Colorado Springs ranks No. 1 in the U.S. for small businesses

If you've wondered how the local economy is doing, the 30th annual UCCS Economic Forum report has an answer. Bill Craighead, the forum's director, told The Gazette, "The Colorado Springs economy is holding up well." The report notes some recovery in jobs numbers and Colorado Springs sales tax collections, plus modest gains in housing.

• Unemployment peaked at 4.4% in the second half of 2024
• Since May 2025: below the national rate
• Concern: low workforce participation among parents of young children
• Concern: a federal deficit could limit defense spending

At the forum, Mayor Yemi Mobolade said Colorado Springs adds about six new residents a day, even as several major Colorado cities lost population. Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer, who leads the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, said Colorado is the sixth most regulated state in the country and that businesses with choices "don't have to be here."

Coronado senior Ollie Horton broke his own course record Saturday at Norris Penrose Event Center, running 14 minutes, 40.6 seconds to win a second straight 4A boys title. That's nearly 8 seconds faster than last year's 14:48.1, and the day's fastest time in any classification. "I was thinking about last year the whole race," he told CHSAA.

Summit took the 4A boys team title with 62 points, ahead of Durango at 81, with Coronado third. The Classical Academy girls added their 18th state title as senior Vivian Jack won the 4A girls race.

• 3A girls: Berthoud won with 62 points; Manitou Springs had 126
• 3A boys: Salida won the team title
• 5A girls: Niwot won with 47 points

Berthoud's win is the school's first cross country title and its first state championship in any sport since the girls track team won the 3A title in 2011. In 5A, Niwot took the girls crown.

If you're planning around the weather, today looks like the quiet part for us. Most of the I-25 corridor will stay dry through the weekend while heavier rain and snow hit the mountains.

• Flood Watch: southwest Colorado until Monday morning
• Winter Storm Watch: San Juans above 10,000 feet until Monday morning
• Rain: 2 to 4 inches for the southwestern mountains and San Luis Valley
• Gusts: up to 50 mph with the San Juans snow

The change comes Monday. KOAA says scattered rain showers expand across the I-25 corridor and eastern plains as a cold front moves through. The main storm exits Tuesday morning. KRDO says 7 to 14 inches of snow is possible in the San Juans by Monday morning.