Good morning, Colorado Springs.

On Sept. 10, local trail advocates and students from Ute Pass Elementary passed batons with copies of the Declaration of Independence to join the 6,800-mile American Discovery Trail Relay, connecting local hiking trails to a coast-to-coast journey that honored Dick Bratton (founder of Friends of Ute Pass Trails).

Community events unfold Sept.

23-29 in Teller County and Ute Pass, featuring yoga, e-bike rides, and memory cafes (scheduled in Woodland Park, Divide and nearby areas) that offer local residents a mix of fitness and cultural enrichment.

The Colorado Pumpkin Patch returns at Colorado Kids Ranch & runs until Oct.

31, offering families hayrides, pony rides, a petting zoo & educational farm fun that supports a non-profit program for local kids.

The Monument Pours in the Park event on Sept.

19 in Limbach Park drew locals with craft beer, spirits, nonalcoholic drinks and live jazz — creating a festive community atmosphere.

Colorado educators and health experts met at Kaiser Permanente Parkside Medical Offices in Colorado Springs last Thursday to share new strategies (linking health with attendance); districts reported improvements and more investments, including a $5 million Kaiser grant and a Denver Broncos Foundation initiative to help reduce chronic absenteeism.

Local sports card shops in Colorado Springs are seeing a surge in Broncos memorabilia demand after the team's win yesterday.

Nation of Cards reported rising card values as collectors seek to own a piece of their success.

Darren Thomas won the 71st Pikes Peak Marathon at Manitou Springs on Sunday in 3:57 minutes after climbing nearly 7,800 vertical feet; his victory (10th attempt) fulfilled a childhood dream and honored his late dog, Pike.