Colorado Springs Independent: July 25, 2024 by pikespeakmediaco

REWILDING THE STONE

AFTERSHOCK

An interview with NYT journalist on brain health and Navy SEALs PAGE 06

GOLDEN MOMENT

Olympic museum prepares for 2024 Paris games PAGE 08

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PUBLISHER

Mackenzie Tamayo

PUBLISHING

Fran Zankowski

EDITORIAL

EDITOR IN CHIEF Ben Trollinger

REPORTERS Noel Black, Andrew Rogers and Cannon Taylor

CONTRIBUTORS

Adam Leech, Lauren Ciborowski, Camille Liptak and Willow Welter

SALES

AD DIRECTOR JT Slivka

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Monty Hatch, Erin Cordero

AD COORDINATOR

Lanny Adams

SENIOR

Adam Biddle

AD DESIGNER Catherine Higley

OPERATIONS

DIGITAL AND

Sean Cassady

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Kay Williams

Olympic and Paralympic Museum against a backdrop of fireworks.| Credit: Jason O’Rear, Courtesy: U.S. Olympic and Paralympic

Masala Dabba| Credit:Ben Trollinger

Bighorn Sheep in Quarry|

Ben Trollinger

WMINES AND MAGIC TRICKS

By BEN TROLLINGER • ben.trollinger@ppmc.live

e don’t really want to know how the magic trick is performed. Instead, we want to be amazed. We want to suspend our disbelief. The pulleys, ropes and mirrors are best hidden away. A similar psychology applies to our relationship with technology and the products of industry.

“When something exceeds your ability to understand how it works, it sort of becomes magical,” Jony Ive, the longtime designer for Apple, once said.

We want our devices, we want new houses and paved roads, we want our eerily silent EVs, we want the endless aisles of consumers goods and groceries all skewed out at the nearest big box. But do we really want to know about the factories and just-in-time supply chains that made it all possible?

"EARTH MOVERS RUMBLE OVER THE OXIDATED RED RUBBLE, WHILE BIGHORN SHEEP STAND SENTINEL LIKE CREATURES FROM AN EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS NOVEL"

red Ford pick-up earlier this month. He navigated the steep terrain with a casual confidence, while I felt like Jimmy Stewart hanging from a window ledge. I was there to take photos for the Pikeview Quarry story you’ll find in this issue and to get a closer look at one of the most important and historic drivers of Colorado Springs’ growth over the last century.

For more than 115 years, miners at the quarry have carved out a deep wound into the foothills that’s now visible from the interstate. Up close, the Martian landscape is even more overwhelming and strange. Earth movers rumble over the oxidated red rubble, while bighorn sheep stand sentinel like creatures from an Edgar Rice Burroughs novel.

LETTERS .

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Globalization has largely made the hallmarks of industrial production disappear from the American landscape. Abracadabra! Out of sight, out of mind, outsourced. However, for those who have eyes to see, there are still visual reminders in Colorado Springs of what has powered the prestidigitation of capitalism in the US.

These thoughts were on my mind as I sat nervously in the passenger seat of Jerry Schnabel’s mountain-goat nimble

The limestone from the quarry was essential for building the Springs into what it is today. But as the city has expanded its boundaries, what was once on the periphery is now an eyesore in the middle of neighborhoods, office parks and shopping centers. As you’ll read in Cannon Taylor’s story, the quarry’s days are numbered, and it is now time to terraform this alien expanse with new vegetation. And like magic, maybe 100 years from now, you might not even notice it as you glide quietly down the interstate in your flying car.

I am a native of Colorado Springs and I have witnessed first-hand the incredible growth our city has experienced over the last 40-plus years. I am appreciative of all the hard work and consideration our city government has provided over the years to ensure our city maintains its integrity and charm. However, I will also say while growing up I never in my wildest dreams considered staying in Colorado Springs long-term, and truth be told I am one of the only people from my graduating class who is still here. I love Colorado Springs and I am appreciative of all that the city has to offer. It is a wonderful place to raise a family and certainly a fantastic place to retire. However, our city does not offer much to a young person who is fresh out of college and ready to start building their life. When my teenage daughters express their desire to move to a place like downtown Denver, I find myself struggling to come up with any kind of valid argument as to why they might consider staying closer to home. The younger generation of Colorado Springs residents will likely not ever be able to own a home here, may genuinely prefer apartment living, and are looking for an opportunity to live/work in a vibrant downtown with other like-minded individuals. This is a lifestyle Colorado Springs does not currently offer, and if we continue down this path of resisting innovation and change, we never will. While by no means do I want Colorado Springs to become Denver, it is essential that we continue to adapt and grow to serve the younger generation if we want this city to continue to thrive in the years to come.

The majority of residents who are concerned and opposed to the height of the proposed new building downtown are well over the age of 50, are likely retired, and own their own homes that have appreciated in value so significantly that young people will never be able to afford them. They are not the people this apartment building is being built for, and therefore they do not understand its necessity or appeal. I personally do not want my children to feel they

must move away to find the life they want to live, but they (and many others) will inevitably do so unless Colorado Springs is able to provide them with the lifestyle they desire. I would implore those opposing this building to consider this point of view and recognize that a thriving city in which young people want to live is far more of a legacy worth preserving.

Jenna Hilb

Paseo Road

Editor’s note: Kevin O’Neil, the co-owner of Pikes Peak Media Company, is developing the 27-story high rise referenced in this letter.

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PROFITS OVER PROPERTY

Dave Marston's article about fire insurance was interesting, but he didn't question some claims that I've often heard repeated for the past several years. In particular, Carole Walker, who is identified as an executive for an insurance-trade group, isn't challenged when she claims that they (private insurers) “are struggling after 10 straight years of unprofitability in property insurance.”

If you Google “profitability of property insurers,” you'll find that the “struggle” has more to do with how to use the business's profits than with their efforts to pay for what they sell. A lot of money is going to stock buybacks and paying bloated executive salaries and fringe benefits. I doubt that much of that flows back to ordinary taxpayers.

Mr. Marston's article is an opinion piece; this shouldn't relieve him of the responsibility to do an analysis so we know that we can trust his opinion. Sadly, like the politicians that depend on its support, big business doesn't have a good track record for truthfulness.

Carl R. Carnein

Donzi Trail Florissant

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR must be signed with full name and include daytime phone number, full address, or email address. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. We reserve the right to edit all submissions. | EMAIL ADDRESS: letters@ppmc.live

NEWS . NEWS SHELL SHOCKS

IN BRIEF

THE BUSINESS JOURNAL SET TO RETURN

Pikes Peak Media Co. to launch publication in August Staff report • news@ppmc.live

The Colorado Springs Business Journal is coming back this August. Pikes Peak Media Co. will publish the first issue Aug. 9. The CSBJ will be published monthly. After the inaugural issue, we will publish on the first Friday of each month.

“Colorado Springs' business community is a tightly knit network of small-, medium- and large-business owners whose ebbs and flows of good times and bad make up the beating heart of the city’s economy,” said Andrew Rogers, managing editor of The Colorado Springs Business Journal

Accompanying the published Business Journal will be online-only content at CSBJ.com, along with a daily email update, "The Daily Tag Up," which will feature not only local business reporting, but also news and notes from across the region, state and nation.

“The Colorado Springs business community is robust and growing. We're excited to partner with the community, and we’re looking forward to keeping the legacy of the Business Journal alive with great new writers and advertisers,” said Mackenzie Tamayo, publisher of Pikes Peak Media Co.

Legacy events, includ ing Best in Business, Women of Influence and Rising Starts, will also be coming back, along with the new iteration of the Business Journal.

To find out more, subscribe and sign up for "The Daily Tag Up" at CSBJ.com.

New York Times reporter unravels the mysteries of military brain health

Interview by NOEL BLACK • noel.black@ppmc.live

Before Dave Philipps won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for “Other Than Honorable” — a series of articles in the Colorado Springs Gazette that shed light on the way wounded soldiers, many with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), were being discharged for minor infractions and losing their health benefits — reporting on the military was a matter of proximity more than anything. Philipps, a graduate of the Columbia University School of Journalism, grew up in Colorado Springs and spent much of his early career at The Gazette. But his coverage of the murder of a local veteran led to his first book, "Lethal Warriors: When the New Band of Brothers Came Home," that looked closely at undiagnosed PTSD in soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Then, shortly after he won the Pulitzer in 2014, The New York Times hired him to cover the military for their national desk. He’s since written two more books — "Wild Horse Country," about America’s complicated relationship with the mustang, and "ALPHA: Eddie Gallagher and the War for the Soul of the Navy SEALs" — and dozens of articles that often look at the ways, directly or indirectly, that service in the American military affects the brain and mental health of its soldiers.

In November 2023, Philipps wrote an article about artillery soldiers who were sent to Iraq to bombard ISIS with mortars from long distances. Though most of those soldiers never saw direct combat, many of them came home with debilitating brain injuries that manifested much like PTSD and led, in many cases, to suicide. Philipps’ reporting revealed that the blast waves from the near-constant artillery fire were causing the

brain damage.

His most recent article, "Pattern of Brain Damage Is Pervasive in Navy SEALs Who Died by Suicide," continues his investigations of military brain health. The Independent sat down with Philipps at his home in Colorado Springs to talk about his most recent work.

Independent: In some ways, you could sum up your reporting over the past 15 years as “The Military vs. The Brain” in a very literal sense. I wonder if you also see that thread, and what is it that intrigues you about it?

Dave Philipps: I fell into military reporting because it’s the biggest employer in town. So, I’m kind of accidental into this beat. But I think that’s absolutely true. It continues to be a story that’s been evolving and challenging and new for 15 years. It basically started as a story of, like, the old cliché of “Johnny came home from war different.” And what do we do about it? What do we do about it as a society? What do we do in the courts? What do we do in the Army when Johnny can no longer do the job? And how do we make sure that the people that volunteer to serve get a square deal? When I started, I was really focused on the idea that post-traumatic stress disorder was going unrecognized or, worse, getting punished. If you started acting out after experiencing horrific stuff in combat, a lot of times you were kicked out of the Army here at Fort Carson instead of getting treated

Dave Philipps, who lives in Colorado Springs, is a military reporter for The New York Times. | Credit: Michael Ciaglo

A U.S. Navy SEAL candidate in the final phase of Basic Underwater Demolition training is illuminated by a flare on San Clemente Island, Calif., March 11, 2011. | DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Blake Midnight, U.S Navy/Released

for it. So, that struck me as unfair as a young journalist, and I started writing about it. And as I learned more, I learned that a lot of these guys also had brain injuries. They’d been hit by roadside bombs. They’d been hit by incoming rocket attacks — things that had not been well-documented, but were really impacting their lives. And when I talked to experts, they would say, 'Well, a brain injury can look a lot like PTSD, can lead to nightmares, to aggression, to crazy decision making or delusional thinking — things that we often associate with PTSD. And there’s no good way, no blood test we can do to say one is PTSD and one is brain injury.' And so, I sort of threw up my hands around 2015 and said, 'I’m not even going to try.' But then I got a call from a guy about 18 months ago who said, essentially, 'I was in an artillery unit, and we fired a ton of rounds at ISIS over in Syria and Iraq in 2017-18, and we never got close to combat. We were

miles away, but we all have PTSD or moral injury or guilt or something. Something’s after us, and a lot of my friends have died by suicide, or have tried to.' Long story short, what I figured out is that the only thing these guys have all been exposed to are the blast waves from shooting those rounds going through their heads. Officially, that wasn’t supposed to happen from firing your own weapon. Officially, firing your own weapon was safe. But I found this quietly written (but never publicized) Navy medical document that looked at some of the Marines coming home that said, 'Yeah, we basically wore these guys out. We fired so much that they all came home with traumatic brain injuries.' And I was so dumbfounded that that was allowed to happen, that we would do that and then send these guys on their way and not tell them, and not do anything about it and, in some cases, kick them out of the military when they were no longer able

to do their job. And at that point, I realized that not only was the military hiding that fact from the public, but it was hiding that fact from itself. The military didn’t even know what the military knew.

Independent: Can you describe how shock waves from blasts cause this kind of brain damage.

DP: One of the leading theories is that if energy traveling through a liquid has enough force that it’ll create a negative wave —a little vacuum right behind it. And that vacuum is extremely violent because in a vacuum, liquid or liquid water turns to gas very quickly. And it essentially explodes. So, the brain is 80% water, but there are lots of things that a [shock] wave could bounce or echo off of like gray matter and ventricles, things of different density. So when the shock wave bounces off, it creates that negative wave, and right behind it for a few microseconds, there are these really fast

and really small, but also extremely violent tiny little air bubbles that burst within the speed of a thousandth of a blink of an eye. But those little bursts are enough, the theory goes, to blow apart individual cells or parts of synapses, so that [the affected] brain cells don’t work anymore. And one blast would cause a small enough amount of damage that you may not even notice. There [are] no pain receptors in your brain. It doesn’t hurt. But if you get this over and over, if you’re a career mortarman, or artillery soldier, or a Navy SEAL, or machine gunner, it starts to build up a “shoreline” of scar tissue [in the brain]. And quite simply, brain connections start to fail. And so things that were easy become hard, and sometimes impossible. And, quite literally when I say this whole thing started with 'Johnny came home different' — Johnny is different. His brain is physically not the same. The signals and the patterns that it used to follow are not

.

A MUSEUM OF HOPES AND SCREENS

Museum

OBy CANNON TAYLOR • cannon.taylor@ppmc.live

n Sierra Madre Street looms a building that looks like an oversized, avant-garde PlayStation. The alien architecture of the building reflects the futuristic technology of the institution it houses, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum.

Walking in, visitors are greeted with a 40-foot-tall LED screen higher than two giraffes on piggyback. Screens are everywhere. There’s the slanted screen in the winter sports hall that mimics the look of an ice rink and a room of screens used to simulate the Parade of Nations. Each visitor receives a visitor credential, which they can use to create a personalized guest profile to curate museum content depending on their favorite sports. It might intimidate my Grandma Shirley, who still hasn’t figured out how to take a screenshot, but at least it keeps the kids entertained. Children can be seen playing on touchscreens and trying out the museum’s interactive sports, which include trying (and failing) to outrun

an Olympian or Paralympian track star and using a bow-and-arrow controller to compete in digital archery.

“People don’t want to just walk around and read stuff all day. They need something more interactive and intuitive,” said Boyd Smith, museum curator. According to Smith, museums of the future could entail increased accessibility, heat-sensitive security and robot tour guides.

Smith, a curator for over 15 years, was drawn to the Olympic & Paralympic Museum because it is a combination of all his interests: sports, art, politics, history and technology. Smith’s work involves everything from securing Olympic medals from the Olympic Committee following the Paris games to scouring eBay for vintage Olympics memorabilia. His goal is to eventually have an artifact from every single Olympics dating all the way back to 1896.

The nature of the Olympic and Paralympic games means that the collection gets a growth spurt every two years. It’s hard to decide what to display with

limited space. “I wouldn’t mind adding an extra whole two floors to the top of this building,” Smith joked.

Seeing each unique Olympic torch lined up in a row, a translucent cabinet full of Olympics-branded Wheaties boxes, a drum from the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony and Sam the Olympic Eagle all in one building is a collector’s greatest fantasy.

But is the museum just for the Olympics nerds? Smith’s view is that anyone can find something to connect to at the museum, be it the historical and cultural connections or the athletes’ personal stories. Fashionistas and mechanics alike may find themselves bonding over Olympic and Paralympic sportswear and equipment, from the style evolution of the Olympic medals to the story of Mike Schultz, a Paralympic snowboarder who built his prosthetic leg out of mountain bike parts.

Tommy Schield, chief marketing, communications and programs officer,

added that the Olympic & Paralympic Museum can inspire anyone. “Just because you tour the museum, we don’t expect everyone to want to become an Olympian or Paralympian,” he said. “But we hope it leaves you a little more inspired to study that extra five minutes for your math test, or whatever it is you’re chasing.”

Central to inspiring visitors are the countless Olympians and Paralympians who have collaborated with the museum to tell their stories. Samantha Schultz, a modern pentathlete and 2020 Olympian from Denver, provided some insight as to what it has been like collaborating with the museum from an athlete’s perspective.

“When you’re at the top of the game in your sport and at the Olympic level, and then you go into the work field, you’re completely starting over,” Schultz said, adding that she has felt supported by the jobs and opportunities the museum has offered her and countless other Olympians and Paralympians.

Exterior of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum. | Credit: Jason O’Rear Courtesy: U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum

Schultz recalled how a welcome-back ceremony held by the museum in honor of the 2020 Olympians made her feel appreciated as one of the competitors from “the COVID Olympics,” and testified to how the museum helps her continue to carry the Olympic flame post-retirement.

Recalling a woman who almost broke down in tears upon meeting her, Schultz said, “I’ve never won a medal. I went to one Olympics. I feel like there’s so many other accomplished athletes that have done so much more than me. But for her, just meeting an Olympian was so cool. … You never know how you’re going to impact someone.”

With the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics coming up fast, the Olympic & Paralympic Museum will be holding a slew of events every single day of the competitions, from artifact showcases to sports demonstrations from athletes like Schultz. No matter when you visit, the museum staff hopes you leave feeling inspired.

“These athletes work their entire life for a moment that happens once every four years,” said Schield. “That’s perseverance. That’s hard work. That’s grit. That’s determination. And those are the stories we share.”

U.S. OLYMPIC & PARALYMPIC MUSEUM EVENTS

DOWNTOWN SUMMER FEST

SATURDAY, JULY 27, 11 A.M. – 4 P.M., OUTSIDE THE U.S. OLYMPIC & PARALYMPIC MUSEUM

Downtown Summer Fest is a free day of family fun presented by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum and Colorado Springs Sports Corp. The festivities begin with a torch relay between Olympians and Paralympians. The day will be full of meet and greets, sports and cultural demonstrations and live music. Youth sports clubs and clinics will be at the event to get the kids active. Vendors will be set up all day to participate in the fun.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN 5K

SATURDAY, JULY 27, 9:30 A.M., AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL PARK

Downtown Summer Fest will be preceded by the Rocky Mountain 5K, presented by The YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region and Colorado Springs Sports Corp. Some proceeds from the event will benefit the YMCA’s family programs and support Colorado Springs Sports Corp’s Rocky Mountain State Games initiatives to provide sport opportunities to athletes of all ages and athletic abilities. Paid registration before the event is required. Athletes under the age of 18 can apply for the Tom Falgien Youth Sports Scholarship to pay for the entry fee.

A free Sasquatch Shuffle Kid’s 1K for children aged twelve and under will be taking place at 9 a.m.

MEET AND GREETS AND DEMONSTRATIONS

MEET AND GREETS WITH ATHLETES WILL TAKE PLACE DAILY INSIDE THE MUSEUM, 11 A.M. – 1 P.M.

Some athletes, including Samantha Schultz, will be conducting sports demonstrations. Daily artifact demonstrations will also occur throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Carly Patterson: Thursday, August 1, 1:30-3 p.m.

2004 Olympic all-around champion Carly Patterson will meet with guests and sign autographs.

USA Paralympic Fencing Team: Friday, August 9, Time TBD

The six USA Paralympic fencers will engage with the media and share their stories with guests.

WATCH PARTIES

PARIS GAMES FREE, OUTDOOR WATCH PARTY: SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 10 A.M. – 4 P.M.

Watch parties will also take place every day of the Olympics (July 26 – August 11) and Paralympics (August 28 –September 8) inside the Museum on the 40-foot LED screen.

LIVE PAINTING

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 10 A.M. – 5 P.M., INSIDE THE U.S.

OLYMPIC & PARALYMPIC MUSEUM

Olympic City USA Task Force Co-Chair Bernard Sandoval will be painting a new Olympic-themed piece throughout the day. Sandoval will add to his Olympic collection which includes paintings of Peggy Fleming, Jesse Owens, Bonnie Blair, Ruben Gonzalez and Jim Thorpe.

Top: Interactive skiing at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum. Bottom: Guests examine artifacts at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum.

| Credit: Richard Bittles, Courtesy: U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum

HEALING THE SCAR

As reclamation nears completion, what’s next for Pikeview Quarry?

By CANNON TAYLOR • cannon.taylor@ppmc.live

The red Ford F-250 rocked back and forth like a ship on dangerous waters as it made its way up the steep slope. “You’re not afraid of heights, are you?” asked Jerry Schnabel. “I forget to ask people that. I apologize.”

Vertiginous drives up and down the side of Pikeview Quarry come second nature to Schnabel, who has worked in the 127-acre quarry for decades. Schnabel is the current president of Castle Aggregates (formerly Castle Concrete), a Colorado Springs mining company that bought Pikeview Quarry in 1972. For the last two years, Castle Aggregates has been reclaiming the quarry after 115 years of mining, which left a sunset-orange scar on the side of the mountain impossible for any driver on I-25 to ignore. Now in the final stages of the reclamation, Castle Aggregates hopes to cover up that scar.

MINER DAMAGE

Limestone was mined from Pikeview Quarry from 1903 to 2018 using drill and blast mining methods. The quarry was expanded in 1940 to mine the stone used in the construction of the Air Force Academy. Castle Aggregates estimates that over half of the limestone used to build Colorado Springs was sourced from Pikeview Quarry.

Limestone is softer than granite and quartz, meaning it is less expensive to crush. Additionally, it doesn’t react with other construction materials. This makes the limestone from Pikeview Quarry perfect for crushing into aggregate, fine construction material that makes up most of concrete and asphalt.

“You can’t build anything without aggregate. You can’t walk on anything. Concrete is about 85% aggregates, asphalt about 95%. Roads, sidewalks, buildings, everything

project is bonded by a third-party bond and governed by the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety.

CLEANING THE HOUSE

The reclamation began with the company Stantec regrading the quarry. According to Paul Kos, mine development services manager at Stantec, regrading involved the stabilization of the landslide and the creation of a slope that could then be reclaimed.

After the regrading of the land, topsoil was spread out, and seeds and saplings were then planted to revegetate the surfaces of the quarry. The plants used in the process include everything from Douglas fir and ponderosa pine to golden currant and Woods' rose. So far, almost 2,500 trees have been planted on the property, which are watered through drip lines. Schnabel hopes to see a 70% survival rate among the trees. On top of that, almost 30,000 bushes and shrubs have been planted.

Following the planting of seeds, erosion control blankets were placed on the landscape. Erosion control blankets retain moisture and prevent erosion, which assists in the growth of vegetation. The orange mountain scar and tan erosion control blankets can currently be seen from miles away, but as the vegetation grows, the quarry and the erosion control blankets will become overwhelmed by a green that blends into the mountain landscape.

When the Waldo Canyon Fire swept through El Paso County in 2012, Pikeview Quarry was protected from the wildfire because there was no vegetation to burn.

requires aggregate,” Schnabel said. “You have to mine it somewhere. Usually, the closest to market, the best, but you also have to commit to minimizing your footprint and keeping your house clean. Here, we bought the house already kind of disheveled and exposed. It’s better to do it as you go.”

Pikeview Quarry mining shut down in 2018 after a series of slope failures that began with a landslide in 2008. After extensive research, Castle Aggregates found that the mine plan created in the 1990s had caused water from a massive spring shower to move through the mountain to behind the quarry face, building up hydraulic pressure and causing a slide six months after the initial rainfall.

The reclamation project was approved in 2020 and began Feb. 1, 2022. The wealthy Gidwitz family, who own Riverbend Industries (Castle Aggregates’ parent company), privately funded the reclamation project. The

“This place was just a warzone, I guess. Devoid of any habitat,” said Schnabel. Now, the green beginnings of grass and stout tree saplings sprout out of the ground.

One beneficiary of the habitat restoration is a herd of bighorn sheep living in the quarry.

According to Schnabel, the bighorn sheep herd began when a truck carrying 12 sheep to Pikes Peak broke down. Worried about the sheep overheating in the truck, the drivers released the sheep, which strayed north toward Queen’s Canyon Quarry. After the Waldo Canyon Fire, Castle Aggregates miners noticed 20 to 40 sheep that had wandered into the quarry.

Schnabel told stories of the gruff Castle Aggregate miners, whose ranks included “Dozer Dave,” a bulldozer operator with a spiderweb tattoo on his bald head, developing a soft spot for the herd and insisting that water and hay be delivered to the sheep. The bond between the miners and the animals

Castle Aggregates President Jerry Schnabel in Pikeview Quarry. | Credit: Ben Trollinger

inspired the bighorn sheep mascot on Castle Aggregates’ logo.

As the vegetation continues to grow, the bighorn sheep will find themselves surrounded by the green mountain habitat they were always meant to live in.

LAND DONATION

The revegetation, the last step of the reclamation work, is set to be completed around the beginning of August. Castle Aggregates will continue to monitor the quarry for safety, stability and growth for an additional 12 to 18 months. Castle Aggregates hopes to offer the land as a donation to the city of Colorado Springs.

David Deitemeyer, senior landscape architect with the city of Colorado Springs, explained that the Colorado Division of Mining, Reclamation and Safety will evaluate the land before it can be offered as a donation. The state agency will require 2024 and 2025 to be growing seasons for the quarry and will need to see substantial regrowth before they consider the site for approval.

The Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services department also recommends an independent review of the reclamation work for safety reasons.

Schnabel believes the city will find no issues with the engineering of the quarry reclamation project, which continues to be monitored by Stantec. Castle Aggregates monitors the reclamation site for safety and stability using the GeoMoS Monitoring System and a computer-controlled digital theodolite system, which sends laser light to a series of prisms inserted into the land. The prisms then reflect the light back to measure any potential movement on an hourly basis. All movement is graphed, and Schnabel is personally notified of any concerning developments on his cellphone.

“We’re not turning over some maintenance issue to the city,” Schnabel said.

In the case that their land donation is not accepted by the city, Castle Aggregates is prepared to find alternate uses for the land, perhaps by donating it to another entity like the U.S. Forest Service or by selling it to a private company.

If the city does accept the donation and considers the land for recreational use, a management plan will be created for Pikeview Quarry to guide the sustainable development of recreational opportunities.

A QUARRY OF POSSIBILITIES

There are countless ideas floating around for recreational development on the land.

One plan is to develop a world-class public mountain bike park.

According to Schnabel, the idea for a mountain bike park began when his son asked to ride his mountain bike down the side of the quarry after the 2008 landslide.

“I just about strangled him,” Schnabel joked. But when he recalled the story with local businessman

Sam Guadagnoli, he was surprised to hear Guadagnoli agree that the quarry was perfect for a mountain bike park.

plans as a “starting point for a conversation” about the potential land use of the reclaimed quarry rather than a firm blueprint.

There have even been talks of using the mountain bike park as an Olympic training center site. According to Schnabel, athletes and bicycling groups — including the Olympic Committee — have visited Pikeview Quarry to examine the space.

"I THINK MINING WITHOUT RECLAMATION IS BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, IT’S BAD FOR THE PRODUCERS, IT’S BAD FOR THE CONSUMERS."

Later, Schnabel met with city officials to discuss the idea. The parks and recreation department had noticed a desire for a mountain bike park while gathering community insight for the 2014 Parks Master Plan. Riverbend Industries hired Colorado-based consultant FlowRide Concepts to design preliminary plans for a bike park in 2017, which received initial approval from the city in 2018. Deitemeyer described the preliminary

Not all are so optimistic about the idea of a mountain bike mecca. While creating the Blodgett Open Space Master Management Plan for the land immediately adjacent to Pikeview Quarry, the parks and recreation department heard some community concerns about the bike park. Deitemeyer explained that some are concerned with the increased traffic in the area that a bike park would bring, while others would rather see the land used as a wildlife sanctuary.

Deitemeyer reassures that a master plan process would be created for the quarry in the case that the city accepts the land donation, which would include a public

process allowing the community to weigh in on the use of the land. There will also need to be funding for the master planning and implementation of the plan before anything can be done with the land.

Pikeview Quarry’s future is still a mystery, and it will be at least a few years before we know what happens next. Right now, the quarry is still a warzone of boulders and dirt. Taking a Ford F-250 down the quarry is still a white-knuckling effort even for Schnabel, the most seasoned of quarry chauffeurs, so taking the kids for a leisurely bicycle ride down the quarry is still a far-flung dream.

After all, the effects of 115 years of destruction aren’t going to disappear overnight. It will be many years before that ugly mountain scar starts to fade away, but for now, the seeds have been planted for the land to recover with time.

“The mining industry caused their own problems from the last century. There was a lot of mining done in the U.S. with no reclamation. In Colorado, there were no reclamation requirements up till 1969,” Schnabel said. “I think mining without reclamation is bad for the environment, it’s bad for the producers, it’s bad for the consumers. Mining with good reclamation practices is essential for construction.”

A group of bighorn sheep in Pikeview Quarry. | Credit: Ben Trollinger

the same. He’s not the same person because he’s built up all this scar tissue. It’s pretty well established that a traumatic brain injury of any kind — car accident, falling off a roof or being in war — is a risk factor for suicide. I think what’s new is just the idea that, over your career in the military, you may be exposed to small blasts that don’t hurt. You don’t even know they are damaging you, but 15 years could lead to this same profound dysfunction.

Independent: That brings us up to your latest story in The New York Times, which is about a similar phenomenon among Navy SEALs. What led you to that?

DP: That story started when Frank Larkin, a retired Navy SEAL, called me and told me the story about his son, Ryan Larkin, who was also a Navy SEAL. And after about 12 years of service he’d just basically fallen apart. And he was having all sorts of problems with behavior, impulsiveness, probably substance abuse, memory, headaches — just an array of mental and physical health problems. And he was basically forced out the Navy SEALs for it. Not too long after, he moved home and committed suicide. But before he did, he had asked his dad to save his brain and have it analyzed. He took it to this Department of Defense lab in Bethesda, Maryland, that is state of the art. And that lab very quickly found that he had this distinct pattern of blast injury. And it made me wonder: Well, jeez, Navy SEALs, they’re around blasts all the time. Their training is very intense. They use shoulder-fired rockets, they learn to blow open doors. And, unlike Marines who typically serve for like four years, a lot of Navy SEALs serve for 20. So, what kind of blast exposure are these guys getting? One of the hard parts about this issue is you can’t detect it. There’s no MRI, there’s no CAT scan, there’s no nothing that can see it in a living person. The only way that you can see it is in the brain of someone who’s deceased, and then you slice it and dye it and you look at it under a very good microscope.

Independent: So there was no way to know how many were getting these brain injuries from looking at SEALs who are alive?

DB: No, I had to look at the dead, and I made a list of the SEALs who’d died by suicide in the last 10 years. And then I started calling up their families, and when I was making those calls, I was like, 'What are the odds that any of these people’s brains actu-

ally got to the lab?' When someone dies of suicide, that is a bad day for everybody involved. And probably one of the last things you’re thinking is, 'I should save this brain and send it to somebody I’ve never met.' And that brain is only viable for maybe 48 hours tops. And so, I was like, 'I’m probably gonna find none.'

Independent: You write about one of the wives of a SEAL who committed suicide who’d been reaching out to other SEAL families after a suicide and asking them to donate their deceased love one’s brains to that same Department of Defense lab.

DP: So, here was this thing where there was this whole subculture of people who had found out about this lab in Bethesda, Maryland, not far north of the Pentagon. What was astounding, and I didn’t figure this out until after I’d talked to all these families, is that even though there were these amazing results, eight brains, and all eight of those that made it to the lab had brain injury from blast [shock waves]. They were sending this tissue during the hardest time of their life. And this lab, which is one of the best in the world, was doing really good work. It was analyzing [them], and it was finding this distinct pattern. That should be like a siren going off for the Navy SEALs — that we’ve got to change things. But what was amazing

"... WHEN I SAY THIS WHOLE THING STARTED WITH 'JOHNNY CAME HOME DIFFERENT' — JOHNNY IS DIFFERENT. HIS BRAIN IS PHYSICALLY NOT THE SAME. "

is the lab had never told us. The leaders of the Navy SEALs, who again, I think care about the people under them and want to do the best for them, had no idea that these guys were getting their brains damaged to the point where they struggle to function at all just from on the job training, not even combat — just from being around the weapons they practice with.

Independent: What is it in the culture of military in general, particularly the SEALs that prevents not only that information from sort of reaching them, but also from sometimes connecting the kinds of dots that you were able to connect, right? To see those kinds of patterns and be like, 'Maybe there’s something going on here that’s specific to the SEALs.' Because certainly people in command in the SEALs knew that their former soldiers were committing suicide.

DP: Yes. They knew that. So, it’s an interesting answer. I think because we think of the Navy SEALs as like these exciting, dynamic people who do the hardest missions in the military. We think of bombs going off and people in combat. But in fact, the military is the largest, most boring bureaucracy in the entire continent, and it is full of red tape and information silos and bureaus that are filing information in their file drawers

never to see the light of day again. And so the lab, which is doing great work, had all these bylaws that prevented it from talking about any of these individuals. There were medical privacy laws. So, they couldn’t call up the Navy SEALs and say, “Hey, do you remember Bill who died last month? Well, the results just came back, and here’s what you need to know about him.” They couldn’t do that. And essentially, the Navy leadership didn’t know. Could they have come to the lab and said, 'Hey, we need to find out what happened, and here’s an override of the privacy bylaws ordered by the secretary of defense'? In that giant bureaucracy, there’s no one whose job it is to make sure that information about how blast is impacting the brain gets to the commanders who actually oversee operational troops. And so there’s this total disconnect. And the operational combat troops keep doing things how they do things. And somewhere far, far on the other side of the DOD bureaucracy, great science is suggesting that that’s a really bad idea. But so far, those two haven’t met. We can throw up our hands, but I think that’s just the nature of humanity. Cultural change and big groups of people take time to change. And so I was fortunate that when I came to these families and asked if they’d share what happened, which oftentimes was an ugly story. They were willing to do it because they saw that there was something on the other end that they could do to help other folks.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

M777 light towed howitzer during Operation Enduring Freedom | Jonathan Mallard, via Wikimedia Commons

FOOD

GBy CANNON TAYLOR cannon.taylor@ppmc.live

rowing up in India, Monika Celly’s family never celebrated birthdays. Every time they did, tragedy followed. Celly’s grandmother began to believe that birthdays held bad luck; so, in Celly’s childhood, she never once got her cake and presents. Now a mother of two in Colorado Springs, she goes all out for her kids, planning parties in advance, getting elaborate gifts and showing love for others through cooking.

It's a tale as old as time: a mother offering her children something she missed out on in childhood. Now a citizen of the United States for 17 years, Celly is offering Indian immigrants something she missed out on when she moved to Colorado Springs in 2007 — the cuisine of her home country.

Celly decided to move from Punjab to Colorado Springs when she met her husband, Sumit Celly. The pair met on a matrimony website, and it was love at first text. Sumit, a software engineer who had lived in Colorado Springs since 2000, flew out to India to finally meet Celly in person, and they were married within 10 days. When the time came for Sumit to return to the United States, Celly decided to go with him.

Upon arriving in the United States on a spouse visa, Celly was unable to work and was drowning in free time. Having an entire kitchen to herself, Celly immersed herself in cooking.

“I would experiment. And my husband, he’s still my guinea pig,” Celly joked. As she experimented with American and Indian cooking alike, spending entire afternoons at Rockrimmon Library flipping through cookbooks and cooking magazines, Celly began sharing recipes. This led to the creation of a cooking blog called "Vegetarian Surprises" in 2014, where Celly, a vegetarian herself, would share plant-based recipes and cooking tips.

According to Celly, the Colorado Springs Indian food scene — which she described as “pathetic” when she first moved here — has experienced growth in recent

BRINGING INDIA TO THE SPRINGS Meet Monika Celly, Indian Food Festival organizer and educator

years in part because Indian cuisine offers so many vegetarian and vegan options. With vegetarianism and veganism becoming increasingly popular in the U.S., the Indian food scene has grown alongside it.

Eventually wanting to discuss more than just vegetarian cooking on her blog, including health and wellness, yoga and fashion, Celly rebranded to "Polka Dots and Curry," a name that came about from combining two of her favorite things. In the meantime, she obtained a certification

from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to become a health and wellness coach. One of her passions is to help people get on top of their stress, often through cooking.

“I still try to cook fresh, healthy meals, all from scratch. I like to do it. It’s not something I detest,” Celly said. “Cooking is a very good way to de-stress.”

Beyond teaching cooking classes, Celly has published cookbooks and continues to blog. Her most recent effort has been to

organize Indian food festivals in Colorado Springs.

“Growing up, my family didn’t celebrate birthdays, but we would go to all these food festivals in our town. And I used to miss that when I first moved here,” Celly said.

She was a foodie who craved the cuisine of her home country, but there weren’t enough options for her. Denver had restaurants and festivals, but who really wants to drive an hour just to get a decent meal?

“This festival was really a result of all those unmet desires,” Celly added.

The first Indian Food Festival occurred Aug. 5, 2023, at Academy International Elementary School, which Celly’s children attended. The festival featured not just food vendors, but also clothing vendors, mehndi body artists and dandiya dancing. This year’s festival, taking place Aug. 3, will add an Indian fashion show, culinary talks and a cooking contest.

While the first festival was a great success, selling out completely, space was an issue. Celly mentioned catching glimpses of loved ones waiting in line for over half an hour.

Now taking place in the gym of Liberty High School, the second annual Indian Food Festival will have much more space for guests and vendors, as well as more reception desks to admit people into the festival more quickly.

Celly believes the nature of an annual event is identifying issues and remedying them next year. In this way, organizing the Indian Food Festival is just like cooking.

“Don’t focus on the shortcomings or mistakes. Just learn from them. See how you can do it better next time,” Celly said.

Celly believes that you can learn anything you want to if you have a desire to learn and persistence. For example, Celly knows she is capable of learning how to ski alongside her husband and sons, but that desire to learn isn’t there. “I’m just scared of breaking my elbow,” she joked.

According to Celly, one of the biggest misconceptions Americans have about Indian food is that it is difficult to cook. Like any other cuisine, cooking Indian food

Top: Monika Celly in her home. Bottom: Celly’s masala dabba (a spice container used in many Indian kitchens). |Credit: Ben Trollinger

MONIKA CELLY’S RECIPE FOR ALOO GOBI

Reprinted from "Vegetarian Surprises — Homestyle Indian Recipes From My Kitchen," by Monika Celly

When I moved to USA in 2007, my husband cooked a nice lunch for us. It was my first weekend here and I was jet lagged. He prepared tadka dal and aloo gobi for us. It is still his favorite meal to cook. In Hindi, aloo translates to potato and gobi means cauliflower. Some people like to deep fry cauliflower florets but that makes it very rich and there is not much difference in the flavor. The fresh tomato puree adds a nice color and enhances the flavor of this humble dish.

RECIPE NOTES

When cooking aloo gobi, toss the vegetables every 3 minutes to prevent the ingredients sticking to the bottom of the pan. To enjoy a complete Indian meal, serve it with dal tadka, roti, jeera raita, and rice.

SERVES: 4 | COURSE: MAIN | TOTAL TIME: 30 MINUTES | GLUTEN FREE, VEGAN

INGREDIENTS

• 12 ounces potatoes

• 1 ½ pounds cauliflower head, green stem removed

• 1 small tomato

• 2 tablespoons mustard oil or any cooking oil

• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

• 1 tablespoon grated ginger

• 1 teaspoon minced garlic

• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder

• ½ teaspoon ajwain (carom seeds)

• ¼ teaspoon red chili powder

• 1 teaspoon coriander powder

• 1 serrano pepper, chopped

• 1 teaspoon salt

• Handful of chopped cilantro to garnish

• ¼ teaspoon garam masala to garnish

STEPS

1. Preparing the vegetables: Peel the potatoes and dice them into ½-inch cubes. Remove green stem from the cauliflower head and cut it into 1 inch florets. Wash the vegetables and keep them aside. Puree the tomato and keep it ready.

2. Oil tempering: At a medium temperature, heat the oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds; let them pop for 10 seconds. Mix in ginger and garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Add the potatoes and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in turmeric powder, ajwain, red chili powder, coriander powder, serrano pepper and salt. Mix well.

3. Now add the cauliflower florets. Add 2 tablespoons of water to prevent drying of vegetables and pureed tomato; mix well, cover and cook on low-medium heat for at least 20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Garnish with cilantro and garam

AMERICAN

Mackenzie’s Chop House

128 S. Tejon St. Historic Alamo Building / Downtown / 719-635-3536

Offering half off all bottles of wine under $100! Voted Best Power Lunch, Steakhouse and Martini! Downtown’s choice for quality meats and mixed drinks. Mackenzieschophouse.com. Open Mon-Fri. 11:30a.m.-3p.m. for lunch, and 5p.m. - close every day for dinner!

Voted Best Power Lunch, Steakhouse and Martini! Downtown’s choice for quality meats and mixed drinks. Mackenzieschophouse.com. Open Mon-Fri. 11:30a.m.-3p.m. for lunch, and 5pm every day for Dinner. https://www.MackenziesChopHouse.com

https://www.mackenzieschophouse.com

Tony’s Downtown Bar

326 N Tejon St. / (719) 228-6566

Winners of 80+ Independent “Best of Awards” in 25 years. A great Midwestern Tavern with warm beer, lousy food & poor service!!! Pabst, Fried Cheese Curds, Leinenkugle’s, Walleye Fish-fry, cocktails, burgers and more. 11am-2am daily.

HH 3-6.

GO PACK GO!

https://TonysDowntownBar.com

GERMAN

Edelweiss

GERMAN

34 E. Ramona Ave. / (South Nevada & Tejon) / 719-633-2220

For 55 years Edelweiss has brought Bavaria to Colorado Springs! Using fresh ingredients, the menu invites you to visit Germany. Voted Gold Best German, Silver Dessert Menu and Bronze Best Patio by Indy readers! Reservations and the menu can be found online at https://Edelweissrest.com.

JAMAICAN

Rasta Pasta

JAMAICAN

405 N Tejon St. / (719) 481-6888

Rasta Pasta

405 N Tejon St. / (719) 481-6888

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Happy Hour daily 3-5 PM. Italian-Jamaican Fusion Cuisine, unlike anything else! Caribbean inspired pasta dishes, fresh and fun Salads, full bar with local drafts and rum specials, ridiculously good desserts. Lively atmosphere and friendly service. http://realrastapasta.com

MEXICAN

http://RealRastaPasta.com

José Muldoons

MEXICAN

222 N. Tejon St. / 719-636-2311 / 5710 S. Carefree CR @ Powers / 719-574-5673

José Muldoons

222 N. Tejon St. / 719-636-2311

Celebrating 50 years! Authentic Tex-Mex & Mexican fare in a Contemporary Sante Fe-styled establishment. Across from Acacia Park Downtown. Award winning Queso, Chili Rellenos, and Mean Green Chili. https://JoseMuldoons.com

Since 1974. Features authentic Tex-Mex and Mexican fare in a Contemporary Sante Fe-styled establishment. Across from Acacia Park, and west of Powers and Carefree. Josemuldoons.com. Support local restaurants! We are open for delivery, carry out and dine-in at both locations! Please check our Facebook page for hours, as they are subject to change. https://josemuldoons.com

Aloo gobi made in a private cooking class with Monika Celly. | Credit: Ben Trollinger

is just a matter of learning the basics. Celly’s advice for beginners is to master three or four spices and learn how to temper oil (heating oil in a wok and infusing it with spices). Learning a few simple basics unlocks the doors to a variety of recipes.

Another major misconception about Indian food is that it is spicy. It may be true that Indian food incorporates a blend of aromatic spices, but what most people refer to as “spicy” refers to the heat level of the food, which is easily adjustable based on personal preference.

Celly hopes for the Indian Food Festival to expand Colorado Springs’ perception of Indian food beyond curry and chicken tikka masala by including a variety of vendors specializing in regional Indian cuisines. She invites anyone, familiar with Indian culture or not, to attend and participate in the festivities.

“We have three non-Indian participants in the fashion show so far, and we are hoping more non-Indian people will come. It’s open to all,” Celly said. She then invited one very flattered journalist to participate in the fashion show, who humbly declined the offer.

2ND ANNUAL INDIAN FOOD FESTIVAL

VENUE: Liberty High School, 8720 Scarborough Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920

DATE: Saturday, Aug. 3

GENERAL ADMISSION

(FREE): noon-3 p.m. VIP ACCESS

($12.50 EACH; KIDS 8 AND YOUNGER FREE): 11 a.m.-noon

Pre-registration through Eventbrite is required for all attendees and can be found on polkadotsandcurry.com.

Monika Celly makes chai in her home. Credit: Ben Trollinger

BACK FROM THE BRINK

How one station is keeping jazz (and radio) alive in the Springs

By

CANNON TAYLOR

• cannon.taylor@ppmc.live

MUSIC

Relief washed over the faces of Stephanie Horton and Scott Bradley when Bernie Brink, a bespectacled man with a goatee, entered the office of the humble Jazz 93.5 studio on North Weber Street. While Horton and Bradley both love jazz, they were happy to hand off questions on the uniquely American art form’s history to their coworker. He’s the station’s resident scholar, always ready with an impromptu disquisition on the subject.

Today, he’s talking about the origins of the bebop style as a reaction to the swing music of the 1930s and 1940s.

“A big part of the paradigm shift was the desire for both Black musicians and Black audiences to want to legitimize themselves as true artists and art aficionados,” he said. “I think Black audiences and civilians saw that white people went to the symphony hall, and they sat still and silently in their seats to listen to the symphony orchestra. And that was, you know, very highbrow. … If jazz can be art music, and we can go and listen and appreciate quietly in our seats, that would help legitimize the status of Black people in this country.”

Talking at length about jazz history is what Brink does for a living as the program

director of Jazz 93.5, a radio station serving jazz music 24/7 to the Pikes Peak region.

Founding a noncommercial, jazz-only radio station in 2017 was a bold, some might say quixotic, move. Despite this, the people at Cheyenne Mountain Public Broadcast House Inc., the nonprofit organization that owns and operates Classical KCME 88.7 FM, decided to create Jazz 93.5 over 10 years after KCME removed jazz from their programming.

The seeds for Jazz 93.5 were planted when the former general manager at KCME, George Preston, noticed a community desire for bespoke jazz programming that they simply couldn't get from streaming services. You can get jazz programming calculated by an algorithm on any streaming service, but with Jazz 93.5, you’re getting a lovingly composed playlist from knowledgeable experts who live in the community.

“Radio has its own style, so to speak, and people find that very appealing,” said Bradley, an on-air host and corporate sales representative. “Jazz people are jazz heads … they really want to know why somebody did something. Why did the artist perceive that a piece should be played in a certain way at a certain point in time, or why was

there a change, or why wasn’t Paul Desmond there on that recording?”

Jazz 93.5 recruits jazz experts for that very reason.

“They are all educated. They’re either musicians [or] they’ve been studying jazz; they truly know the art form,” added Horton, general manager of Jazz 93.5 and KCME. “We don’t just hire anybody to come talk on the air. We want them to be able to add and elevate what it is that we are bringing to the community.”

Brink’s romance with jazz began in elementary school. Drawn to the rhythmic complexity and variety of showtunes at a young age, Brink quickly became enamored with jazz’s harmonic richness when he was introduced to iconic trumpeter and composer Miles Davis.

performs routinely in local jazz groups.

Brink began seriously studying jazz in high school, later completing a bachelor’s degree in music at Colorado College and a master’s degree of music in jazz studies at the University of Northern Colorado.

Brink’s career as an educator began at 18 as an athletics coach, where he discovered his talent for teaching.

“I’ve had a lifelong passion for education in all of its guises,” Brink said. “I am always eager to learn more about a great many subjects and am inspired and energized by anyone with a thirst for knowledge. So, my professional career has revolved around that principle, whether I am the instructor myself or not.”

After graduate school, Brink taught music locally, became the outreach and education coordinator for Colorado Springs Philharmonic Orchestra and taught jazz history courses at UCCS. He has been on the adjunct faculty at Colorado College since 2018.

Now the program director of Jazz 93.5, Brink engages in his equal passions for jazz and teaching through educational programs like “Off the Record,” which covers the stories and histories behind the music at 5 p.m. Sundays.

Brink also spearheaded Ad-Lib Lab, a monthly jam session at The Carter Payne that allows student musicians the opportunity to play with local professionals.

“[Ad-Lib Lab] opens the door for students and young musicians to interface with professional players, continuing the oral tradition that is fundamental to jazz music and planting the seeds for a sort of master/apprentice relationship that has been absent in our community,” Brink said.

"THEY ARE ALL EDUCATED. THEY’RE EITHER MUSICIANS [OR] THEY’VE BEEN STUDYING JAZZ; THEY TRULY KNOW THE ART FORM."

A lifelong musician, Brink played in jazz band in middle and high school. Today he leads his own piano trio (On the Brink), holds the piano chair for the Academy Jazz Ensemble and

This community focus is vital to Jazz 93.5. The station’s programming also includes "Performance Spotlight" (brief interviews with local performing arts organizations on weekdays), "Youth Spotlight" (monthly highlights on young musicians from the Pikes Peak region) and "Colorado Jazz Connection"

Bernie Brink in the Jazz 93.5 studio. | Credit: Ben Trollinger.

Recording in progress. | Credit: Ben Trollinger

(segments about famous jazz musicians from Colorado on Thursdays).

“There wasn’t a lot of live jazz music happening in town [15-20 years ago]. It was an occasional gig here or there, one-off kind of things. But no venues, no restaurants were hosting it weekly or regularly,” Brink said. “The scene and the support for the scene is finally growing and becoming commensurate with the size of the city itself.”

Brink doesn’t know exactly what instigated the recent growth of the local jazz scene, but he believes Jazz 93.5 to be a factor. “For decades, you could hear jazz on the radio in Colorado Springs for a few hours a week. And then suddenly in 2017, you could hear it all day long every day,” he said.

Despite recent growth in the local scene, jazz has had an image problem for decades in mainstream popular culture.

“When [people] think of jazz, they think of smooth jazz … they think of elevator music,” Horton said. “So, when they say, … ‘I can’t stand jazz,’ well, that’s because they’re talking about one very specific style of jazz, and jazz is very broad.”

Horton believes many people who dislike jazz simply haven’t found a jazz subgenre they enjoy. That’s why Jazz 93.5 aims to be as diverse in its musical programming as possible, covering everything from bebop and blues to swing and samba. Latin jazz is one of their most popular genres.

WHAT’S GOING ON?

By ADAM LEECH

H“My background is in dance, so when I hear music, I want to hear the beat and the rhythm,” Horton said.

Sometimes, self-proclaimed jazz haters enjoy jazz-influenced music without realizing it. Brink defines jazz through the essential elements of improvisation and ties to the blues and Black music, contrasting it with the Western classical tradition, which is more about “singing precisely on the note at precisely the right time.” Brink sees jazz influence in everything from the runs and slides you hear on karaoke night to the improvisational way the musicians in Taylor Swift and Beyoncé’s live bands respond to each other in real time.

Some examples Brink gave of modern jazz music that new listeners may find accessible included the constantly evolving Esperanza Spalding and the R&B- and hip-hop-inspired Robert Glasper. Brink’s love for the classics along with the latest releases perfectly parallels Jazz 93.5’s optimistic attitude toward the future of radio in a time of streaming. After all, even though they’re a local radio station, their reach is just as international as the music they celebrate.

“[Streaming] allows us to reach an international audience,” said Bradley. “We have people calling us from everywhere in the country [and Mexico] … and they’ll say, ‘We listen to you regularly and we relocated,’ or ‘We are in our RV touring around, and we don’t know what we’d do without you.’"

ello, fellow Southern Coloradicals! Today, July 12, in the year of our Lard two thousand and twentyfour, I write to you on the heels of epic adventure and on the cusp of even more. Firstly, I spent a whirlwind weekend down in the “Big Easy” in celebration of my 23rd wedding anniversary, and although the live music wasn’t exactly my cup o’ gumbo, we saw every single inch of the French Quarter and Magazine Street, the zoo, the Museums of both Art and Death, the Tree of Life, walking tours of food (neat), true crime (dumb), and an exceptionally amazing Voodoo tour from High Priestess Robi, a gay, Black Voodoo queen who dropped facts and dispelled fictions so hard that a third of our group just couldn’t handle it and sulked off in self-righteously ignorant anger. Spoiler alert, New Orleans was/is racist AF, and Voodoo has absolutely nothing to do with headless chickens, needles and pins, or any of that crazy Hollywood mumbo-jumbo (five stars, definitely recommend)! Adventure 2 took us north to the diametric Pocket Lake, Minnesota, complete with a lifelong dream to make pilgrimage to the holiest site in the Yankovician religion, of which I am a practicing member. With the unconditional love and embarrassment of my wife and kids, we trekked a grueling 45 minutes out of our way to Darwin, Minnesota, home of “the largest twine ball in the world made by one man, Francis A. Johnson.” Immortalized in the Weird Al classic “The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota,” this magnificent twine ball did not disappoint, and as tears welled up in mine eyeballs, I looked at my kids and said, "Kids, this here's what America's all about." By the time you read this, though, I will have jetted to L.A. with a finagled ticket to an art show at the Shepard Faireyfounded gallery, Subliminal. “Punk Lives” is a “group exhibition celebrating the intersection of punk and art,” and as a guest of Gregg Deal of Dead Pioneers — one of Colorado’s most prolific and inspirational

VOODOO AND DANIEL JOHNSTON

artist/musicians — I will be humbled to rub elbows with some of punk’s most influential voices: Jello Biafra of Dead Kennedys; Winston Smith, who created some of the most impactful and controversial album covers of the 1980s and beyond; Jesse Michaels, ex-lead singer of the shortlived yet immortal ska/punk juggernaut Operation Ivy (and current singer of their renamed resurrection, Doom Regulator); Ric Clayton, who’s pen struck fear into the hearts of conservative America with illustrations for Suicidal Tendencies, and a dozen or so up-and-comers from every dankened corner of the punk community. Who knows, maybe I’ll even run into Conan O’Brien while I’m out there! But don’t be jealous, though, there are much more proximate happenings to look forward to, not the least of which is the “cultural mayor of Manitou” Don Goede’s exhibition extraordinaire titled “Amuse’d” at the Manitou Art Center on Aug. 2. The visual show will feature what Don calls his “explorations, celebrations, failures, and manifestations of ‘The Muse’ through various art forms,” and will run through the month of August. Opening night will also present “Bmuse’d,” a mini festival featuring “Muse-ic” from 40 years of Don’s songwriting, including songs penned in collaboration with his dear friend Daniel Johnston, whose very name should summon your most raw, tender and vulnerable emotions. If not, either you have not yet experienced his vitally important body of art, or you are simply dead inside and nothing in this “Wicked World” can save you.

Full disclosure, though. I consider Don one of my most meaningful mentors and a dear friend. He has introduced me to even more of my most exalted souls on the planet: poster artist/activist Jermaine Rogers, antifolk icon and bad mama-jama Kimya Dawson, fabled “Popagandist” Ron English and, of course, Daniel Johnston, whose visit to The Leechpit was undeniably the single most “pinch me” moment of my life.

Anywhoodles, you should go. It will be both AMaze’ing and AMuse’ing! Smell ya later! Adam Leech is the proprietor of Leechpit Records & Vintage at 3020 W. Colorado Ave.

Springs SCENE

THURSDAY, JULY 25

Jazz Thursdays | Free, live jazz music at the Mining Exchange Hotel. 8 S. Nevada Ave. 5 p.m. Violet Breeze | Piano and vocalist duo performing at Rico’s Café and Wine Bar. 322 1/2 N. Tejon St. 5 p.m.

Black Forest Summer Music in the Park: Peak Big Band | Big band performing at the Black Forest Community Center. 12530 Black Forest Rd. 5:30 p.m.

Creekwalk Summer Concerts: Titonic Band | Funk band performing at Creekwalk. 100 E. Cheyenne Rd. 6 p.m.

FRIDAY, JULY 26

Willow Tree | Acoustic trio performing at Rico’s Café and Wine Bar. 322 1/2 N. Tejon St. 6 p.m.

Dalonious Funk | Funk jazz group performing at Summa. 817 W. Colorado Ave. 7 p.m.

Doc Robinson | Indie-pop band performing at University Village Colorado Shopping Center. 5262 N. Nevada Ave. 7 p.m.

Jazz in the Garden presents USAFA Falconaires | Air Force Academy jazz band performing Grace and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. 531 N. Tejon. 7 p.m.

Shamarr Allen, Miles Nielsen and the Rusted Hearts | Pop musicians performing at Lulu’s Downtown. 32 S. Tejon St. 7 p.m.

Manitou Chamber Music Festival Concert | Festival orchestra performing at Chapel of Our Saviour Episcopal Church. 8 4th St. 7:30 p.m.

REO Survivor: Tribute to REO Speedwagon, Loverboy & Survivor | Tribute band performing at Boot Barn Hall. 13071 Bass Pro Dr. 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, JULY 27

Big M@k and Ian Taylor | Live music at Sunshine Studios. 3970 Clear View Frontage Rd. 6 p.m.

Chicago Rewired: Chicago Tribute Band | Tribute band performing at Boot Barn Hall. 13071 Bass Pro Dr. 7 p.m.

Magic Beans with Moon Veil | Pop bands performing at Lulu’s Downtown. 32 S. Tejon St. 7 p.m.

The Spins: Mac Miller Party | Mac Miller dance party at the Black Sheep. 2106 E. Platte Ave. 8 p.m.

SUNDAY, JULY 28

Steve Weeks | Children’s musician performing at Goat Patch Brewing Company. 2727 N. Cascade Ave. #123. 6 p.m.

Triptides, Twin Archer, Evan Courtland | Rock bands performing at Lulu’s Downtown. 32 S. Tejon St. 7 p.m.

MONDAY, JULY 29

Susan Rissman Trio | Blues and jazz trio performing at Monument Valley Park. 170 W. Cache la Poudre St. 6:30 p.m.

The Little London Winds: An Old Tyme Concert | Free live concert in Soda Springs Park, Manitou Springs. 1016 Manitou Ave. 7 p.m.

Sacramentum, Vimur, Helleborous, Chamber Mage | Metal bands performing at Vultures. 2100 E. Platte Ave. 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31

Asher Mac Enulty | Singer-songwriter performing at Rico’s Café and Wine Bar. 322 1/2 N. Tejon St. 5 p.m.

Hillside Gardens Summer Concert Series | Live music at Hillside Gardens. 1006 S. Institute St. 5 p.m.

WireWood Station | Acoustic band performing at Broadmoor Community Church. 315 Lake Ave. 6 p.m.

Lydia Can’t Breathe | Rock band performing at Vultures. 2100 E. Platte Ave. 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, AUG. 1

Jazz Thursdays | Free, live jazz music at the Mining Exchange Hotel. 8 S. Nevada Ave. 5 p.m.

Black Forest Summer Music in the Park: Academy Jazz Ensemble | Jazz ensemble performing at the Black Forest Community Center. 12530 Black Forest Rd. 5:30 p.m.

The Martini Shot | Rock band performing at Vista Park Pavilion. 8833 Vista Del Pico Blvd. 6 p.m.

Cory Waller & The Wicked Things, Ben Garcia | Country musicians performing at Lulu’s Downtown. 32 S. Tejon St. 7 p.m.

Smile Empty Soul | Rock band performing at the Black Sheep. 2106 E. Platte Ave. 8 p.m.

FRIDAY, AUG. 2

Amoré | Americana band performing at

Salad or Deli, where art curated by the Pikes Peak Arts Council will be on display. 8 E. Bijou St. 6 p.m.

The Martini Shot | Rock band performing at The ViewHouse. 7114 Campus Dr. 6 p.m.

General Admission | Variety band performing at Jives Coffee Lounge. 16 Colbrunn Ct. 6:30 p.m.

Bear Ghost | Metal band performing at the Black Sheep. 2106 E. Platte Ave. 7 p.m.

The Brothers Comatose, Gasoline Lollipops Acoustic | Folk bands performing at Lulu’s Downtown. 32 S. Tejon St. 7 p.m.

Dotsero | Contemporary jazz band performing at University Village Colorado Shopping Center. 5262 N. Nevada Ave. 7 p.m.

Hot Boots Band | Variety band performing at O’Furry’s Sports Bar & Grill. 900 E. Fillmore St. 7 p.m.

SofaKillers | Variety band performing at Boot Barn Hall. 13071 Bass Pro Dr. 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, AUG. 3

Collective Groove | Live band performing at Gold Hill Mesa Community Center. 142 S. Raven Mine Dr. 4 p.m.

Stephanie Staples | Singer-songwriter performing at Holy Trinity Anglican Church. 13990 Gleneagle Dr. 7 p.m.

That Rod Guy: Rod Stewart Tribute | Tribute band performing at Boot Barn Hall. 13071 Bass Pro Dr. 7 p.m.

Ultimate Fakebook, Snodgrass and Buddies, inTheTeeTH | Pop bands performing at Vultures. 2100 E. Platte Ave. 7 p.m.

The Unlikely Candidates | Rock band performing at the Black Sheep. 2106 E. Platte Ave. 8 p.m.

SUNDAY, AUG. 4

Blue Frog Sunday Summer Series | Weekly performances by Blue Frog at Front Range

Barbeque. 2330 W. Colorado Ave. 6 p.m.

Father Bacon and the Sizzle | Reggae-inspired rock band performing at Goat Patch Brewing Co. 2727 N. Cascade Ave. No. 123. 6 p.m.

Sleepy Gaucho, Broth | Rock bands performing at Vultures. 2100 E. Platte Ave. 7 p.m.

Them Coulee Boys, Danielle Durack | Folk bands performing at Lulu’s Downtown. 32 S. Tejon St. 7 p.m.

MONDAY, AUG. 5

The Little London Winds: Gershwin and Friends | Free live concert in Soda Springs Park, Manitou Springs. 1016 Manitou Ave. 7 p.m.

TUESDAY, AUG. 6

Donny Osmond | Pop singer performing at Pikes Peak Center. 190 S. Cascade Ave. 8 p.m.

Sons of the East | Indie trio performing at the Black Sheep. 2106 E. Platte Ave. 8 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 7

Craig Walter | Singer-songwriter performing at Rico’s Café and Wine Bar. 322 1/2 N. Tejon St. 5 p.m.

Hillside Gardens Summer Concert Series | Live music at Hillside Gardens. 1006 S. Institute St. 5 p.m.

The Triple Play Quartet | Jazz band performing at Broadmoor Community Church. 315 Lake Ave. 6 p.m.

Vinyl Nation | Rock tribute band performing at Limbach Park. 151 Front St. 6:30 p.m.

Bloodkin, Special Guests | Rock bands performing at Lulu’s Downtown. 32 S. Tejon St. 7 p.m.

Rose’s Pawn Shop | Bluegrass band performing at Vultures. 2100 E. Platte Ave. 7 p.m.

Road SHOWS

Statewide Live Music, July 25 through Aug. 7

Wyatt Flores | Ogden Theater, Denver, July 25

Megan Moroney | Belly Up, Aspen, July 26

Young Jeezy | The Summit Music Hall, Denver, July 26

Kenny Chesney with Zac Brown Band, Uncle Kracker | Empower Field At Mile High, Denver, July 27

Stick Figure with Ziggy Marley, Tribal Seeds | Fiddlers Green Amphitheatre, Englewood, July 27

Jason Mraz | Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, July 28

Carlos Santana with Counting Crows | Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, July 29-30

Olivia Rodrigo with PinkPantheress | Ball Arena, Denver, July 30

Pat Benatar with The Vindys, Neil Giraldo | Paramount Theatre, Denver, July 30

Alanis Morissette with Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, Morgan Wade | Ball Arena, Denver, July 31

Kameron Marlowe | Washington’s, Fort Collins, July 31

Nate Smith | Riverdale Regional Park, Brighton, July 31

Rayland Baxter | Chautauqua Auditorium, Boulder, July 31

Young Miko | The Fillmore Auditorium, Denver, July 31

30 Seconds to Mars with AFI, Poppy | Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, July 31

Bush with Candlebox, Jerry Cantrell | Fiddlers Green Amphitheatre, Englewood, Aug. 1

Ken Carson | Mission Ballroom, Denver, Aug. 1

The Dead South with Hayes Carll | Dillon Amphitheater, Dillon, Aug. 2-3

Pretty Lights | Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Aug. 2-3

Sam Hunt with Russell Dickerson | Fiddlers Green Amphitheatre, Englewood, Aug. 2

Citizen Cope | Ogden Theater, Denver, Aug. 3

Foo Fighters with The Pretenders, Mammoth WVH | Empower Field At Mile High, Denver, Aug. 3

Joe Bonamassa | Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Aug. 4

Schoolboy Q | Mission Ballroom, Denver, Aug. 4

STRFKR with Holy Wave | The Summit Music Hall, Denver, Aug. 5

Casting Crowns with Andrew Ripp, Danny Gokey | Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Aug. 6

The Last Dinner Party | Gothic Theatre, Englewood, Aug. 6

Megadeth with All That Remains, Mudvayne | Ball Arena, Denver, Aug. 6

Scene Queen with Stand Atlantic, Honey Revenge | The Fillmore Auditorium, Denver, Aug. 6

Ski Mask the Slump God | The Summit Music Hall, Denver, Aug. 6

Crowder | Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Aug. 7

Crown the Empire | The Summit Music Hall, Denver, Aug. 7

Digable Planets | Belly Up, Aspen, Aug. 7

Killer Mike | Ogden Theater, Denver, Aug. 7

The Last Dinner Party plays Gothic Theatre on Aug. 6. | Courtesy: Chuffmedia

STRFKR plays The Summit Music Hall on Aug. 5. | Credit: Corinne Schiavone, courtesy Polyvinyl Records

EVENTS

ART EXHIBITIONS

Six Local Artists

Ending Friday, July 26, Auric Gallery, 125 E Boulder St., 5 p.m.: “Self Study” by Lindsay Goss, “In Situ” by Karen Khoury, “The Birdy Bunch” by Robert Lococo, “Arcus” by Shannon Mello (with ceramics by Tyler Hays) and “Small Batch Book Making” by Sean O’Meallie. auricgallery.com.

Sizzle

Ending Friday, July 26, Surface Gallery, 2752 W Colorado Ave., 5 p.m.: Sizzle is a group show celebrating the summer. Enjoy work by Brett Andrus, Lauren Browning, Lisa Fabiano, Jon Francis, Sophia Hanna, Al B Johnson, Kevin Johnson, Jen Meyer, Michael Ortiz and Claire Swinford. Artist's work ranges from hyper-realistic figures to abstract expressionism.

surfacegallery.com.

Terra Forms: Ryan Putnam

Ending Friday, July 26, Surface Gallery, 2752 W Colorado Ave., 5 p.m.: "Terra Forms" explores the juxtaposition of organic forms and geometric shapes through a series of wall-mounted ceramic sculptures. The show features Putnam's latest collection of marbled ceramic tiles, inspired by sandstone rock formations, trails, and topographic maps.

surfacegallerycos.com.

You Are Here: Lupita Carrasco Ending Friday, July 26, Surface Gallery, 2752 W Colorado Ave., 5 p.m.: You Are Here is an observation and appreciation of the spaces we all share seen through the eyes of an artist. surfacegallerycos.com.

Hu'o'ng Ngô: Ungrafting

Ending Saturday, July 27, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, 30 W Dale Street, 10 a.m.: Time is crucial to Hu'o'ng Ngô who investigates the resonances of colonial histories in the present day. She explores various aspects of Vietnamese resistance to French colonialism through archival research, and activates the historical record via imagery, language, and material matter. fac.coloradocollege.edu.

Ghost in the Machine

Ending Saturday, July 27, Cottonwood Center for the Arts, 427 E Colorado Ave., 2 p.m.: We asked the AI text generator Gemini to suggest an art prompt that proves the need and value of the human artist in our culture. Here’s what it wrote: Create a piece of art that explores the physical manifestation of emotion. Instead of depicting a person experiencing an emotion, focus on conveying the feeling itself through visual elements.

cottonwoodcenterforthearts.com.

Tapestry by Tish Lacy Reed

Ending Saturday, July 27, Surface Gallery, 2752 W Colorado Ave., 5 p.m.: Collage and mixed media work by local Colorado Springs artist. Tap·es·try: Used in reference to an intricate or complex combination of things or sequence of events. Perhaps a tapestry of cultures, races, customs or even beliefs. surfacegallerycos.com.

Dinner is Served

Thursday, July 25, Commonwheel Artists Co-op, 102 Canon Ave., Manitou Springs, 10 a.m.: Eighteen talented ceramic artists gather to present a collection of dinnerware (not just mugs). Open daily 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Through July 29. commonwheel.com.

Aatika Rehman

Thursday, July 25, Surface Gallery, 2752 W Colorado Ave., 12 p.m.: My name is Aatika Rehman and I am a modern abstract painter exploring the relationship between art and healing. My goal is to create an emotional stimulation which is calming, healing and joyful. Through August 14. surfacegallerycos.com.

“Van Briggle Pottery” and “Garden of the Gods Pottery”

Thursday, July 25, Manitou Springs Heritage Center and Museum, 517 Manitou Ave., 12 p.m.: See dozens of beautifully designed pottery creations crafted by Van Biggle Pottery, America’s longest-running pottery works, and The Garden of the Gods Pottery, founded by early Colorado Springs craftsman Eric Hellman. Through December 31. manitouspringsheritagecenter.org.

Old Colorado City ArtWalk

Friday, August 2, Old Colorado City, 2300-2800 W Colorado Ave., 5 p.m. Visit dozens of shops and galleries representing hundreds of works of art by local artists. Artist demonstrations are featured at many locations along

with complimentary beverages and light eats. Featuring the unveiling of a new collection of oil paintings by Hunter-Wolff Gallery’s featured artist, Marlene Kort. First Friday of every month. shopoldcoloradocity.com.

Summer Market

Friday, August 2, Commonwheel Artists Co-op, 102 Canon Ave., Manitou Springs, 5 p.m.: Commonwheel Artists Co-op will be featuring over 20 Colorado Artists for our Summer Market. The Creek Side Gallery will be filled with unique hand-crafted gifts through September 2. commonwheel.com.

PERFORMING ARTS

Emperor of the Moon

Thursday, July 25, Ent Center for the Arts, 5225 N Nevada Ave., 7 p.m.: When the eccentric Doctor Baliardo grows convinced of an advanced society on the moon, he insists that his daughters accept no earthly suitors and instead hold out for moon-men. Aphra Behn’s Restoration romp sprinkled with a dash of classical commedia dell’arte farce will be set outdoors against the backdrop of the Colorado Springs summer. Through August 4.

entcenterforthearts.org/emperor-of-the-moon.

Mean Girls: High School Version

Thursday, July 25, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, 30 W Dale St., 7 p.m.: After a 5-week intensive professional theatre training, our Youth Repertory Ensemble will culminate by performing Mean Girls: High School Version on the mainstage! Adapted from Fey’s hit 2004 film, Mean Girls was nominated for a staggering 12 Tony Awards. Through July 28.

fac.coloradocollege.edu.

Bluey’s Big Play: The Stage Show

Friday, July 26, Pikes Peak Center, 190 S Cascade Ave., 6 p.m.: Bluey's Big Play is a brand-new theatrical adaptation of the Emmy award-winning children's television series, with an original story by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, and new music by Bluey composer, Joff Bush. Through July 28. pikespeakcenter.com/ events/detail/bluey.

Impossible Things

Friday, July 26 and August 3, Cosmo’s Magic Theater, 1045 Garden of the Gods Rd. Unit 1, 7:30 p.m.: Enjoy a fun and elegant evening of comedy and magic in a beautiful Victorian parlor setting. cosmosmagictheater.com. Pirates of the Carabiner Friday, July 26, Iron Springs Chateau, 444 Ruxton Ave., 7:30 p.m.: “Pirates of the Carabiner…or…The Search for Booty” is a musical comedy melodrama set at the Island of Tortuga in the mid1800s. Through August 3. ironspringschateau.com.

The Brewery Comedy Tour

Saturday, June 27, Bell Brothers Brewing, 114 N Tejon St. #100, 7 p.m.: Currently in its eleventh year, this nationwide comedy tour has already hit 4,200 venues across the country. The drinks are pretty good too! allevents.in/ coloradosprings/the-brewery-comedytour-at-bell-brothers.

Magic and Mind Reading

Saturday, July 27 and Friday, August 2, Cosmo’s Magic Theater, 1045 Garden of the Gods Rd. Unit 1, 7:30 p.m.: Continuing in our tradition of storytelling, light and fun presentation and comedy,

Rocky Mountain 5K, July 27 | Courtesy: Colorado Springs Sports Corp

this show includes brand new, original material created specifically for this performance. Weekly performances throughout 2024. cosmosmagictheater.com.

FILM

Independent Film Series: “Never Look Away”

Tuesday, August 6, Ivywild School, 1604 S Cascade Ave., 7 p.m.: New Zealand born CNN camerawoman Margaret Moth walks on the razor’s edge between sanity and death. A rollicking ride through sex, drugs and war, “Never Look Away” is war from a female perspective; as you have never seen it before. rmwfilm.org/pop-up-cinema.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Urban Market

Thursday, July 25 and Thursday, August 1, Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort, 2 El Paso Blvd., 5:30 p.m.: Our enchanting seasonal urban market will be set up in the serene backyard area, offering a delightful array of handcrafted goods from local artisans and makers. Once you've found your favorite finds, step inside the Lodge to savor Colorado's finest brews, wines, or spirits while enjoying live music from 6-8 p.m. Every Thursday May through September. bicycleresort.com/events-activities.

Bronc Day Festival

Saturday, July 27, Green Mountain Falls Gazebo Area, Lake Steet, Green Mountain Falls, 7 a.m.: Join us for the 86th annual Bronc Day Festival in beautiful Green Mountain Falls, CO! Bronc Day Festival is a celebration of all things western and promises a day filled with old-fashioned family games, food and festivities. broncdayfestival.org. Rocky Mountain 5K

Saturday, July 27, America the Beautiful Park, 126 Cimino Dr., 9 a.m.: The YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region and the Colorado Springs Sports Corp bring you the Rocky Mountain 5K, the official 5K of the Rocky Mountain State Games! This is an out and back mostly flat 5K run/walk that will start at America the Beautiful Park and then heads north on the Pikes Peak Greenway trail for 1.55 miles until the turn-around.

info@thesportscorp.org.

Community Pet Festival

Saturday, July 27, Broadmoor Community Church, 315 Lake Ave., 10 a.m.: This is a free community event honoring the pets that bless our lives! Dennis the emu will be there along with several rescue groups and pet vendors. youcanfindjan@yahoo.com.

Downtown Summer Fest

Saturday, July 27, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, 200 S Sierra Madre St., 11 a.m.: The Downtown Summer Fest is a vibrant celebration tying in with the kickoff for the Paris Olympics. This free event will feature sports and cultural demonstrations, live music, activities, vendors and a broadcast of Olympic & Paralympic competitions. coloradospringssports.org

2nd Annual Indian Food Festival

Saturday, August 3, Liberty High School, 8720 Scarborough Dr., 11 a.m.: Indulge in the rich flavors and vibrant spices of India at our eagerly awaited Indian Food Festival! Immerse yourself in a culinary journey that celebrates the diverse and delectable cuisine of the subcontinent. polkadotsandcurry.com.

Western Saloon Night

Saturday, August 3, Western Museum of Mining & Industry, 225 N Gate Blvd., 6 p.m.: The western themed evening will include tastings from 1350 Distilling with a commemorative WMMI whiskey glass, music from Front Range Highway, a trick roper and the Gold Canyon Gunfighters’ card mavericks teaching you card games from the past. wmmi.org.

OUTDOOR REC

Barnyard Buddies

Thursday, August 1, Rock Ledge Ranch, 3105 Gateway Rd., 10:30 a.m.: Designed for preschoolers, Barnyard Buddies is an educational initiative of the Ranch to engage early learners with fun and engaging storybooks about farmyard animals—all while enjoying the company of the Ranch's very own farmyard animals. Join us at Rock Ledge Ranch on the first Thursday of every month for storytime, crafts and a snack in the Barn. rockledgeranch.com/barnyard-buddies.

BACK TO BASICS:

1. Online voting must be complete before midnight August 31.

2. For verification purposes, all ballots must be submitted with a verifiable email address.

COS 2024 Best of VOTE:

3. Please confirm the correct spelling of your submissions.

4. In cases where businesses share a name, please include their zip code.

5. Take time to review this year’s categories. Some are new. Some are gone. Quick heads-up — there must be at least three businesses operating in a given category in order for that category to appear on our ballot.

6. Cheaters never prosper.

From August 1 to August31, vote for your favorites to determine who is the Best Of Colorado Springs! Submit your digital ballots at vote.csindy.com. Vote in at least 20 categories for your votes to count. Winners will be announced in the Best Of magazine inserted in the October 31 Independent. When categories specify a region (North, South, East, West, Downtown), please reference the Independent’s distribution map.

ARTS

HAWK TUAH, FUNNY BIRDS AND YEEHAW

W.I.P.

IT

By LAUREN CIBOROWSKI

It was a hot afternoon when I pushed open the cherry-red, Nevada-facing door of the Burla Bee and descended a flight of dark, cool steps. Moving past display cases of pasties (not the meat pie kind) and glitter-covered bar tops, I was greeted by cabaret owner Bunny Bee. For those unfamiliar, this full-time, 10,000 square-foot cabaret is a hidden gem in downtown Colorado Springs, a welcoming space not just for LGBTQIA folks, but also for anyone who would like to experience the vast world that cabaret and burlesque have to offer. And offerings they have. Every Friday and Saturday night feature a themed, ticketed cabaret performance with everything from burlesque and drag to fire and acro. And Wednesdays feature more of an incubator, open mic kind of performance with people workshopping or auditioning new acts. I was somewhat familiar with those aspects of the Burla Bee, but something else drew me in that hot afternoon. The food. Why would you eat at a cabaret nightclub? “Because we’re so much more than that,” says Bunny Bee proudly. Her family hails from northern Italy, and one of the little-known but exquisite features of the Burla Bee is the food. Everything is house made, from the meatballs to the gravy, the fettuccine sauce, you name it. I had the privilege of trying a freshly made stromboli, and I literally could not stop myself from finishing it. Stromboli — it’s not just the bad guy in Pinocchio anymore! Meanwhile, the bartenders had just made a new and timely concoction that afternoon, the Hawk Tuah, a delightful-looking cocktail of coconut, rum, banana liquer and pineapple juice. Although I didn’t have time to partake, it seemed like a work of art.

Speaking of art, I recently spent a lovely first Friday out and about with my family.

Although G44 and Kreuser galleries combined forces as Auric Gallery many months ago, this was my first chance to check out the remodel/new art cartel. I was unsurprised to see that owners Abby Kreuser and Gundega Spons had done an excellent job. The space flows well, and the six artists they were showing were all expertly curated. Because my husband and I are fond of art that makes us smile, we were especially drawn to the whimsical, occasionally goofy art of Robert Lococo. This oeuvre primarily featured cast bronze figures in empty wooden frames, mostly birds perched in their own little worlds. Charming. And one of our favorite artists was also exhibiting, the always talented Sean O’Meallie, with a show called “Small Batch Book Making from the Wood Book Encyclopedia Factory near Downtown Colorado Springs.” The title almost says it all, but you really do need to see these brightly colored wooden sculptures for yourself. They’ll be up through the month.

My last foray into arts and culture this past fortnight brought me to the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, a cherished tradition in Colorado Springs since 1937, though I haven’t been going that long. It was fun to see this event through the eyes of friends who had never attended — they were just in awe of the incredible setting at the Norris Penrose arena, and I couldn’t agree more. The stadium is basically right smack dab in the foothills, and you get to watch the sun set as the evening progresses from bareback riding to mutton busting to barrel racing and more, culminating with bull riding and some astonishing trick riding. This year featured two intrepid ladies racing around the arena on two horses each — as in, standing, with one foot per horse! It’s astonishing every time, even if it’s not one’s first rodeo.

I’m fond of saying that what makes Colorado Springs interesting is its diversity. We have conservatives and a large military presence, but we also have liberals and all sorts of artsy weirdos. How boring would it be to live in a homogenous town? Thank god for all our variety, from burlesque to art to rodeo.

You need art. Art needs you.

Lauren Ciborowski writes about the arts and music in every issue. W.I.P. stands for Works in Progress.

Most hiking trails in the Pikes Peak region are available all year-round. You will likely need different kinds of equipment in the winter — think heavier clothing, snowshoes or cross-country skis — than in the summer, where shorts, T-shirt and hiking boots will probably suffice. But there are some trails that simply are better done in the summer than other times of the year. Here are a couple of hikes you’ll want to do this summer, and why they’re better done now than in the winter. All of these are more than 10 miles long, don’t have any shortcuts and are fairly difficult, so do an honest evaluation of your own skills, stamina and equipment before trying them.

DIXON TRAIL

CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN STATE PARK

Why you should do it: With the road to the top of Cheyenne Mountain closed to the public, this is probably the “easiest” way to get to the peak. The views are tremendous, with wildlife, aspen groves, wildflowers, an airplane crash site and views of Rock Creek Canyon that are almost impossible to see without doing this hike. You can hike the Dixon Trail to where it ends at the ruins of an old cabin and turn around, or you can continue for an additional 1.25 miles on the Mountain Loop trail to where it comes back to the Dixon Trail, and then hike back down.

For those who are surefooted, not afraid of heights or sheer cliffs, then consider the Dragons Backbone Trail when you get to the top of the mountain. It runs along the

A COUPLE OF MUST-DO SUMMER HIKES

eastern edge of the mountain, with sharp drops and accompanying great views of the plains.

Why it is best done in the summer:

This is a long hike. The trails to hike to the top of Cheyenne Mountain and then do the Dragons Backbone Trail combine for a round-trip distance of approximately 14 miles. If you choose to do the Mountain Loop Trail instead of the Dragons Backbone, expect to hike about 14.5 miles round trip. The catch is that this hike must be done in one day, since there is no backcountry camping allowed in the park, which means you’ll want the maximum amount of available daylight. Also, in the winter, not only will you have less daylight for the hike, but snow can really pile up at the top of the mountain. Things you need to know: Entry fees or an annual Colorado State Parks pass is required. Dogs are not permitted on most trails in the park, including any of the trails south of the main park road, which includes this hike. Cyclists and equestrians are permitted but must dismount and tie up their bikes or horses at the hitching post that is provided about 2 miles up the Dixon Trail from the North Talon Trail. There are no shortcuts to go up or come down, cellphone coverage can be limited or nonexistent on some parts of the trail, there is no water available on the route and — since the road to the top is closed to the public — there is no option to be picked up once you get to the top. If you hike up, you have to hike down. Plan accordingly. I have created a route for the Dragons Backbone option, which you can see here: tinyurl.com/32zk8xhm.

FISHERS PEAK

FISHERS PEAK STATE PARK

Why you should do it: Colorado’s newest state park is still in development, but that doesn't mean there aren’t some great trails to experience in the park. When word got out that Fishers Peak and the area surrounding it would become a state park, the first question many asked was, “When can I hike to the summit?” The parks management has worked hard since its opening to develop trails on the east side of the peak, gradually working up to the summit, and now you can hike to the

big, broad mesa that looms over Trinidad and take in breathtaking views.

Why it is best done in the (late) summer: First, the final 2 miles of trail to the summit are closed from March 15 to July 31 each year due to peregrine falcons that nest and breed on the peak. Second, much like the Dixon Trail to the summit of Cheyenne Mountain, this is a long hike at almost 15 miles round trip, assuming you take the most direct route, so you’ll want as many daylight hours as possible. The park’s hours are from sunrise to sunset, so hiking there in the dark is not permitted. And in the winter, much like any other peak in the state, snow could make the trail difficult and possibly dangerous.

Things you need to know: Entry fees or an annual Colorado State Parks pass is required. Dogs are not permitted on any trail in the park. Cyclists are permitted except for the last 2 miles before the summit, any time of the year. There are no shortcuts to go up or come down (however, you can lengthen the hike by taking some side trails on the way up or down), cellphone coverage can be limited or nonexistent on some parts of the trail, there is no water available on the route and there is no road to the summit, so there is no option to be picked up once you get to the top. If you hike up, you have to hike down. Also, as with Cheyenne Mountain State Park, there is no backcountry planning in Fishers Peak at this time. Plan accordingly. For more information, go to the park’s website: tinyurl.com/bddtram8.

Give these a try!

Be good. Do good things. Leave no trace.

Bob "Hiking Bob" Falcone is a retired career firefighter, USAF veteran, an accomplished photographer and 30-year resident of Colorado Springs. He has served on boards and committees for city, county and state parks in the Pikes Peak region, and spends much of this time hiking 800 or more miles each year, looking for new places and trails to visit, often with his canine sidekick, Coal.

By BOB “HIKING BOB” FALCONE

Fishers Peak in the Raton Mesa of southern Colorado| Courtesy: Adobe Stock

By JASON BLEVINS • The Colorado Sun

JEFFERSON — In a craggy meadow of granite and sagebrush, Willem Schreüder climbs into the camper trailer that he’s transformed into a space-age command center. Towers of computer equipment blink and whir. He taps on a laptop, scrolling through 239 fixed and mobile radio relay sites across the Rocky Mountains, showing off customized software that can remotely control and repair remote radio signal transmitters.

“A lot of what we do is backup for public safety and even though we are volunteers, we take our work very seriously,” said Schreüder, a long-bearded professor of computer science at the University of Colorado who has been involved with amateur radio for more than 40 years. “Really we are amateurs in name only.”

There is nothing amateur about the gathering in the remote corner of South Park. Part of the an American Radio Relay League’s annual Field Day — a nationwide rally of licensed ham radio hobbyists that started in 1933 — the circled collection of high-tech camper trailers and vans is bustling with technical wizards training for that day when they are called into service.

It could be a tornado, flood, hailstorm or wildfire. Maybe an earthquake or solar storm has knocked out satellite communication. Maybe rural emergency service folks need help with a big event, like a mountain bike or running race. Whatever the reason, there are 19,629 licensed amateur radio operators in Colorado — almost 750,000 in the U.S. — who are trained and ready to keep critical communications flowing.

“For most amateur radio groups, it’s about serving our communities,” said Desiree Baccus — call sign N3DEZ — with the Rocky Mountain HAM Radio club, a nonprofit that maintains a network of radio-transmitting equipment across Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming. “There is only so much local sheriffs can do in small towns and you will see amateur radio operators stepping in to fill the gaps as volunteers to help as a second service to our emergency management professionals.”

Rocky Mountain HAM can provide sheriff’s deputies and emergency per-

HAM RADIO OPERATORS ARE READY FOR AN EMERGENCY STATE

sonnel with more than a couple hundred handheld devices and mobile repeaters that relay communications using radio waves, not satellites. The group, with its network of microwave repeaters and relay stations set up across the Rocky Mountains, has helped the U.S. Forest Service, Federal Emergency Management Administration and the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

About 100 licensed amateur radio operators in Colorado are part of Colorado Auxiliary Communications, a disaster response public safety communications network of volunteers trained to support the state’s Office of Emergency Management. Clubs like Rocky Mountain HAM also are credentialed by FEMA. The auxiliary team — they are called AUX-

COMM — receives specialized training and was assembled about five years ago. The volunteers help the state’s emergency responders set up radio networks, remote satellite internet connections and off-grid power supplies during crises.

The radio operators have helped set up communications to assist with state response to floods in Hinsdale County and wildfires across the state. Most recently the AUXCOMM team helped establish remote monitoring systems so state regulators could better track and mitigate the spread of avian influenza in rural parts of the state.

Kevin Klein, the director of the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, remembers when the September 2013 flood in Colorado’s Front Range wiped out fiber

network communications and “the only thing we were getting was coming from ham radio operators.”

The support during the floods helped set the stage for a more organized group of volunteers who became the Colorado AUXCOMM organization.

“These folks have the knowledge and expertise to really assist us in a lot of ways,” Klein said. “For me, their enthusiasm for service is the really cool part.”

WHAT

HAPPENS AT THE

24-

HOUR FIELD DAY

In the breezy field about 20 miles from Fairplay, the Rocky Mountain HAM Radio members bustled through the 24hour Field Day. A solar-powered trailer bunkhouse housed six people sleeping in shifts so they could keep the airwaves

Ham Radio Operater. | Courtesy: Adobe Stock

STATE MATTERS . NEWS .

cackling day and night. Retrofitted toy hauler trailers were wedged with wires and electronics powered by solar panels and backed up by diesel generators. A communal kitchen kept food flowing for the radio users, many of whom arrive early and stay late around the national Field Day, making it more of a field week.

The Field Day participants collected points for contacts, part of a gaming component of amateur radio that keeps the dial-twisting, head-phoned users sharp and ready. At the top of every hour, amateur radio operators around the country tune into a single, certain band and listen for any emergency SOS call. They call that wilderness protocol. Rocky Mountain HAM also offers online classes and seminars helping folks learn how to be more efficient at transmitting voice and data over radio waves.

A fleet of retired news satellite vans — the ham people call them Quick Response Vehicles — anchored telescoping dishes that once connected roaming television reporters to their studios. In one of those vans, Doug Sharp — who has the highest level of licensing: Amateur Extra — huddled over a control panel, tapping out Morse code and interpreting incoming messages. Morse code transmissions — using Continuous Wave radio frequency — were the first types of wireless communication that established radio communication in the 19th century as an option beyond wired telegraphy.

The Morse code transmissions are still important ways to speedily communicate essential information in an emergency, and Sharp, the head of technology for Rocky Mountain HAM, is a leading practitioner of the antiquated art, able to send and interpret 65 words a minute. Sharp — K2AD— logged more than 1,000 contacts with Morse code during Field Day, up from 700 last year.

Radio operators have helped with evacuations around recent fires in California and Hawaii and helped support police radio transmissions in 2019 when a shooter opened fire at the annual garlic festival in Gilroy, California, with thousands of attendees.

“It’s so cool when you think about how all amateur radio operators are volunteers,

ready to step in and help at a moment’s notice,” said Tom Kephart — KC0GDM — from Firestone, who has been licensed since 1988. “These are people who really love this hobby and want to serve. And they are always trying to find ways to improve and serve better.”

Tristan Honscheid — NM0TH — a software engineer from Lafayette, once transmitted and received messages while skydiving several years ago as a student at MIT. He could reach people 80 miles away while he dangled beneath a canopy at 10,000 feet, he said.

“There is no wrong way to do HAM radio,” he said.

Many of the members work with local high school students to foster an appreciation for new and old communications technology. Like Chris Keller — K0SWE — a Google software engineer who mentors Broomfield High School students in building robotics. His daughter, 11-yearold Kaylee, built her own radio at the Field Day gathering.

She’s hoping to get her amateur radio license soon and has begun studying for the licensing exam. The radio picks up random signals as she spins the dial she soldered into place.

“Probably listen to KOSI 101 in my room,” she said, when asked about her plans for the gizmo.

The nonprofit Rocky Mountain HAM Radio club has invested around $250,000 in its communal equipment. The group’s volunteers have logged thousands of hours of service.

“One of the things about amateur radio is that you can’t make any money from it,” said Mark Skelton — N7CTM — a director of the club who recently hiked several miles to replace batteries in a microwave relay station on Badger Mountain near Colorado Springs.

“You are not a volunteer. You are an unpaid professional,” said Jim Dixon — KA6ETA — who has helped his fellow radio operators use 3D printers to create the parts and hardware they need.

The Colorado Sun is a reader-supported, nonprofit news outlet that covers our state. Learn more and sign up for free newsletters at coloradosun.com.

FINANCE REPORTS RAISE QUESTIONS ON GOP’S SUPPORT OF WILLIAMS

By SANDRA FISH AND JESSE PAUL

• The Colorado Sun •

A new batch of federal campaign finance reports this week are raising more questions about how the Colorado GOP spent money to help party Chairman Dave Williams’ unsuccessful run for Congress.

Williams’ campaign in the 5th Congressional District donated $60,000 to the party on June 14. That was the campaign’s largest single expense between June 6-30, the latest period for which federal candidates had to report their financial activity to the Federal Election Commission.

The donation came after the Colorado GOP in May and early June sent a series of mailers to voters on Williams’ behalf, stoking anger among fellow Republicans over how it appeared the chairman was using the party as a personal piggy bank in his primary against conservative commentator and activist Jeff Crank. Williams and his supporters defended the spending, promising that the party would be made whole but refusing to explain how.

Crank beat Williams in the June 25 primary by 30 percentage points in the district based in Colorado Springs. But the questions around the spending persist.

Williams, who is facing an effort to oust him as chairman over his leadership of the party, didn’t respond to a text message seeking comment Tuesday. But Colorado GOP Treasurer Tom Bjorklund told The Colorado Sun the $60,000 was “meant to be a donation” and that there were “no strings attached.

Bjorklund added that the money from Williams’ campaign was “not earmarked or reimbursed” for the party’s spending to help Williams.

But Bjorklund appeared to suggest the money was meant to make up for the party’s spending to help Williams by repeatedly highlighting to The Sun how “donations to the party exceed any expenses that may have been associated with (Williams’) campaign.”

“The party is out nothing,” Bjorklund said. The nuance matters in the eyes of the law. The Colorado GOP, as a nonprofit, gets a steep discount on postage. But a candidate cannot pay or reimburse the party to send out a mailer on their behalf using the discounted rate, according to U.S. Postal Service rules. The rules say a state party may send a mailer on behalf of a candidate using the discounted postage rate as long as “the committee pays the postage with no reimbursement from the candidate.” Violating the rules may result in losing the postage discount.

Candidate donations to political party committees on their own are perfectly legal, said Shanna Ports, senior legal counsel for campaign finance at the Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan organization.

“Federal campaign finance law permits candidates to transfer unlimited amounts of money from their campaign committee to their state party,” she said in a statement. “(Williams’) report describes the transaction as a ‘transfer/donation to the Colorado Republican Committee,’ so—at least based on the report—there is not information to conclude that the payment was a reimbursement for mailers.”

The Colorado GOP reported spending nearly $20,000 in late May as a “coordinated party expenditure” to help Williams’ campaign. A campaign finance report didn’t explain how the money was spent.

But the party sent at least three mailers supporting Williams campaign, all with the nonprofit mail rate, according to the postage markings on the mailers. One was sent in late May, around when the $20,000 expenditure was reported, promoting Williams and how he had been endorsed by former President Donald Trump.

It’s unclear from federal campaign finance filings exactly how much money the party spent to help Williams in his congressional bid. But Bjorklund said the $60,000 is

STATE MATTERS . NEWS .

“greater than any amount the party spent where Dave’s CD5 race is concerned.”

“All federal rules were considered and followed to the letter,” he added.

‘Significant’ postage perk

Williams wasn’t the only Republican candidate for whom the Colorado GOP sent out supportive mailers.

Bjorklund told The Sun that the coordinated party expenditures and access to the party’s discounted mail rate were offered to other candidates but that only Williams and former state Rep. Janak Joshi, who ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primary in the 8th District, “took advantage of our mail permit.”

Joshi benefitted from a Colorado GOP mailer in his bid against state Rep. Gabe Evans in the 8th District. Joshi did not report sending the Colorado GOP any funds in his latest campaign finance filing.

Bjorklund did not respond to questions about whether the perk was offered to all Republican primary candidates or just those endorsed by the party — like Williams and Joshi. But Crank’s campaign said it wasn’t offered that opportunity.

State Rep. Brandi Bradley, a Republican ally of Williams, posted on Facebook that the party offered all of the federal candidates it endorsed access to the state’s discounted postage permit and that both Williams and Joshi “reimbursed the party for the postage.” Bjorklund called Bradley’s reimbursement claim “inaccurate.”

The nonprofit postage discount the

Colorado GOP gets can quickly add up to thousands of dollars, depending on the size and weight of the mail.

“It is significant,” said Kristi Burton Brown, Williams’ predecessor at the state party from 2021 to 2023.

Burton Brown said when she was party chair, there were candidates who asked the Colorado GOP to send out their mail pieces to cash in on the discount. Her practice was to say “no,” because it was her administration’s understanding that any mailers sent out by the party on behalf of a candidate were legally required to be 100% paid for by the party.

A few times in 2022, the party sent out mailers benefiting candidates for state Senate with their coordination, but those were paid for in full by the party with no reimbursements from the candidates.

The party endorsed 18 primary candidates this year, all but four of whom lost. Joshi fared the poorest, losing to Evans by 55 percentage points.

Kelly Maher, a Republican consultant and activist who has been critical of Williams, said the latest spending reports leave her with more questions.

“When you illegally use money and then try to pay it back when you get caught . . . Yeah. No. That’s not how it works,” she posted on social media, saying the party’s finances should be audited.

The Colorado GOP’s next monthly FEC report is due on Saturday.

Bjorklund is scheduled to hold a town hall meeting Sunday evening “to discuss the

actual truth about the party’s financials and what to know about the false accusations against our chairman and the party,” according to an email sent to some party members.

Williams loaned his campaign $100,000 at the start of the year and later repaid $40,000 of that sum. He is still owed $158,000 by the campaign, dating back to his failed 2022 primary contest against GOP U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, who is retiring at the end of his term.

Williams’ campaign had about $15,000 in cash at the end of June.

Crank’s campaign had $121,000 in cash at the end of June. He faces science educator River Gassen, a Democrat, who had about $4,300 left in her campaign account after winning the Democratic primary.

The 5th District is a Republican stronghold, so Crank is expected to win in November.

The Colorado Sun is a reader-supported, nonprofit news outlet that covers our state. Learn more and sign up for free newsletters at coloradosun.com.

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News of the WEIRD

BY THE EDITORS AT ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

IT'S A DIRTY JOB

Perhaps the stresses of HOA board membership just weigh heavily on some people. An unnamed 74-year-old woman in New Palestine, Indiana, is facing charges of criminal trespass, criminal mischief and public nudity after she was caught not once, but twice, defecating in broad daylight against the side of a neighbor's home, Fox59-TV reported. According to court documents, the homeowner was mowing his lawn on May 29 when he discovered a pile of human feces next to his air conditioning unit. His surveillance cameras had first caught the culprit on May 2, but after the second incident, he contacted police. The woman can clearly be seen in the video lowering her trousers and squatting to empty her bowels. She initially denied the act but admitted it once confronted with the evidence; she said she had nothing against the homeowner and simply had to go. She has stepped down from her position on the HOA board.

THE CONTINUING CRISIS

Edward Kang, 20, is facing a long stretch without gaming after he allegedly assaulted a fellow online gamer on June 22, ABC News reported. Kang, who lives in New Jersey, flew from Newark to Jacksonville, Florida, on June 21, where he checked in to a hotel and purchased a hammer and flashlight at a hardware store. Late on June 22, he arrived at the victim's home in Fernandina Beach, entering the home through an unlocked door, "apparently to confront the victim," said Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper. When the victim got up from gaming to use the restroom, Kang allegedly attacked him with the hammer. The victim's stepfather heard the altercation and helped to wrestle Kang to the ground; officers said the victim sustained severe head wounds and they found "a significant amount of blood." Kang told deputies that the victim is a "bad person online." He was charged with attempted second-degree murder and armed burglary.

HOW HOT IS IT?

It's so hot ... Abe Lincoln's legs are falling off. A 6-foot-tall wax replica of the sculpture of our 16th president inside the Lincoln Memorial is succumbing to the extreme

temperatures in Washington, D.C., the Washington Post reported on June 24. The statue was placed on the campus of Garrison Elementary School in February with the idea of drawing attention to the Civil War and its aftermath. But as the heat dome settled over the capital, he started melting. "The idea was that the ambient temperature, unless it got to 140 degrees, wouldn't melt the sculpture," said artist Sandy Williams IV of Richmond, Virginia. But "even his poor legs are starting to come unglued," said Melissa Krull, 41, who lives nearby. Lincoln's head lolled so far backward that the nonprofit that commissioned the work removed it, with plans to restore it to its perch when temps moderated.

AWESOME!

Fans of 1960s kitschy TV show "Batman" will not be surprised to learn that trusty sidekick Robin (also known as Burt Ward) has received the President's Lifetime Achievement Award for rescuing more than 15,000 pets. WTOP-TV reported on June 26 that at the same ceremony, Ward and his wife received the United Nations Association of the United States of America Humanitarian Award for their work saving 45 different breeds of dogs. The former Boy Wonder said he and his wife "want to leave this planet better off than when we found it." (We must have missed the episode when Robin found Earth.)

LEAST COMPETENT CRIMINAL

Kelsey Lynn Schnetzler, 34, of Salisbury, Missouri, was charged with stealing thousands of dollars' worth of lottery tickets from her employer, Casey's General Store, KTVO-TV reported. Schnetzler's home-court MO may have been what got her nicked: Every evening during her shift, she told police, she would put a cup over the camera in the store and unlock the safe where the tickets were stored. Her burglaries took place between October 2023 and March 2024; the 36 lottery books she stole were valued at $24,000. She cashed winning tickets in at Casey's and other locations. She was charged with felony stealing. Send your weird news items with subject line WEIRD NEWS to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com

THE TECH REVOLUTION

At Crescent Regional Hospital near Dallas, Texas, patients are for the first time in the U.S. consulting with doctors via hologram, ABC News reported on June 26. The technology, designed by Dutch company Holoconnects, features a lifesize, 3-D image of the doctor in real time.

Raji Kumar, the hospital's CEO, said the technology will reduce doctors' travel time between hospitals and clinics. "They can just hop into the studio to have the consult," she said. She hopes to expand the program to rural hospitals in the area.

Astro-logic

JBY CAMILLE LIPTAK, COSMIC CANNIBAL

uly is wrapping up, which means August is around the corner. That also means Mercury Retrograde — a dreaded and misunderstood planetary transit — is also on the horizon. So it’s best you enjoy these next two weeks and all the un-messy astrology therein. Want more astro-logic from Cosmic Cannibal? Social media @cosmiccannibalcamille, Substack cosmiccannibal.substack.com and the web cosmiccannibal.com

ARIES

Around July 25, you’re aglow with enthusiasm/pride. Maybe it’s for something you or your kiddo achieved or maybe it’s for the future. By July 31, excitement for your path forward fills your cup once more. You want to take action — NOW. The new moon on Aug. 4 is a day to do just that …

TAURUS

Tensions at home reach their peak on Aug. 2. Issues around money, security and even the home decor come into focus. Your frustrations stem from your unshakeable desire to challenge your status quo and keep things comfortable. So the problem isn’t really with your family or home, it’s that you’re simultaneously craving and fighting change …

GEMINI

Getting the itch to remodel? On July 25, your head begins buzzing with domestic to-dos, and fussing over the details keeps you busy. By Aug. 4, though, home projects could glitch out. So might life with your family. Don’t fret, instead reflect on what needs to be repaired, both in and out of the house …

CANCER

Cat got your tongue? Or is it just the self-editing that has you feeling somewhat speechless? NBD, you’ll be back to your nervous chit-chatty self July 25, talking (and complaining?) about any and everything you encounter. A financial opportunity could come your way Aug. 4. That, or you breathe new life into an existing one …

LEO

Let go of the past. The new moon on Aug. 4 is (literally) all about you, your desires and the fresh start lying in wait for your future. On Aug. 2, there’s a standoff between your desires and the ongoing call to shake up your career, but this actually helps you charge forward with momentum …

VIRGO

Values shift Aug. 4, and you’re all smiles and hugs. With this shift comes a fresh beginning on a behind-the-scenes project or relationship (wink-wink). Before this, July 25 onward sees you communicating with precision and ease — at least until Mercury Retrograde arrives (also on Aug. 4), and things get, shall we say, bumpy …

LIBRA

Listening to your inner critic? Beginning July 25, this hypercritical voice gets harder to ignore. Rather than nitpicking and obsessing over your faults, consider fixing your critical eye on your dreams or a behind-the-scenes work project. Either way, a fresh start heads your way Aug. 4 — but so do a few mishaps (sorry!) …

SCORPIO

Setting a new job goal? A standoff on Aug. 2 may see you aching to break out of your current career rut. Aug. 4 arrives with an opportunity for just that. It’s a fantastic day to glamorize your resume/CV with an eye-catching color or a bolder mission statement, and really make yourself — and your skills — stand out …

SAGITTARIUS

Starting July 25, the pace of your work life quickens, and you’re all about earning a gold star for efficiency. Revel in the attention and the busy-ness. Because by Aug. 4, you’re basically forced to take your foot off the gas and put your nose back to the grindstone of a few projects from before …

CAPRICORN

Curious about travel? Come July 25, you might be. If ever there was a time to iron out the details of your summer travel plans, it’s now. Not only because it will satisfy your burgeoning need to learn something new, but also because by Aug. 4, those same travel plans may get a little messy …

AQUARIUS

August starts out bumpy. There’s a potential standoff at home or work. You’re craving applause, security and freedom, but feel denied on all fronts. (Maybe your boss isn’t giving you credit and you get offended?) This happens right before the new moon on Aug. 4, which offers you a do-over in both of these areas …

PISCES

Practice clear communication. Beginning July 25, your partnerships (business, romantic, friendly) bring you a flurry of activity, most of which involves chitchats via text, email and afternoon java rendezvous. By Aug. 4, these same relationships get an extra dose of sugar. The caveat? Mercury Retrograde also arrives, stirring up miscommunications. So double-down on the clarity …

Featuring DR. TATIANA BAILEY & MR. BRYCE COOKE

The Colorado Springs Business Journal is back and excited to host Dr. Tatiana Bailey of Data-Driven Economic Strategies (DDES) and Bryce Cooke, Chief Economist at the Colorado Office of State Planning and Budgeting.

Their presentations will provide a comprehensive overview of the U.S. economy. Mr. Cooke will provide an in-depth analysis of the Colorado economy, including a legislative update, while Dr. Bailey will discuss the economic landscape of Colorado Springs.

Following the presentations, attendees are invited to network and share ideas during happy hour. Tickets are limited.

Three continuing education (CE) real estate credits available to attendees.

SEPT. 5 | 1:30 P.M.

Tickets & Info:

AT BOOT BARN HALL

OneRepublic | August 9, 10, 11

The Beach Boys | August 16

Walker Hayes | August 17

Iration and Pepper | August 18

Lauren Daigle | August 23

Primus | August 24

John Fogerty | August 27

Dierks Bentley | August 30

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss | August 31

Jim Gaffigan | September 13

Pentatonix | September 15

Cage The Elephant | September 19

Barenaked Ladies | September 21

Steve Miller Band | September 27

ZZ Top & Lynyrd Skynyrd | September 28 for KING + COUNTRY | September 29

Foreigner | October 2

Ivan Cornejo | October 4

Godsmack | October 17

2024 Lineup Experience the Suite life

THE OWNER'S CLUB INVESTMENT HIGHLIGHTS

Reimagine your concert experience. Indulge in unparalleled views of the Front Range, savor exceptional cuisine, and enjoy remarkable performances on the main stage of Ford Amphitheater.