Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Which Colorado Springs restaurants just flunked—and aced—their health inspections?
Be sure to catch Breathtaking Colorado Springs Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight on the Colorado Springs Patch calendar
Hey hey Colorado Springs! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Which Colorado Springs restaurants just flunked—and aced—their health inspections?
- Why a gift-wrapped SUV is at the center of a heist
- How did Colorado Springs celebrate its very first Christmas?
Also on today's calendar: Breathtaking Colorado Springs Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight and 8 more events.
Find out what's happening in Colorado Springsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What did the clock say when it ran out of batteries? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Colorado Springsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Friday: Clouds and sun, with a high of 64 and low of 40 degrees.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 60, low: 24.
- Sunday: Flurries; breezy in the a.m., with a high of 30 and low of 13 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
📰 News we're reading
1. Downtown Colorado Springs brewery working toward 'nice list' status after health dept. concerns (krdo.com) — A downtown Colorado Springs staple, Phantom Canyon Brewing, is correcting eight recent health code violations and preparing for re-inspection after cooler, glove, and cleanliness issues. At the same time, several local spots, including Ruffrano's Hell's Kitchen Pizza in Manitou Springs, earned top marks in El Paso County’s routine restaurant health inspections. 
2. Would-be bank robber flees in holiday-decorated SUV, says Colorado Springs Police (koaa.com) — Police say a disguised suspect tried to force entry into a Colorado Springs credit union on Jetwing Drive on Christmas Eve, then sped off in a black SUV wrapped in holiday paper. A quick-thinking security guard locked the doors in time, and the Colorado Springs Police robbery unit is now investigating, with no arrests yet reported.
3. Colorado Springs' first Christmas (fox21news.com) — Step back to Colorado Springs’ very first Christmas in 1871, when the town was still Fountain Colony and little more than tents and rough buildings near Pikes Peak. The story traces General Palmer’s vision, Mary Palmer’s community gathering, and a frontier holiday feast, then connects that past to today’s city and Evergreen Cemetery.
4. A ‘Trooper' through the holidays: Colorado first responder stays positive working Christmas (krdo.com) — A Colorado State Trooper based in Colorado Springs is spending Christmas on duty, focusing on stopping impaired drivers so local families can celebrate safely. He shares how personal loss, fatherhood, and gratitude shape his outlook, keeping him positive about working holidays while his young children wait at home to open gifts.
5. Colorado Springs doctor shares tips to stay healthy as flu cases rise over the holidays (kktv.com) — Flu cases are rising faster than usual this winter in Colorado Springs, and a local internal medicine doctor is urging residents to double down on basic hygiene. He recommends frequent handwashing, keeping some distance in crowded gatherings, and considering a flu shot, noting that it’s not too late to vaccinate even as holiday travel and get-togethers ramp up.
📸 Around Colorado Springs
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Colorado Springs
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Breathtaking Colorado Springs Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight
1645 Newport Rd 1645 Newport Rd Colorado Springs, Colorado 80916
7:00 am - Paws to Read
Old Colorado City Branch Library , 2418 W. Pikes Peak Ave. , Colorado Springs
10:30 am - Candy Cane Course - Colorado Springs
El Pomar Youth Sports Park , 2212 Executive Cir , Colorado Springs
9:00 am - Business Help - Office Hours
East Library and Information Center , 5550 N. Union Blvd. , Colorado Springs
10:00 am - All PPLD locations are closing early at 4 p.m. for New Year's Eve
Ruth Holley Branch Library , 685 North Murray Boulevard , Colorado Springs
4:00 pm - All PPLD locations are closed for New Year's Day
Ruth Holley Branch Library , 685 North Murray Boulevard , Colorado Springs - Real Estate Investment Summit 2026
https://hbr-colorado.eventcube.io/events/92281/real-estate-investment-summit-2026/
9:00 am - 2026: Sparky LeBold, a Retrospective
Cottonwood Center for the Arts , 427 E Colorado Ave , Colorado Springs
9:00 am - Paws to Read
Old Colorado City Branch Library , 2418 W. Pikes Peak Ave. , Colorado Springs
10:30 am - Teen Craft Group
Ruth Holley Branch Library , 685 North Murray Blvd. , Colorado Springs
2:00 pm - Save More, Stress Less Webinar
Online with Ent Credit Union
10:00 am
Friday December 26
Saturday December 27
Sunday December 28
Monday December 29
Wednesday December 31
Thursday January 1
Friday January 2
Saturday January 3
Tuesday January 6
📣 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!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Ruth Holley Book Group
Ruth Holley Branch Library , 685 North Murray Blvd. , Colorado Springs
2:00 pm - No School - Winter Break
Widefield 3 Colorado Springs, CO 80911 - Dog Days at the Zoo (Dec. 29)
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo , 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road , Colorado Springs
9:00 am - Winter Break Day Camps (1st-6th Grades) - Dec. 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 & 31
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo , 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road , Colorado Springs
9:00 am
Friday December 26
Saturday December 27
Monday December 29
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
- RETURNED HOME SAFE AND SOUND 🐾🐾
2 lost dogs walking in Cordera across from elementary school - one tan/brown doodle? And a black dog with a little tan and white. One has a green… (Nextdoor Cordera) - Good morning and Merry Christmas Eve miracles and magical things are happening.
Cookies are baking. Elves are chillin on the shelves. I hope each and everyone of you have a wonderful holiday filled with love and warm embraces… (Nextdoor Rockrimmon)
- V2X posted a job opening for Senior Property Custodian in Colorado Springs. Apply here.
- Amazon.com, Inc. posted a job opening for Sr. Transportation Manager 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 guess I’m out of time.
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