CS Independent Vol. 1 Issue 12 | October 17, 2024

THE BIRTH OF A PARKING LOT

A Pikes Peak Media Company

“excrement of the gods”

COVER PHOTO| Credit: Myron Wood. Copyright Pikes Peak Library District, 002-1471

Burns Theatre seating, ca. 1912 at the time of the opening. |Credit: Photo

EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ben Trollinger

REPORTERS Andrew Rogers, Cannon Taylor, Noel Black and Karin Zeitvogel

CONTRIBUTORS

Adam Leech, Lauren Ciborowski, Camille Liptak, Bob Falcone, Deb Acord, Beverly Diehl and Dan Ashe.

COPY EDITOR Willow Welter

AD

ACCOUNT

Monty Hatch

AD

Lanny Adams

JT Slivka

SENIOR

Adam Biddle

Sean Cassady

DISTRIBUTION

Kay Williams

• In the Oct. 3 issue of The Independent on Page 12, the wrong text ran in the story on the state’s “first psychedelic church” due to a technical glitch at press time. The full story can be found at ColoradoSun.com.

• In Bob Falcone’s Oct. 3 hiking column (“Fall Colors That Aren’t Aspens (and Where to Find Them,” Page 36), we included the wrong date for Veterans Day. Veterans Day is Nov. 11. Entry fees to all U. S. National Park Service sites are waived for the day. Also, veterans and active-duty military are admitted free to all Colorado state parks with proof of military service.

Dr. Cristi Bundukamara |Credit: Ben Trollinger

Cannon Taylor

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NEWS .

The city of Colorado Springs released a $939 million proposed budget for 2025, a 4.3% increase from the 2024 budget. Highlights of the proposed budget include additional law enforcement and staff positions for cleaning up homeless encampments. The budget also includes a 2% pay increase for city employees.

The proposed General Fund budget for 2025 of $440,037,344 is a 2.7% increase from the previous year. While sales tax revenue is expected to increase 3.5% next year, revenue increases are not expected to fully cover the increased costs of providing key services to residents. To ensure a balanced budget and the responsible use of taxpayer dollars, Mayor Yemi Mobolade is keeping budget reductions from last year in place, rebudgeting savings from 2024 to 2025, and utilizing $6.5 million of reserved funds. The reserve fund balance would remain at 17%, which is higher than the Government Finance Officers Association recommended target of 16.7%.

The El Paso County Board of Commissioners has appointed Commissioner Carrie Geitner as the new chair and Commissioner Cami Bremer as vice chair for the remainder of 2024. This leadership change follows Bremer’s announcement that she will transition into her new role as CEO of Pikes Peak United Way in early 2025.

Geitner and Bremer will continue serving as chair and vice chair, respectively, until early 2025, when commissioners elect leadership and adopt organizational resolutions for 2025 at the Jan. 14, 2025, meeting of the Board of County Commissioners.

Four Colorado Springs firefighters were among those responding to assess the damage in North Carolina left by Hurricane Helene. The firefighters were with members of Colorado’s Task Force 1 and were working in several locations in McDowell County, North Carolina. They also performed search efforts along creek beds and neighborhoods in the town of Old Fort. Part of the search effort also includes checking in with residents who might need help, such as food, water or medical care.

RIVER RUNNING

RIVER RUNNING

In a deep red district, Democratic candidate for Congress runs on cost of living, climate change

by KARIN ZEITVOGEL • karin.zeitvogel@ppmc.live

River Gassen is a physicist and has the analytical mind of one. She believes in science. She also believes people take priority over partisan politics. The candidate is running to represent Colorado’s District 5 in the U.S. House of Representatives. But she has a couple of handicaps. One is money. The other is that she’s a Democrat in a deep red district.

The money handicap is big. Between November last year and the end of June this year — the latest figures posted on the Federal Election Commission’s website — Gassen had amassed a mere 11% of what her Republican opponent, Jeff Crank, had.

Republicans won a Twiggy-slim majority in the House last time around, but they didn’t raise more money than their opponents.

Democratic House candidates in 2022 outraised Republicans by $130,000 on average through mid-October that year, and incumbent Democrats outraised their Republican challengers by more than $1 million in several tight races, Open Secrets, an independent nonprofit that tracks money in U.S. politics, reported.

But District 5 is not a tight race. While Democrats have been given a 63.4% chance of winning a majority in the House by Race to the White House, which came closest of any organization to accurately predicting the 2022 result, pollsters and modelers give Gassen around a 5% chance at best of winning District 5.

“At this stage in the process, closing the money gap can be really difficult,” said Phil Chen, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Denver.

“But if the race appears to be more competitive at some point, that money gap can close very quickly,” he said. “It’s a little bit chicken

or the egg: Just closing the gap in fundraising won’t necessarily change the dynamics of the race. But if the dynamics of the race change, that gap can close very quickly.”

Besides the size of their war chests, a difference between Gassen and Crank is where their campaign funds come from.

Most contributions to Gassen that were listed on the FEC website at the end of June were from individuals, while donations to Crank were evenly split between WinRed and political action committees, and individuals. Crank had more than $609,000 in donations, and Gassen had $66,000 and change.

WinRed is the leading fundraising technology used by the Republican Party to collect funds for candidates. The Democratic Party equivalent is ActBlue.

Political action committees, or PACs, raise and spend money to elect and defeat candidates.

Most PACs represent business, labor or ideological interests. Among those that have given to Crank are the Lockheed Martin Employees PAC and the Western Energy Alliance PAC, which “supports candidates for federal office who value environmentally responsible exploration and production of oil and natural gas in the West.” He’s also received donations from the D.C.-based Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers, whose focus is on promoting members’ business growth, and Safari Club International’s (SCI) PAC, which describes itself as “the leader in defending the freedom to hunt and promoting wildlife conservation worldwide.” A 2016 National Geographic article called SCI “the world’s largest trophy hunting organization.”

PACs and corporations are not “taking a candidate and saying,

River Gassen | Credit: Karin Zeitvogel

‘Hey. Here’s the money. Now vote the way we want you to,’” DU’s Chen said.“The evidence suggests that corporations and political action committees give money to those who share their worldview, people who are already supportive of their issues.”

With the exception of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, all donations to Gassen’s campaign as of the end of June were from individuals. She received more donations than Crank but in smaller amounts.

WHAT RIVER WANTS

Among the issues that Gassen supports are the promotion of “small businesses, more innovation, more entrepreneurship, safer communities,” her political adviser Howard Chou said as the candidate spoke with constituents at a small fundraiser at the Satellite Hotel.

She wants to make living in Colorado Springs affordable, take a scientific, non-denialist approach to climate change, control immigration in a compassionate way, and ultimately make Colorado Springs a shining city next to a hill that’s “bigger than Denver” in terms of economic output and livability, Chou said.

SPACE FORCE

A big part of that would be keeping Space Force in Colorado Springs — although anyone who wants to win or hold onto political office in Colorado Springs has said the same in recent years.

“Hundreds of thousands of jobs are here because of Space Force,” Gassen said. “We’ve got to keep it here,” even if Donald Trump is elected president and wants to try to send it to Alabama again.

THE ECONOMY

Asked about something at the forefront of many people’s minds — money — she said, “Everything’s too expensive, young people cannot afford a home. We can’t afford to start families, child care is too expensive.

“Most of our paychecks are going towards rent, toward paying down student loan debts,” something she is grappling with herself, she said.

“We’re all drowning. It feels like we’re not able to look towards the future.”

To fix that, Gassen would work to create an economy that will benefit working people, “people who are trying to start their own businesses, trying to raise their kids and not benefit the ultrawealthy.”

Asked for specifics on how she would achieve that, she said one step would be to introduce a single-payer health care system to stop health care expenses from taking such a huge chunk out of workers’ paychecks.

“It’ll save us money, it’ll reduce our deficit, it’ll give individual people more money to be able to spend back into the economy,” she said.

When a pandemic-era boost to Affordable Care Act marketplace subsidies expires at the end of 2025, Americans are likely to see premium spikes, and 4 million people could lose coverage, the Commonwealth Fund, which promotes an equitable health care system with better access, quality and efficiency, says on its website. If elected, Gassen would vote to extend the subsidies, which would help millions of vulnerable Americans.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Gassen’s parents lost the family home during the Great Recession in the early 2000s, through no fault of their own. She was a preteen then — she’s 27 now — and she empathizes with those who feel overwhelmed by high housing prices and other accommodation problems.

Her team has a plan to make housing more affordable and reduce homelessness. The rough plan is to work with developers and city, county and federal officials to write grants, buy and develop property and make it available for rent or purchase, Chou said. Under the plan, developers “will still make money, but we would set rental prices … at no more than 33% of a person’s take-home income,” he said.

People who are locked out of today’s property market would get “entryways into homeownership” as the plan would make affordable homes available for purchase and provide monetary assistance to buy them.

If the value of the homes goes up and owners sell, the “assistance that we gave them at the outset would come back to the government, and we can use that to assist another family,” Chou said.

“It’s like a revolving door that allows others in who are looking for entry into homeownership,” he said.

THE BORDER

The massive influx of migrants at the southern border needs to be addressed pragmatically and empathetically, Gassen said.

River Gassen speaking with voters | Credit: Karin Zeitvogel

“We need more border security agents because they’re overwhelmed,” she said. “But we also need more asylum judges and case workers, because people are going to continue to cross our border. We can’t just close it.”

“Quite frankly, our country is going to shut down if we don’t become American again, if we don’t become the nation that welcomes immigration, that welcomes a strong workforce, and people who want to come here to make their lives better,” she said, noting that she is descended — as most Americans are — from immigrants.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Developing an economy that prioritizes jobs in renewable energy and cutting emissions and the use of fossil fuels would be in Gassen’s recipe book for addressing climate change.

“We cannot be dependent on fossil fuels,” she said. “It’s harmful for our environment and harmful for our economy, too.”

She wants to transition rapidly to wind, solar, geothermal and other clean energy technologies to ensure U.S. energy independence while addressing the threat of climate change.

She opposes the influence big oil has over lawmakers, Gassen said.

She spoke to The Independent a day after Rep. Lauren Boebert, who represents District 3 but is running in District 4, said in an interview on Colorado Public Radio that climate change is a partisan issue.

The host of the show shut Boebert down. So did Gassen.

“Climate change is real,” she said. “We have to accept that.”

Mayor Yemi Mobolade is inviting residents who are interested in being civic leaders to apply for The Mayor’s Civic Leaders Fellowship, a chance to learn firsthand how city government operates. “We are looking for exceptional emerging leaders who are passionate about Colorado Springs and committed to making a difference in our city. This prestigious program connects civic-minded leaders to local decision-makers, while providing professional development opportunities for the betterment of our city,” Mobolade said. The application period is open until Oct. 30.

The Colorado Springs City Clerk’s Office released the initial redistricting plan for Colorado Springs City Council districts. The new boundaries were developed following seven public meetings in September. The new districts, if approved by City Council, will be in effect for the next four years. “The release of the preliminary City Council redistricting plan reflects our commitment to transparency and community engagement throughout this process,” said City Clerk Sarah Johnson. “We encourage residents to review the plan, provide feedback or attend the public meeting to learn more.”

The city of Colorado Springs was awarded a $300,000 grant for the reclamation and revegetation of the Black Canyon Quarry, also known as the Snyder Quarry, west of Garden of the Gods Park. The funds are from the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) through its Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund. “This funding will assist us with reclaiming the land and enhancing the ecological health of our community,” said Britt Haley, director of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services. “We are committed to sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and our residents, and we are grateful to DOLA for their support.”

Compiled by Andrew Rogers andrew.rogers@ppmc.live

.

IPOT POSITION

Council member explains where she stands

by KARIN ZEITVOGEL • karin.zeitvogel@ppmc.live

t wasn’t a strong dislike of marijuana that led Council member Lynette Crow-Iverson to push to extend the minimum distance between recreational cannabis stores and places in Colorado Springs that are frequented by kids or people recovering from addiction.

It was the impact high-potency pot has on kids’ brains, she said.

“In the ’70s, marijuana’s potency was like 10% — you pass that thing around the room,” and one of the biggest effects it had was the munchies, she said.

“Today, they’re genetically modifying the plant” to significantly increase levels of THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol,

the main psychoactive compound in marijuana, she said.

“If the state would regulate it ... so that they couldn’t modify those plants to be high THC, I wouldn’t have a problem with it. But until the state does that, I’m going to protect the city the best way I can,” Crow-Iverson said.

The average THC content of marijuana plants was just over 19% in 2020, slightly up from the previous year, a report by the Colorado Department of Revenue’s Marijuana Enforcement Division shows.

The potency of concentrate products was 68% on average while vaporizer cartridges increased sharply from 69%

THC in 2019 to nearly 80% in 2020, the most recent year for which the MED published potency data on its website. The THC content of edibles rose 34% from 540 milligrams to 737 milligrams, the report says.

Dr. Bryon Adinoff, president of Doctors for Drug Policy Reform, argued in a letter sent to City Council before the Sept. 24 meeting where councilors extended the exclusion zone around stores selling rec, that marijuana is not a gateway drug. He also said it has not been shown to cause long-term changes in the brain that are associated with altered behaviors, and that while “cannabis has been associated with various mental health disorders —

particularly psychosis — it remains highly uncertain whether cannabis is the cause of these disorders.”

But Dr. Libby Stuyt, a board-certified addiction psychiatrist who worked for years as medical director for the 90-day inpatient Circle Program, which provided treatment for people with co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse who had failed other treatments, disagreed.

High-potency marijuana “is the worst drug we have,” said Stuyt, who’s treated people with addiction disorder since 1990.

“Early on, marijuana was never a big issue, but now? It’s the number one issue,” she said in a phone interview, pointing the finger at the same culprit as

Lynette Crow-Iverson sitting on City Council | Credit: Karin Zeitvogel

Crow-Iverson did — high-potency THC.

“It’s devastating people. It can cause psychosis, and cannabis-induced psychosis has the highest conversion rate to schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, which are chronic illnesses. And the younger you start using, the more chance you have of developing a psychotic reaction,” she said.

One of Stuyt’s specialties when she was practicing was adolescents and marijuana. Another was the developing brain.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment data on violent death show “that once we opened the doors for recreational marijuana in Colorado, the teen suicide rates skyrocketed,” she said.

“The number one drug present in toxicology of teens who died by suicide is marijuana. ... You may not be able to overdose on marijuana like you can on opiates. However, it has killed people for certain and there’s a lot of harms related to it, especially with the higher potency.”

Council member Dave Donelson asked for the council to delay the vote about the setback extension until after the Nov. 5 elections, when a citizen’s initiative calling for recreational marijuana to be sold only in dispensaries at least 1,000 feet away from places frequented by children will be on ballot papers.

“As a former physician’s assistant, I do think that for children, for young brains, high-potency THC is a problem,” Donelson said at the council meeting. “But I just think council doesn’t need to do this yet. Let the citizens vote and see how that goes.”

Crow-Iverson refused to delay the vote, and the ordinance passed, 7-2. The exclusion zone, which was extended from 1,000 feet to one mile, would effectively block sales of recreational marijuana in Colorado Springs. A new council — and there will be one in April — can overturn the decision, the city lawyer said at the council meeting.

NOT ANTI-BUSINESS

Crow-Iverson insisted that she’s “strictly trying to protect the children” with the marijuana regulations. She’s “not trying to ban businesses,” she said. Then, she flipped the blame for making sales of rec in Colorado Springs nearly impossible onto dispensary owners.

“They’re the ones that put this on the ballot, and they’re saying only medical marijuana shops can sell rec. Well, that’s not a free market or capitalism. That’s a

monopoly, and I don’t support that.”

To illustrate her position, she hypothesized about what the public’s reaction would be if only five clothing stores were allowed to sell apparel. Would people be OK with that? Probably not. So, why should they be OK with only being able to buy marijuana products from dispensaries?

It was a bit of an apples and oranges comparison, not least because clothing is generally not considered to pose a danger to anyone while marijuana is.

The point of only allowing rec sales from dispensaries is to prevent someone who shouldn’t have access to it from getting their hands on it, said Luther Bonow, the director of the Altitude Organic chain of dispensaries.

“I can go into a liquor store, take something off the shelf and walk out the front door,” he told The Independent at the Sept. 24 council meeting.

“There’s no stealing anything in a marijuana dispensary because of the security doors and check-in.

“But these people,” he said, referring to the council, “sip their wine and do not care.”

ON THE BALLOT

Crow-Iverson said she governs on behalf of the majority of the people and makes decisions based on the majority opinion in the council.

The citizen’s initiative, which would allow recreational marijuana, will appear on the ballot as Question 300. CrowIverson believes it won’t pass.

“But we’re doing it the right way. We’re letting the people decide,” she said. In addition to Question 300, ballot question 2D, which calls for a total, 10year ban on recreational weed sales in Colorado Springs, will be on ballots.

Crow-Iverson will accept the outcome of the vote, “whichever way it goes,” she said.

But even if Question 300 passes, it would be very difficult to buy recreational marijuana in Colorado Springs because the citizens’ initiative said rec would only be sold by existing dispensaries. Few, if any, are at least a mile away from places frequented by kids or people in rehab.

Again, Crow-Iverson deflected responsibility for a possible rec ban in Colorado Springs onto dispensary owners.

“They’re the ones that said it could only be an existing medical dispensary” that sells rec, she said.

CAUSE OF DEATH OF AIR FORCE ACADEMY CADET REVEALED

by KARIN ZEITVOGEL • karin.zeitvogel@ppmc.live

Avery Koonce, the 19-year-old U.S. Air Force Academy cadet who was found unresponsive in her room early last month, died of a rare form of sepsis that occurred as her body tried to fight off an upper respiratory tract infection, an autopsy report from the El Paso County coroner’s office shows.

“It’s likely that the bacterial infection was secondary to the parainfluenza infection … that resulted in … symptoms of severe cough and upper airway inflammation and edema,” said the report, which The Independent received Sept. 30.

Koonce had been suffering from a cough that had “severely worsened” in the days before her death, the report said.

She was found to have pulmonary edema, or an abnormal fluid build-up, and the bacterium Paeniclostridium sordellii in her left lung. The bacterium was also identified in Koonce’s blood.

Paeniclostridium sordellii is a relatively rare but potentially fatal bacterium “that can cause serious disease or death in various clinical settings including airway infection,” said the autopsy report, signed by County Coroner Dr. Leon Kelly.

Sepsis is a condition in which the body’s infection-fighting processes turn on the body, causing the organs to work poorly.

Paeniclostridium sordellii “has been associated with a toxic shock-like syndrome that can rapidly progress to death,” the coroner’s report said. No drugs or evidence of alcohol consumption were found in her system, it added.

‘FOREVER AN ALL STAR’

Described in her obituary as “a fierce and fiery competitor,” Koonce was in her first year at USAFA. She was a member of the track team and Cadet Squadron 38, also known as the Almighty All Stars.

Koonce was wearing a white T-shirt, blue shorts and white socks when she was found in her dorm room, consistent with what USAFA cadets wear for physical training. It was not immediately clear if cadets had a regularly scheduled fitness assessment the day she died.

She was found unconscious in her dormitory Sept. 4 and could not be revived by paramedics, USAFA officials said at the time.

A taps vigil to honor her memory was held the following week, before she was flown home to Texas for a memorial service and funeral, which around 100 of her squadron mates, USAFA track team members and other cadets attended.

In a tribute posted on Facebook, her fellow All Stars remembered her “bright smile, beautiful personality, inspiring determination and generous heart.”

“We mourn and grieve this loss together, and will cherish the beautiful memories she’s left behind. Avery will forever be an All Star.”

Cadet 4th Class Avery Koonce | Courtesy: U.S. Air Force Academy

THE SECRET ORIGINS OF HOUSE DISTRICT 5 THE SECRET ORIGINS OF HOUSE DISTRICT 5

How free land for churches, millions in gold, a decades-long battle over union labor, 100,000 army troops and a libertarian summer camp made Colorado Springs the strangest Republican congressional district in the United States.

By NOEL BLACK • noel.black@ppmc.live

Editor’s note: This is the first installment of a two-part series on the ideological and economic origins of Colorado Springs. The second part will appear in the Oct. 31 issue.

On the morning of March 24, 1973, just a few months after Republican William L. Armstrong became the first person to represent Colorado’s newly created Congressional House District 5, a wrecking ball swung through the walls of The Burns Theatre on Pikes Peak Avenue between Tejon Street and Cascade Avenue in downtown Colorado Springs. A shaft of light pierced the newly opened roof and hung in the dust, illuminating the details in the art deco capitals of two large columns that flanked the proscenium, which was now just a pile of rubble. Photographer Myron Wood captured the drama of the moment from the empty balcony above as though he were watching a tragic opera in which the theater itself lay dead at the end of the third act. Built by Cripple Creek gold baron Jimmie Burns and opened with a “flawless and splendid” performance by the Russian Symphony Orchestra on May 8, 1912, the theater was, apart from the neon “Chief” sign that had been tacked onto the white neo-Renaissance facade when it later became a movie house, just as majestic when it was torn down as it had been 61 years earlier. It was one of dozens of historic buildings razed at the time in a national wave of what was called “urban renewal” — getting rid of the old (and the history that went with it) to make way for the new. The destruction of the original Penn Station in New York City under planner Robert Moses’ watch a

decade earlier is probably the most notorious example of this brand of ham-fisted urban erasure at the time, which is only to say that it wasn’t unique to Colorado Springs. But along with the second Antlers Hotel (the first burned down) — another spectacular neoRenaissance structure with two spires on top like horns that framed Pikes Peak behind it — The Burns Theatre was a historic and architectural treasure that only a handful of budding preservations standing on the opposite side of the street recognized when the wrecking ball hit.

And in its wake? The true “promise” of urban renewal à la 1973: a parking lot. In fact, it’s still there today — an unmarked monument to the absence of The Burns. Its demolition was the literal and symbolic end of the public legacy of the man, who, along with Winfield Scott Stratton, was one of two mine owners who not only sympathized with but supported the labor unions1 that existed and thrived in Cripple Creek at the turn of the 20th century.

In many ways, the House District 5 congressional seat is that parking lot. Since 1972, only four men — all of them more or less quiet Republicans with staunch support for the military and little interest in making waves on the Potomac — have occupied it: William L. Armstrong, Ken Kramer, Joel Hefley and, most recently, Doug Lamborn. Come November, barring a major election miracle, Jeff Crank will become the latest Republican to park there. And so long as he votes as his predecessors did — i.e., (a)

Last Day of the Burns Theatre Faćade, 1973. | Credit: Myron Wood. Copyright Pikes Peak Library District. 002-1174

mostly along party lines; (b) in line with his constituents’ Christian values2 ; and (c) to protect the Colorado Springs militaryindustrial complex with tooth and nail — he’ll likely be able to stay for as long as he likes.

Though Crank’s election now seems all but inevitable, the history of the seat he’ll occupy, and its peculiar fusion of big government/military economic realities, anti-government libertarian economic ideals, and evangelical Christian values, was anything but.

House District 5 wasn’t paved overnight. Some of the more prominent players and their mythical bronze likenesses may seem familiar to you if you’ve ever driven through downtown Colorado Springs: town founder Gen. Palmer assessing his real-estate holdings atop his trusty steed Diablo in the middle of Nevada and Platte avenues; Cripple Creek’s first millionaire, Winfield Scott Stratton, drunk and miserable in his Sunday best in the median at Pikes Peak and Nevada; the jaunty Spencer Penrose, builder of the Broadmoor and founder of the El Pomar Foundation, standing right across the street from where the Burns once stood, glaring up at Cripple Creek with his glass eye and his back to Stratton on the opposite end of the median at Tejon Street. There are other, less familiar characters — Jimmie Burns, the tens of thousands of union members who lived and worked in Cripple Creek at the turn of the 20th century, the crusty newspaperman R.C. Hoiles and his dodgy libertarian sidekick, Robert LeFevre. But all of them played key roles in creating the strange, often baffling ideological and political parking lot that is House District 5.

COLONY CLASS

Colorado Springs was already plenty conservative in 1890 when Bob Womack became the first to strike gold in Cripple Creek.

Founded in 1871 by General William Jackson Palmer and his business partner,

the doctor and Western photographer William Abraham Bell, Fountain Colony (as Colorado Springs was called at first) was essentially a real estate scheme cooked up to raise money for the railroad they were building from Denver to Mexico. The Denver Pacific had already connected Denver to the transcontinental railway, which ran through Cheyenne, Wyoming, in the north, and the race was on to build south. (Palmer and Bell ultimately lost the race to the Atchison, Topka and Santa Fe Railroad).

James “Jimmie” Burns, ca. 1900. | Courtesy: Pikes Peak Library District. 001-8673

Starting colonies along the rail lines you were building had a double benefit: You could buy the land from the government for next to nothing, and then sell if for a profit while creating a market for the town’s passenger and freight needs at the same time. As UCCS professor John Harner, author of “Profiting from the Peak,” notes in his book: “Because of the expense to build railroads in the remote West of the nineteenth century, profits depended on the ability to generate new markets in sparsely populated areas.” Or, in Palmer’s own words, “These lines of railway were rarely built to accommodate existing population or traffic. They were built ahead of both in order to colonize the country. Their construction was necessary to make it habitable” — a frank reminder about why we all live here a century and a half later.3 All Palmer and Bell had to do was lay it out, market it and sell the lots. Nearby Colorado City (now

1 There were, according to historian Elizabeth Jameson, author of “All That Glitters: Class, Conflict, and Community in Cripple Creek” more than 50 labor unions in Cripple Creek between 1891 and 1904 representing almost every industry, from laundry to bartenders. The most prominent where the mines were concerned was the Western Federation of Miners.

2 Ken Kramer, who served four terms from 1979 to 1987, was Jewish and retired in 1986 before Focus on the Family moved to Colorado Springs several years later, which drew hundreds of other evangelical nonprofits and churches.

3 Many towns along the Front Range were created in the early 1870s as stops for the Denver & Rio Grande Railway.

Old Colorado City) already had plenty of brothels and saloons to serve the small community of coal miners and traders who’d arrived during the first “Pikes Peak”4 gold rush in 1859. So they set up shop on the far side of Fountain Creek from Colorado City. To make it seem even more respectable to those with the most money, Palmer and Bell dubbed it “a city of churches,” and offered free land to any Christian congregation that would build a house of worship.5 The genteel “Little London”6 would cater to an upscale market keen on the spectacular views of Pikes Peak without the messy Westiness (“the Indian problem”) already enshrined in dime novel myth by the likes of Kit Carson, Wild Bill Hickok, et. al., Colorado Springs was designed to be effete-on-arrival, no cowboy hats necessary. And it all went according to plan until Bob Womack found gold in Cripple Creek.7

‘EXCREMENT

OF THE GODS’

Winfield Scott Stratton was a carpenter by trade. A loner at heart, he liked to wander off into the mountains by himself each summer to sniff around for gold. Like Daniel Plainview, the fictional misanthrope and single-minded oilman from Paul Thomas Anderson’s “There Will Be Blood,” he had a competition in him.

Stratton made straight for Cripple Creek

as soon as he heard word of Womack’s gold. He staked two of the last available claims at the foot of Battle Mountain on July 4, 1891, and named them The Washington and The Independence. He’d taken mineralogy and metallurgy classes at Colorado College, and his pick had hardly sparked against the pink Pikes Peak granite when he began to see signs of the vomitous rainbow of colors in breccia and phonolite — ugly rocks that tend to contain or point to gold tellurides. According to Colorado historian Tom Noel, the Ute regarded gold as “excrement of the gods, a curse that would drive them from their mountain home.” The ore certainly looked like it, and the curse, for the Ute, proved true. Stratton knew that the instant word got out everyone in the district would sue him, even if they didn’t have a legitimate claim. Apex law was frequently used to challenge the deeply inexact science of determining the exact location of where a vein of gold surfaced, or reached its “apex.” Challenging any gold strike was a common form of legal extortion in mining camps that meant only those with the deepest pockets could survive. So Stratton started to carry ore out on his back at night and had it milled in town. He managed to keep it quiet long enough to save up a $60,000 war chest. He also knew that the legal challenge most likely to succeed would come from the promising claim next to his: The Portland. Great fortunes, when they aren’t built on the backs of slaves and/or the shoulders of other great fortunes, are often built with more wit and luck than sweat. And Stratton’s neighbors at The Portland, Jimmie Burns and Jimmie Doyle, aka “The Jimmies,” just so happened to be a couple of working class greenhorns who’d already run out of money. Stratton, being a mostly decent misanthrope, could’ve bought their claim for a spit. But instead, he recognized them as kindred spirits and offered them a partnership in exchange for the capital to fend off the

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4 The first Pikes Peak gold rush was a misnomer. It was actually centered around Denver, Boulder and in the mountains around Breckenridge, Fairplay, Alma and South Park.

5 With approximately 400 churches, and an additional 600 religious nonprofits that call Colorado Springs home, Palmer and Bell’s legacy is alive and well.

6 Some sources say the nickname came from the number of British miners in the area at the time, while others say Palmer and Bell marketed Colorado Springs to the British upper class as a tourist destination, which drew many to vacation and buy homes here. In either case, it ultimately carried a connotation of cultural status.

7 Allegedly named for the rocky creek known to break the legs of the livestock that crossed it. Before the discovery of gold in 1890, Cripple Creek was primarily known as good summer pasture for grazing.

GOOD GRIEF

In new documentary, Dr. Cristi Bundukamara turns overwhelming tragedy into a life of healing

by CANNON TAYLOR • cannon.taylor@ppmc.live

During a birthday trip to Belize, Dr. Cristi Bundukamara spotted something swimming near the shore. Gasping, she got up from her beach chair and ran toward the water. Sailors have been known to mistake these mammals for mermaids, but it wasn’t a sea maiden — it was a manatee. In that moment, Bundukamara felt like Miah was playing a trick on her. She could almost hear her daughter’s voice chiding, “I told you they were real.”

Miah Bundukamara died in her sleep at age 21 due to a genetic neurodegenerative condition called DRPLA (dentatorubal-pallidoluysian atrophy). DRPLA affects cognitive ability and motor skills, sometimes causing seizures, emotional problems and involuntary movements. DRPLA is incredibly rare, and symptoms can begin anywhere from infancy to late adulthood. DRPLA treatment focuses on managing symptoms through various forms of therapy and medication. There is no cure, and life expectancy tends to be eight to 16 years from the onset of symptoms, according to the National Institutes of Health. DRPLA had brought the Bundukamaras from Florida to Colorado Springs some years earlier as cannabis refugees seeking medicinal treatment for their son, Reggie. By 2021, Miah’s death was not the only one Cristi Bundukamara had endured or would endure. Reggie had succumbed to DRPLA in 2016 at 17 years old, and her 13-year-old son Johnny had drowned during a family trip 11 years prior. Earlier this year, DRPLA took her

husband, Francis “Bundy” Bundukamara, at 55 years old.

After the deaths of Johnny and Reggie, Cristi Bundukamara considered herself a grief expert. Using her background as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, she opened Mentally STRONG in 2019, where her staff offers specialized mental health services to more than 100 clients a day. The clinic’s name comes from a cognitive restructuring technique coined by Bundukamara that allows patients to think through their problems, organize them and make choices in line with what they want.

Bundukamara thought she knew how to deal with grief in her life, but after Miah’s unexpected death, she was at a total loss. All her usual coping strategies weren’t working for her anymore. She felt that, to process her grief, she needed to document it. So she started a grief diary — 45 days of her grieving process, ranging from seven days to seven months following Miah’s death, all recorded on video.

Bundukamara’s grief journey has now been captured in the documentary “I’m Right Here, Mama,” directed and edited by Mari Moxley, local filmmaker and social worker. During her 45 days of grief, Bundukamara tried a variety of different healing modalities: cupping therapy, dolphin-assisted therapy, psychic mediums and more. Really, she was grasping at straws, searching for anything on the fringes of mainstream medicine and mental health that might help her find peace.

Dr. Cristi Bundukamara |Credit: Ben Trollinger

ARTS&CULTURE .

It was not just an emotional journey for Bundukamara, but a spiritual one as well. Coming from a Christian background, she grappled with her complicated feelings about God and the afterlife and faced judgment from her peers for exploring alternative spirituality.

“There’s not a right answer, but everybody needs to feel comfortable on their journey, whatever that is,” Bundukamara said.

Bundukamara’s documentary is not a simple sob story (though you’ll certainly tear up a few times while watching it); watching the film can be a grief practice in itself.

“We watched it with 300 people at our initial screening, and there were so many people that were having an evocative experience with each other,” Moxley said. “There’s something really powerful about that, especially in a culture that runs away from grief.”

I watched the film alone. An antsy discomfort wriggled around in my gut for the whole 82 minutes. After the film, I was strangely fragile. The sun felt brighter and warmer than usual when I stepped outside. I felt surprising gratefulness and optimism. In watching Bundukamara’s intense grieving, I had stared down the face of death and, in part, prepared myself a little more for its presence in my life.

Grief is a fascinating creature because it touches us all. Over the course of our lives, we all grieve and cause grief when we die. Grief is just a symptom of loving and being loved. To escape grief entirely, you would have to live as a hermit in a cave for your entire existence, hated or unknown, with no personal attachments. But despite the omnipresence of death, it’s an anxiety-inducing subject we avoid. We hide the concept of death from our

children. We don’t prepare ourselves for loved ones to die unexpectedly because the idea unsettles us. And we often have no idea how to support people in grief out of a fear of saying or doing the wrong thing.

“Culturally, we don’t get the support in grief, but internally, we don’t really have a good relationship with ourselves. We don’t even know who we are. We don’t know what fills our cup. We’re just kind of going through the motions until something big happens, and then we can’t go through the motions anymore, and then we have mental health symptoms arise,” Bundukamara said. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, but that’s if you’re actively trying to work through that pain. We also live in a culture that doesn’t want to feel pain. … But to grow, you have to feel the pain, and I think a lot of people are not doing that process because we don’t talk about how to do that process.”

Moxley added that our culture’s hyperproductivity is itself a symptom of death anxiety. Our motors are always running because our time on Earth is limited. “We grieve that we’re finite. We grieve that we don’t have enough time to do everything that we want in our lives,” she explained. “It’s just wild to me we don’t talk about it, but it’s hurting us in our everyday.”

Perhaps the solution can be found in the destigmatization of death — healthily discussing it with loved ones in advance, considering our own personal beliefs and showing up consistently and uncritically for our fellow humans when they go through a grieving process, whatever that may look like. “I’m Right Here, Mama” is just one effort to bring death to the forefront of our minds instead of allowing us to mentally sidestep it. For Moxley, directing the film has

Reggie and Cristi Bundukamara |Courtesy: Mari Moxley

allowed her to feel more present and joyful in the little moments — her morning coffee, the antics of her goofy dog, latenight conversations with her wife.

“I went through thousands of photos and home videos, and I felt like I got to know those kids without ever having met them. And I think, as opposed to just feeling sad coming out of this, it put me in touch with how life changes so rapidly, and how I just need to accept that,” she said. “We are always going to be suffering until we accept that life is always impermanent and changing.”

“I’m Right Here, Mama” will be premiering at Pikes Peak docuFEST on Friday, Oct. 18. More information on Bundukamara’s work can be found at mentallystrong.com. Bundukamara’s multitude of videos on grief can be found on her YouTube channel, Mentally STRONG by Dr. B. ... CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

Dr. Cristi Bundukamara |Credit: Ben Trollinger

MIPSTERZ, The Mirage (detail), 2022. Courtesy the artist.

FILM FEST FACE-OFF

Overlapping festivals double down on documentaries

by CANNON TAYLOR cannon.taylor@ppmc.live

Two film festivals taking place on the same weekend can be a cinephile’s wildest dream or greatest nightmare, depending on how you see things. Film fans will face that crossroads on the weekend of Oct. 18-20, when Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival and Pikes Peak docuFEST will be taking place at the same time.

On the surface, the difference between the film festivals seems obvious: Go to docuFEST if you’re interested in documentaries, go to Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival if you want more genre variety. But the truth is that both of these festivals have huge documentary lineups. Of Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival’s 42 films, a whopping 36 of them are documentaries.

As Jake Dagel, director of docuFEST, puts it, documentaries help us build empathy. “If people come to this festival, they’re going to experience all the emotions and perspectives they hadn’t otherwise thought about,” he said. “People are trained to feel disconnected from the world, and this is a way to feel connected again.”

The documentaries of Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival cover subjects ranging from the story of the liberal public defender who represented the rightwing rioters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 (“Public Defender”) to the current struggles of Palestinian people under Israeli occupation (“Where Olive Trees Weep”).

Pikes Peak docuFEST’s documentaries include the stories of Richard Fierro, the Army veteran credited with stopping the Club Q shooter (“Fierro”), and teen filmmaker Kareem Hooper, who explores male identity in a world of hypermasculinity (“Pedicures are for Boys”). Some of the documentaries have more playful subjects, from a Twitch streamer who finds an outlet in jigsaw puzzles

(“Livestreams With GrandmaPuzzles,” Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival) to a quirky annual celebration held in Nederland, Colorado, in honor of a man who died in 1989 and was cryogenically frozen by his grandson (“Frozen Dead Guy Days”).

And there’s some variety outside of just documentaries. Pikes Peak docuFEST has a few mockumentaries and music videos on the schedule, and six of Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival’s films are short comedies, dramas and narrative features.

Only two films will be screened at both festivals — “I Choose You,” a film by Dulcinea Harrison that traces her origins and raises questions about adoption, and “147,” the story of Stephanie Houser, who ran 147 miles in 48 hours in commemoration of the 147 days her son Zev spent in the neonatal intensive care unit after being born prematurely.

Houser’s story is ultimately one of

relentless determination; in the NICU and on her 147-mile run, she focuses on what’s waiting for her on the other side of the struggle instead of simply giving up.

“Doing this film has changed the way I look at doing hard things,” said filmmaker Maggie Hartmans, who will be attending both festivals.

Despite some similarities shared by the festivals, these are two very different beasts. Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival has been going for 37 years, beginning with a discussion between two friends on the way home from the Telluride Film Festival.

"IF PEOPLE COME TO THIS FESTIVAL, THEY’RE GOING TO EXPERIENCE ALL THE EMOTIONS AND PERSPECTIVES THEY HADN’T OTHERWISE THOUGHT ABOUT."

Wanting to bring film culture to Colorado Springs and tell stories through the lens of female filmmakers, this duo, Jere Martin and Donna Guthrie, gathered some money and soon held their first festival. They’ve been running strong ever since.

“Women are involved in so many facets of daily life, and their perspective on how they experience it is a powerful story,” said

Nicole Nicoletta, executive director.

“Even if you’re not a woman, there are elements to the story that’s being told onscreen that are relatable.”

While Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival is backed by decades of history, Pikes Peak docuFEST is still establishing itself in its second year.

The differences don’t stop there. While most of the films shown at Pikes Peak docuFEST are by Colorado filmmakers, Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival has a more global than local focus.

As far as logistics go, Pikes Peak docuFEST will be taking place Oct. 18-19 at COS City Hub.

Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival will be taking place Oct. 18-20 at Colorado College. There will also be a virtual encore Oct. 24-27, allowing those who couldn’t make the festival to watch some of the films at home.

A full festival pass to Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival costs $185. Other options include day passes ($45-55), individual block tickets ($15), Flex Five ($70; choose any five film blocks to attend) and After Dark ($20; choose between two film screenings on Saturday night). Military and their family members quality for free Sunday passes, with other discounts available. Tickets can be purchased the day of the festival at the venue.

Pikes Peak docuFEST offers a VIP pass for $100, or a Friday pass for $30 and Saturday pass for $40.

Both festivals will feature filmmaker forums and Q&As and food and drink options. Pikes Peak docuFEST is going all-out with live music, local art vendors and even aerial, comedy and storytelling performances.

If you’re still torn on which festival to attend, why not both? I’m sure you can catch all the films you want to see if you schedule things out well enough. So go to the festivals’ websites, check out the programs and get planning!

ARTS&CULTURE .

DEATH RACE

Mby CANNON TAYLOR • cannon.taylor@ppmc.live

anitou Springs resident Emma Crawford would probably be flabbergasted if you told her that, 133 years following her death by tuberculosis, hundreds would gather in the streets to dress up in costume and race decorated coffins like go-karts. The idea of coffins zooming through the town at high speeds comes from Emma herself, who was buried at the top of Red Mountain in 1891 and whose coffin (and corpse) came flying down the mountain in 1929 thanks to the erosive effects of high-elevation weather. In 1995, the townspeople decided to turn the macabre story into entertainment, and the coffin races have been an annual Halloween tradition ever since. This year’s coffin races take place on Saturday, Oct. 26, and the teams of racers are gearing up for some high-speed shenanigans. Let’s meet a few of the contestants.

Arnone

big race.

Credit: Cannon Taylor

Aviv’s coffin-racing team

Credit: Cannon Taylor Pikes Peak Pride’s coffin-racing team

Credit: Cannon Taylor

Crooks

TURBO TOILETS

Lee Aviv’s coffin-racing team has certainly had some unique ideas over the years. In 2022, they raced a tile-adorned shower, complete with a blood-soaked, showering Aviv as their “Emma” (the racer who sits inside the coffin itself). Last year, they raced a toilet and decided against incorporating blood into that design.

This year, the potty humor is toned down, but tile and remodeling work remains the focus. The latest coffin is a mosaic-tiled, gothic entrance foyer leading up to a set of three stairs. Their Emma will sit in the center wearing a pitch-black ball gown, probably waving to the crowds politely in an imitation of Queen Elizabeth II.

Parodying Aviv’s tile and remodeling business has been the focus since the beginning. “Unlike Emma’s coffin, our work stays put” is the team’s official slogan.

The behemoth of a coffin is, really, shaped nothing like a coffin. It doesn’t have a slick, bulletlike design like a Formula 1 car. It’s bulky, awkward and incredibly heavy — over 500 pounds with a person sitting on it.

“We have a lot of style, but not a lot of speed,” explained Nikki Arnone, the team’s Emma this year.

Apparently, they get last place just about every year but won the Best Coffin award for their shower in 2022. Lee’s wife, Kate Aviv, joked that the shower was nicer than the one in their home.

It’s the team’s hope to win Best Coffin again. Be sure to catch them straggling behind the pack at this year’s races.

UNDERDOG UNICORNS

When it comes to coffin decoration ideas, Pikes Peak Pride’s coffin-racing team is all over the place. Speakers, streamers and sparklers are just a few ideas thrown around by the rookie racers. They considered having their Emma throw glitter from the coffin, but it would probably blow behind them into their competitors’ windpipes in an act of unintentional sabotage and subsequent disqualification.

For Tom Vinson, the big question was, “How do we make it gay?” The team eventually landed on a coffin of clouds with a rainbow sprouting from it. The details are still cloudy, but it sounded like Vinson was taken with the idea of dressing up as unicorns to shove

the coffin around.

These greenhorns are bursting with youthfully ambitious ideas, from bubble machines to unicorn onesies; but most of their ideas are a little out of the scope of what they’ll be able to pull off this year. Their goals as racers are a little more attainable: have fun, make sure no one gets injured and provide visibility and support for the LGBTQ+ community.

“Pikes Peak Pride is about making sure everyone knows they’re accepted and feeling that in everything,” said Justin Burns. “So, whether it’s the coffin races or the Festival of Lights parade or everyday life, if someone sees the rainbow and can identify with us at some level, I think then that would make it worth all of it.”

Teammate Vesper Sauvage added, “They could come up to any one of us if they were having a bad day. That’s one of the reasons why I do it. Give a safe space. Show support. Everyone’s welcome.”

COFFIN CROOKS

Our second team of racing veterans is the Crooks family, sponsored by Affordable Medical Supply.

Coffin-racing has been a family tradition for the Crooks since 2017, when they showed up as a team of deathly doctors and nauseating nurses. They’ve done plenty of spoofs since then — more medical ones, “Grease” and “Talladega Nights” — but this year’s design is a break from tradition.

This time, the Crooks are creating a yellow Toyota Celica out of wood and paint in a tribute to the beloved car of Jeremy Crooks, who passed away unexpectedly earlier this year.

It’ll be a whole team made up of family members and friends, with Jeremy’s daughter as their Emma.

“This year, he’s not going to be with us and he’s not going to be able to help us get it together,” said Wilma Crooks, Jeremy’s mother and team captain. “He always either put lights on it or a horn or something.”

Maybe he would have even thrown in an engine this year to give it the speed of a real Celica.

The Crooks team would love for their team of fiercely competitive runners to come in first place, but it’s about the experience and bonding above all else.

“You’re not really competing,” Wilma Crooks said. “You’re all having fun.”

SPEED

HANDLING

WEIGHT STURDINESS

VICTORIAN ELEGANCE

SPEED HANDLING

WEIGHT (light as a cloud!)

SPEED

HANDLING

WEIGHT

STURDINESS

VICTORIAN ELEGANCE

Lee Aviv’s Foyer Coffin

SPEED

HANDLING

WEIGHT (light as a cloud!)

STURDINESS

CHANCE OF SUNSHINE

SPEED (Celica speed!)

HANDLING

WEIGHT

Pikes Peak Pride’s Cloud Coffin

STURDINESS

SENTIMENTAL VALUE

HANDLING

WEIGHT (light as a cloud!)

STURDINESS

CHANCE OF SUNSHINE

SPEED (Celica speed!)

HANDLING

WEIGHT STURDINESS

SENTIMENTAL VALUE

The Crooks’ Celica Coffin

ARTS&CULTURE .

By LAUREN CIBOROWSKI

Singer-songwriter Jeremy Facknitz is pretty sure he has more in common with a Tupperware salesman in the 1980s than a modern musician. Why? Two words: house concerts. Just like our plastic-peddling pals of yore, Facknitz finds a willing host and has them invite their friends for a pitch — or in this case, many pitches strung together into a well-crafted melody. See what I did there?

I’ve been a fan of Facknitz for many years now, and my husband and I have hosted him with his full band for two concerts in our yard in recent years. There’s nothing quite like having a band in your own backyard, but more on that in a bit.

I caught up with the musician as he was on a long drive to Kansas for a five-daylong Midwestern tour, four of the five gigs being house concerts. He spends roughly six weeks a year on the road. For Facknitz, the house concert model has two main advantages: financial and social. From a money standpoint, there’s no middle man for a house concert. And of course, there’s no comparison between what an artist might garner from a live performance versus the pitiful returns on streaming. As of this writing, the average Spotify payout per stream averages $0.0004 cents, and yet the most-given advice to modern musicians is to try to make it big on a streaming platform. No thank you, says Facknitz. “I still realize the benefit of actual social capital. I know the impact of a handshake, looking someone in the eye, being face to face with another human being.”

I felt that impact quite clearly this last

LID

weekend at an acquaintance’s house concert in a neighborhood near UCCS. Seventy or so people showed up on that warm Sunday afternoon to hear Facknitz, this time playing with occasional duo companion and violinist David Siegel. Friends sat in groups in their own camp chairs, sharing the snacks and wine they had brought for themselves, and a few children, mine included, ran around in the yard to the sounds of the idyllic live soundtrack. And there, up close and personal on the patio “stage,” Facknitz shared the stories behind his music and created an affable and congenial atmosphere.

And how about the music? In his own words, “People see a guy with a guitar and assume I’m a folk musician playing three chords and the truth. But really it’s 12 to 15 chords and poetic cynicism.” A cute quip, but I’d add that Facknitz really has the true gift of storytelling in his songs — I often find myself transported.

David Siegel, who has been working with Facknitz for over 10 years now, spoke glowingly of both the artist and the house concert model. “This is just chamber music in the 21st century; it’s a joyful way to make music,” said Siegel. He enjoys the intimacy of playing in someone’s yard or living room versus, say, a dark club where people have their backs to you as they order drinks. “The profound joy comes from performing and engaging with an audience and seeing how what you’re saying musically hits [them],” he enthused.

As for Facknitz, it was fun to learn that he may be as anti-screen as I am. At my goading, he treated me to a five-minute rant about his personal mission to lead audiences, pied piper-style, away from their Netflix and soft pants and into a social environment where they can listen, laugh, cry and sing along. “I get paid to bring that healing to people,” opined Facknitz. “If there’s a ministry behind what I’m doing, it’s that.”

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.

APPETIZERS

MacKenzie’s Chop House

PAID

TO PLACE YOUR ENTRY CALL 719-280-2086

128 S Tejon St. (Historic Alamo Building) • 719-635-3536

Voted Best Power Lunch, Steakhouse, and Martini! Downtown’s choice for quality meats and mixed drinks. Open Monday-Friday 11:30am3:00pm for lunch and 5pm every day for dinner. 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, Leinenkugel’s, fried cheese curds, , walleye fish fry, cocktails, burgers, and more. 11am-2am daily. Happy Hour 3-6pm. GO PACK GO! TonysDowntownBar.com

Edelweiss

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 EdelweissRest.com

José Muldoons

222 N Tejon St. • 719-636-2311

Celebrating 50 years! Authentic Tex-Mex & Mexican fare in a contemporary Santa Fe-styled establishment. Across from Acacia Park Downtown. Award-winning queso, chili rellenos, and mean green chili. JoseMuldoons.com

South Park Brewing 2028 Sheldon Ave. • 719-836-1932

Craft brewing at 6050’! Best Smashburger in Colorado Springs. Brewpub and Distillery Tasting Room. Family-owned, award-winning beer. Butter burgers, chicken tenders, and Nashville hot chicken on the menu. Cocktails and wine. Plenty of on-site parking. SouthParkBrewingColorado.com

A SEASON OF MUSIC, MEMORIES & INCREDIBLE FANS

100,000 FANS STRONG.THANK YOU, COLORADO SPRINGS, FOR MAKING MUSIC HISTORY WITH US!

Dear Colorado Springs,

As the first season at the Ford Amphitheater comes to a close, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to our relentless community of music fans. It has been a groundbreaking inaugural season, and we couldn’t have done it without the unwavering support of the Colorado Springs community.

In our short 21-show season, we hosted spectacular nationally renowned shows and welcomed 102,972 music fans from all 50 States and 5,220 unique zip codes - all right here in our thriving city.

These milestones are just the beginning of what we hope will be a long legacy of unparalleled entertainment experiences.

Our dream of building a world-class venue, bringing luxury live entertainment to the Pikes Peak region, and making Ford Amphitheater a gathering place for fans and artists alike would never have been possible without you. Your passion, your enthusiasm, and your continued support have been the foundation of everything we’ve achieved this season.

As we look toward the future, we are excited to continue this journey with you.

Together, we will make Ford Amphitheater a beacon for music and entertainment in the region and beyond.

Thank you for an unforgettable season, and here’s to many more ahead!

And as always, see you at the show!

JW ROTH Founder, Owner, & CEO,

VENU Holding

Corporation

Photo by Jeff Nelson : OneRepublic at the Grand Opening of Ford Amphitheater.

VOICES OF THE COMMUNITY

THE STORIES WE HEARD FROM YOU ON SOCIAL MEDIA WERE ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. IT WAS HEARTWARMING TO LEARN THAT YOU ALL HAVE CHERISHED THE INAUGURAL YEAR JUST AS MUCH AS I HAVE!

Photo by Krys Fakir @kfellc : Foreigner at Ford Amphitheater.

FANS THAT MADE THIS SEASON ROCK

100,000 VOICES & ENDLESS MEMORIES — YOU HELPED US MAKE EVERY MOMENT COUNT!

Photo by Krys

Fakir

@kfellc

COLORADO SPRINGS! ,

Photo by Krys Fakir

INJUSTICE WATCH VOTER RESOURCE

Intro/Disclosure/Metric Key

In this November’s general election, you will be asked to cast your vote to retain or dismiss a cohort of judges in El Paso County’s trial courts. Apart from the Judicial Performance Commission’s “Blue Book,” there is very limited public information on which to inform your decision. We want to change that.

This voter resource is a culmination of 2 years of court-watching efforts by Colorado College students. Seeking to put community eyes in the courtroom and fill gaps in voter education, we have sent over 50 different students to more than 95 live court hearings at the El Paso County Combined Courts. Each judge below has been observed on 5-9 different occasions, with 1-5 students observing at a time.

The observation rubric filled out by each observer during hearings is as follows: (Responses are scaled 0 to 5, with 0 indicating “not at all” and 5 indicating “noticeably so”).

1. Did the judge use accessible language and speak loudly/clearly in addition to providing translators when necessary?

2. Did the judge explain the proceedings, decisions, and rationale clearly and thoroughly?

3. Were the hearings given ample time and attention?

4. Did the judge give everyone an opportunity to be heard?

5. Did the judge seem to have appropriate knowledge of the case?

6. Did the judge treat the defendant with respect?

Numbers reported below are a raw average (mean) of all reported scores.

It should be noted that this resource is not intended to be a conclusive, objective, or exhaustive assessment of judges’ performance. It is a collection of a limited amount of student observations/opinions and should not be used as the sole determinant of your voting decision.

Voter resource produced by Colorado College Injustice Watch (CCIJW). Please direct all questions/comments/concerns to injusticewatch@ColoradoCollege.edu.

Continued on next page

DISTRICT COURT JUDGES

Judge Eric Bentley • Division 8

Appointed by Governor Hickenlooper and assumed office on October 1st, 2016. Judge Bentley’s docket has consisted of roughly 45% criminal, 45% civil, and 5% domestic relations cases. Previously worked as a prosecutor and received a law degree from Yale University.

1. 4.75 4. 4.70

2. 4.75 5. 4.65

3. 4.53 6. 4.55

Judge Samuel Evig • Division 17

Appointed by Governor Polis and assumed office on October 8th, 2021. Judge Evig’s docket is divided into 50% domestic relations and 50% criminal. Previously worked as a partner at Dahl, Fischer & Wilks, LLC and received a law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law.

1. 4.22 4. 4.30

2. 4.24 5. 4.48

3. 4.16 6. 4.23

Judge Linda Billings-Vela • Division 1

Appointed by Governor Hickenlooper and assumed office on July 1st, 2015. Judge Billings-Vela’s docket is divided into civil, domestic relations, juvenile, probate, mental health, criminal, and traffic cases. Previously worked for the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and as counsel with Anderson, Duke & Lebel, P.C.

1. 4.79 4. 4.14

2. 4.66 5. 4.86

3. 5.00 6. 4.80

COUNTY COURT JUDGES

Judge Steven Katzman • Division F

Appointed May 7th, 2021 by Governor Polis, Judge Katzman’s docket consisted of 50% misdemeanor, 43% traffic, and 7% criminal. Judge Katzman attained his bachelor’s degree from University of Colorado and his J.D from Northwestern School of Law. Judge Katzman began his legal career in private practice as an attorney at law.

1. 4.70 4. 3.76

2. 3.93 5. 4.85

3. 3.91 6. 3.77

Judge Jill Brady • Division 20

Appointed by Governor Hickenlooper and assumed office on July 1st, 2015. Judge Brady’s docket is divided into 50% criminal and 50% domestic relations. Previously worked as an associate at various law firms and as a law clerk for the U.S. District Court.

4.56

Judge Laura Findorff • Division 12

Appointed by Governor Polis and assumed office on April 1st, 2021. Judge Findorff’s docket is divided into 50% criminal and 50% domestic relations. Previously worked as an attorney in private practice, as an adjunct professor at Pikes Peak Community College, as a legal research attorney to the 18th Judicial District, as a law clerk at the firm of Gentry & Haskins, and as counsel to Haskins & Cyboron.

Judge William Moller • Division 9

Appointed by Governor Polis and assumed office on January 14th, 2022. Judge Moller’s docket is divided into 50% domestic relations and 50% criminal. Previously served in the U.S. Army for over two decades and practiced at his own firm.

1. 4.40 4. 4.53

Judge David Shakes • Division 4

Appointed by Governor Owens and assumed office in March of 2003. Judge Shakes’ docket is divided into 5% misdemeanor, 50% criminal, and 45% civil. Previously served as an Army Judge Advocate; served on active duty as a claims officer, prosecutor, and defense counsel; and worked as a partner for Henricks, Hendricks & Shakes, P.C.

1. 3.98 4. 3.22 2. 3.39 5. 3.96

3. 4.23 6. 3.63

Judge Diana May • Division 16

Appointed by Governor Polis and assumed office in April of 2022. Judge May’s docket is divided between 49% juvenile, 1% domestic relations, and 50% criminal. Previously worked as Assistant District Attorney in the 15th Judicial District, Chief Deputy District Attorney in the 4th Judicial District, and as County Attorney for El Paso County.

Judge Shannon Gerhart • Division H

Judge Gerhart was appointed March 30th, 2017 by Governor Hickenlooper. Judge Gerhart’s docket includes domestic violence cases, restraining orders, evictions, small claims, misdemeanor criminal cases and miscellaneous traffic matters. Judge Gerhart began her legal career at the District Attorney’s office as an intern during law school and then went on to serve as chief deputy district attorney prior to becoming a judge.

Judge Cynthia McKedy • Division K

Judge McKedy was appointed by Governor Polis on February 1st, 2022. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado and her J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Judge McKedy currently presides in county court over a docket that is 100% criminal, 55% misdemeanors and 45% traffic/DUI related charges. Prior to being a County Court Judge, she was with the District Attorney’s office and then in private practice as a criminal defense attorney.

Judge Yolanda Fennick • Division B

Appointed October 23rd, 2021 by Governor Polis. Her docket consists of 90% criminal, 10% civil. Judge Fennick received her J.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Before becoming a County Court Judge, Judge Fennick practiced at private law firms focused on civil and domestic relations law. Prior to private practice, Judge Fennick was a staff attorney with Colorado Legal Services.

Judge Charlotte Ankeny • Division C

Judge Ankeny was appointed on July 14th, 2022 by Governor Polis. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder and her J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Prior to her career as Court County Judge, Judge Ankeny served as a Deputy State Public Defender and as a Supervising Deputy State Public Defender. Judge Ankeny’s docket consists of 90% criminal and 10% civil cases. These cases are divided into 55% misdemeanor and 45% traffic.

MUSIC . Lion for Lamb

A

Colorado Springs-based music producer and singer-songwriter finds inspiration in the field

by CANNON TAYLOR • cannon.taylor@ppmc.live

Theodore Lion’s music makes you feel like you’re dozing in a hammock. The sun shines warmly on your face, a creek babbles nearby, and birds chirp in the distance.

Gently picked acoustic guitar à la Gregory Alan Isakov takes center stage in a symphony of instruments, from violin to synths to flute. In the forefront croons the reassuring yet haunting baritone of Hozier’s softer-spoken younger brother. Somehow, everything feels slower and infinitely calmer. The lyrics are relentlessly optimistic, inspired by Lion’s love for nature and belief in true altruism.

“It’s the feeling when I’m out in nature and I’m seeing these wildflowers just existing, [or] a spotted fawn with the light streaming through the trees,” Lion said. “That exists, and if you can wrap your mind around that, you’d be a kinder person.”

Theodore Lion — an alias for Colorado Springs software engineer Daniel Lamb — has been a musician his whole life. He grew up playing classical piano and jamming to Enya and Cat Stevens CDs. He didn’t grow up with many of the classics or, interestingly, songs with an emphasis on the drums. Because of his fundamental Christian upbringing, he believed that drums were a bad spiritual influence.

When he started out, Lamb had difficulty relating to other musicians because of his sheltered background. These days, he’s figuring out spirituality on his own terms — and even teaching himself the drums.

“As I get older, it’s like I’m catching up,” he said.

For Lamb, musicianship is a process of constant learning. Recently, he’s been working to improve his songwriting and piano skills.

“Music is almost like a practice, like yoga. It’s a personal, mental, spiritual practice that you continue doing,” Lamb said. “You have to continually work on your ego and your mind and the way that you view your art and continue to love yourself in order to just keep doing it … It’s so easy to get caught up in some self-doubt or some criticism or something that will prevent you from expressing yourself.”

engineering. One time, he asked a DJ at a skating rink to play his music and experienced the awkwardness of one track on a playlist being noticeably quieter than all the others.

“If the mix is good, no one notices, but it carries the moment,” explained Lamb. “You’re in your car with your friends, and everybody’s bumping it and singing along because everything’s right where it needs to be. No one’s thinking about the mix. But when the mix is off, it’s not cool, it’s not fun, and your friends are not having a good time. They want to support you, but it’s not carrying the moment for them.”

Composing and recording film soundtracks was Lamb’s gateway into audio engineering. As a teenager, he made online friends who were scoring independent films and decided to throw his hat in the ring. He taught himself the fundamentals of audio engineering out of a sense of necessity. He composed the soundtrack for, among other films, “Cody High: A Life Remodeled Project,” which won a regional Emmy award and aired on PBS. At 18, he was given an opportunity as an intern at a local recording studio, which only increased his knowledge of the craft. These days, Lamb is producing for more and more clients.

Lamb’s production credits include the 2020 single “Lost Myself in Loving You” by Audrey Bussanich and 2024 EP “The Lamplighter” by local pianist CheeHwa Tan. Lamb doesn’t just produce for local legends; in fact, he’s currently working

remotely for Portuguese singer POLI NIKA on a jazz-pop album.

Lamb advises musicians to find someone who believes in their work and doesn’t approach it as just another job. As someone who’s hired producers who’ve ended up doing the bare minimum, Lamb tries to do justice to his clients’ work, no matter what it may be.

“I’m going to try to see what you’re doing as valuable, even if it’s not something that I would create,” he said. “I want to take that feeling that I felt in my headphones, and I want everybody to be able to experience that. … Engineering is about capturing and replicating that experience as well as you can.”

If you can’t afford a producer, familiarizing yourself with audio engineering by playing around with programs like GarageBand is another good option. After all, plenty of musicians have recorded hit songs on their

insignificant, like a drop in the ocean. As a musician, you get on Instagram or TikTok, and it’s just endless musicians.”

Lamb has been creating and producing music for over a decade. He started out as a teenager recording mixtapes on CDs before quickly realizing the importance of audio

advancements in technology lowered barriers for artists.

“It’s a new renaissance for music and for art in general. Now, we have

without much getting in their way,” Lamb said. “And it’s

to feel

Lamb isn’t discouraged, though. After all, his goals are different than those of many musicians — he doesn’t care for fame and doesn’t even want to create music full time.

“I don’t think anybody should be told, ‘You shouldn’t try to do that. You’re never going to be a rock star,’” Lamb said. “Who says that’s the goal? Maybe the goal is just to learn a skill, put in the time, practice the act of using your voice.”

After all, music is just another form of human expression, and something we all have access to.

“[Musicianship] doesn’t make you better or special, but what you create is special because you’re a human being and you deserve to express yourself,” Lamb said.

Theodore Lion’s solo singles — “Broken Bones,” “Wildflower Lover” and “To Be Enough” — can be streamed on all major streaming services. More of his work, including his film scores and production work, can be found on SoundCloud. He will be performing at Ohana Kava Bar on Oct. 26. Check out his website rhapsodizemusic.com to learn more about him and his production work.

Above: Theodore Lion’s solo singles | Courtesy: Theodore Lion Below: Theodore Lion | Credit: Ben Trollinger

HOW I GOT TO MEMPHIS

WHAT’S GOING ON?

By ADAM LEECH

Once upon a time (a few weeks ago), in a land far away (Memphis, Tennessee), there lived a young boy (he was really just visiting; and not very young, but ... fine, you got me. It was me! Are you happy, now?!).

Anywho, the boy (old man) was very excited because there was going to be a great gathering (music festival) of powerful witches and wizards (rock’n’roll bands) and the boy (me, again) was looking forward to witnessing them cast powerful spells of enchantment (play some music) and to sample many delectable preparations and potions (binge irresponsibly on fried chicken and beer). All right, that’s enough nonsense. Please pardon my garrulous gambit.

So anyway, I sez to Mable (Heather), I sez, “This has got to be the best damn chicken in the whole damn world!” A little hungover, and possibly still a wee bit inebriated, Heather and I had crept away from the festival to explore Memphis, a town whose gritty, lowkey charm I have grown rather fond of, and were feasting at the World Famous Gus’s Fried Chicken. We had just made pilgrimage to Graceland, home of a once mighty King, whose “castle” is now monument less to “The King” and more to the crimes and horrors of late 1970s interior design. Regardless, it was an uneasy and emotional experience, and one I had eschewed previously for more salient quests (Sun Records, the Stax Museum and the absolutely batty Crystal Shrine Grotto — look it up!).

What had drawn us to Memphis, however, was Gonerfest, a four-day showcase of musical reverie presented by the incomparable Goner Records, a truly spectacular record store and label that has been central to both my questionable taste in music and my decidedly low-brow disposition. Co-owned by Eric Friedl (of the blues/punk virtuosos Oblivians) and Zav Ives (whose band Final Solutions, despite having the late Jay

Reatard on drums, has remained relatively unknown outside of more “enlightened” circles), Goner has been at the epicenter of global garage punk for 20 years. From unleashing the first-ever records from Tokyo trash rock juggernauts Guitar Wolf and The Reatards’ iconic 1998 debut, “Teenage Hate,” through their most recent work with the holy Australian trinity of Cosmic Psychos, Gee Tee, and Split System, Goner has released well over 200 albums.

Gonerfest, now in its 21st year, drew thousands of spectators from over 40 states with the lure of over 30 bands from 10 different countries, and it was completely bonkers. Personal highlights were raucous sets from Sacramento freak-beat provocateurs Th’ Losin’ Streaks, LA post-punk boffins The Tube Alloys, Tokyo’s Angel Face (garage punk royalty featuring Fink of the ’90s buzz saw blitz Teengenerate), Jon Spencer (who’s imposing credentials need no explication), and the criminally insane Rip Offs, who broke out of Alcatraz in the mid ’90s and have been fugitives, in and out of hiding, ever since. Despite the immensity of this licit affair, one band delivered a performance that was nothing short of spiritual awakening. Etran de L’Aїr traveled from Agadez, Niger, to deliver a remarkable set of hypnotic Saharan desert blues, an infectious and jubilant interplay of fuzzed-out guitars, metronomically syncopated drum beats, and preternatural vocal harmonies that twisted and snaked joyously toward infinity, limited only by the inconvenient realities of time and space.

The next day, sitting uncomfortably at the airport, post-festival melancholy settling like rigor mortis, I tell Heather my only regret was not meeting The Rip Offs’ guitar-slinging madman, Shane White, when I look up, and who do I see? Shane White, staring right at me! Flabbergasted, I yell, “Holy shit, you’re Shane White!” I jump up like I saw Elvis or Conan O’Brien himself, and tell him how much I love his music, and how he’s been a huge influence, and blah blah blah. Graciously, he endured my praise and we chattered about life and the dismal state of the American “condition” (he moved to Paris years ago,and hadn’t been back since “you know ...”). I again thanked him “for everything,” and as I turned away, he dropped a truth bomb I shall never forget. With a shy smile and knowing smirk, he said, “You know it’s all bullshit, right?”

“I know,” I replied. “That’s the beauty of it!”

Smell ya later!

Adam Leech is the proprietor of Leechpit Records & Vintage at 3020 W. Colorado Ave.

Phone and Internet Discounts Available to CenturyLink Customers

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission designated CenturyLink as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier within its service area for universal service purposes. CenturyLink’s basic local service rates for residential voice lines are $34.00 per month and business services are $53.50 per month. Specific rates will be provided upon request.

CenturyLink participates in the Lifeline program, which makes residential telephone or qualifying broadband service more affordable to eligible low-income individuals and families. Eligible customers may qualify for Lifeline discounts of $5.25/month for voice or bundled voice service or $9.25/month for qualifying broadband or broadband bundles. Residents who live on federally recognized Tribal Lands may qualify for additional Tribal benefits if they participate in certain additional federal eligibility programs. The Lifeline discount is available for only one telephone or qualifying broadband service per household, which can be either a wireline or wireless service. Broadband speeds must be at least 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload to qualify.

A household is defined as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses. Services are not transferable, and only eligible consumers may enroll in these programs. Consumers who willfully make false statements to obtain these discounts can be punished by fine or imprisonment and can be barred from these programs.

If you live in a CenturyLink service area, visit https://www.centurylink.com/aboutus/ community/community-development/lifeline.html for additional information about applying for these programs or call 1-800-201-4099 with questions.

MUSIC .

SpringsSCENE

THURSDAY, OCT. 17

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

Godsmack with Nothing More | Rock bands performing at Ford Amphitheater. 95 Spectrum Loop. 6:30 p.m.

Big Fun, Gunk, Euphoria | Alternative bands performing at Lulu’s Downtown. 32 S. Tejon St. 7 p.m.

E J R M | Ambient musician performing at Ohana Kava Bar. 112 E. Boulder St. 7 p.m.

The Black Jacket Symphony: Elton John’s “Madman Across the Water” | Elton John tribute at Pikes Peak Center. 190 S. Cascade Ave. 8 p.m.

Jeris Johnson with Blakswan, Slay Squad | Rock musicians performing at the Black Sheep. 2106 E. Platte Ave. 8 p.m.

Sam Lachow, Affliction Music, Endy P | Hiphop musicians performing at Vultures. 2100 E. Platte Ave. 8 p.m.

FRIDAY, OCT. 18

Pain of Truth, Dying Wish, Outta Pocket, Balmora, Spear of Cassius | Hardcore bands performing at the Black Sheep. 2106 E. Platte Ave. 6:30 p.m.

Zach Williams | Christian rock musician performing at Broadmoor World Arena. 3185 Venetucci Blvd. 7 p.m.

Kaleb Sanders | Country musician performing at Oskar Blues Grill & Brew. 118 N. Tejon Street. 7:30 p.m.

The Freeze, P.I.D., Plague Burner | Rock bands performing at Vultures. 2100 E. Platte Ave. 8 p.m.

Grizzly Gopher | Variety band performing at Frankie’s Bar & Grill. 945 N. Powers Blvd. 8 p.m.

The Menzingers, Liquid Mike | Rock bands performing at the Black Sheep. 2106 E. Platte Ave. 8 p.m.

Synth Night | Synth producers performing at Ohana Kava Bar. 112 E. Boulder St. 8 p.m.

Westrock | Country band performing at The Whiskey Baron Dance Hall & Saloon. 5781 N. Academy Blvd. 8 p.m.

Jarrod Dickenson, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band | Folk musicians performing at Lulu’s Downtown. 32 S. Tejon St. 9 p.m.

SUNDAY, OCT. 20

Occult, Infernalis | Rock bands performing at Vultures. 2100 E. Platte Ave. 5:30 p.m.

MONDAY, OCT. 21

Mozart/Beethoven | Classical music at the Ent Center for the Arts. 5225 N. Nevada Ave. 7:30 p.m.

Beach Fossils with Launder | Rock bands performing at the Black Sheep. 2106 E. Platte Ave. 8 p.m.

TUESDAY, OCT. 22

Elvis: One Night Tribute to The King | Elvis Presley tribute performer at Boot Barn Hall. 13071 Bass Pro Drive. 7 p.m.

Tinker’s Damn | Grunge band performing at Whistle Pig Brewing Co. 1840 Dominion Way. 7 p.m.

Carrie Newcomer | Folk musician performing at First Congregational Church. 20 E. St. Vrain St. 7:30 p.m.

Aaron Noble Brown | Folk singer-songwriter performing at Ohana Kava Bar. 112 E. Boulder St. 8 p.m.

Boogie Nights | Dance party at Lulu’s Downtown. 32 S. Tejon St. 8 p.m.

The Mssng, witchhands, Jaguar Stevens, Glass Parade | Rock musicians performing at Vultures. 2100 E. Platte Ave. 8 p.m.

SATURDAY, OCT. 19

Grizzly Gopher | Variety band performing at Bancroft Park. 2408 W. Colorado Ave. 2 p.m.

Harp Twins Halloween | Harp duo performing at Stargazers Theatre. 10 Parkside Drive. 7 p.m.

JFA | Punk band performing at Vultures. 2100 E. Platte Ave. 7 p.m.

performing at Rico’s Café & Wine Car. 322½ N. Tejon St. 6 p.m.

Firefall | Rock band performing at Boot Barn Hall. 13071 Bass Pro Drive. 7 p.m.

Last Men on Earth | Rock cover band performing at Stargazers Theatre. 10 Parkside Drive. 7 p.m.

Pam and Dan Music | Folk duo performing at The Black Rose Acoustic Society. 12530 Black Forest Road. 7 p.m.

Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics | Halloween concert at First United Methodist Church. 420 N. Nevada Ave. 8 p.m.

Lindsey Meyers | Indie musician performing at Ohana Kava Bar. 112 E. Boulder St. 8 p.m.

Pop Punk Nite: Halloween with Van Full of Nuns | Pop punk band performing at the Black Sheep. 2106 E. Platte Ave. 8 p.m.

SATURDAY, OCT. 26

Eternal Temples | Reggae band performing at Armadillo Ranch. 962 Manitou Ave. 12 p.m.

Grizzly Gopher | Variety band performing at Finish Line Lounge. 1812 Monument St. 5 p.m.

Teague Starbuck | Acoustic musician performing at Bell Brothers Brewing. 114 N. Tejon St. No. 100. 6 p.m.

Bearings, Broadside, Unwell, Stateside | Rock bands performing at the Black Sheep. 2106 E. Platte Ave. 7 p.m.

Face Vocal Band | All-vocal rock band performing at Stargazers Theatre. 10 Parkside Drive. 7 p.m.

Paul McDonald and the Mourning Doves, Matt Lynn | Rock bands performing at Lulu’s Downtown. 32 S. Tejon St. 7 p.m.

Mozart/Beethoven | Classical music at the Ent Center for the Arts. 5225 N. Nevada Ave. 7:30 p.m.

The Moss, hey, Nothing | Alternative bands performing at the Black Sheep. 2106 E. Platte Ave. 8 p.m.

Stony Jam | Reggae band performing at Armadillo Ranch. 962 Manitou Ave. 8 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23

Mozart/Beethoven | Classical music at the Ent Center for the Arts. 5225 N. Nevada Ave. 7:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCT. 24

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

Violet Breeze | Piano/vocal duo performing at Rico’s Café & Wine Bar. 322½ N. Tejon St. 5 p.m.

Kind Hearted Strangers | Rock band performing at Oskar Blues Grill & Brew. 118 N. Tejon Street. 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, OCT. 25

Katie Hale and the P-47s | Swing ensemble

Locoween II | Halloween concert at Vultures. 2100 E. Platte Ave. 7 p.m.

Tow’rs | Folk band performing at Lulu’s Downtown. 92 S. Tejon St. 7:30 p.m.

Vaughan Williams Symphony 5 | Colorado Springs Philharmonic performing at Pikes Peak Center. 190 S. Cascade Ave. 7:30 p.m.

Theodore Lion | Indie singer-songwriter performing at Ohana Kava Bar. 4337 N. Academy Blvd. 8 p.m.

SUNDAY, OCT. 27

Vaughan Williams Symphony 5 | Colorado Springs Philharmonic performing at Pikes Peak Center. 190 S. Cascade Ave. 2:30 p.m.

Alesana, Eyes Set to Kill, Vampires Everywhere, Half Heard Voices | Rock bands performing at the Black Sheep. 2106 E. Platte Ave. 6:30 p.m.

MONDAY, OCT. 28

Goodbye June | Rock band performing at the Black Sheep. 2106 E. Platte Ave. 8 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 30

Float Like a Buffalo, Interrobang, Minka | Rock bands performing at Lulu’s Downtown. 92 S. Tejon St. 7 p.m.

Zero 9:36 with Afterlife, Reece Young | Rock bands performing at Vultures. 2100 E. Platte Ave. 8 p.m.

The Menzingers play the Black Sheep on Oct. 19 .| Credit: Jess Flynn, courtesy Kingstar Music

Statewide Live Music, Oct. 17-Oct. 30

André 3000 | Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver, Oct. 17

The Fray | Mission Ballroom, Denver, Oct. 17

Imagine Dragons | Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Oct. 17

Porter Robinson with ericdoa | Ball Arena, Denver, Oct. 17

Wage War with Erra | The Fillmore Auditorium, Denver, Oct. 17

Benjamin Tod with Lost Dog Street Band | Ogden Theater, Denver, Oct. 18

Boombox | Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, Denver, Oct. 18

Chromeo with The Midnight | Mission Ballroom, Denver, Oct. 18

Cold War Kids with Husbands | Boulder Theater, Boulder, Oct. 18

Easton Corbin | Grizzly Rose, Denver, Oct. 18

Gryffin | Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Oct. 18

Jauz | The Church, Denver, Oct. 18

Josh Meloy | The Summit Music Hall, Denver, Oct. 18

Lorna Shore with Whitechapel, Sanguisugabogg | The Fillmore Auditorium, Denver, Oct. 18

Loveless with Julia Wolf, Beauty School Dropout | Gothic Theatre, Englewood, Oct. 18

Quarters of Change | Convergence Station, Denver, Oct. 18

Briston Maroney | Belly Up, Aspen, Oct. 19

Iron Maiden with The HU | Ball Arena, Denver, Oct. 19

Lawrence | The Fillmore Auditorium, Denver, Oct. 19

Lupe Fiasco | The Summit Music Hall, Denver, Oct. 19

Sisters of Mercy | Mission Ballroom, Denver, Oct. 19

Touché Amoré | Gothic Theatre, Englewood, Oct. 19

TroyBoi with Hamdi | Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Oct. 19

RoadSHOWS

Witchz | Bluebird Theater, Denver, Oct. 19

Andy Grammar | Boulder Theater, Boulder, Oct. 20

Hardy with Randy Houser | Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Oct. 20-21

Jess Glynne with Leah Kate | The Summit Music Hall, Denver, Oct. 20

Judas Priest with Sabaton | Blue Arena at The Ranch Events Complex, Loveland, Oct. 20

Mariza | Newman Center for the Performing Arts, Denver, Oct. 20

The Menzingers | Washington’s, Fort Collins, Oct. 20

Nothing But Thieves | The Fillmore Auditorium, Denver, Oct. 21

Rachael Yamagata | Fox Theatre, Boulder, Oct. 21

Stryper | The Oriental Theater, Denver, Oct. 21

Daniel Caesar | Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Oct. 22

Dayseeker with Alpha Wolf | Mission Ballroom, Denver, Oct. 22

Fever 333 | Bluebird Theater, Denver, Oct. 22

The Heavy Heavy with Dylan LeBlanc | Fox Theatre, Boulder, Oct. 22

Myke Towers | Bellco Theatre, Denver, Oct. 22

RY X | The Summit Music Hall, Denver, Oct. 22

Testament with Kreator | The Fillmore Auditorium, Denver, Oct. 22

Hatebreed with Carcass, Harms Way | The Fillmore Auditorium, Denver, Oct. 23

M.A.G.S. | Larimer Lounge, Denver, Oct. 23

Marc Rebillet | Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Oct. 23

New Found Glory | Mission Ballroom, Denver, Oct. 23

Snotty Nose Rez Kids | Marquis Theater, Denver, Oct. 23

Struggle Jennings | The Oriental Theater, Denver, Oct. 23

Bunt. | Bluebird Theater, Denver, Oct. 24

Kate Nash | Fox Theatre, Boulder, Oct. 24

MisterWives with joan | Ogden Theater, Denver, Oct. 24

Polo G | The Fillmore Auditorium, Denver, Oct. 24

Sofi Tukker | Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Oct. 24

Yuridia | Paramount Theatre, Denver, Oct. 24

Above & Beyond | Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Oct. 25

Bladee | The Fillmore Auditorium, Denver, Oct. 25

GZA with Kota the Friend | Ogden Theater, Denver, Oct. 25

Lotus | The Summit Music Hall, Denver, Oct. 25-26

Luh Tyler | Other Side at Cervantes, Denver, Oct. 25

Parmalee | Grizzly Rose, Denver, Oct. 25

Ryan Bingham with Mike Campbell | Boulder Theater, Boulder, Oct. 25

Tow’rs | Marquis Theater, Denver, Oct. 25

Ashley Cooke | Bluebird Theater, Denver, Oct. 26

Dirty Honey | Washington’s, Fort Collins, Oct. 26

DJ Shadow with Flamingosis | Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Oct. 26

The Jesus and Mary Chain with The Psychedelic Furs | The Fillmore Auditorium, Denver, Oct. 26

The Magnetic Fields | Boulder Theater, Boulder, Oct. 26-27

Nora En Pure | Mission Ballroom, Denver, Oct. 26

Real Friends with Can’t Swim | The Oriental Theater, Denver, Oct. 26

Stars | Ogden Theater, Denver, Oct. 26

Stop Light Observations | Gothic Theatre, Englewood, Oct. 26

Valentino Khan | Temple Nightclub, Denver, Oct. 26

Gwar with Dark Funeral | The Summit Music Hall, Denver, Oct. 27

Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers | The Moxi Theater, Greeley, Oct. 27

JORDY | Globe Hall, Denver, Oct. 27

Krizz Kaliko | Other Side at Cervantes, Denver, Oct. 27

MUSIC .

Opeth | Mission Ballroom, Denver, Oct. 27

Riot Ten | Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Oct. 27

Baby Bugs | Larimer Lounge, Denver, Oct. 28

Dayglow | Mission Ballroom, Denver, Oct. 28

Joanne Shaw Taylor | Boulder Theater, Boulder, Oct. 28

Porches | Bluebird Theater, Denver, Oct. 28

Ashnikko with Rico Nasty, Cobrah | Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Oct. 29

Cimafunk | Bluebird Theater, Denver, Oct. 29

Delta Sleep | The Summit Music Hall, Denver, Oct. 29

Enter Shikari with You Me at Six | Gothic Theatre, Englewood, Oct. 29

Inhaler | Ogden Theater, Denver, Oct. 29

Rain City Drive with Belmont | Marquis Theater, Denver, Oct. 29

The The | Mission Ballroom, Denver, Oct. 29

Die Antwoord | Ogden Theater, Denver, Oct. 30

Samara Joy | Paramount Theatre, Denver, Oct. 30

Tokyo Police Club | The Summit Music Hall, Denver, Oct. 30

T-Pain with Akon | Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Oct. 30

Vince Staples | Mission Ballroom, Denver, Oct. 30

Yoke Lore | Boulder Theater, Boulder, Oct. 30

Samara Joy plays Paramount Theatre on Oct. 30. | Credit: AB+DM, courtesy Shore Fire Media

CALENDAR&EVENTS .

ART EXHIBITIONS

“Alhamdu: Muslim Futurism”

Thursday, Oct. 17, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, 30 W. Dale St., 10 a.m.: Alhamdu is an evolving multidisciplinary exhibition and archive featuring a variety of work that explores five themes: imagination, identity, community, resistance and liberation. Through Jan. 11. fac.coloradocollege.edu.

“Samhain — A Time When Fairies, Goblins & Spirits Roam”

Thursday, Oct. 17, Commonwheel Artists Co-op, 102 Cañon Ave., 10 a.m.: Samhain is an Autumnal pagan festival of Celtic origins. It is time to welcome in the harvest and usher in the dark half of the year. Through Oct. 27. commonwheel.com.

“The Aspen Show”

Thursday, Oct. 17, Laura Reilly Fine Art Gallery and Studio, 2522A W. Colorado Ave., noon: “The Aspen Show” is Laura Reilly’s annual tribute to the changing seasons. Her canvases shimmer with brilliant colors, textures and energy. Through Nov. 3. laurareilly.com.

Cho, Lavely-Robinson, Valentine, Mosbacher and Holnback

Thursday, Oct. 17, Auric Gallery, 125 E. Boulder St., noon: Artwork about shadows, mark making, dresses, the sky and the interplay between connection and isolation. Through Oct. 25. auricgallery.com.

Historic and Contemporary First Nation Images

Thursday, Oct. 17, Manitou Springs Heritage Center and Museum, 517 Manitou Ave., noon: These First Nation Images are representative of the photographers’ tribes, families, friends and landscapes and depict their way of life and communities. Through May 1. manitouspringsheritagecenter.org.

“Manitou Rails!”

Thursday, Oct. 17, Manitou Springs Heritage Center and Museum, 517 Manitou Ave., noon: The exhibit explains the role railroads have played in the development of our town’s history through our presentation of images, artifacts and video. Through Dec. 31. manitouspringsheritagecenter.org.

Manitou Springs High School — “Then and Now”

Thursday, Oct. 17, Manitou Springs Heritage Center and Museum, 517 Manitou Ave., noon: The exhibit features Manitou

Springs High School stories, which focus on “Then and Now” themes and community building. Through Dec. 31. manitouspringsheritagecenter.org.

“Mood”

Thursday, Oct. 17, Surface Gallery, 2752 W. Colorado Ave., noon: Mood is a small collection of new work by Becca Day that celebrates how making art can both lift mood and express mood in the finished results. Through Oct. 25. surfacegallerycos.com.

Van Briggle Pottery and Garden of the Gods Pottery

Thursday, Oct. 17, Manitou Springs Heritage Center and Museum, 517 Manitou Ave., noon: See dozens of beautifully designed pottery creations crafted by Van Briggle Pottery, America’s longest-running pottery works, and Garden of the Gods Pottery, founded by early Colorado Springs craftsman Eric Hellman. Through Dec. 31. manitouspringsheritagecenter.org.

“Bump in the Night”

Thursday, Oct. 17, Cottonwood Center for the Arts, 427 E. Colorado Ave., 5 p.m.: We asked artists to create works in homage to the weird and wild. Through Oct. 26.

cottonwoodcenterforthearts.com.

“The Light Within”

Thursday, Oct. 17, Surface Gallery, 2752 W. Colorado Ave., 5 p.m.: This collection of porcelain and stoneware sculptures emerged initially as a tribute to the shapes that define the human influence on the American Southwest landscape. Through Oct. 25. surfacegallerycos.com.

“Neon Desert”

Thursday, Oct. 17, Surface Gallery, 2752

W. Colorado Ave., 5 p.m.: This show includes a limited number of screen prints and artisan frames which take you on an adventure through neon west Texas and along Route 66. Through Oct. 25. surfacegallerycos.com.

“50% of the Story” Program Series

Saturday, Oct. 19, Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, 215 S. Tejon St., 10 a.m.: During this guided research session, learn more about women artists represented in the archival collection and have hands-on time with their work. cspm.org.

Guided Tour: “CREATEing in Colorado Springs”

Saturday, Oct. 19, Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, 215 S. Tejon St., 10:30 a.m.: From the dramatic silent

film performances of Lon Chaney to the contemporary beadwork of Southern Ute artist Debra Box, guests are invited to explore the creativity, complexity and diversity of the Pikes Peak region. Through Dec. 21. cspm.org.

PERFORMING ARTS

The Brewery Comedy Tour

Saturday, Oct. 19, Bell Brothers Brewing, 114 N. Tejon St. #100, 7 p.m.: Currently in its 11th year, this nationwide comedy tour has already hit 4,200 venues across the country. The drinks are pretty good too! bellbrothersbrewing.com.

“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”

Friday, Oct. 18, Palmer Lake Town Hall, 42 Valley Crescent Drive, 7 p.m.: Eight performances of this retelling of the classic. This one-man take on Washington Irving’s classic is perfect for the whole family. Through Oct. 26. funkylittletheater.org.

Chicago Tap Theatre

Friday, Oct. 18, Louisa Performing Arts Center at the Colorado Springs School, 21 Broadmoor Ave., 7:30 p.m.: Immerse yourself in the dynamic world of rhythm and movement with a vibrant dance company that brings the timeless art of tap dancing to life. dappr.org.

Queer BIPOC Open Mic

Saturday, Oct. 19, Prism Community Collective, 711 S. Tejon St., 5 p.m.: Poetry open mic featuring Connor Skinner. poetry719.com.

“The Dinner Detective” Comedy Mystery Dinner Show

Saturday, Oct. 19, Great Wolf Lodge, 9494 Federal Drive, 6 p.m.: Solve a hilarious mystery while you feast on a fantastic dinner. thedinnerdetective.com.

Comedy Matinee: Sam Selby, Suz Ballout

Saturday, Oct. 19, Lulu’s Downtown, 32 S. Tejon St., 7 p.m.: Sam Selby uses her East Coast brutal honesty to create the perfect combination of cute and crude, resulting in a delightful and entertaining experience. lulusmusic.co.

Magic and Mind Reading

Saturday, Oct. 19 and Friday, Oct. 25, Cosmo’s Magic Theater, 1045 Garden of the Gods Road Unit 1, 7:30 p.m.: Continuing in our tradition of storytelling, light and fun presentation and comedy, this show includes brand-new, original material created specifically for this performance. Weekly performances throughout 2024.

cosmosmagictheater.com.

Saturday Night Improv

Saturday, Oct. 19, Yoga Studio Satya, 1581 York Road, 7:30 p.m.: If you like “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” you will love our show! You help with suggestions, and we then create the fun.

improvcolorado.com.

Chicago Tap Theatre Oct. 18 | Credit: Kristie Kahns

Poetry in Motion

Sunday, Oct 20, Ormao Dance Company, 10 S. Spruce St., 5 p.m.: Local community dancers from Ormao will have their work interpreted by poets and performed on stage. poetry719.com.

Disability Awareness Open Mic

Friday, Oct. 25, UCCS University Center, 1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway, 6 p.m.: Poetry open mic featuring Aiyanna Quinones. poetry719.com.

An Evening with Edgar Allen Poe

Friday, Oct. 25, Manitou Art Center, 513 Manitou Ave., 7 p.m.: Join Edgar Allan Poe, the master of the macabre, for an evening of masque and mirth. manitouartcenter.org.

Tommy Ryman

Friday, Oct. 25 and Saturday, Oct. 26, Loonees Comedy Corner, 1305 N. Academy Blvd., 7:30 p.m.: Semi-finalist on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” performs in Colorado Springs. looneescc.com.

Urban Cirque’s Carnival of Shadows Saturday, Oct. 26, COS City Hub, 4304 Austin Bluffs Parkway, noon: Experience the enchantment of mesmerizing aerial shows, where our performers will defy gravity with hauntingly beautiful routines. urbancirque.com.

FILM

Duck Rabbit

Friday, Oct. 17 and Saturday, Oct. 18, Millibo Art Theatre, 1626 S. Tejon Street, 7:30 p.m.: “Duck Rabbit” is a local indie comedy about many strange characters on a summer’s day, including a girl with writer’s block, a kid looking for a missing chicken, and three friends who carry a couch across town while on under the influence of a psychedelic. Additional screenings on Oct. 19 at What’s Left Records, Oct. 26 at Salad or Bust and Oct. 27 at The Green Line Grill. facebook.com/grownupcostumeparty.

Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival

Friday, Oct. 18, Armstrong Hall, 14 E. Cache La Poudre St., 10 a.m.: As the longest-running women’s film festival in North America, the festival honors films and filmmakers that present the world as women experience it. Through Oct. 20. rmwfilm.org.

Pikes Peak docuFEST

Friday, Oct. 18, COS City Hub, 4304 Austin Bluffs Parkway, 6 p.m.: Pikes Peak docuFEST aims to spark inspiration, foster positive change, and deliver enthralling entertainment. Through Oct. 19. pikespeakdocufest.com.

WRITING

Lindsay Lackey

Saturday, Oct. 26, Covered Treasures Bookstore, 105 Second St., 1 p.m.: Middle-grade author Lindsay Lackey will be signing her novels “Farther Than the Moon” and “All the Impossible Things.” coveredtreasures.com.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Colorado Springs Tattoo Arts Festival

Friday, Oct. 18, Colorado Springs Event Center, 3960 Palmer Park Blvd., 2 p.m.: Come to the Colorado Springs Event Center this weekend and experience what the original and best tattoo festival has to offer with its three days of artistry, self-expression, and entertainment!

Through Oct. 20. villainarts.com.

Barks and Boos Fall Fest 2024

Sunday, Oct. 20, Under the Sun Dog Training and Daycare, 6540 Vincent Drive, 11 a.m.: Featuring a pup parade, costume contest, pup enrichment activities and more. utsdog.com.

Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame

Tuesday, Oct. 22, Broadmoor World Arena, 3185 Venetucci Blvd., 5 p.m.: This event marks the 24th annual banquet and induction ceremony, showcasing the achievements of prominent sports figures associated with Colorado Springs. coloradospringssports.org.

Night at the Museum

Saturday, Oct. 26, Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, 215 S. Tejon St., 4:30 p.m.: Interact with historic figures from Colorado Springs’ past, make unique crafts, play carnival games, and enjoy performances and activities that

CALENDAR&EVENTS .

Visitor Center with some hot chocolate and candy. acpw.state.co.us.

Miners’ Pumpkin Patch

Saturday, Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 26, Western Museum of Mining & Industry, 225 North Gate Blvd., 9 a.m.: Our annual pumpkin patch features sack races, a giant hay maze and slide, a magician, animal encounters, gold panning, pumpkin smashing, machine demos, a blacksmith, an apple cider press demo, and more! wmmi.org.

Pumpkins in the Park

celebrate the spirit of the fall season. cspm.org.

Haunted Conservatory – Haunted House

Saturday, Oct. 26, Colorado Springs Conservatory, 415 Sahwatch St., 5 p.m.: A haunted house, live music, face paint and more. Proceeds benefit the Conservatory’s student scholarship fund. coloradospringsconservatory.org.

CSBC Trap Fest

Saturday, Oct. 26 and Sunday, Oct. 27, Meanwhile the Block, 114 West Cimarron St., 8 p.m.: This immersive event will combine spooky vibes, artistic expression, and family-friendly fun, all centered around highlighting Black culture and supporting local Black-owned businesses. events.eventnoire.com/e/ csbctrapfest.

This is COS Vendor Market

Sunday, Oct. 27, Treehouse Cafe, 5965 N. Academy Blvd., 11 a.m.: Bring the whole family and shop art from local vendors. Free admission. poetry719.com.

Black Forest Arts and Crafts Guild Fall Show and Sale

Wednesday, Oct. 30, Black Forest Community Center, 12530 Black Forest Road, 4 p.m.: The show will feature new and unique gifts, fine art and decor for your home, and a huge selection of culinary delights. Through Nov. 3. bfacg.org.

OUTDOOR

REC

Pumpkin Hike

Friday, Oct. 18, Mueller State Park, 21045 Highway 67 South, 6 p.m.: Learn about glowing animal eyes on a nocturnal animal hike and warm up in the

Saturday, Oct. 19, Old Colorado City, 2300-2800 W. Colorado Ave., noon: Live entertainment, pumpkin painting, sidewalk sale, balloon animals, face painting, fall fashions, artist showcases scarecrows and more! shopoldcoloradocity.com.

Leaf Peepers

Saturday, Oct. 19, Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center, 1805 N. 30th St., 12:30 p.m.: Join our leaf peeping hike to see beautiful hues of color while learning more about our amazing ecosystems. Through Oct. 29. gardenofthegods.com.

Orophile Outdoor Adventures & Poetry

Sunday, Oct. 20, Starsmore Nature Center, 2120 S. Cheyenne Cañon Road, 3 p.m: Hiking and poetry led by Midnight, Philip J. Curtis. poetry719.com.

Osborn Mystery Hike

Friday, Oct. 25, Mueller State Park, 21045 Highway 67 South, 10 a.m.: Hike to the Osborn cabin and listen to the tale of Sumner Osborn, a homesteader who lived at Mueller in the early 1900s. Learn of his life living off the land, disputes among neighbors, and his sudden disappearance. cpw.state.co.us.

Unnature Trail

Friday, Oct. 25, Mueller State Park, 21045 Highway 67 South, 2 p.m.: Take a short hike to practice your observation skills and learn more about camouflage in nature. cpw.state.co.us.

Baseballoween

Friday, Oct. 25, UCHealth Park, 4385 Tutt Blvd., 5 p.m.: This is a free event for everyone to enjoy trick-or-treating on our field, playing games on our concourse, watching “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” on our video board, eating your favorite concession items and trying seasonal craft beers.

jburke@vibesbaseball.com.

Orophile Outdoor Adventures & Poetry Oct. 20 | Courtesy: Poetry719

BOOKS .

‘SOMETHING IS HAPPENING WITH THE HUMMINGBIRDS’

‘Bluebird Seasons’ observes climate change over 25 years in a small corner of Colorado

By DEB ACORD • Rocky Mountain Reader •

There’s a point in “Bluebird Seasons: Witnessing Climate Change in My Piece of the Wild,” where author Mary Taylor Young has a realization: What started as a lyrical nature memoir ended as a chronicle of climate change in real time.

The author and her husband live part of the year on 37 acres in the dry piñon and juniper foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains southwest of Trinidad, Colorado. They bought their land in 1995, and as they began planning and eventually building a cabin for themselves, they also created a bluebird trail — a series of nesting boxes in bluebird habitat. The trail for the sky-colored members of the thrush family was one way they connected to their new environment.

One night, in June 2001, Young writes in her nature journal: “… As we sat on the deck listening to a poorwill calling from the dark, we heard a loud crack! crack! … We peered into the blue-black night, wondering what was out there, and what it was up to. In the morning, we discovered the answer.

“The American black bear.” Young has a degree in zoology and has spent more than 30 years as a nature and wildlife writer. She is well-versed on bears’ superb olfactory abilities and their insatiable hunt for food. “I should have remembered that fact,” Young writes. Later that same summer, she experiences the reality of the predator who shares their land and who has helped itself to the contents of one of the bluebird boxes leaving only feathers and eggshell fragments on the ground. Young, her husband and young daughter continue setting up nesting boxes, keeping in mind the cadence of nature.

“It’s the natural rhythm that all life on Earth is a part of, including us,” she

writes, “in circles, that vary year to year but add up over many years to balance.” That rhythm in the natural world forms the basis for Young’s book, and that rhythm changes over time.

“And so, the simple story of ‘A Bluebird Season’ became ‘Bluebird Seasons,’ a testament to a world that had altered, and was still altering,” Young writes.

Her graceful narrative of the ebb and tide of the land compels the reader through her book and makes the realities of climate change palpable. She doesn’t dispute the natural food chain — a bear snacking on bluebird eggs and nestlings — but watches for changes in her ecosystem.

Writing about life unfolding on the family’s land provided the author with a 25-year-long digest of changes. Species’ habits changed. There were fewer and fewer elk on their land. Drought caused its own challenges — fewer wildflowers and grasses, a dried-up pond where frogs once lived. Piñon pines throughout the West were being wiped out by heat, wildfires, drought and insects, and as they disappeared, so did pinyon jays.

But when the smallest birds out of hundreds of species observed by Young changed their feeding habits, she took special notice.

Early in their time on their land, the family’s feeders were mobbed with boisterous broad-tail hummingbirds. The tiny birds generally arrive in Colorado in mid-April, but because the Young family bought their land in the fall, they didn’t see one until the following spring.

“June 1996: Hung a hummingbird feeder from the ponderosa near our campsite,” Young wrote in her journal.

“Within an hour, a female broad-tail visited.” By 2008, she had noticed a distinct change.

“Something is happening with the hummingbirds,” she wrote. There were more black-chinned than broad-tails. By 2015, black-chinned greatly outnumbered the broad-tails; in May of that year, there wasn’t a single sign of a broad-tail.

According to the Pew Research Center, “The perception that the effects of climate change are happening close to home is one factor that could drive public concern and calls for action on the issue.”

Young’s at-the-bird-feeder kind of evidence is easier to grasp than government studies and academic papers about climate change. It brings the subject of climate change and what it could mean directly to people’s backyards and their lives.

"AND SO, THE SIMPLE STORY OF ‘A BLUEBIRD SEASON’ BECAME ‘BLUEBIRD SEASONS,’ A TESTAMENT TO A WORLD THAT HAD ALTERED, AND WAS STILL ALTERING ..."

Young says she envisioned this book as a “lyrical nature memoir” and it succeeds on that level. Yet it is also a clear-eyed look at climate change in a way that allows people to understand what is at stake.

The broad-tail was listed as a bird of highest vulnerability in the National Audubon Society’s 2019 “Survival by Degrees: 389 Bird Species on the Brink.” Young had witnessed that decline firsthand.

Young writes that she didn’t set out to become a witness to climate change, but she learned about it through her life in the foothills of southern Colorado.

“Our sightings are the rare data of climate change,” she writes. “The hundreds of entries about birds and nestlings, what flowers are blooming, the movements of bears and elk, the weather, reveal changes that are only evident over time.”

And with that, there is still hope. Young ends “Bluebird Seasons” with a passage from an Emily Dickinson poem: “Hope is the thing with feathers / That perches in the soul / And sings the tune without the words / And never stops at all.” Deb Acord is a journalist and author from Woodland Park, Colorado. For decades, she wrote for The Colorado Springs Gazette, Rocky Mountain News, Denver Post and The Indy. At the Gazette, she was co-creator of Out There, a section devoted to the outdoors of Colorado. She is the author of Colorado Winter and Biking Colorado’s Front Range Superguide and has written car trend stories and environmental stories for Popular Mechanics. This story first appeared at rockymountainreader. org , a nonprofit service dedicated to the literary landscape in Colorado n

BECOMING THE RIVER

Author Dave Showalter takes an epic journey along the Colorado River, examining

its perils and promise

A•

By BEVERLY DIEHL

Rocky Mountain Reader •

lthough Dave Showalter was not intending a commitment to a long-term project, that is exactly what happened when he began his study and documentation of the perils and promise of the Colorado River. Encompassing several years of work, hikes and photography, the resulting book, “Living River: The Promise of the Mighty Colorado,” is an award winner, capturing the NOBA, the Outdoor and Nature prize of the 27th annual National Outdoor Book Awards.

The book’s exceptional photos not only capture beautiful moments in time but also illustrate the issues of our state’s geography and the river’s effects upon the Southwest. Based in Arvada, Colorado, Showalter’s work extends far beyond the Front Range. He has contributed to Outside, Outdoor Photographer, National Parks, High Country News and other publications, but this latest effort took him on an extended Colorado River journey. Already familiar with declining snow depths in Colorado high country, he began with the river’s inescapably serious current state.

The Colorado Compact, in place since 1922, is now over a century old and out of date, having fallen dreadfully behind Western states’ immense growth and overuse of the river’s waters. Decades of headlines and feature stories have related the troubles for what has been termed “the hardest-working river in America.” For years, commissions have met to revise The Colorado Compact, expiring in 2026, enlarging provisions for seven states, adding 29 Native American reservations and including Mexico.

In the 1960s, after 6 million years of geologic flow, the 1,450-mile-long river ceased reaching its destination — the Gulf of Mexico. Once serving 3 million people, hundreds of species and thousands of acres of farmland, the river now must support 40 million people and even more square miles of agriculture.

“The Colorado drains 240,000 square miles

and makes life possible from Denver to Los Angeles, from Salt Lake City to Yuma, and Mexicali to San Luis Rìo Colorado, Mexico,” Showalter explains in “Living River.” “Still there is no sugaring the peril of our water truth in the American West.”

Admittedly, the engineering required to divert water has been ingenious. The book cites these examples:

• The Moffat Water Tunnel, a 10-footdiameter bore, takes 60 percent of the Fraser River’s water for eastern slope needs and, through a series of tunnel diversions, crosses the Continental Divide three times.

• Thirteen dams in the river system with two huge ones, which might have become four, stalled the river; filled gorges, valleys and canyons; and built enormous reservoirs.

• Two canals, the 242-mile-long Colorado River Aqueduct complex and the Central Arizona Project, stretching 336 miles, cost $4 billion and took 20 years to build, substantially depleting the river’s waters. All of these efforts aside, Showalter’s aerial photo of 2022 showing the Lake Mead bathtub ring illustrates that drought and overuse reduced its level to just 27 percent of capacity. The lake had not been full since 1983, and megadrought damage to the water supply resulted in the first declared shortages, announced in 2021, followed by an explosion of wildfires in the West in 2022. Bleak though conditions appear, Showalter documents restoration projects, programs and ideas that have brought improvements. To this end, he has trekked miles of the Colorado and its tributaries, rafted the canyons and studied how the river that transformed landscapes and fostered life for millions of years can retain its power. His book investigates bankside willow plantings, dredging projects and delta restoration along the San Pedro. Chapters on major watersheds, with the familiar names of Fraser, Delores, Gunnison, Yampa and Green, alongside attendant photos, develop an appreciation for those conserving our wild places.

In lengthy sidebars, Showalter allows several voices to speak about their own efforts along the waterways. “Earth’s Breath” by Alison Holloran discusses the difficulties and wetland necessities for bird migration. The river basin is essential to the lives of millions of birds and critical for the yellow warbler and the sandhill crane. Kirk Klancke has been improving the stream health of the Fraser, as chronicled in “Living River.” In cooperation with Trout Unlimited, volunteers with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the city of Denver have stabilized stream banks, increased stream depth and created settling ponds to capture silt from stream bottoms, supporting insect populations needed to feed native fish. Tom Koerner, another conservation manager, has used controlled burns and cattle grazing to mimic the conditions once provided by buffalo herds. Cottonwood galleries and willow, essential to the riparian ecosystem, stabilize banks while providing shade and food for wildlife. Bears Ears National Monument is the first national monument proposed by a coalition of sovereign tribal nations who proposed boundaries for the 1.9 million acres to save sacred land as well as to protect the Green and Colorado waters. Although the monument is now smaller, resources remain insufficient for food production and other family needs. Even now, 30 percent of Native American communities have unreliable access to water and sanitation. Further downstream, Holly Richter is building consensus for projects mapping groundwater and researching its relationship to the San Pedro River, and Jennifer Pitt describes the Greening Project to restore some of the former 9,650 square miles of the Colorado River Delta in Mexico. Through seven maps, 150 startling photos and Showalter’s effective prose, we, too, might share hopes for the river’s future. Showalter captures the river’s beauty and integrity as well as the majestic power of its landscape: some clear streams, many carved by turbulent rapids, and the emptiness of the

delta. A reading of “Living River” will show those of us in the state bearing its name the mystical power of our river.

“Recovering the endangered cottonwoodwillow ecosystem wherever possible, providing all people with access to clean water, recharging groundwater for riverine health, protecting instream flows and greening the Colorado River Delta are hopeful pieces of a holistic view for this watershed. When we become the river, the actions will be simply giving back to a watershed that all our Western lives are built upon. When we become the river, there will be no separations between us and the rivers, between us and crane, warbler, trout, bobcat. When we become the river, water and all of the life supported in her flow will be sacred. The Colorado River and her tributaries change everything they touch, including us. That is the river’s promise.

There may be just enough water for people, wildlife and life in flow. When we become the river.”

Born in Ohio but a resident of Colorado Springs since 1955, Beverly has watched the city grow. Achieving a BA from what was then Colorado State College with later graduate work at CC and University of Birmingham, England, she began a 16-year teaching career, 10 years freelancing and full-time volunteering, before spending 26 years with the Pikes Peak Library District. Author of the teachers’ guide, History of the Pikes Peak Region, she is still surrounded by books and serves as a board member with the Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District. This story first appeared at rockymountainreader.org, a nonprofit service dedicated to the literary landscape in Colorado. n

COVER STORY.

tsunami of lawsuits about to wash over all of them. The Jimmies had the good sense to see that Stratton knew a hell of a lot more about the mining business than they did. And their partnership would prove to be fortuitous not just for them, but for the thousands of mine workers and other employees who joined unions in the district over the next 10 years.

Stratton’s Independence Mine quickly made him the first millionaire in Cripple Creek, and The Portland soon became the richest gold mine in the world. The wealth and power it gave Stratton, Burns and Doyle should have, by proverb or profit, corrupted them absolutely. But while none were saints by any measure, Stratton and Burns didn’t forget their working class origins in 1893 when workers organized under the Western Federation of Miners

and called for a 25-cent raise and an eighthour workday. When they went on strike in 1894, Stratton and Burns were the only two mine owners in the district to recognize the union and agree to their terms.

THE ONE-EYED DANDY

Even by 1893, most mining operations in what was now the American West had been consolidated under old money and corporations. Hard-rock mining was expensive, and most of the lone prospectors like Bob Womack, Winfield Scott Stratton, and Jimmie Burns had long since been bought out by bigger, vertically integrated companies or owners that controlled not just the mines, but also the railroads that moved the ore and the mills that extracted the gold.

When the silver crash of 1893 sent the American economy into a tailspin, labor flooded into Cripple Creek, which had

one of the few booming economies in the country at the time. But the surplus labor drove wages down until the nascent Western Federation of Miners (WFM) flexed its muscle and demanded $3.25 a day for eight hours and greater safety measures.

Modern labor unions in the United States, with origins that some trace to ancient trade guilds, first became prominent in the mid-1800s as a way for skilled and unskilled workers to resist the growing consolidation of corporate power and fight for better wages and working conditions. By the time Cripple Creek began to boom, miners throughout the West had been organizing under the flags of various unions. Less-skilled miners in the coal industry tended to organize under United Mine Workers of America, while the moreskilled hard-rock miners leaned toward the more radical, and often racist, Western Federation of Miners.

The 1894 strike and the many physical and political skirmishes that defined it are their own story. But for the purposes of this story, it’s only important to know that Stratton and Burns’ willingness to meet most of the WFM’s demands meant that the union couldn’t be choked. The workers had money coming in to support the union, and thus the strike, and they were making money for Burns and Stratton. For labor strikes to be broken, owners must form their own union and refuse to bow to labor’s demands, sometimes losing large amounts of money on principal in the short term to make even larger margins in the long term. But once one or two owners step out of line, the battle can last too long and be too expensive.

Stratton and Burns were making more money than they knew what to do with. Stratton, who would come to believe that no person needed more than $100,000 ($3.5 million in 2024 dollars adjusted for inflation, granted), was more than happy to share an extra 25 cents per hour with those who’d helped make him a millionaire. But among the dozens of disgruntled mine owners cussing Burns and Stratton was a one-eyed dandy from Philadelphia who’d come out West seeking the kind of adventures only money can buy.

Spencer “Spec” Penrose and his brothers were Harvard men. The youngest of four otherwise serious gentlemen, Spec was a

party boy and a jock. He drank heavily, lost an eye in a rowing accident and graduated at the bottom of his class. After college, he went west with $2,000 ($70,000 in 2024) of his father’s money, and then blew it all in a variety of failed business ventures and escapades in Las Cruces, New Mexico. With the wolf at the door, he turned to his prep school best friend, Charles Tutt. Tutt was the more grounded and industrious of the two — the little pig who’d built with brick. Though the two were both the sons of Philadelphia doctors, Tutt’s father had died when he was young. So he’d quit school at a young age and went west with the railroad. After a brief stint as a rancher in Black Forest, he set up a successful real estate company in Colorado Springs. And when Bob Womack struck gold, he quickly expanded his business to Cripple Creek and staked a mining claim he called the COD Tutt jumped Spec into his growing business on a $500 IOU (that he allegedly never repaid), and they set about doing the things that young men of means could do in Cripple Creek: buying and selling real estate, operating brothels and burlesque halls, and hiring cheap labor to extract gold.

When the WFM miners struck in 1894, Penrose, in particular, revealed his great distaste for workers. According to historian Tom Noel, “Penrose staunchly opposed union organizers who complained of poor pay, dangerous work and wretched living conditions. Indeed, Penrose and his fellow mine owners not only crushed strikes but also helped to suppress the two major unions involved with hard-rock miners.” While it’s unclear where Tutt stood on the matter, it’s fair to say that all the mine owners, with the exception of Stratton and Burns, had little enough regard for the miners to resist their demands and bring in scabs. It’s unclear how much antipathy grew between them at the time, but Penrose and Tutt saw the writing on the wall: Cripple Creek was a union town and probably would be as long as Stratton and Burns were around. So they jumped at an opportunity to cash in on the COD just a year later and sold it for $250,000 ($8.5M today). They took their earnings and invested in the far more lucrative business of milling just down the hill in Colorado City.

8 Stratton funded the construction of the El Paso County Courthouse, which now houses the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. He also paid for the U.S. Post Office at Pikes Peak and Nevada, built a public trolley system and founded the Myron Stratton home, meant to be a retirement home for indigent miners.

Spencer Penrose and Charles Leaming Tutt in their early days together at Cripple Creek. | Courtesy: Pikes Peak Library District, 001-366

THE MILLS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL

The marketing materials for the Gold Hill Mesa housing development that overlooks downtown Colorado Springs and Old Colorado City don’t try to hide the fact that it’s built on the historic site of the Golden Cycle, a cyanide mill that refined gold from 1907 to 1948. The smokestack is still there, after all. But they don’t directly mention the 14 million tons of mine tailings full of arsenic, lead, cadmium, selenium and zinc upon which it sits. Nor do they mention the fact that the Golden Cycle sat atop the tailings of three previous chlorination mills, the first of which was Penrose and Tutt’s Colorado-Philadelphia Reduction Company (CPRC).

Some of the success of the CPRC was a function of luck. The Lawrence Reduction works near Cripple Creek had just burned down, leaving their operator, Charlie MacNeill, available to oversee the new mill’s construction and management. Penrose and Tutt, flush with their COD money, had no trouble getting investment dollars from other mine owners, including Stratton. They opened for business in 1896.

The genius of putting a chlorination mill in Colorado City was manifold: It was a relatively new process that allowed for a much higher yield of gold; the mill was closer to the coal needed to heat the ore, which didn’t have to be hauled up the pass; the ore could be shipped cheaply downhill from Cripple Creek; and finally, Colorado City wasn’t a union town, yet. Everything went swimmingly for Penrose, Tutt, MacNeill and their investors for the next six years. They successfully monopolized the milling operations in the Pikes Peak region, including The Standard Mill — a neighboring competitor just to the south along what is now the eastern edge of Red Rock Canyon — under United States Reduction & Refining Co. (which they later sold to the Guggenheims). They also owned majority shares of the Midland Terminal and Florence-Cripple Creek rail lines.

Burns and Stratton weren’t about to be monopolized out of business. Their sympathies with the mine workers had

made them outcasts among the capitalist class, but they were still capitalists. And in 1901 they opened The Portland Mill just east of the Colorado-Philadelphia and Standard Mills, and Stratton led the effort to build the competing Colorado Springs & Cripple Creek District Railway, or “Short Line.”

But the Burns-Stratton alliance was already beginning to weaken. Stratton had sold the Independence to a British mining concern in 1899 for $11 million and withdrew from active involvement in The Portland. Though he took great pride in giving much of his wealth back to the Colorado Springs community in the form of buildings and infrastructure,8 he was tortured by the constant requests for marriage and charity that he received. Taciturn and glum by nature, he holed up at his modest home on Weber Street and drank.

When Stratton died on Sept. 14, 1901, at 54, the tenuous balance of power in Cripple Creek began to tip toward the mine owners. Jimmie Burns was soon stripped of his power on The Portland’s board, and socially ostracized. In February 1903 when workers at the Standard Mill in Colorado City decided to organize as the Western Federation of Miners Mill and Smeltermen’s Union No. 125, Charlie MacNeill threatened to fire anyone who joined. WFM miners in Cripple Creek went on strike in solidarity, unleashing a war with the mine owners who were now backed by the new antiunion Colorado Gov. James Peabody, who sent in the militia to break the strike.

According to Tom Noel and Cathleen M. Norman’s biography of Tutt and Penrose, “A Pikes Peak Partnership,” Penrose funded the militia, promising to “wage a warfare against the outrageous extractions of the Western Federation of Miners.”

Without Stratton, and with Jimmie Burns sidelined, the entire union culture of Cripple Creek vanished. It had been, for more than a decade, the opposite of a company town, which would become a hallmark of corporate power during the coal field wars in southern Colorado that would culminate with the Ludlow Massacre outside of Trinidad in 1914. Penrose had won. He reduced wages by up to 20% among the scabs who took the

TOP: The Burns Theatre (aka The Chief) just before demolition in 1973. BOTTOM: Parking lot and bank drive-through where the Burns once stood, 1989. | Credit: James and Helen McCaffery

Courtesy: Pikes Peak Library District, 001-366

union workers’ jobs. He and Tutt went on to make millions more from dozens of other mining ventures, including the Bingham copper mine in Utah where pit mining was invented. He sunk much of his fortune into The Broadmoor Hotel and its various tourist enterprises — the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Cog Railway and many others, now owned by Phil Anschutz.

In 1937, Spec and his wife, Julie Penrose, created the El Pomar Foundation “to ensure their commitment to community would endure.”

Shortly before he died in 1939, the workers at the Broadmoor made a failed attempt to form a union after which Penrose wrote, “I have been fighting the unions since 1891 and at Cripple Creek we had a strike that lasted ten years, simply because the mine owners kept compromising with the unions. Finally, the mine owners took a stand and beat them.”

In 1936, just before his death, the Penroses opened the Fine Arts Center at the corner of Dale Street and Cascade Avenue. The legendary modern dancer and choreographer Martha Graham graced the stage on opening night, and Jackson Pollock was among the students there. And it seemed for a brief period there

at the end of the Great Depression that the vast wealth he’d accumulated while busting unions at his mines and mills throughout the West might have helped reshape Colorado Springs into a kind of arts colony.

But as the gold boom died out and World War II loomed, any notions that the little city union gold had built might become a cultural oasis began to fade. While manufacturing towns like Pueblo boomed during the war, Colorado Springs had little more than a giant pile of mine tailings and a lot of undeveloped land. But Spencer Penrose’s old business associates at the newly formed El Pomar Foundation had an idea for a whole new gold rush: if they couldn’t make money from the war machine, they’d use that land to bring the war machine and all its money to Colorado Springs.

Coming up in Part II: As the military becomes the foundation for the postWorld War II economy, an irascible newspaperman and an unlikely prophet of libertarianism launch The Freedom School and make Colorado Springs their crucible for a decades-long experiment in the ideals and realities of antigovernment governing, paving the way for Congressional House District 5 and the arrival of Jeff Crank.

WE NEED MOUNTAIN LIONS TO DO THEIR JOB AS PREDATORS

By DAN ASHE

Iam a former director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and have hunted practically as long as I can remember, pursuing small game and waterfowl as well as deer, elk and caribou. Hunting has been a lifelong passion and helped shape my values as a career wildlife conservation professional.

But I am against hunting mountain lions in Colorado. Today, I join many wildlife professionals and hunters who support Colorado’s Proposition 127 — Cats Aren’t Trophies, on the ballot this November.

I’ve never been much for so-called trophy hunting, especially when the animals are chased to exhaustion by commercial outfitters using dogs and GPS tracking. Once these lions are perched helplessly in a tree, they are shot by a so-called hunter.

This kind of hunting violates a foundational value of “fair chase” that I was taught as a child. I was also taught that hunting is a form of harvest, yielding “free-range” delicacies that reconnect us to the land and water. Part of that connection is respect for the game we hunt, not desire to dominate or eliminate them.

But hunters are predators, and as a nation, we have long harbored a bloodlust for competitors like mountain lions. We have stoked societal mythologies and fears, and despite the wisdom of mid-1900s conservation scholars like Aldo Leopold, we have continued to scapegoat these creatures in the name of game management.

Maybe we do this to hide our own inadequacies. It is much easier to blame declining elk or deer populations on mountain lions or wolves than to grapple with habitat loss and fragmentation, drought and water scarcity or changing climates. Acknowledging those would require that we deal with our ever-expanding desires for more and cheaper and easier.

Yet here’s what’s important to know now: Emerging science tells us that these apex predators aren’t the enemy; they’re allies. They are likely providing an important ecosystem service in checking the spread of chronic wasting disease, CWD, an existential threat to healthy deer and elk populations, by targeting animals weakened by the disease.

Forty-two of Colorado’s 51 deer herds and 17 of 42 elk herds are infected with this 100 percent fatal, brain-wasting malady. The disease started in Colorado and spread across the Midwest and Rockies. It has killed hundreds of thousands of elk, deer and moose, and it is getting worse.

The pathogen is not a virus or bacteria but a “prion” — a protein that slowly and painfully destroys brain tissue in deer and elk. There is no evidence that these CWD prions are “zoonotic” and can infect humans, but public health officials warn against eating CWD-infected game as a precaution. Prions aren’t living things, so they can’t be killed with antibiotic or antiviral medications. They can only be “deactivated,” and amazingly, science is telling us that they are deactivated in the digestive systems of

predators like lions and wolves. That is why these animals are our natural allies.

As a scientist, I know that correlation is not causation, but sometimes it can be a powerful indicator. There is good science showing that lions will selectively prey on CWD-infected animals because infected animals are likely easier to kill. Where there are no lions, there are higher rates of CWD-infected animals; where healthy lion population exists, there are low levels of CWD infection or none at all.

Killing 500 lions every year in Colorado is not simply unscientific and unethical, it is interrupting the animals’ vital work as a bulwark against CWD. In Colorado, 2,000 residents will buy a license to kill a Colorado lion (0.3% of nearly 6 million citizens, and 0.6% of state hunters), and 500 nonresidents come into the state to buy a license for lions.

For as long as there have been hunters, and as long as hunters have been managing wildlife, we have scapegoated and persecuted apex predators like mountain lions. It’s time we change. Mountain lions are our allies, so let’s start treating them that way. We need them to flourish.

Voting yes in support of Proposition 127 is a great beginning.

Dan Ashe is a contributor to Writers on the Range, writersontherange.org, an independent nonprofit dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. He was the 16th director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, serving for nearly six years.

Mountain lion | Credit: Richard Callupe, courtesy Unsplash

DON’T MAKE YOUR NEXT HIKE NEWSWORTHY

Ispend a lot of time on my podcast and social media evaluating reports of hikers, cyclists or climbers who needed to be rescued by search and rescue teams. More often than not, people who need to be rescued get there by their own actions — or lack of actions. They go hiking in inappropriate clothing (which really seems to be a thing in the winter), without enough water, without maps or pre-planning for the trail they’re going on, by going off designated trails because they think they see a shortcut, without checking the weather forecast — or even educating themselves on the climate where they are hiking, or, and this is very common, they underestimate the difficulty of their hike and/or overestimate their ability. Just ask the rangers at the Grand Canyon how often this happens.

It can be argued that social media comes into play for people getting into some of these predicaments. “Influencers” post images and videos from their hikes without giving the details on how difficult the hike might be, or what equipment may be needed for a hike, or they create posts about places that don’t have adequate infrastructure, such as parking, to accommodate an increase in visitation. But blaming modern social media is too simple of an excuse. Many times, people get into trouble because they simply let ego and ignorance get in their way. They ignore advice from park rangers, land managers and other experts, choose not to read signs at informational kiosks, ignore rules and regulations, fail to carry the “10 Essen-

tials” or follow the seven “Leave No Trace” principles, or simply don’t care. And this isn’t a new phenomenon. In a recent interview I did on my podcast with author and researcher Randi Minetor, who has written a number of books about deaths in national and state parks, this kind of behavior has been going on for more than 100 years, long before modern social media (you can listen to the interview here: https://tinyurl.com/yd4az7s9).

On the other hand, hikers who take the time to properly plan, equip and educate themselves are less likely to get into a predicament. But mishaps can still happen. You can slip on ice, have a rock roll out from under your feet, get caught in an unexpected weather change, or encounter trail intersections or new alignments that are not yet on maps. The difference in outcomes between the experienced, educated and equipped hiker and the ill-prepared hiker can be significant.

And sometimes, having the right people with you (you should try to avoid hiking alone if at all possible) or come along when you need help, can make a bad situation better.

A friend of mine who is an experienced, well-equipped hiker with many, many miles under her belt recently had an accident while hiking on a trail. She tripped over something — maybe a tree root or a rock — and fell forward, hard, breaking her arm near the elbow. De-

spite being in severe pain, she was able to make her way down the trail, and due to having the experience, knowledge and proper equipment, including an alternate form of communication, was able to get herself safely down the trail to the trailhead while notifying friends that she needed assistance. To her good fortune, she encountered a couple on the trail who assisted her by going above and beyond and driving her and her car to a hospital where she was attended to. Keeping her head, thinking through her next course of action and having a backup plan in place made this a successful self-extraction.

I have had to rely on a search and rescue mission when the trail I was on — and following on a map — disappeared off the end of a cliff. I was in a national park and following a “route” and not a “trail,” and while the difference in the definition of those is subtle, in reality, the difference can be significant. I was well into my 10-mile hike and spent some time trying to find a way around this tall cliff wedged into a narrow canyon. When I couldn’t find a way around and down safely, and after weighing several different options, I contacted the park headquarters and after discussing a variety of ways out of this situation, they then contacted the local SAR team to get me. Here is where being properly equipped and experienced made this into what was a pretty simple SAR mission: I was able, using my GPS and

maps, to tell the park staff and SAR team exactly where I was. I had sufficient food, water, clothing, shelter and other essential gear to remain where I was in this deep backcountry location overnight if necessary. Based on other incidents I had studied, I knew not to wait until it was dark to call for assistance, and also to stay put once I had established my location with the SAR team. Long story short (and you can listen to me tell this story in more detail here: https://tinyurl.com/5n6su7su), the SAR team found me and guided me out of this spot. In my defense, they acknowledged that this was a difficult spot to get around, and more so when approached in the direction I was taking.

Generally speaking, the only hikes that make the news are the ones that either end in tragedy or require massive operations. Make an effort to not have one of your hikes be a newsworthy event. Be good. Do good things. Leave no trace ...

Bob “Hiking Bob” Falcone is a retired career firefighter, USAF veteran, an accomplished photographer and 30year 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 his 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

Rescue helicopter in action. |Courtesy: Adobe Stock

PUZZLES!

News of the WEIRD

BY THE EDITORS AT ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

SINGLE-ENGINE DRAMA

En route from Nebraska to Oregon on Sept. 21, a single-engine plane made an emergency landing on Highway 25 north of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Cowboy State Daily reported. Levi and Kelsi Dutton, who were traveling south on the highway when the plane landed in front of them, offered assistance to the pilot, who identified himself as Steve. The pilot calmly inspected the plane’s fuel line before announcing, “I got the tools right here. I’ll just open it up, figure out what’s going on and get her fixed.” After making the repair, Steve hopped back aboard the plane and, as the Duttons stopped traffic to free up a runway space, taxied south and took off for Cheyenne Regional Airport, where he could do a more thorough inspection.

Another single-engine plane made news on Sept. 17 when, shortly after taking off from Myrtle Beach International Airport in South Carolina, a door fell off and landed in the yard of a vacant home, WBMF News reported. The pilot and passenger on board were unharmed. Witness Wendy Hodges, who lives next door to the vacant house, hurried home after learning of the incident, and found the intact door in the neighbor’s yard. “It was definitely really lucky that there was no damage or no one was hurt,” said Hodges. “As a matter of fact, there’s a plane flying right now, but I will certainly make sure I start looking up.”

KUNG FAUX PANDA

As the old saying goes, if it (sorta) looks like a panda but walks, barks and pants like a dog ... it’s a dog. Canoe.com reported that a Chinese zoo in the southern Guangdong province has admitted what many had already guessed: that its “pandas” were actually dogs with their fur painted. Some zoo visitors used social media to share photos and videos of the critters doing very un-pandalike things, such as panting, barking and wagging long tails. Commenters had a field day: “It’s a PANdog,” one wrote, while another called it “the Temu version of a panda.” Once the posts went viral, zoo officials admitted they had painted two chow chow dogs. Some visitors have since demanded refunds.

MISSED THEIR EXIT?

WSVN in Miami reported on Sept. 21 that an SUV fell from an overpass on I-95, crashing through a fence below and narrowly missing a bystander — and miraculously, both driver and passenger walked away, apparently unscathed. Those nearby rushed to help, including Mariah Lewis, who offered a knife from her glove box to aid in cutting the driver and passenger out of their seat belts.

“It’s just by the grace of God that the people lived, because I don’t understand how you fall from that high and [live],” she said. Both occupants were checked by paramedics, and the driver was taken to a local trauma center for observation. “It was bad, but it could have been worse,” Lewis said. “I was just telling my daughter I’m so grateful. You’ve got to be grateful for life.”

MAKES SENSE

Kody Adams of Oklahoma was due for a court appearance in Pawnee County for a hearing on car theft charges on Sept. 27. So when Adams couldn’t bum a ride from any of the patrons at a gas station in Stillwater, some 30 minutes away, KOCO News 5 reported that he improvised by commandeering an unoccupied LifeNet Emergency Services pickup and driving it to Pawnee. An Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper caught Adams after he had ditched the pickup and was entering the courthouse. “The trooper did make sure he made his court case,” said Preston Cox of the OHP. Adams was then transported to Payne County and booked on new charges.

INCREDIBLE

JOURNEY

Two months after Rayne Beau, a Siamese cat owned by Benny and Susanne Anguiano of Salinas, California, went missing during a trip to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, the 2-year-old cat was reported found by the Placer SPCA shelter in Roseville, California — some 800 miles from where the cat had gone missing. USA Today reported that the Anguianos had tried for several days to locate Rayne Beau, but were finally forced to leave the cat behind when their reservation ran out on June 8. But on Aug. 3, a voicemail from the shelter claimed that the cat had been located and identified via microchip, and the Anguianos were reunited with Rayne Beau. “He was really little, all skin and bones. He was in starvation mode,” Benny said; but the cat recovered quickly.

A LOAD OF BOLOGNA

U.S. Customs and Border Protection shuts down smuggling attempts on a daily basis, but what its officers caught on Sept. 23 at the Presidio, Texas, port of entry wasn’t the usual contraband. While inspecting a vehicle being driven into the U.S., CBP personnel discovered 748 pounds of Mexican bologna. The New York Post reported that 40 rolls of the deli meat were hidden in a number of suitcases

throughout the vehicle. CBP Presidio Port Director Benito Reyes Jr. said in a news release that “the concern with pork products is that they have the potential to introduce foreign animal diseases that can have devastating effects to the U.S. economy and to our agriculture industry.” The driver, an American citizen, was issued a $1,000 civil penalty; the bologna was destroyed per USDA regulations.

Astro-logic

TBY CAMILLE LIPTAK, COSMIC CANNIBAL

hese final weeks in October bring a spooky blend of self-discovery, relationship dynamics and transformation for all signs. Embrace the eerie energy as you confront fears, balance responsibilities and unleash your creativity — perfect for navigating the haunting vibes of Halloween. Want more astro-logic from Cosmic Cannibal? Social Media @cosmiccannibalcamille, Substack cosmiccannibal.substack.com and the web cosmiccannibal.com

ARIES

Get ready to howl at the moon! The full moon in your sign on the 17th shines a spooky spotlight on your personal goals. It’s time to make magic happen. Just watch out for a power struggle on the 22nd — someone in your career might try to play tricks. No need to freak; you’ve got this …

TAURUS

A creepy-cool transformation awaits in your relationships, and it begins Oct. 22. From there on, it’s all about passion,

CANCER

Halloween vibes are kicking into overdrive for you! Home and family life get a haunted house makeover. There’s a spotlight on your foundation, and something might be rattling in the attic (literally or metaphorically). Tension in relationships bubbles up, but don’t run scared — face those ghostly issues head-on. Trust your instincts as your personal power surges …

LEO

Pack your broomstick; you’re going places. The 17th sparks a desire for adventure (or maybe brings a major publishing

LIBRA

Time to break some bad relationship spells. The full moon on the 17th shines a flashlight on what (or who) is holding you back. By Oct. 22, you’re all about making money, but you may feel pulled into a career vs. home battle. Balance is key, and boundaries are your best bet to staying sane …

SCORPIO

The sun enters your sign on the 22nd, charging you up like a witch on Halloween night. It’s time for rebirth — shed your

CAPRICORN

Career matters are highlighted until Oct. 22, when focus shifts to group endeavors. Before that, there’s tension between your ambitions and your current transformation trajectory. The full moon on the 17th reminds you to take care of things (i.e., drama) at home. Just beware of clashing energies, or things could go full monster mash …

AQUARIUS

The full moon on the 17th stirs things up in your daily grind, marking an end to a writing project or community pur