Good morning, Colorado Springs.

At Pinery at the Hill, guests enjoyed special chocolate treats and a vibrant display of seasonal flowers during Kidpower’s 19th annual Chocoholic Frolic on June 13, raising $155,000 for child safety programs.

Renee Gonzalez received the Darcell Palmer Award for her work in child protection.

Colorado will celebrate its 150th birthday just after America’s 250th, with an editorial that highlights the state’s natural beauty, indigenous roots and key milestones like women’s suffrage, mining booms and tech growth while urging careful stewardship for the future.

New state funding rules are halting several homeschool enrichment programs, forcing some local providers to delay or alter services.

Local groups including ERBOCES and Falcon Aerolab are adjusting to new restrictions that limit activities beyond public school offerings.

Doherty High School graduate Will Martinez, now in his eighth year with the U.S. Forest Service, is battling Colorado wildfires including the 24,914-acre Gold Mountain fire in Ouray as local crews face stretched resources.

The Colorado Springs Fire Department said Sunday morning its drone team located two small lightning-caused fires near Mt. Rosa and shared GPS coordinates so U.S. Forest Service crews could promptly stop them from spreading.

Both fires measured less than one acre and were contained before becoming a larger threat.

Elly Siebert, a recent Air Academy volleyball graduate, was diagnosed with leukemia in December and began treatment with blood transfusions and chemotherapy.

Now in remission, she will continue maintenance until March and hopes to resume college volleyball in 2027 (treatment remains ongoing).

Apartment construction in Colorado Springs is returning to historical norms with 388 permits issued in the first half of the year and key projects, including affordable senior housing, underway across the region; developers note strong demand persists despite rising borrowing costs and lower permit counts compared to the recent boom.

A new cottage court development approved for construction in the Hillside neighborhood east of downtown will include 14 affordable units for young families, teachers, military personnel, and retirees.

Shared courtyard (with amenities like seating and a grill) will foster community connections while using one-third less water.

Air Force men’s basketball embraced a new culture under coach Joe Crispin by leading returning players and five freshmen through fast, efficient offseason training + team bonding.

The Falcons plan to change their narrative with new cookouts and group reads ahead of the winter season.

Hunter Goodman's 13 June home runs raised his trade value, leaving Rockies fans uneasy as the San Francisco Giants face the Rockies Sunday at 2 p.m. (Peacock).

OCC Summer Concert Series featuring John Long

6-8 p.m. — Bancroft Park — Free entry — Enjoy free live blues music by John Long in a charming park setting.

The Planets: Reimagined

6:30-8:30 p.m. — Bancroft Park — Free entry — Enjoy an all-star big band performance of The Planets arranged by Jeremy Levy in a tribute to Gordon Goodwin.

$35 Thirsty Thursdays at Painting with a Twist

7-9 p.m. — Painting with a Twist — $35 per person — Enjoy a fun paint and sip experience with discounted drinks.

Zeppelin Alive!

6-11 p.m. — Stargazers Theatre & Event Center — $22.00 plus fees — Experience the thrill of Led Zeppelin's music brought to life by talented tribute artists.

Live Music: SofaKillers

4-7 p.m. — Red Leg Brewing Company — Free entry — Enjoy the SofaKillers performing live and catch the summer vibes at this local brewery.

Yoga in the Park with Cambio Yoga

9-10 a.m. — PikeRide, Inc. — Free trip available — Enjoy outdoor yoga sessions at Nancy Lewis Park with Cambio Yoga this summer.

Mellow Mondays Coloring Night

4-9 p.m. — Goat Patch Brewing Company — Free entry — Relax and color your worries away with themed pages and craft supplies available.

Bleating Heart Night: Sue's Gift

5-9 p.m. — Goat Patch Brewing Company — $1 donation per pint — Enjoy craft beer while supporting a local nonprofit.

Trivia Night at Goat Patch Brewing Company

6:30-8:30 p.m. — Goat Patch Brewing Company — Free entry — Test your knowledge and enjoy delicious brews and pizza with friends.

Less Water, More Flavor: Garden Wine Dinner

6-9 p.m. — Hillside Gardens & Event Center — Ticketed event — Experience a unique wine dinner featuring dry farmed wines and drought-tolerant ingredients in a beautiful garden setting.