Good morning, Colorado Springs.

Voters named Little Nepal the top Indian restaurant for its daily lunch and grand dinner buffets, with Pakwan and Urban Tandoor taking silver and bronze, and the piece also recommends Sherpa Garden Restaurant for its Tibetan noodles and Sherpa stew on the west side.

On Monday, the Colorado Department of Education announced nearly $24 million in grants to fund healthy school meals for 131 school districts + 14 charter school sites for 2026-27, boosting local food purchases, kitchen upgrades, and staff pay.

The grants are funded by a tax on high-income earners.

Colorado Springs City Council approved the Southeast Strong Neighborhood Plan on Tuesday after years of community input— the plan will guide future development, housing and investments in the southeast.

At Peterson Space Force Base Tuesday, Col. Charles Cooper took command of Space Base Delta 1 while Col. Kenneth Klock assumed the chief-of-staff role at Combat Forces Command.

Klock led key base improvements and Cooper expects new construction projects as the Space Force expands.

Heavy rain damaged Popes Valley Drive on Colorado Springs’ west side, forcing the city to close it for emergency repairs that will last 5 to 10 days.

Crews will truck in boulders and dirt, and residents should report debris blocking drainage (via the city app).

Fort Carson will test its Giant Voice System today and tomorrow (backup Friday) at 8:30 a.m. for about 10 minutes, broadcasting messages that start and end with 'this is a test' to advise residents not to contact emergency services.

On Tuesday, July 28, Colorado Springs Parking Enterprise launched the Now You Know campaign to simplify parking downtown and in Old Colorado City.

The campaign introduces new kiosks, improved meters and expanded payment options that help local businesses.

Common Spirit is offering free lung cancer screenings for firefighters facing chemical hazards at Common Spirit Penrose and St. Francis hospitals; the screenings aim to catch cancer early among active duty firefighters (with 10 or more years of service in El Paso County).

Reeses and Skunk are a bonded pair of guinea pigs available for adoption today in Colorado Springs; Reeses is 3 years old (black and brown) and Skunk is 1.5 years old (white and black), with a $35 fee for both.

Cos Racing Group Bike Ride

5:30–6:00 p.m. — Fossil Craft Beer Company — Free entry — Enjoy a weekly trail cycling ride followed by a refreshing beer with the community.

Rocky Mountain Sunset Painting Event

6:30-8:30 p.m. — Painting with a Twist — $37-$49 per person — Unleash your creativity while sipping on drinks and painting your own masterpiece.

Comedy Night with Vicki Barbolak

7-8:30 p.m. — Loonees Comedy Corner — See ticket information for pricing — Enjoy laughs with Trailer Nasty comedian Vicki Barbolak from America's Got Talent.

Makers Market at Red Leg Brewing

11 AM – 3 PM — Red Leg Brewing Company — Free entry — Explore local artistry, baked goods, and farm fresh produce at this vibrant market.

Toddler Time

10-11 a.m. — Peterson Library — Free entry — Play, laugh, and connect with new friends during a fun-filled play date for toddlers.

The Ex-Faces Reunion Concert

6:00 – 8:30 PM — Sunshine Studios Live — All Ages — Experience the nostalgic reunion of Ex-members from Mushroomhead playing classic hits and rare tracks.

STEM Quest

4:30 – 6:00 PM — Peterson Library — Free entry — Engage in hands-on STEM activities with family-friendly experiments and challenges.

Bike to First Friday — PikeRide

5-9 p.m. — Downtown Partnership of Colorado Springs — $15 for unlimited 30-minute eBike trips — Explore local art and music while pedaling through vibrant downtown Colorado Springs.