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Welcome to Springs and Things, the podcast where two close friends spill the tea on all things Colorado Springs! From culture and community to hidden gems and neighborhood lore, we’ve got it covered. Join us as we sip our coffee (or maybe something stronger) and dive into the stories and secrets that make this city so unique. Whether you're a local or just passing through, our fun, light-hearted, and always entertaining take on the quirks, hot topics, and insider tips will keep you coming back for more. Discover what’s really happening in the Springs—beyond the mountains and parks!
Colorado turns one fifty on August 1, and Colorado Springs is ready to celebrate. In this episode of Springs and Things, I, Carly, sit down with Erin Hannon from the El Pomar Foundation to talk about the state's big celebration, a Guinness World Record donut dunking attempt on the top of Pikes Peak, and the powerful Colorado one fifty film that five foundations came together to create. From Waldo Canyon Fire Memories to a surprise cello concert on a fourteener, This conversation is a love letter to Colorado and Colorado Springs' generosity. Plus, there's a call to action for the next hundred and fifty years. But before we get into it, this episode is brought to you by Vanguard Aesthetics.
Carly Ries:We will talk about them more later on the show. But if you wanna support a great company and take care of your skin, be sure to check them out.
Lauren Ferrara:Hey, everyone. I'm Carly. And I'm Lauren.
Carly Ries:We're two Colorado Springs locals who love uncovering everything that makes the city special. If you're the kind
Lauren Ferrara:of person who wants to know where to go, what's happening, and the stories behind it all, then you're in the right place. Welcome to Springs of Things, your insider's path to hidden gems, local flavor, and unexpected moments that make The Springs one of a kind.
Carly Ries:From secret spots and campus events
Lauren Ferrara:To arts, eats, and those you've gotta hear about at local stories.
Carly Ries:We've got you covered.
Lauren Ferrara:So grab your coffee, settle in, and get ready to fall a little more in love with Colorado Springs.
Carly Ries:Let's dive in to Springs and Things. Erin, I feel like we've been talking about this episode for a while now, and I can't believe we're just less than a week away from all this happening, which is insane. But to kick off this episode just for fun, because I've been practicing this like a tongue twister, and I can't do it. So I wanna see if you can. Can you pronounce the word that describes the combination of America's and Colorado's birthdays?
Carly Ries:Alright.
Erin Hannan:So, you know, it's a mashup, and so I'm gonna give it a shot. Sesqua Semi Quincentennial and so this is a combination of, of course, the America two fifty semi quincentennial and the Colorado State hundred and fiftieth which is sesquicentennial. So you put them together and you get sesquicentennial. You
Carly Ries:nailed it. Congratulations. That's a big achievement. Okay. So Colorado turns a one fifty on August 1.
Carly Ries:Again, less than a week away at the time of this release date. For people around here who might just think it's another summer Saturday, what's actually happening that day? Like, what is happening around the state? And can you actually mention the world record that we're going for as well?
Erin Hannan:Yeah. So August 1 is really the day that Colorado one fiftieth gets celebrated, although we're celebrating it all year long. But that is the official day of statehood for Colorado. So because that's kind of our official birthday, a lot of people are targeting events that day to really kind of, you know, honor and go back to that special day a hundred and fifty years ago. So like I said, we're celebrating all year long, but I feel like that's gonna kinda be a kickoff for the season of Colorado one hundred and fifty celebrations.
Erin Hannan:So, you know, there's a variety of things going on all over the state. What I can tell you locally, a couple things that I think are gonna be fun. The Pioneers Museum is gonna have a big celebration on the grounds, including cake, but they're gonna be celebrating the exhibits that they are displaying all around this anniversary, and the other big fun one that you were just alluding to is up on Pikes Peak. So the summit of Pikes Peak is going to have a big celebration and program, and part of that is going to be a Guinness World Record attempt of the most people dunking a doughnut into coffee at the same time. So, they're gonna have, you know, dignitaries, and I think they're having tribal blessings and just a ton of really cool programmatic celebrations.
Erin Hannan:They're also doing they did this on July 4, and they're doing it again on August 1. It's the only time you can do sunrise and sunset trips up to the top of the peak. So, I think it's a really special and spectacular day to be, you know, celebrating along with everybody else all over the state. Okay. So let
Carly Ries:me clarify something. Is this an invite only thing or if somebody listening to this is like, I love donuts and coffee. I in on this. Can they join, or is it already closed to participation?
Erin Hannan:So my understanding is that you make reservations just like you normally would to drive up to the top, and, you know, again, they're doing they're opening it up for earlier and later in the day, so there are certainly more options, but I would get on their website for Pikes Peak America's Mountain, but, you know, you can hike up there, and, you know, nowadays, you can also bike up there, so there's various ways that people could make their way, but, you know, certainly, a reservation for the Cog Railway is probably, you know, one of the one of the most unique and special ways to get up there.
Carly Ries:You guys teamed up with four other statewide foundations on the Colorado Colorado one fifty film project. So what made five foundations that usually don't necessarily work together decide to do something jointly?
Erin Hannan:Yeah. So it's true. We normally work pretty independently and individual as individually as private foundations, and there are times when we find ourselves supporting, you know, some of the same projects or initiatives. In this more rare case, we all were supporting the Colorado, the official Colorado State one fifty two fifty commission and their initiatives. So, this is the Antschutz Foundation, Betcher Foundation, Adolph Coors Foundation, Daniels Fund, and El Palmar Foundation.
Erin Hannan:We all made a commitment to, you know, at this special moment, support what the state is doing to celebrate the Colorado one fifty alongside America two fifty, and so, as we were kind of working together and recognizing that we were all really behind this special moment, the opportunity arose to jointly come together and invest in a film project that would, you know, really kind of tell a story about what the last 150 of Colorado has looked like.
Carly Ries:Well, and when I was watching it, something that stood out to me that I think made it really unique is the film asks who have we been to one another. It doesn't ask what have we built. Why did you choose that question as the foundation for the film?
Erin Hannan:Yeah. That's a great question. You know, I think for us at El Palmar, our mission specifically states an intent to enhance, encourage, and promote the well-being of the people of Colorado, and as philanthropic organizations, I think we were interested in this theme of generosity and, you know, giving back and how that has played and continues to play a role in our state. One hundred and fifty year anniversary felt like a really great moment to kind of look through the lens of people's unique experiences, being of support to each other, receiving support from each other, and this theme of generosity. And, you know, we think Colorado is a state with a big heart.
Carly Ries:I couldn't agree more. And what I what I also love love about the film is that it talks about Colorado and showing up for each other in hard times. So I have a question. What's a moment in the last years that you saw that happen here in The Springs?
Erin Hannan:Oh my gosh. For me, I think, you know, having seen it firsthand, a really big moment that stands out is the Waldo Canyon fire. You know, here in the Pikes Peak region, what a profound moment where the folks all over this region came together to really support each other through something just monumental. Right? This was the first time we had ever seen anything like this in right in the heart of Colorado Springs, and the outpouring of support, you know, whether it was from official agencies, from nonprofits, from philanthropists, but also just from individuals helping each other, and, you know, we just saw stories all over the community of people coming together, and, you know, not a year later with the Black Forest Fire, here it came again, and I think, you know, folks in this region just really step up for each other and lift each other up when there are moments of crisis.
Erin Hannan:Right? And helping with food and clothing and finding ways to help people rebuild and, you know, literally build things out of the ashes. You know, I think there was an art project where new and unique and really special things were made from the ashes to honor and commemorate what happened on that, you know, in in those really challenging moments.
Carly Ries:It's interesting. I can't it seems like it was yesterday too. I feel like all of us that lived here, it just amazes me that it's been over a decade at this point. So you you know, you were sitting in on my last interview here at El Pomar for Colorado Springs history. Is there a piece of Colorado Springs history you think gets overlooked?
Carly Ries:Something that maybe should be a part of the hundred and fiftieth conversation, but often isn't? Oh, wow.
Erin Hannan:You know, our early reputation, I think back, you know, I spent a lot of time at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, and I've lived in this community for over three decades now, and our early reputation and culture as an arts destination just really stands out for me. You know you know this. We we were known as Little London, and our early history just at the start of the last century included such significant focus on arts and culture, visual arts, performing arts, music, you know, opera. Later, it was film, and there were just such robust offerings in this regard, and, you know, we've evolved and we've grown a lot. We now I I think we've become known to have a focus on business and tech and military and, you know, other sectors, and and that's amazing too, and I think in some ways the arts just maybe have a little less prominence than they did in those early days, and so I just hope for everybody in the Springs that they, you know, get an opportunity to really experience and dive into all that we have to offer because we we have continued all this time to and and it continues to build that we have those kinds of experiences in the community.
Erin Hannan:Alright. Let's take
Carly Ries:a quick break to talk about our wonderful sponsors starting with Vanguard Aesthetics because, honestly, they are a game changer. If you've been on the fence about getting a little skin refresh, this is the team you want. They're not pushy. They actually listen to your goals, and the whole vibe is just warm and welcoming, not intimidating like some med spas can feel. And, also, we wanna give some love to Core Collective.
Carly Ries:They have been with us since the beginning. They are a reformer Pilates studio in Downtown Colorado Springs, and my body has not been the same since I started going. And I mean that in the absolute best way. It's challenging, and the instructors are so good. Like, they actually cue you through every movement, so you're feeling it all in the right places instead of just guessing.
Carly Ries:And the community there is just awesome too. It's one of those places where you walk in as a stranger and leave feeling like you found your people and you just wanna keep going back. And the greatest thing is if you get to check out when you are booking a class, type in the code Springs and Things, all caps, no spaces, because that'll unlock three classes for just $30. That's $10 a class, which is crazy and awesome. So be sure to visit their website.
Carly Ries:That link is in our show notes as well. You know, I'm not trying to knock Denver at all. They have a great art scene up there. But I get, like I take it personally when people are like, oh, we have to go to DCPA to see and I'm like, no. Have you been to the Fine Arts Center?
Carly Ries:Have you been to the N Center? I mean, I I don't remember the last time I went up to Denver to see a show. And, not knocking their art scene, but you don't need to go anywhere. We have such a thriving arts and culture scene here, and and so I'm so glad you touched on that. Okay.
Carly Ries:You said you've been here for over thirty years. And And I would say Colorado Springs has changed enormously in the last twenty years. And there's a lot of new people who don't have roots here. So what would you want a newcomer to understand about this place that they moved to? Would it be the art arts and culture or something else?
Erin Hannan:Oh, you know, you're so right. It it is such a fast growing and, you know, pretty modern city. And to your point, it has absolutely grown exponentially in the last twenty years or so. I feel like, you know, it has we were just talking about this before, you know, the volume of people and just the change that we've seen in the last few decades. I feel like people know that we have outstanding natural beauty, great outdoor recreation.
Erin Hannan:We're known for sort of sports and Olympic and Paralympic activity, again, military tech, etcetera, and I feel like there were some really interesting enterprising individuals, you know, early in our history, thinking back, you know, that one hundred and fifty years, who took risks, and they had bold vision, and they made significant investments in the Pikes Peak region, and in a in a more modern sort of sometimes transient city, you know, people are sort of newly arriving here. These stories become less and less part of the sort of daily narrative, you know, and I would just love for more people to understand what those early stories are. Things like, you know, how did Penrose Hospital get its name or why do we have a mountainside zoo that's consistently one of the best in the country? What is the Myron Stratton home and who created it? Who were those three audacious, amazing women who were behind the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, Fountain Valley School, and the Early Connections Learning Center?
Erin Hannan:I would just love for every newcomer who finds their way to Colorado Springs to really hear about and learn those incredible stories from our history. On that note,
Carly Ries:we have had such a great response to our history related episodes. The one we did here with Sarah about Pinera's history, the one at the Broadmoor, the Broadmoor lore, and the one we the one we did down at the Pioneers Museum. Such great feedback from all of those episodes. And there's a Colorado one fifty exhibit opening at the Pioneers Museum. Do you know any anything that people should expect?
Carly Ries:Do you have the behind
Erin Hannan:the scenes scoop? Well, what I would say is kind of on this same trend, what people can expect is great storytelling. So, you know, that team over there does a great job, and so they've got actually a few exhibits and a whole slew of events that they're planning and sort of programming, but the COS at one hundred fifty exhibit has 150 artifacts telling 150 stories about 150 years of history in Colorado Springs, and so they've kind of tied all these interesting some of the things that we've been talking about here, you know, today, they're tying unique people and moments in history to 150 really cool artifacts as big as very large paintings, you know, as small as little tchotchkes that would have been in somebody's home or, you know, something like that. So, super cool opportunity to get to know the people and the stories behind the springs. They also have another exhibit that's going to be opening on August 1, you know, on Colorado Day, along with their event called Freedom to Thrive, and this is going to have over two dozen contemporary and historic change makers, people who are advocates, activists, who really work to make sure that Colorado Springs was, you know, a healthy, safe, and prosperous place for everybody.
Erin Hannan:It really asks people to consider sort of, again, the power of personal stories, and it kind of challenges us, and this is something that I am really excited about because this is, I think, true of the films that we did, to find common ground for the common good in 2026. So, their exhibit has this theme of a call to action, right, to an opportunity for people to get involved in the ongoing work that is continuing to shape our community for the future. So lots of great storytelling.
Carly Ries:Well, and on the topic of personal storytelling, you are inviting people to submit their own stories of Colorado generosity on the website. Has anything come in yet that surprised you?
Erin Hannan:I think something that was memorable for me, you know, we've had a number of store people submit their stories, but this story of a family who has organized a 14er hike every year to raise money for the Alzheimer's Association. And so, they annually climb a 14er, and their intent is to raise awareness for this really important topic of Alzheimer's, and, you know, they were used to being the largest group on the mountain, on the climb, ready to spread awareness and education, and one year they found themselves sharing the experience with a team of cellists who were attempting to break the record for the world's highest elevated cello concert. So what began for them as like a fundraising hike also kind of turned into this unexpected cello concert at the top of the mountains, just blows my mind when I try to imagine what hiking to the top of a fourteener and then getting, like, this incredible private cello concert must have been like. So not only did they complete their own mission of spreading awareness and education about Alzheimer's, but they also signed the paperwork as witnesses to the record attempt, and they helped the cellists carry their, you know, heavy instruments up the trail and, you know, felt super united by this sort of mutual challenge of, you know, reaching goals and doing something that was difficult and that sort of thing, but to me, like, this is something you can only uniquely experience in Colorado, and what a special moment that must have been.
Carly Ries:Gosh. I need to step up my Saturday games. People are hiking mountains with their instruments and do I mean, this is making me think a lot about my own personal choices. If someone watches the film and thinks I wanna do something, what's the first realistic step they should take? Not the big gesture, but it's a Tuesday afternoon.
Carly Ries:What can they do?
Erin Hannan:Well, I love this question because, you know, a big part of making this film for us was not only looking back at sort of who we are as Coloradans for the last one hundred and fifty years and this idea that we really step up for each other and, you know, come to the table to help each other out, but also, for us, it's also a call to action of what can we be doing for the next one hundred and fifty years to be sort of in service to each other, and it's an easy answer because, really, it's whatever is meaningful for you. For some people, it's coaching their kid's soccer team. It's volunteering at church. It is, you know, helping a friend out when they've gone through something rough and, like, start the meal train, right, or being on a board or a county commission or, you know, there's just so many what feel like potentially small ways to be involved that can absolutely make the difference in somebody else's life. And so at the end of the day, it's whatever whatever lifts your heart and makes you feel like you're contributing that little bit to make the community a better place.
Carly Ries:The film itself definitely tugged on my heartstrings. So if someone wants to see it locally, where can they catch it? And can you also tell us a little bit about the digital Colorado Cultural Passport?
Erin Hannan:Yeah. So the film that we produced with the four other foundations is Colorado 150, Colorado at 150, and the website is co150film.com, and at that website, you can find both a short version of the film and a long version of the film, as well as that opportunity to submit stories like we were talking about earlier, and what we really want is for people to watch the film, share the film on social media with friends and family, and also please feel free to screen it. So, you know, if you have an event or you're part of a program where this story, this narrative, Colorado at 150, and a sense of generosity and lifting each other up is relevant to your content, please feel free to screen the film and share it with others. So, that's our big hope and vision for the film. So, the Digital Colorado Cultural Passport is a digital pass.
Erin Hannan:It's so easy. I signed up for it. Can go probably the easiest thing to do is go to the Pioneers Museum website and click on their link for Colorado 150 programming, but it takes you on a guided exploration of over 40 history, heritage, and cultural destinations all over the Pikes Peak region. So this is museums, nature centers, cemeteries, historical centers, parks, halls of fame, all kinds of cultural destinations, and so you get a list of all these places, and when you go visit, you get to learn amazing stories, and you can answer location based quiz questions. Who doesn't love a trivia competition, right?
Erin Hannan:And it enriches your visit in each place, and no matter how much of a local you are and how expert you are, there's going be something that surprises you. And so if you check into any five of these participating locations, you can also get an entry into their grand prize giveaway, which is curated access to five one of a kind regional experiences for a family of four. So it's just the super easy way to get connected to 40 cool places all over the region and also get a chance to be part of this grand prize giveaway.
Carly Ries:Lauren is gonna be so upset she's not here today because she being from Texas, she never had that. I mean, when I was growing up, we had Colorado history as part of our education, and she hasn't had that. So she's on a mission this summer to get more educated on Colorado history. It's like, hello. So if she she might already have the passport, but if she doesn't, I will be passing this information along to her.
Carly Ries:Well, Erin, you again, you've been here over three decades. You've always been so, I feel like, intertwined in what's happening here in The Springs. So I feel like you're a good authority on this. What is your pick of the week? What are you loving in Colorado Springs right now?
Erin Hannan:Oh, I'm loving multiple things. Can I have two? Yeah. Okay. So, you know, I live in old Colorado City, and so I'm always looking for cool new things sort of in my own neighborhood.
Erin Hannan:And in my neighborhood is Pizzeria Leopold, which just opened recently, and I'm really kinda loving it. They have great, of course, pizza, but they have delicious sandwiches and salads, too, and it's right on Colorado Avenue in a walkable distance from my house, so I'm loving that. And the other thing is, and we've talked about this before, but near my work, of course, is La Concha, which is just such a beautiful coffee, pastry, bakery, and yeah, I think everybody should go to La Concha and experience their delicious food and coffee, And I love having a local place nearby my work neighborhood. So can I
Carly Ries:just tell you, in last week's episode, we talked about Benettucci Farm, and I talked to Sam Clark, and his choice was pizzeria labeled? In last week's episode. So listeners, it's
Erin Hannan:a thing. You need to go check it out. Well, Sam Clark is my neighbor, and so it makes sense that he would also be enjoying Pizzeria Leopold. We have a fabulous neighborhood, so I'm not surprised he picked that same thing. That's so funny.
Carly Ries:Erin, thank you so much for coming on today. I just the thing that Albemarle does for the community, the things you do for
Lauren Ferrara:the community, are just always amaze me, and this film is no different. So listeners, be sure to
Carly Ries:check it out. We'll include links in our show notes. We'll be promoting it on our Instagram account, but thank you so much for coming on the show today.
Erin Hannan:Thank you so much. It's just been a pleasure, and thank you for all you do to highlight all the spectacular and hidden things we have all over Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region.
Carly Ries:Well, thank you. And listeners, thank you so much for tuning in. As always, leave that five star review and share this episode with a friend. It would mean the world to us. We're also gonna end this episode a little bit differently than we usually do as their way of celebrating Colorado's hundred and fiftieth corral song of Colorado Springs has recorded a new arrangement of Colorado's original state song, Where the Columbines Grow, and they crafted a really neat video to go along with it that we'll include in our show notes.
Carly Ries:But we're gonna take it out, which a clip from this song. It is so beautiful, and it was recorded at First Lutheran Church downtown.