Good morning, Colorado Springs.

Several organizations in Colorado Springs are offering volunteer opportunities in areas like healthcare, animal care, and public safety — groups such as the American Cancer Society, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, and Habitat for Humanity provide various roles.

Residents are encouraged to contact the organizations at least two weeks in advance to participate.

Bean, the 6-year-old two-toed sloth at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo known for her art, died Wednesday after a short illness caused by kidney and heart disease—her friendly nature left lasting memories among visitors.

A community gathering is planned to help those in grief heal through music at Pikes Peak State College on October 4 at 6:30 p.m. Renowned singer, songwriter and vocal activist Melanie DeMore will perform with other artists while ticket sales at 20 dollars (half price for students) will fund scholarships for grief workshops.

American Furniture Warehouse received permission from Pikes Peak Regional Building Department to build a bigger store at Powers and Dublin in Colorado Springs—though the new site is planned after years of discussion, no opening date has been set.

COS Rising 2025 brought hundreds of local founders and innovators to four venues—Catalyst Campus, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Exponential Impact and the Ent Center for the Arts—from last Wednesday through Friday.

The event held a pitch contest that awarded $10,000 to the winner and $5,000 to a runner-up while showing projects like a homemade fusion reactor and a robot vehicle used by Ukrainian troops.

Colorado Springs police confirmed that 12-year-olds Dorothy 'Everett' Kiser and Natalie Childs, last seen in the 3100 block of Spotted Tail Drive near Soaring Eagles Park, were found safe after being reported missing Sunday afternoon—prompting relief among local families.

For the past six months, Tally Kerr has driven the Roadrunner Bookshop, a mobile bookstore traveling across the Pikes Peak region to bars, pubs, and coffee shops.

The converted trailer holds between 1,200 and 1,400 used books — providing a treasure trove for local readers.

The simulation center at Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences at UCCS uses realistic patient simulations to help nursing students practice hands-on care and emotional support—students work with actors and manikins to build skills for real clinical settings.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday that it launched the Blue Envelope program to improve interactions between law enforcement and people with disabilities (such as autism, dementia and hearing loss) in the Pikes Peak region.

The program lets participants store essential documents and guidelines in a blue envelope and is available free at local partner agencies.

A hearing from Sept. 17 to Sept.

18 looked at a plan to change the status of the Shoshone water rights in the Colorado River into instream flow for environmental and power benefits. Front Range water providers—such as Colorado Springs Utilities and Denver Water—say the change could expand junior water rights that might lower their water supply.

El Paso County's Department of Public Works will update its Engineering Criteria Manual this fall to include modern engineering and regulatory standards.

A stakeholder group will help shape the manual to ensure safe and consistent public improvements and the update is expected to finish by December 2026.

El Paso County coroner Dr. Emily Russell-Kinsley said testing in August in Colorado Springs detected carfentanil—100 times stronger than fentanyl—in a case where pills suspected to be fentanyl tested positive only for this powerful opioid.

She added her office has been testing for the drug since 2019 and that overdoses may require a higher dose of Narcan.

Colorado Springs boy Rohan Fariss, who was born with kidney disease, received a lifesaving transplant from his aunt Rachel on May 26 — a procedure that gave him a new lease on life and united his family in continued support.

His family now joins the Southern Colorado Kidney Walk each year to honor the donor and bring hope to others facing kidney challenges.

Yachtley Crew Concert

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Pikes Peak Center For The Performing Arts — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening of folk punk music with Yachtley Crew.

Music Bingo Night

6:30-8:30 p.m. — Pub Dog Colorado — Free to play — Enjoy a lively night of Music Bingo with family and furry friends at this popular local pub.

$4 Happy Hour Drinks and Art at Painting with a Twist

$4 Happy Hour Drinks — 5-7 PM — Painting with a Twist — $4 wine and beer — Unleash your inner artist with a guided painting session.

Donuts Baking Class: The Sweet Science

4:00-5:30 p.m. — 1753 S 8th St, Colorado Springs, CO — Kids Event Ticket — A hands-on culinary adventure where kids learn the science of making delicious donuts from scratch.

Anna Ash Live at Lulu's Downtown

7-11 p.m. — Lulu's Downtown — Tickets available now — Enjoy an enchanting evening with Anna Ash and special guest Malena Cadiz in Colorado Springs.

2fer-1 Tuesday BOGO Seats | Date Night

6:30-8:30 p.m. — Painting with a Twist — $40-$45 per person — Enjoy a fun, relaxing evening painting step-by-step with friends while sipping your favorite drink.

Colorado Springs Monthly Evening Networking Mingle

5-7 p.m. — ViewHouse — Free for entrepreneurs — Casual networking for business owners in a welcoming atmosphere.

Colorado Springs Veterans Job Fair

11 a.m. - 3 p.m. — The Broadmoor World Arena — Free entry — Discover entrepreneurship and business ownership opportunities tailored for veterans and military personnel.

Springs Comedy Festival

9:45 p.m. – 10:45 p.m. — Loonees Comedy Corner — Ticket price includes fees — Enjoy laughs from 25 top comics competing for a comedy special!

Live Music with Sofakillers

2:30-5:30 p.m. — Red Leg Brewing Company — Free entry — Catch Colorado Springs' favorite local band for an energetic farewell to the outdoor music season.