🌱 Patch AM: How El Paso County’s aging population could reshape Colorado Springs jobs

Hi Colorado Springs! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How El Paso County’s aging population could reshape Colorado Springs jobs
• How Harrison D2 families are getting surprise Christmas help this week
• Why record warmth has Colorado Springs under a fire weather watch

Also on today's calendar: Wrapping Up the Year Financially Right and 9 more events.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Colorado Springs? Post it to Colorado Springs photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high of 67 and low of 35 degrees.
• Wednesday: Breezy in the afternoon, temps: high: 67, low: 32.
• Thursday: Increasing clouds and cooler, with a high of 46 and low of 36 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. El Paso County's aging population impacting workforce (koaa.com) — Colorado Springs workers are feeling squeezed as El Paso County’s aging population and high housing costs make it harder to attract and keep a younger workforce. Local economist Bill Craighead says slowing migration and land-use limits are driving up living expenses, while service workers like those at Goat Patch Brewing struggle to afford rent or find better jobs.
   

2. Harrison School District 2 families receive Christmas gifts thanks to generosity (koaa.com) — Families in Colorado Springs’ Harrison School District 2 are receiving Christmas gifts through the ongoing “Adopt a Family” partnership between the district and Pikes Peak United Way. Local residents fill wishlists for neighbors in need, with gift pickups underway and 211 available for anyone seeking holiday-season help or other community resources.
   

3. Colorado Springs ties daily high record ahead of fire weather watch (gazette.com) — Colorado Springs just tied a 79-year-old December heat record, and that warmth is helping trigger a fire weather watch stretching from Briargate Parkway toward the Oklahoma border on Wednesday. Local fire officials urge residents to prepare go-kits, stay ready to evacuate, and review outdoor burning rules as dry conditions persist across the region.
   

4. USAFA's Maratita selected as sole STEP promotee for 2025 (mvariety.com) — A United States Air Force Academy airman based in Colorado Springs has earned USAFA’s only 2025 Stripes for Exceptional Performers promotion, recognizing her standout leadership and service in the 10th Medical Group. Technical Sgt. Consuelo C. Maratita, originally from Rota in the Northern Mariana Islands, also received a major laboratory NCO award and says she’s committed to upholding the Air Force’s core values.
   

5. Man accused of committing sex crimes against children in Fountain and Missouri (koaa.com) — A man accused of sexually exploiting children in Fountain and Lebanon, Missouri was arrested in Colorado Springs by a multi-agency U.S. Marshals task force and is being held without bond in El Paso County. Fountain Police are asking anyone with information to contact detectives or submit anonymous tips, underscoring potential community safety concerns in southern El Paso County neighborhoods.
   

📸 Around Colorado Springs

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Colorado Springs

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Wednesday December 17

• Toddler Time
  Ruth Holley Branch Library , 685 North Murray Blvd. , Colorado Springs
  10:30 am
• Wrapping Up the Year Financially Right
  Online with Ent Credit Union
  3:00 pm
• Build Your Own Miniature Library
  Ruth Holley Branch Library , 685 North Murray Blvd. , Colorado Springs
  4:00 pm
• Paws to Read
  East Library and Information Center , 5550 N. Union Blvd. , Colorado Springs
  4:00 pm

Thursday December 18

• Library Explorers
  East Library and Information Center , 5550 N. Union Blvd. , Colorado Springs
  10:00 am
• Old Colorado City Book Group
  Old Colorado City Branch Library , 2418 W. Pikes Peak Ave. , Colorado Springs
  11:30 am

Friday December 19

• Candlelight: Queen vs. ABBA
  First United Methodist Church , 420 N Nevada Ave , Colorado Springs
  6:30 pm

Saturday December 20

• The Official Christmas Bar Crawl - Colorado Springs
  Bar-K , 124 Costilla St , Colorado Springs
  4:00 pm
• Candlelight: Vivaldi's Four Seasons
  First United Methodist Church , 420 N Nevada Ave , Colorado Springs
  6:30 pm
• Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
  First United Methodist Church, Colorado Springs 420 North Nevada Avenue Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903
  8:45 pm

Friday December 26

• Breathtaking Colorado Springs Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight
  1645 Newport Rd 1645 Newport Rd Colorado Springs, Colorado 80916
  7:00 am

Sunday December 28

• Candy Cane Course - Colorado Springs
  El Pomar Youth Sports Park , 2212 Executive Cir , Colorado Springs
  9:00 am

📣 Colorado Springs Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Hi Neighbors, let’s keep in mind that we don’t know each others’ stories.
  I was riding my bike on the sidewalk along Rockrimmon today. Yes, I should have been in the bike lane, but between typical driver behavior on that… (Nextdoor Comstock Village)
• Guess what neighbors, I got a job!
  Yes at 34 weeks pregnant. Look, moms gotta do what a moms gotta do. Period. (Nextdoor Spring Creek)

• Chuy's Tex-Mex Restaurant posted a job opening for Janitorial in Colorado Springs. Apply here.
• Colorado Staffing posted a job opening for Machine Operator- 2nd shift in Colorado Springs. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Colorado Springs here.

Ok Colorado Springs! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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