Good morning, Colorado Springs.

At local churches and schools, food drives are underway to help families as volunteers drop off canned goods for the Care & Share Food Bank — local groups like Woodmen Valley Chapel distribute food bags weekly.

ENT Credit Union gave $25,000 for emergency support — and the Mayor urged residents to donate funds or goods as SNAP delays add to food hardships.

The Salvation Army will reopen five more units at its Family Hope Center to provide 20 spaces for homeless families after receiving community donations—such as a $50,000 gift from the Colorado Springs Rotary Club and $100,000 from the El Pomar Foundation.

The Rotary Club will host a celebration at 1 p.m. Friday at The Antlers hotel as the center works to hire additional staff.

Ranch Foods Direct is offering one free pound of 80% lean ground beef to SNAP recipients at its Town Center Dr. and E.

Fillmore St. locations Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; recipients must show a valid EBT card and note that SNAP benefits were paused Saturday due to the ongoing government shutdown.

On Wednesday afternoon, Fort Carson crews monitored a fire covering about 100-200 acres on the Mountain Post, and winds blew smoke toward Colorado Springs—officials noted there were no active fires in the city and urged residents to call 911 only if they saw an active fire.

Downtown Colorado Springs’ annual Shop Local + Win Local campaign launches Friday, letting shoppers upload receipt photos after spending $50 at downtown shops to enter prize drawings + the five-week event offers prizes valued at over $2,250, including a grand prize drawing for a $1,000 Visa gift card on Dec. 18.

The Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corp. launched the Colorado Aerospace & Defense Economic Council to help small and mid-size businesses compete for new contracts like those for the proposed Golden Dome missile defense system—Dale Anderson, former chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Lamborn, leads the effort. The group held a sold-out summit on Wednesday and will hold more meetings through Christmas to plan its approach for 2026.

The U.S. Forest Service has begun selling permits for cutting Christmas trees in the Pike and San Isabel National Forests near Colorado Springs for dates in mid-December and later.

The permit system—priced at $20 for many areas—is meant to improve forest health and reduce fire risk.

Bill Vogl of Vogl Homestead Farm is running the 6th annual Great Pumpkin Rescue program from Oct 31 to Nov 10 to recycle pumpkins by feeding sheep or turning them into compost to boost the land's health.

The program partners with drop-off sites in Monument—Limbach Park, Sanctuary Park, and Swing Park—and aims to collect 1,000 pumpkins this year.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced that veterans, active-duty military and National Guard members will receive free entry to state parks on Veterans’ Day (Nov.

11).

More than 2,000 Coloradans agreed to settle claims with Xcel Energy over the 2021 Marshall Fire—nearly half of all plaintiffs—with a $640 million settlement announced.

Attorneys aim to finalize binding agreements for most individuals and municipalities—pending town board approvals—by the end of the year.

Local governments will finalize 2026 park budgets by December; Colorado Springs will cut nearly $2 million from park funds (leading to the closure of a community center and worker layoffs) while uncertain impacts affect Manitou Springs and Monument.

Meanwhile, El Paso County will invest $800,000 in Bear Creek Regional Park for tennis and pickleball courts as part of its stable budget plan.

Blandine Mazéran of The French Kitchen uses only French flour to bake real French baguettes in Colorado Springs and held an open house for customers to try her new breads.

She also brought in French baker Fabrice Cottez (from Boulangerie Pas à Pas) to teach her team new techniques for making loaves that are both tasty and easier to digest.

Comedy Night at Goat Patch Brewing Co.

8-9:30 p.m. — Goat Patch Brewing Company — Free entry — Enjoy an evening of laughs with national touring comedian Brad Sativa.

Warren Miller's SNO-CIETY

4-6 p.m. — Stargazers Theatre & Event Center — Cost information not provided — Experience the thrill of skiing and snowboarding through stunning visuals from around the globe.

Christian Singles Brunch Gathering

12:30-2 p.m. — Homa Cafe + Bar — $20 for Non-Hub Members — Enjoy a cozy brunch filled with fellowship and laughter among Christian singles.

Monday Hand & Foot Canasta

1-3 p.m. — Pikes Peak Library District - Library 21c — Free entry — Come play Hand & Foot Canasta in a friendly environment with fellow enthusiasts.

Trivia Tuesdays

7:30 p.m. — Dave & Buster's Colorado Springs — Free entry — Test your pop culture knowledge every Tuesday at this fun weekly trivia night.

Colorado Springs Monthly Evening Networking Mingle

5-7 p.m. — View House — Free entry — Gather for casual networking and connect with local entrepreneurs in a welcoming atmosphere.

November Singles Mixer

7-10 p.m. — Ristorante Di Sopra — No cover charge — Enjoy cocktails and music while making authentic connections in a lively atmosphere.

Colorado Springs Christmas Gift Show

10 AM – 5 PM — Colorado Springs Event Center — Admission details not provided — Experience a festive shopping spree with local vendors, Santa, and seasonal carolers.

Margaritas & Margheritas Comedy Show

8-10 p.m. — PizzAmoré — $5 margaritas — Enjoy a night of laughter and delicious drinks with headliner JJ Alexander.

Yoga Nidra Session

3-4 p.m. — Praxis Yoga — Check website for pricing — Experience deep relaxation through guided meditation, restoring mind and body balance.