Good morning, Colorado Springs.

Retired Air Force combat pilot Michelle Ruehl’s emergency plea saved Stable Strides in Elbert from closing— a Colorado family agreed to cover costs for its seven horses and needed bills, ensuring continued equine therapy services.

Southern Colorado farmers market has adopted a new process after a law took effect on Aug.

23 (designed to streamline vendor operations). Market officials say the changes help vendors meet updated regulations.

Operation Foster connects volunteers with military families needing temporary pet care as troop deployments increase, with Colorado Springs resident Julie Lemke caring for two cats during a seven-month separation — the nonprofit has supported over 3,500 pets since 2011.

Starbucks returns its iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte along with new seasonal drinks such as Iced Pumpkin Cream Matcha and Pumpkin Spice Chai.

The fall menu debuts Tuesday, Aug. 25 — available in Colorado Springs for a limited time.

Colorado Springs School District 11 teacher Stacy Adair, last year's Teacher of the Year, wore a T-shirt (XX ≠ XY) at a teacher day on Aug.

6; she received a reprimand a week later for breaching dress code rules, though she said the shirt simply states a biological fact.

The city is upgrading Rock Island Trail on the east side by building 2 miles of urban trail from Sand Creek to Constitution Boulevard.

The project adds a 210 ft pedestrian bridge over Sand Creek and a safe crossing at Peterson Road, with work expected to finish by winter.

Colorado Springs residents can take scenic drives today on mountain passes south of I-70 — routes like Dallas Divide, McClure, Wolf Creek, Kebler, Cottonwood and Independence Pass offer vibrant fall colors and wildlife views.

These accessible roads provide locals a chance to enjoy vivid landscapes and refreshing air.

Cheyenne Mountain's Fenn Mullins hit his first hole-in-one on the 11th at Patty Jewett Golf Course last Tuesday during the Palmer Terror Invitational (after a two-stroke penalty on the 10th) and finished tied-for-seventh with his team.

He will compete today at the Cherry Creek Invitational at Overland Park Golf Course.

The Colorado Springs Switchbacks lost to El Paso Locomotive FC 1-0 at Weidner Field on Saturday after an own goal and missed chances in a match delayed by lightning and rain; they will travel to Lexington SC next week after playing their fifth match in 14 days.