Local

Creating a community space in the Springs requires aesthetics, a focused idea, a sense of style and an endgame. Russ Ware, co-founder of Wild Goose Meeting House, who also opened Good Neighbors and, most recently Epiphany, understands every venue serves a certain vibe but it is also about making the brands work together in lifting the downtown identity through food, the space and, ultimately, the customers who populate it.

Richard Skorman opened Poor Richard's Downtown in Colorado Springs in 1975. With their blend of community connection, changings models of food and culture (including a movie theater at one time) and evolving technology, their approach is still one of human interaction, a bit of reinvention and a dash of nostalgia.

Toward the end of last year, the results of the “AskCOS” survey were released that showed Colorado Springs has a higher quality of life rating than most of the United States. The survey reviewed several metrics that rated how much people enjoy living in the city. The survey also asked several questions about the use of legal substances, religion and what sources of media were used most.

Water safety and water survival are important subjects for any parent, even if they don't live close to a large body of water. At Little Fins Swim School in Colorado Springs, owner Lauri Armstrong and her family-driven team of one-on-one teachers instruct infants as young as 8 weeks in developing instincts in the water that can make the difference in a possible drowning scenario.

Making artisan ice cream in a place like Monument is about elevating the whole community with happy tastes and a safe place to gather. From their inspiration in the Midwest to learning the ins and outs of setting up their own creamery, owner Shelley Sapp and her team at Lolley's Ice Cream try to push the boundaries with scoops like new winter flavor Ginger Snapped while retaining stalwarts like Vanilla Bean and local favorite Graham Slam.

Helping manage sports events from the Pikes Peak Marathon to ancillary programs of the Olympic Games takes responsive data systems but also the ability to integrate the vast amount of database numbers to provide accurate results on participants and attendees.

Now that Colorado Springs has become a prime culinary hub, there is little reason to leave the city to go out to eat. However, other nearby towns are home to some eateries that have become famous for years, such as the Donut Mill.

In the last decade or so, the idea of living in a tiny home has become more appealing to people from all walks of life. The increase in popularity has motivated developers to create places where people can either park their homes or purchase residences that already have a permanent location.

The tiny home fad has recently expanded, and some non-profit organizations have found ways to use the homes to help those who are less fortunate. Since the homes can be built more affordably than other forms of housing, some non-profits have become creative and found ways to utilize them. The fact that the homes are more efficient to live in has also made them admirable for producing housing for homeless people.

Lately, it seems as if Colorado Springs gains a new restaurant about once a month giving residents plenty of options when choosing to eat out. However, sometimes people choose to venture outside of the city to see what nearby towns have to offer.