Your morning starts here.

Fat Marmot Week begins Monday in Gothic, offering fun and donations to support long-running marmot research after last winter’s harsh conditions reduced the local population.

Researchers hope the event will help secure three years of funding (over $200K) to continue their work amid federal cuts.

Colorado Springs basketball legend Rick Barry, 82, won his age-group titles at the U.S. Senior Pickleball National Championships earlier this year and is now filming a documentary on his storied career — his relentless drive continues to light up local courts.

Today, Garden of the Gods Park hosts a volunteer stewardship workday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with Rocky Mountain Field Institute, inviting locals to help care for the park + check the requirements online.

The Manitou Springs Fire Department showcased a new trailered air curtain burner on Saturday after receiving ($690,000) funding from city council last December.

Lt. Michael Willie said the tool burns vegetation to help prevent wildfires amid dry conditions.

Colorado schools reopen with kindergarten measles vaccination rates at 87.8% while most counties fall below the 95% protective level.

Health officials are expanding outreach and education efforts to prevent potential outbreaks as the new school year begins.

At the Cheyenne Mountain Stampede meet on Saturday, Aug.

22, new champions were crowned at Norris-Penrose Event Center — Northfield’s Abdinaser Hassan and Cherokee Trail High's Madison Lange won the boys’ and girls’ races, while Castle View and Boulder secured team titles.

Chaz Barnett of Highlands Ranch has trained hard and memorized plays to earn a starring role on the Air Force football team after a two-year stint on the sidelines.

Coach Calhoun praised his strength at a Saturday scrimmage and expects him to play a larger role this season.

Buses at the Brewery returned to Ivywild School Saturday afternoon as over 100 Volkswagen enthusiasts gathered for the 20th annual event — many marking 12 years of attendance — and a People’s Choice award was presented.