarded as the birthplace of house music, it was the legendary New York producer/deejay Todd Terry who showed its full potential, incorporating elements of hip-hop, disco and acid house into timeless tracks like “Weekend,” “A Day in the Life” and “Bango (To the Batmobile).” As a remixer, he’s worked with artists ranging from Björk to Janet Jackson, and even managed to turn Everything But the Girl’s “Missing” into a platinum-selling club hit, something no one would have previously thought possible. All of which leaves no shortage of raw material for his deejay sets, which are a master class in dance music magic. (The Church Nightclub, Denver, Jan. 19) Robyn Hitchcock: Britain’s most influential singer/songwriter/surrealist since Pink Floyd’s Syd Barrett flew the coop, Robyn Hitchcock is back on the road offering up renditions of priceless originals like “Madonna of the Wasps” and “So You Think You’re in Love,” along with his former band Soft Boys’ “I Wanna Destroy You,” and, yes, Pink Floyd’s “Astronomy Domine.” (Lulu’s, Jan. 25)

it was further evidence of the creative genius of an artist who’d freed himself from the constraints of late-night show bandleading. Of course, this is the same musician who took home five Grammy Awards last year, so it shouldn’t come as a total surprise. And now, fresh from his Netflix music documentary and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade performance, Batiste’s out to prove he can deliver the goods live, which of course he will. (Paramount Theatre, Denver, Feb. 20) Ariel Pink: An artist so original that critics had to make up a new genre for him, Ariel Pink was a humble L.A. record clerk when his, ahem, hypnagogic-pop recordings were first released on Animal Collective’s Paw Tracks label. His warped lo-fi psych-rock inclinations sounded a bit like Can and R. Stevie Moore jamming with Michael Jackson, except underwater, and only got stranger from there. Live shows are, to say the least, unpredictable, which is probably part of the appeal. (Vultures, March 6)

Yo La Tengo: Hoboken’s “quintessential critic’s band” released their 17th album this past February, motivating reviewers to rhapsodize about their haunting vocals, droney arrangements and “beguiling sadness to the resultant beauty of dismissing its own urgency” (which I still don’t understand, no matter how many times I read it). By all accounts, they also remain a formidable live act. Just be aware that they’ve only played their signature song “Autumn Sweater” at half of this year’s shows. You pay your money, you take your chances. (Boulder Theater, Boulder, Feb. 16)

MeadowGrass Music Festival: Details have yet to be announced for the 2024 festivities, but you can pretty much count on the Memorial Day Weekend event to provide your minimum yearly requirement of country air, food tents, music workshops, kids’ activities and, most importantly, talented national, regional and local acts who embrace musical diversity without losing sight of the festival’s bluegrass, folk-rock and roots-music origins. If past is prologue, a good number of tickets will already have been snapped up by the time the artist lineup is announced, so keep an eye out for advance ticket sales if you’re looking to camp out. (La Foret Conference & Retreat Center, May 24-26)

Jon Batiste: When Jon Batiste released his insanely eclectic and ambitious World Music Radio album back in August,

Adam Ant: Because life is too short to feel guilty about guilty pleasures. (Paramount Theatre, May 6)

Editor’s note: The Indy’s online calendar at csindy.com will be up and running through January.

WEDNESDAY 12/27 Al Chesis, blues; 7 p.m., Jack Quinn’s, facebook.com/jackquinns. Chauncy Crandall, folk/Americana/ country/soul; 6:30 p.m., Front Range Barbeque, frbbq.com/events. Zech Lumpkin, acoustic; 7 p.m., Buzzed Crow Bistro, buzzedcrowbistro.com. Open Mic Night with Black Rose Acoustic Society; 6 p.m., Buffalo Lodge, bicycleresort.com.

INDY | Dec. 27 - Jan. 2, 2023 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

THURSDAY 12/28 Blackthorn, traditional Celtic; 6:30 p.m., Jack Quinn’s, facebook.com/jackquinns. Dynador, “Rock music for quiet study and reflection”; 6 p.m., Buzzed Crow Bistro, buzzedcrowbistro.com. Indoor Manitou Drum Circle: Trippy Thursday Psyche-Dillo, jam/dance/ play and drum giveaway; 6 p.m., Armadillo Ranch, manitouarmadilloranch.com. A Ronin’s Test, rock/grunge, with Last

Chance for First Place, Almost Decent, Deathride, Interrobang; 7 p.m., Black Sheep, blacksheeprocks.com.

FRIDAY 12/29 ’80s Dance Party, classic rock; 7 p.m., Crystola Road House, Woodland Park, crystolaroadhouse.bar. Jahida Esperanza Trio, multigenre; 6 p.m., Rico’s, poorrichardsrestaurant. com/events-at-poor-richards. The Iron Maidens, “world’s only female tribute to Iron Maiden,” with Dirty Kings; 7 p.m., Black Sheep,

PLAYING AROUND blacksheeprocks.com. Manitou Music Festival, presented by Manitou Music Foundation, with Moon Veil, Family Elephant, Big Sky, Blue Frog, A Carpenter’s Daughter, Rafiel and The Roomshakers, Joe Johnson’s Country Store Band, Lost Junction, LOOK’EE HERE!, K Squared and an all-star jam; doors 6 p.m., show 7 p.m., Lulu’s, lulusdownstairs.com. Mark’s Midnight Carnival Show, indie rock; 7:30 p.m., Jack Quinn’s, facebook. com/jackquinns. Harry Mo & The Cru, roots reggae; 8 p.m., Armadillo Ranch, manitouarmadilloranch.com. Music of Coldplay: String Sessions, classical renditions by Range Ensemble; 7 p.m., Boot Barn Hall, bootbarnhallco. com. Prophet’s Tomb, death metal, with No Amnesty, Celluloid Contraption, 7 p.m.,

Vultures, vulturesrocks.com. Totum Colloquium: Funky Friday, improv jazz/funk; 7 p.m., Summa, dizzycharlies.com. Two Percent, hip-hop/rap; 7 p.m., Oskar Blues, coloradosprings.oskarbluesfooderies.com. Zeppelin Alive, music of Led Zeppelin; 7 p.m., Stargazers Theatre, stargazerstheatre.com.

SATURDAY 12/30 Jeffrey Alan Band, ’80s-’90s country dance party; 7 p.m., Stargazers Theatre, stargazerstheatre.com. Bla Blah Blahz, rock/pop; 7:30 p.m., Jack Quinn’s, facebook.com/jackquinns. Eternal Temples, reggae/rock/space funk/jam fusion; 9 p.m., Armadillo Ranch, manitouarmadilloranch.com. Gimme Gimme Disco; doors 8 p.m., Black

BIG GIGS

Upcoming music events

JANUARY

English electronic musician Elderbrook plays Red Rocks on April 12. The Iron Maidens, The Black Sheep, Dec. 29 Elephant Revival, Boulder Theater, Boulder, Dec. 30 Slim Cessna’s Auto Club, Hi-Dive, Denver, Dec. 30 Neal Francis, Ogden Theatre, Denver, Dec. 31 Gasoline Lollipops, Fox Theatre, Denver, Dec. 31 Itchy-O, Summit Music Hall, Denver, Dec. 31 New Year’s Eve/Colorado Springs Symphony, Pikes Peak Center, Dec. 31

Tanner Usrey, Boot Barn Hall, Colorado Springs, Jan. 5 Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country and Trouble No More, Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom, Denver, Jan. 5-6 Ned LeDoux, Grizzly Rose, Denver, Jan. 6 The Panhandlers, Grizzly Rose, Denver, Jan. 11 Victor Wooten & The Wooten Brothers, Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom, Denver, Jan. 11 Colter Wall, Mission Ballroom, Denver, Jan. 11-12 Jason Boland & The Stragglers, Globe Hall, Denver, Jan. 12 Jackson Dean, Grizzly Rose, Denver, Jan. 12 BoomBox, Gothic Theatre, Englewood, Jan. 12-13 Mozart and Haydn/Colorado Springs Symphony, Pikes Peak Center, Jan. 13-14 Bijou, Ogden Theatre, Denver, Jan. 14 Town Mountain, Lulu’s, Manitou Springs, Jan. 18 Winterfest 2.0, Fox Theatre, Boulder, Jan. 18 Drake with J. Cole, Ball Arena, Denver, Jan. 18-19 Big Bill Morganfield, The Basement at Oskar Blues, Jan. 21 Guttermouth, Black Sheep, Jan. 25 Robyn Hitchcock, Lulu’s, Manitou Springs, Jan. 25 Shakedown Street 37th Anniversary Concert, Boulder Theater, Boulder, Jan. 26 Veil of Maya, Black Sheep, Jan. 27 Young Gun Silver Fox, Bluebird Theater, Denver, Jan. 27 Continued at csindy.com

Sheep, blacksheeprocks.com. Brandon Henderson, singer-songwriter; 7 p.m., Abby’s, abbysirishpub.com. King Iso, rap; doors 6 p.m., Sunshine Studios Live, sunshinestudioslive.com. Manitou Music Festival, presented by Manitou Music Foundation, with Moon Veil, Family Elephant, Big Sky, Blue Frog, A Carpenter’s Daughter, Rafiel and The Roomshakers, Joe Johnson’s Country Store Band, Lost Junction, LOOK’EE HERE!, K Squared and an all-star jam; doors 5 p.m., show 6 p.m., Lulu’s, lulusdownstairs.com. Rush Archives, Rush tribute; 7 p.m., Boot Barn Hall, bootbarnhallco.com. A Sad Cowboy New Year’s Eve: The Lowdown Drifters, with Danno Simpson, Raina Wallace; 7 p.m., Oskar Blues, coloradosprings.oskarbluesfooderies.com. The Jason Wulf Band, Texas Red Dirt country/Southern rock; 7 p.m., Whiskey Baron, tinyurl.com/whisk-dh.

SUNDAY 12/31 2024 Karat – Fool’s Gold NYE Party, silent disco followed by live jazz; 8 p.m., COATI Uprise, facebook.com/coatiuprise. 2024 New Year’s Eve Party with Jeffrey Alan Band, country/rock; 6 p.m., Whiskey Baron Dance Hall, tinyurl.com/ whisk-dh. Boogie Nights Disco Party, “come party in a safe and inclusive environment”; 8 p.m., Lulu’s, lulusdownstairs.com. Flesh Digest, deathcore, with Death Upon the Ignorant, Skin Dancer, The Guise of a Demon; 8 p.m., Black Sheep, blacksheeprocks.com. New Year Celebration, The McDeviants, Celtic rock, 4-7 p.m.; The Sleeping Giants, classic Celtic, 4-7 p.m.; WireWood Station, Americana, 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Jack Quinn’s, facebook.com/ jackquinns. New Year’s Eve Bash with The Collective Groove; 9 p.m., Stargazers Theatre, stargazerstheatre.com. New Year’s Eve for Old People!, jam band brunch; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mother Muff’s, mothermuffs.com/calendar. New Year’s Eve Snow Ball with SofaKillers and SOAPDISH; 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Boot Barn Hall, bootbarnhallco.com. New Year’s Eve with Colorado Springs Philharmonic; 7:30 p.m., Pikes Peak Center, csphilharmonic.org/event/ new-years-eve-3. Night of Magnificence: Cocoa Sarai, JJ Sharpe, Urban Classic, DJ SlayDay; doors 7 p.m., live acts 8 p.m. to midnight, dance party till 2 a.m., Sunshine Studios Live, sunshinestudioslive.com. RADO, psych rock/dance; 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Armadillo Ranch, manitouarmadilloranch.com. The River Arkansas, country/blues/folk/ Americana; 7:30 p.m., Brues Alehouse, Pueblo, bruesalehouse.com. “NYE Karaoke with Loretta & Friends”; 8 p.m. to midnight, Buffalo Lodge, bicycleresort.com.

WEDNESDAY 1/3

Bubbles,Bubbles, Bubbles! Family Fun on New Year’s Eve

Soap bubbles, aerial acrobatics, animal tricks & belly laughs galore!

NEW YEAR’S EVE SUN

11am 2pm 4pm

DEC 31

Support The Millibo! We continue our dedication to creating and producing high-quality theatre, comedy, & circus for all to enjoy.

Please Make a Much Needed and Appreciated Donation Today

www.givepikespeak.org - UNTIL DECEMBER 31 -

Treat yourself to some funny stuff...

The RiP Improv! 7:30pm SAT

JAN 6 Creating unscripted laughs for 18 years!

WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Acoustic set; 6 p.m., Buffalo Lodge, bicycleresort.com.

THURSDAY 1/4 Triocyben; 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Armadillo Ranch, manitouarmadilloranch.com.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | Dec. 27 - Jan. 2, 2023 | INDY

Editor’s note: The Indy’s online calendar at csindy.com will be up and running through January.

ART EXHIBITS Academy Art & Frame, 7560 N. Academy Blvd., 719-265-6694, academyframesco. com. 16th Annual High School Students Ceiling Tile Competition, judged by the public at the gallery or at tinyurl.com/ student-tiles. Joni Ware’s The Beauty of the Earth show continues through December. Bosky Studio, 17B E. Bijou St., tinyurl. com/Bosky-SmallWorks. 14th Annual Small Works Show — “Hundreds of pieces of art created by talented local artists hung floor to ceiling for your viewing pleasure.” Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, 30 W. Dale St., 719-634-5581, fac.coloradocollege.edu. Another Way Is Possible, organized by RAWtools, “contains items that tell the story of the transformation of guns to garden tools, art, jewelry, and other lovely things. ... RAWtools is a local organization dedicated to helping people solve their problems without guns and violence.” Through Jan. 28. Museum free days: Jan. 13 and 19. Commonwheel Artists Co-op, 102 Ca-

Your guide to events in the Pikes Peak region

FAREWELL TO 2023!

New Year’s Pre-Party Drag Show, with The United Court of the Pikes Peak Empire — Thursday, Dec. 28, 6-10 p.m.; Vultures, 2100 E. Platte Ave.; vulturesrocks.com. 101st Annual Pikes Peak AdAmAn Club Fireworks Display, a local tradition — turn your eyes toward the summit of Pikes Peak at 9 p.m. and the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve. The Annual Colorado Springs Citywide Kwanzaa Celebration will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. each day through Monday, Dec. 31, at In-Balance Wellness Studio, 2820 E. Pikes Peak Ave.; cospringskwanzaa.org. Skate in the Park Downtown at Acacia Park New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. 115 E. Platte Ave.; see hours at downtowncs.com/event/skate. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Electric Safari, 85 one-of-a-kind light sculptures, city views and lots more. Through Jan. 1, timed tickets at tinyurl.com/NY24-Electric; 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road. New Year’s Eve with Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Sunday, Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m., Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave.; csphilharmonic.org/event/new-years-eve-3.

ñon Ave., Manitou Springs, 719-685-1008, commonwheel.com. Holiday Market with works by 32 Colorado artists; through Dec. 28. Disruptor Gallery, 2217 E. Platte Ave., shutterandstrum.org. What Kinda Brown Are You? Works by Jasmine Dillavou, Avery Chatmon, Ashley Cornelius, Christopher Beasley and Kevin Persaud.

A Night of Magnificence, featuring performances by Cocoa Sarai, JJ Sharpe, Urban Classic and DJ SlayDay. Sunday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m.; Sunshine Studios Live, 3970 Clearview Frontage Road; sunshinestudioslive.com. FOR KIDS: Art Guffaw’s Big Bubble Circus, New Year’s Eve giggles for families, with “dancing soap bubbles, daring aerial acrobatics, assorted ‘wild’ animal tricks, and belly laughs galore.” Three shows on Dec. 31, see themat.org for times and tickets; Millibo Art Theatre, 1626 S. Tejon St. NYE Under the Lights, ring in the New Year in OCC with music, drinks, photo ops and s’mores. Sunday, Dec. 31, 6 p.m. to midnight; Colbrunn Court; tinyurl.com/OCC-NYE23. NYE Comedy Contest: Pikes Punks Comedy Show, Sunday, Dec. 31; 8 p.m.; The Public House at the Alexander, 3104 N. Nevada Ave.; tinyurl.com/PikesPunks-23. First Day Hikes at Cheyenne Mountain State Park, with 1-, 3- and 5-mile options, an interpretive junior ranger hike, and hot chocolate and cookies afterward. Monday, Jan. 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights; 719-576-2016, cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/pages/calendar.aspx.

Gallery 113, 125½ N. Tejon St., 719-6345299, gallery113cos.com. In the Spirit of the Season, artworks by the gallery’s 17 local member artists — wildlife and landscape photography, jewelry, pottery, hand-turned wood, hand-painted silk and leather creations.

cal artists and artisans. Closing reception Jan. 5, 5-7 p.m.

G44 Gallery, 121 E. Boulder St., 720-9510573, g44gallery.com. Annual Holiday Show features work by more than 100 lo-

Kreuser Gallery, 125 E. Boulder St., 719464-5880, kreusergallery.com. Shifting Reality by Lori Goede: “paintings that capture the profound connection between individuals in classical literature.” Don Goede’s Release of the Trammels “will be filled with a small fraction of neurotic and anxiety-riddled artwork and what I have deemed therapeutic manifestations of the Hypomanic variety.” Atmospheres and Orbits by Nancy Roach: “paintings done in oil and cold wax depicting an attitude of experimentation and play.” Closing reception Jan. 5, 5-8 p.m.

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CALENDAR

INDY | Dec. 27 - Jan. 2, 2023 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Hunter-Wolff Gallery, 2510 W. Colorado Ave., 719-520-9494, hunterwolffgallery. com. Jewelry and newly released bronze sculptures by Maria Battista.

Manitou Art Center, 513/515 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 719-685-1861, manitouartcenter.org. Studio Artist and Makerspace Member End of Year Show. Through Dec. 30, tinyurl.com/MACdec23. Pikes Peak State College Fall Student Exhibition, through Jan. 19; Gallery at

FOR FULL EVENT LISTINGS, AND TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN EVENTS, GO TO CSINDY.COM!

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LIVE ON STAGE NOV. 30–DEC. 31 CHILLIN’ IN CRIPPLE CREEK

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Ice Castles is a family-friendly wintertime delight in Cripple Creek with colorful ice slides, caverns, archway, crawl tunnels and other icy creations. For times and tickets, see icecastles.com/colorado; through Feb. 3; 339 Irene Ave., Cripple Creek. Studio West, 22 N. Sierra Madre St.; see tinyurl.com/PPSC-Fall23 for hours. Platte Collections, 2331 E. Platte Place, 719-980-2715, plattecollections.myshopify.com. Water Rites by Shannon Dunn, who explores “water in all its forms ... From the tears in our eyes to the blood in our veins ... Drought and flood. Freeze and thaw.” Surface Gallery, 2752 W. Colorado Ave., 719-359-6966, surfacegallerycos.com. Per Annum 2023, a group holiday show featuring the work of 50-plus local artists — multiple media including painting, collage, sculptural and handmade jewelry. Through Jan. 19.

KIDS & FAMILIES ELF The Musical, “Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth.” Through Dec. 31; Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., tinyurl.com/FAC-ELF.

es, 1-2 p.m., 1:15-2:15 p.m., 1:30-2:30 p.m., 1:45-2:45 p.m.; ages 8 and older; $8/$6 member, prepaid registration required at tinyurl.com/epco-fun; Bear Creek Nature Center, 245 Bear Creek Road. Morning Hike & Campfire, a short winter hike followed by a campfire, stories and s’mores. For ages 6 and older; Saturday, Jan. 6, 10 a.m.; $5/$4 member, prepaid registration required at tinyurl.com/ epco-fun; Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Peppergrass Lane, Fountain.

LEARNING & LECTURES The Israel-Hamas Conflict: How Did We Get Here and How Do We Go Forward? — presented by Col. Kris Bauman and the Colorado Springs World Affairs Council. Bauman is the Brent Scowcroft Professor of National Security Studies and teaches American Government, American Foreign & National Security Policy, Middle East Politics, and Comparative Politics at the United States Air Force Academy. Tuesday, Jan. 9, 5:30 p.m.; The Pinery at the Hill, 775 W. Bijou St.; tinyurl.com/ cswac-Hamas.

STEM Adventures for Little Space Explorers: Rosie Revere, Engineer, presented by Space Foundation Discovery Center. Interactive storytime with Rosie Revere, Engineer followed by an engineering craft. Tuesday, Jan. 9, 9:30 a.m.; free; Hillside Community Center, 925 S. Institute St.; tinyurl.com/STEM-Rosie.

THEATER & STAGE

Theater Along the Trail: A Bear Creek Living History, learn about Bear Creek Canyon as actors give first-person accounts, “including a Signal Service operator, a County Poor Farm matron, and an owner of a rooming house in Cripple Creek, along our beautiful winter trails!” Saturday, Jan. 6, with four performanc-

The RIP Improv, the “troupe has created unscripted laughs together for 18 years and present short-form, long-form, and musical improvisational comedy.” Jan. 6, Jan. 27, March 2, April 6 and May 4, 7:30 p.m., see themat.org/rip-improv-2-3 or call 719-465-6321 for tickets; Millibo Art Theatre, 1626 S. Tejon St.

Pretty Woman: The Musical, with “an original score by Grammy winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance (Summer of ’69, Heaven).” Monday-Wednesday, Jan. 8-10, 7:30 p.m.; Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave.; pikespeakcenter.com.

FOR FULL EVENT LISTINGS, AND TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN EVENTS, GO TO CSINDY.COM!

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COLORADO SPRINGS BUSINESS JOURNAL | Dec. 27 - Jan. 2, 2023 | CSBJ.com

Focus

Business Updates

OPINION

Economic vitality a focus in 2024

Springs. Forget the gold r ush, Colorado Springs is facing a new kind of Rocky Mountain high — becoming a hightech boomtown. Last year saw recordbreaking investment, from solar and semiconductor manufacturing to aero- Yemi Mobolade space and defense engineering. And it Mayor of Colorado Springs doesn’t stop there. Economic vitality has been and will continue to be a key part of my administration’s focus. A vibrant economy is critical for both job creation and talent development, and it is tied to the health of our community. We must work together — for-profit, nonprofit and government — to remain a business-friendly city, including for our amazing small businesses. One of the ways the city has played a role in helping to bring new business to our community is through strategic economic incentives. In 2023, the Colorado Springs City Council approved economic development agreements for nine companies, six of which are small businesses. This means over $2 billion in projected capital investments and 3,037 projected new jobs. That is also nearly $1 billion in estimated economic output for our community — and could mean an additional 4,000 new indirect and induced jobs that will be needed across the city to support these new businesses and their staff members. Looking ahead to 2024, I’m excited about the opportunities that lie before us. Just this month, the Colorado Economic Development Commission approved up to $16.2 million in incentives for four tech and defense-related companies to invest in our community. Our local and state partners have been critical in this success. This includes the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, the city’s Economic Development team, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, Colorado Springs Utilities, and El Paso County’s Office of Economic Development. While momentum is in our favor, economic incentives alone are not enough to continue to actively recruit new companies that will provide well-paying job opportunities to our residents. We need to ensure we are a businessfriendly community with a deep talent pool. The city has several programs to remove these barriers. Permit Partner is one of these programs. It’s an easy way for entrepreneurs and business leaders to discover and navigate the regulatory permitting process and take the confu-

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conomic vitality is the key that is unlocking more jobs, higher wages and a better quality of life in Colorado

sion out of filing for licenses. Accelerate COS, in partnership with Exponential Impact (XI), is a small-business loan fund, up to $50,000 along with mentorship and learning opportunities. And, COS Open for Biz is a step-by-step roadmap for those just getting started. Still, we can do more. As part of the city’s 2024 oneyear action plan, we will work to broaden knowledge of business-related licensing and sales tax processes through online tools and help-desk support. We will also advance future workforce needs through education, workforce partners, employers, and the military, along with engaging the Olympic City USA brand as a quality of life and talent attraction tool. In today’s rapidly changing world, where our economic landscape is continually evolving, it is essential that we stay informed, adaptable and forward-thinking. My administration stands ready to help and break down any barriers we can that stand in the way of our community’s long-term success. We recently hired Jessie Kimber as the city’s new Economic Development officer. She is a dynamic leader who brings extensive global leadership experience to the role, including more than 20 years of service in the U.S. Navy, where she held various operational and analytic leadership roles as an intelligence officer. She also served as the special adviser to former Mayor John Suthers and was vice president of defense development at the Chamber & EDC. We are thrilled to have Jessie back on board with the city team and look forward to her accomplishing great things in our strategic priority area of economic vitality. We have a few other factors in our favor in the coming years for continued economic investment. We’ve been

ranked consistently as one of the top 10 most desirable and top 10 best places to live in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Being the permanent home of U.S. Space Command will help secure continued investment for defense, cybersecurity and aerospace businesses in our community. We’re also very excited about the activity we’re seeing at Peak Innovation Park (Peak) at Colorado Springs Airport, and the great work from our Airport Economic Development team. Right now, you can start to see new buildings going up around the entrance to the airport. This is just the beginning of growth in the 1,600-acre master-planned business park. It is estimated that by 2025, Peak will generate $1.8 billion in total economic impact to the community. And while right now it mostly consists of warehouse and office buildings, plans are in place to add retail centers and restaurants to serve tenants and employees, addressing an underserved market. The increase of employment opportunities in Peak, coupled with the increase of diverse housing options in this part of our city, means current and future residents can enjoy the benefits of strategic growth by living near their workplace. The possibilities are exciting, and we are proud of this great work happening in Southeast Colorado Springs. And while the global economy is expected to slow in 2024, we expect a rebound in 2025. That said, I still have high hopes for 2024. Greater things are yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city. We are on an incredible journey together to build an inclusive, culturally rich, economically prosperous, safe and vibrant world-class American city on a hill that shines brightly.

CSBJ.com | Dec. 27 - Jan. 2, 2023 | COLORADO SPRINGS BUSINESS JOURNAL

OPINION

Making an impact on the Pikes Peak region

s Colorado Springs continues to thrive, we are always on our toes pivoting to the next project announcement, ribbon cutting and impactful event that propels the community to a brighter future. The Pikes Peak region is poised to welcome continued economic prosperity, business innovation and growth. At the start of the year, the race began. We didn’t sleepily saunter out; this community and our team ran. Our first announcement came in the form of a new partnership with the Small Business Development Center. SBDC is a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, and the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC embraced the Pikes Peak SBDC as its official host. This partnership opened the door for continued small business support and focuses on avoiding duplication, strengthening partnerships and providing necessary resources to aid small businesses. We continued to race towards the second of two Microchip Technology announcements in just a matter of months. In December of 2022, the company announced the launch of a manufacturing and design site in Colorado Springs followed by a February announcement to invest $880 million to expand their silicon carbide and silicon (Si) production capacity, leading to well-paying manufacturing jobs. As the year progressed, the Chamber & EDC solidified 10 economic development

projects, at t racti ng $1.35 billion in new capit al i nvest ment, creating 2,233 jobs with companies like Me ye r B u r g e r a n d Boecore. Launched in 2022, our Find Your COS suite of talent initiatives to attract Johnna Reeder and retain talent, saw a 50 percent increase Kleymeyer i n p a r t icip at ion i n Colorado Springs the Hello Colorado Chamber & EDC Springs wraparound social and professional internship retention program with students participating from 30 universities and 16 states. More than 50 nationally and 200 locally earned media placements amplified the positive messaging about why our community is a great place to visit and live. Colorado Springs is a city racing to the top. We saw a need to proactively define the growth of the region. The plan evolved into what’s known as the Titans of Economic Development Council. A campaign launched by the Foundation for Colorado Springs’ Future recruited 67 investors eager to contribute to the work and funding to shape our community’s vibrancy and tell our story to business decision-makers. The Titans of Economic Development Council will drive a three-year economic development strategy to make us more competitive

nationally and globally. The race to protect national security and save taxpayer dollars was won when the announcement to keep the U.S. Space Command in Colorado Springs was made. Maintaining the unified combatant command in Colorado Springs contributes to our region’s existing military operations and rapidly expanding defense, space, aerospace and cybersecurity sectors. The Chamber & EDC’s Gover nment Affairs team successfully lobbied for the defeat of House Bill 1118, the predictive scheduling bill, which would have devastated the retail and restaurant industry. Advocating for attainable housing is one of our main priorities, and we were honored to work with legislators and partners across the state to pass a compromise bill known as “Metro District Transparency.” The alternative bill would have stripped special districts of financial tools to develop housing for our community. More collaborative and innovative solutions for affordable and attainable housing are expected through the launch of the Pikes Peak Housing Network. This partnership leverages PPHN’s vision that everyone in the Pikes Peak region has the opportunity for a safe, stable, and attainable place to call home. We also lobbied for the renewal of the child care tax credit and pushed for investments in the Advanced Industries Accelerator program, as these are all factors in business success and expansion. Our Defense Development team and

the Military Affairs Council continued to support the aerospace and defense business community, military bases, and military families through advocacy of military spouse and veteran licensure, and reciprocity legislation. We celebrated the passing of President Joe Biden’s Veteran and Military Spouse Licensure and Relief Act. We also supported the largest community-led Veteran/First Responder Suicide Prevention and Resilience Summit with sponsorship and speakers. This year’s Gala celebrated National Arts and Culture Month. It married the diversity of arts and culture with economic impact into an innovative, interactive and vibrant event. The Chamber & EDC presented the very first Trailblazers of Economic Development award to David Sunderland, Steve Schuck, and posthumously to Bruce Shepard. The award highlighted their visionary strategic plan, developed over 50 years ago, to boldly drive economic development and establish the organization that helped bring new businesses to the Pikes Peak region, producing thousands of jobs throughout the 1970s and ’80s. The victory laps of 2023 were in no short supply. While the sprint is over, the marathon continues. We invite you to join us on this journey. Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer is president and CEO of the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC.

A sense of optimism for the future

s the Pikes Peak region continues to emerge from t he sha dow of a global COV I D pa nde m ic, t h is community’s entrepreneurial spirit is poised to reach new heights in 2024. Running a business here has never been easier, and as we’ll show, having a mountain in every selfie is not the only reason to call this community home. The resiliency displayed by Brandon Colorado Springs during the pandemic Eldridge has been nothing short of inspiring. As Pikes Peak Small the community collectively worked Business Developto overcome a bevy of obstacles, the ment Center entrepreneurial spirit shone through, proving that innovation and adaptability are deeply ingrained in the city’s DNA. Now, as we collectively put the pandemic behind us, there is a palpable sense of optimism about what the future holds. For starters, the decision to permanently locate Space Command in Colorado Springs brings a new wave of enthusiasm into the entrepreneurial community. This announcement not only solidifies the city’s role in national defense but also presents an array of opportunities for local businesses. The space industry, with its cutting-edge technologies and forward-looking initiatives, aligns seamlessly with the innovative mindset that defines Colorado Springs. 14

Organizations like Exponential Impact and Catalyst Campus already offer accelerator programs that complement and support this sector, and now entrepreneurs are looking to the stars with a renewed sense of possibility. The space sector offers a wonderful opportunity for collaboration and growth for budding entrepreneurs. With the collaborative presence of our armed forces, the military contributes nearly 44 percent of our local economy, further providing a stable foundation for the entrepreneurial community. To find support for veteran entrepreneurs, look no further than the Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center or the Colorado Veterans Business Outreach Center. Both organizations find collaborative ways to support veteran entrepreneurs with free confidential consulting sessions, or through opportunities like Boots to Business, the Veterans Small Business Conference or by simply leveraging their local host relationships. Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center is proud to host VBOC and provides wraparound services that help an entrepreneur find their tribe. The Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC is proud to host the Pikes Peak SBDC and is deeply involved in military engagement through their Military Affairs Council. In addition, APEX Accelerators is always on standby to help that veteran-owned business secure a government contract. What truly sets this community apart, however, is the collaborative ecosystem that permeates throughout the region. With nine local chambers of commerce, and countless business support organizations, the entrepreneurial community

COLORADO SPRINGS BUSINESS JOURNAL | Dec. 27 - Jan. 2, 2023 | CSBJ.com

has endless possibilities for support and encouragement at their fingertips. This collaborative spirit not only helped businesses weather the storm through the pandemic but has also created a resilient foundation for future success. Take, for example, the Survive and Thrive fund administered through Exponential Impact. This city-backed revolving loan fund provides much-needed capital for a business to scale up and increase their ability to serve their clients. Another example is the BBB of Southern Colorado. Their new accreditation, “BBB for Good,” focuses on social impact AND providing quality products and services. The Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado spearheaded this national accreditation that now gives socially conscious consumers an opportunity to shop smarter. So as the region looks forward, entrepreneurs can draw strength from this collaborative network, knowing that they are part of a community that supports and uplifts one another. The future is bright, with the promise of new opportunities, innovative partnerships and a supportive ecosystem that propels businesses to new heights. The optimism that permeates the Pikes Peak region is not just a fleeting sentiment; it is a driving force that propels this community into a prosperous and exciting future, where the entrepreneurial spirit continues to soar to new heights. Brandon Eldridge is executive director of the Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center.

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