Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why some Colorado Springs parents say work no longer pays after daycare
Be sure to catch Breathtaking Colorado Springs Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight on the Colorado Springs Patch calendar
Good morning to you Colorado Springs! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️
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Find out what's happening in Colorado Springsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In today's newsletter:
- Why some Colorado Springs parents say work no longer pays after daycare
- Why a beloved westside food pantry is suddenly closing its doors
- What a 480-acre park expansion means for Colorado Springs trails
Also on today's calendar: Breathtaking Colorado Springs Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight and 9 more events.
Find out what's happening in Colorado Springsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Intervals of clouds and sun, with a high of 65 and low of 44 degrees.
- Wednesday: Sunshine and a few clouds, temps: high: 68, low: 46.
- Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high of 69 and low of 41 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. 'It's cheaper to go to college,' childcare costs and shortages are making it tough for Colorado parents (koaa.com) — Parents in Colorado Springs are struggling as childcare costs reach about $20,000 per year per child and available daycare spots lag far behind demand, pushing many caregivers out of full-time work. Local families describe leaving careers or cutting hours because daycare costs exceed their earnings, while advocates call for better pay scales to attract and retain childcare workers. Community support networks are increasingly filling the gaps. 
2. Food pantry shut down over bear ordinance (fox21news.com) — A westside Colorado Springs food pantry is shutting down after the city said its outdoor food storage violated bear-management rules meant to keep wildlife out of neighborhoods. Operator K. Harris, who launched the pantry during a government shutdown, plans to donate remaining food while working with the city’s Housing and Homelessness Response Team to find a compliant path forward.
3. 357-acre Cheyenne Mountain State Park expansion advances (kktv.com) — Cheyenne Mountain State Park next to Colorado Springs is set to grow by more than 480 acres, thanks to land purchases by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the City of Colorado Springs. The expansion will add new recreation options, protect wildlife, and could eventually link trails from Blodgett Peak to the park while supporting nearby military installations with better fire mitigation.
4. Get a closer look at the Pikes Peak AdAmAn Fireworks Show in Colorado Springs! (kktv.com) — Colorado Springs is opening special New Year’s Eve access to the North Slope Recreation Area and Crystal Reservoir so residents can watch the AdAmAn fireworks on Pikes Peak up close. Ticketed visitors will be escorted by rangers, enjoy fireside chats with AdAmAn members, and have access to food, hot drinks, and souvenirs in a family-friendly alpine setting.
5. Meeting report of the eight annual Tri-Service Microbiome Consortium Symposium (springer.com) — Colorado Springs recently hosted the 8th annual Tri-Service Microbiome Consortium Symposium, bringing 170 military, academic, and industry researchers to town to share cutting-edge microbiome science. Over two days, they explored how microbes affect troop health, environmental cleanup, ship corrosion, and advanced tools like AI and organ-on-chip systems, highlighting research that could shape future military readiness and technology.
📸 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
- All PPLD locations are closed for Christmas Eve
Ruth Holley Branch Library , 685 North Murray Boulevard , Colorado Springs - Breathtaking Colorado Springs Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight
1645 Newport Rd 1645 Newport Rd Colorado Springs, Colorado 80916
7:00 am - Ruth Holley Book Group
Ruth Holley Branch Library , 685 North Murray Blvd. , Colorado Springs
2:00 pm - 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
Wednesday December 24
Friday December 26
Saturday December 27
Sunday December 28
Monday December 29
Wednesday December 31
Thursday January 1
Friday January 2
Saturday January 3
📣 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.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Happy Sunday friends!!!
The home stretch is upon us. We are nearing Christmas and the end of the year. I just wanted to say i am proud of you. You shine so bright now. You… (Nextdoor Rockrimmon) - Corner of Bridle Pass and Big Timber 5 minutes ago.
Obviously a pet. He's a big one. EDIT: I captured him. He's in a cage in my garage. I'll take him to Humane Society in the morning. He's very sweet… (Nextdoor Newport Heights North)
- Extended Stay America, Inc. posted a job opening for Housekeeper Part Time-101020 in Colorado Springs. Apply here.
- Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Stocker 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 find you very attractive!
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