Daily editionThursday, May 21st, 2026
Good morning, Colorado Springs.
The Daily Colorado Springs Team
Here’s your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 21st of May.
Business
CoPIRG’s Plane Truth 2026 report finds that 2025 saw significant flight delays nationwide as Denver-based Frontier Airlines had the most late flights and Colorado Springs recorded a 73.1% on-time rate (Denver International Airport was 75.4%), so travelers should prepare for erratic summer travel.
KOAA News5Read more
Culture
Tens of thousands will join the 50th-anniversary Territory Days festival this weekend in Old Colorado City as Colorado Ave becomes a Wild West town with live bands, artisan vendors, and kids’ rides.
Free shuttles operate downtown — prepare for rain.
Colorado Springs GazetteRead more
Colorado Ballet Society will perform A Colorado Rodeo and Appalachian Spring with live music by Chamber Orchestra of the Springs at Pikes Peak Center at 7 p.m. Thursday.
The reimagined ballet blends classic Copland music with local Western heritage & modern choreography.
Colorado Springs GazetteRead more
Multiple live music events will hit Colorado Springs this week—including the Pikes Peak Philharmonic’s season-closing rhapsodies Sunday at Ent Center for the Arts and Friday shows by Jiluka at The Black Sheep, Dillon Hoock at Vultures, Tender Foot Bluegrass at Buffalo Lodge and Tab Benoit at Phil Long Music Hall.
Colorado Springs GazetteRead more
A new guide highlights small live music venues in Colorado Springs and nearby towns (Pueblo, Trinidad, Woodland Park), from the energetic Black Sheep to intimate settings at Hillside Gardens and Lulu’s.
It details what music lovers can expect from each spot for local talent and diverse experiences.
Colorado Springs IndependentRead more
Education
Homeschool Science Colorado won its fourth consecutive state Science Olympiad title in six years by edging Fossil Ridge High School by three points (coach Cindy Puhek said the win shows rising skills).
The team will head to nationals in Los Angeles to face top STEM peers.
Colorado Springs GazetteRead more
Free tickets for the Air Force Academy class of 2026 graduation are available at local centers starting at 8:30 a.m. today.
The ceremony takes place on May 28 at Falcon Stadium at 9 a.m. with over 900 cadets commissioning — each person may claim up to four tickets.
Colorado Springs GazetteRead more
At Ellicott Elementary, Ms. Alexander's fourth-grade class spent the school year raising trout in the Trout in the Classroom program.
They monitored water quality and released 137 baby trout into Wolf Lake, boosting attendance & gaining real-world science experience.
KOAA News5Read more
Government
Colorado Springs will test a new lane design on Colorado Avenue in Old Colorado City starting in June and continuing for up to a year.
The project restripes four lanes to three & adds 30 metered parking spaces and temporary pedestrian islands to improve safety.
Colorado Springs GazetteRead more
Colorado Springs has launched a new dashboard called Pothole Watch to help residents track pothole repairs by showing a heat map (displaying active repair areas) and detailed repair information.
Mayor Yemi Mobolade urges locals to report potholes through the GoCOS app (a tool for community tracking).
KOAA News5Read more
Lifestyle
Southern Colorado offers outdoor adventures, including the steep Barr Trail from Manitou Springs with camping and cog railway options, the easy Fox Run Loop in Colorado Springs, and guided tours at Garden of the Gods—options also include scenic walks at Pueblo Riverwalk and Red Rock Canyon Open Space.
Colorado Springs IndependentRead more
Sports
Colorado College hockey (Tigers) released its schedule on Wednesday and will open its season by hosting Massachusetts on Oct.2-3, following a near miss for the NCAA tournament two years ago.
The team will play an exhibition on Oct.9 and face UConn and Air Force later in October.
Colorado Springs GazetteRead more
Officials announced that Pikes Peak International Raceway will close permanently after the 2026 season while scheduled events continue as planned, and the property is set for mixed-use redevelopment (with more details on future event relocation coming later).
11 NewsRead more
Colorado Springs Events
Chuck Roy Live!
Friday, May 22nd, 2026 · 7:30-11:15 p.m. — Loonees Comedy Corner — General admission available — Experience a night of fresh comedy with Chuck Roy and special guests.
Turnpike Troubadours Concert
Saturday, May 23rd, 2026 · 7:30-9 p.m. — Ford Amphitheater — Ticketed entry — Catch the rising star Avery Anna along with the beloved Turnpike Troubadours in an evening of great music.
Summer Music Series at Goat Patch Brewing Co.
Sunday, May 24th, 2026 · 6-9 p.m. — Goat Patch Brewing Company — Free entry — Enjoy live local music and craft beer in a vibrant summer beer garden.
Open Mic Night at Seven's Gate Brewing
Wednesday, May 27th, 2026 · 9:00 – 10:30 PM — Seven's Gate Taproom — Free entry — Show off your talents or relax with great live performances at this chill open mic night.
Unplugged at the Lodge
Thursday, May 28th, 2026 · 6-8 p.m. — Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort — Happy Hour pricing available — Enjoy local musicians playing acoustic originals and covers every Thursday night.
Disco Night with Disco Revue
Friday, May 29th, 2026 · 7:30-10:30 p.m. — Phil Long Music Hall at Bourbon Brothers — Ticket prices not specified — Experience the vibrant energy of a disco revival with iconic hits and a dazzling live band.
Beers and Gear Outdoor Expo
Saturday, May 30th, 2026 · 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. — Bristol Brewing Company — Free entry — Connect with outdoor brands and gear up for adventure this season.
Roma Ransom at Goat Patch Brewing
Sunday, May 31st, 2026 · 6-9 p.m. — Goat Patch Brewing Company — No cover — Enjoy live music and cold craft beer on a perfect Colorado summer evening.
Sweet T’s Rude Blues Jam
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026 · 6-9 p.m. — PEAK 31 at Union Station — Free entry — Experience the local blues scene at this vibrant jam session every Tuesday evening.
Alpha Wolf Concert
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026 · 6:00 – 7:30 PM — The Black Sheep — Ticketed event — Enjoy an electrifying performance by Alpha Wolf in Colorado Springs.