Good morning, Colorado Springs.

Residents can nominate outstanding youth for the Mayor's Young Leader Awards through Monday, Aug.

31, to recognize those making a positive impact in schools, neighborhoods and community organizations, and award winners will be honored at a ceremony later this year.

Springs Scene brings a busy art calendar as First Friday art walks light up Old Colorado City and downtown on Aug.7 + the Cottonwood Center for the Arts hosts the Spirit of the South exhibit through Aug.28 + additional shows, markets and gallery openings round out the schedule.

Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum celebrated Colorado’s 150th birthday on Saturday when it opened its *Freedom to Thrive* exhibit with live music, hands-on activities, and cake.

Governor Jared Polis attended the festivities that marked this milestone.

Pikes Peak America's Mountain earned a Guinness World Records title on Saturday when 285 people dunked doughnuts into coffee at 14,115 feet, celebrating a cherished Summit Visitor Center tradition during Colorado's 150th anniversary event.

Local events include the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival in Lyons from Aug.

7–9 and the Rocky Mountain Flower Fest at Gather Mountain Blooms on Aug. 8, with wrestling, music, art, and food fests following through early October—offering engaging choices for every resident.

Bonnie Goff, VP of Economic Development, explained the potential boost from the proposed Project Taurus data center off Garden of the Gods Road during FOX21 News on Monday, Aug.

3, noting it may help local businesses + create new jobs in Colorado Springs.

Academy District 20 held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Douglass Valley PK-8 school (adding air conditioning and expanded learning spaces) where families, military members and district leaders previewed plans to update the aging facility while classes continue; construction begins this fall and the school will open in two years.

Residents in southern Colorado saw light smoke yesterday as wildfires in the northwest and Utah burned, and officials warn that thicker smoke will fill skies this morning (fires near Spokane and near Fillmore remain active).

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo welcomed a critically endangered female Amur leopard cub born May 5, making 12-year-old Anya a second-time mom.

The zoo said the cub, with (bright, twinkling eyes), will be named by a generous donor and join the species survival plan for Amur leopards.

Manitou Springs city officials ask residents to limit water usage until Wednesday while refilling the Mesa Water Tank.

They advise delaying irrigation and using water only for essential needs to avoid overloading the water treatment system.

NBA star Derrick White worked with local kids at the Derrick White Basketball Academy on Sunday, Aug.

2 at Mitchell High School. The camp—sponsored by the Hillside Connection—highlighted his Parker roots and college journey from UCCS to the Celtics as he shared skills with young players.

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.