Springs and Things: Your Insider's Guide to Colorado Springs Culture & Community

What really goes on behind the iconic walls of The Broadmoor?

In today’s episode, we’re talking with the Broadmoor historian, Cindy Leonard, about the secrets, stories, and legends hiding inside Colorado Springs’ most iconic hotel. From royalty and polo matches to hidden spaces, lost swimming pools, and traditions that date back over 100 years, this conversation is packed with moments that will make you say, wait…what?

You’ll hear about:
  • Hidden and forgotten spaces most guests never see
  • Wild and elegant stories from over 100 years of Broadmoor history
  • How The Broadmoor influenced Colorado Springs landmarks and culture
  • Traditions that have quietly survived for decades
  • And yes…the very real story behind the infamous glass eyeball
Whether you’re a lifelong Colorado Springs local, new to the city, or just fascinated by historic hotels and local lore, this episode will change the way you see The Broadmoor forever.

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What is Springs and Things: Your Insider's Guide to Colorado Springs Culture & Community?

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!

Carly Ries:

Everyone in Colorado Springs knows the Broadmoor, but very few people know its secrets. Today we're going behind the scenes with the woman who knows the hotel better than anyone. It's historian Cindy Leonard. From hidden rooms and long lost swimming pools to polo, royalty, wild parties, and one very real glass eyeball, this episode dives into the stories that built the Broadmoor and shaped Colorado Springs itself. If these walls could talk, oh, you're about to hear what they'd say.

Carly Ries:

And this episode is brought to you by Vanguard Aesthetics. You guys, it has been so nice out. Make sure you're protecting your skin when you're out in the sun and doing everything you can to make that possible. So go visit Vanguard Aesthetics website. The link is in our show notes.

Carly Ries:

Hey, everyone. I'm Carly.

Lauren Ferrara:

And I'm Lauren.

Carly Ries:

We're two Colorado Springs locals who love uncovering everything that makes the city special.

Lauren Ferrara:

If you're the kind

Carly Ries:

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 and Things, your insider's path to hidden gems, local flavor, and unexpected moments that make the Springs one of a kind. From secret spots and campus events to arts, eats, and those you've got to hear about at Local Stories. We've got you covered. 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. You know what's funny, Lauren? I was looking back at our original list of ideal episodes. Before we even started the we had a list of people we wanted to talk to, and and Cindy, who we'll introduce in a second, was at the top of the list. Like, we're like, we want to know the ins and outs of the of the Broadmoor.

Carly Ries:

You hear the lore. We are so excited to have you here. Cindy, thank you so much for coming on the show today. Well, thank you for having me.

Cindy Leonard:

This is very exciting for me too. So I

Lauren Ferrara:

think your job is just really cool, the Broadmoor historian. Tell me how did you end up here?

Cindy Leonard:

It is the greatest job. I had retired from thirty one years in banking. I was a banking executive and my second week of retirement, I got a call from the president of the hotel saying, Hey, I hear you like Colorado history. And I said, Yes. I collect a lot personally.

Cindy Leonard:

He said, Well, we're looking for a historian. Do you think it's something you'd be interested in? And I came in for an interview. They gave me the opportunity to work whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. Perfect hours.

Cindy Leonard:

So I chose two days a week. I typically work Wednesdays and Thursdays at the hotel at the best job a person could have.

Lauren Ferrara:

So what does that entail? What does your Wednesdays and Thursdays, what does it look like?

Cindy Leonard:

It entails, I purchase items for the hotel. So I'm on eBay every single day. I'm on auction sites. I was in Longmont this past weekend for a super duper sale that they had up there. It involves working with guests that might have a question.

Cindy Leonard:

We recently had a guest that her mother had been the Mardi Gras Queen and it was part of the Fort Carson group. And they had their event here and she came for the weekend and I wanted to make sure it was special for her mom. So I researched some of that for her. I found an article in the newspaper. It could involve curating cases.

Cindy Leonard:

I've got seven new cases last year installed downstairs on West and then another five up in the Penrose Room. And every day is different. And also curating for Seven Falls, for The Cog, Cloud Camp, Emerald Valley, and any property the hotel used to have. Ski Broadmoor, Ice Palace, you name it, it's mine.

Lauren Ferrara:

So what treasure that you found on eBay, what have you been most excited about?

Cindy Leonard:

Recently it was kind of silly, but it was a small photograph and it was from 1918. So the year the hotel opened, it was a group of women having lunch at what have been, what is our sunroom now? It was an outside room. It had kind of an awning on it and they were actually tour guides for the railroads. And so they were out there having lunch and it was a view I'd never seen of that property.

Cindy Leonard:

I also recently scanned in over 1,200 negatives for the zoo since they celebrate a hundred years this year. And we had that in our archives. They didn't have it because we had owned the zoo at the time. Spencer Penrose had owned it before it was incorporated. So it was great to provide that to them.

Carly Ries:

Okay. So speaking of the archives, let's go back to the beginning. Why was the Broadmoor built here in Colorado Springs specifically? And can you tell us

Cindy Leonard:

a little bit about the city at that time? Yeah. In 1918, the city had been founded by Palmer, which we all know. But Palmer was a Quaker, so very conservative, no bars, no drinking. And so originally the Broadmoor Casino Hotel were built by Count Portales.

Cindy Leonard:

This was an area where he had had a dairy and he decided, you know, I think I want people to come out here. Well, the dairy didn't do well. So he decided, okay, I'll do real estate. Doug the lake up, built a casino and a hotel outside of city limits, of course, even paid to have the streetcar line come all the way down here so people could get here. And he kind of went bust.

Cindy Leonard:

Spencer Penrose had been traveling Europe with his wife, Julie. They love the hotels in Europe. He decided, you know what? I want my city, Colorado Springs, to have the finest hotel in The United States. So he bought what was originally Count Portales Hotel and Casino and turned it into the Broadmoor.

Cindy Leonard:

So basically he took what was the casino at the time, moved it, made it into our original golf club. The original hotel was called the Colonial Club, that was actually just a place that we used for residents early on and then built the Broadmoor. And it opened in 1918. He was not a teetotaler. He liked alcohol, so having it outside of city limits was important.

Lauren Ferrara:

And that big opening, so the 100

Carly Ries:

wealthiest men in the country were invited? Was that Yes. The

Cindy Leonard:

So that was a couple of years later. He decided he wanted to introduce the world, well, The United States initially, to the Broadmoor. So he decided, I'm going to have all the best hoteliers back east and in Los Angeles come out and view the hotel.' He provided train fare for them. He told them all to bring their favorite perfume or gasoline, which was his version of alcohol. We have letters that reflect that outside our hotel bar currently, and you can also see a representation of those early hotels.

Cindy Leonard:

It was the Fairmont, the Commodore. They stopped first in Chicago and then they came here and then they spent a week here. They went down Phantom Canyon Road. They went up to Cripple Creek. They enjoyed everything that Colorado Springs had to offer.

Cindy Leonard:

They went to the top of Pikes Peak. They participated in the polo matches. So it was a great way for the hoteliers to see what Colorado had to offer. And it was an opportunity for them to share that with their clients.

Carly Ries:

And so what part of the hotel today is closest to

Lauren Ferrara:

what it originally looked like when it opened? The lobby.

Cindy Leonard:

So when you walk in those front doors and you see the lobby and you look up at those ceilings, just amazing paintings up there. And you'll see some very classic paintings, but you'll also see the West. So you know, where you'll see Mount Holy Cross up there, you'll see Garden Of The Gods, you'll see representations of Colorado, but also very classic Greek cherubs and whatnot. You'll see kind of a merging of it too. If you look above the elevator, which is the original, you'll see a puto with a cherub, but he has a headdress on.

Cindy Leonard:

So it's kind of that east meets West or fine Europe meets west. And then also that stairway, that marble stairway that goes up the That's all original? Yep. And you walk to the top and there's a domed ceiling with paintings and there's also a beautiful chandelier up there.

Carly Ries:

I was mesmerized by that even while we were was waiting at the top of the excuse me, staircase above the lobby, and it just it's really is mesmerizing. Okay. So some crazy things have happened. Not crazy, but I mean, so many stories, so many celebrations, so many milestones have happened in the over one hundred years that the hotel has been opened. So if one of the rooms in this hotel could talk, what is the wildest story that would be told?

Carly Ries:

You know, that

Cindy Leonard:

one was tough for me. I had to come up with a couple of them. I'm sure the ballroom has had a lot go on in there because, know, we've had dances since the early days to current. But I was thinking maybe the golden bee. And I know it's not as old, but we had all those events at the international center.

Cindy Leonard:

It was built in 1961. So we had Marlene Dietrich out here. We had Red Skelton. And a lot of times those performers would march over to the B in the ceremony. And there was just this raucous time going on and it only sat less than 70 people.

Cindy Leonard:

So it was very intimate, but it was a lot of stars and a lot of rubbing elbows with people that you would not normally run into.

Lauren Ferrara:

Prince Harry and Prince William came several years ago, right? Did I make that up or? Tell people Oh, who okay. Which one? Did they do anything crazy?

Cindy Leonard:

It was the redhead came.

Lauren Ferrara:

He did something crazy, right?

Cindy Leonard:

It was not crazy that I was aware of, but Princess Margaret's been here. We've had a lot of royalty. I think also when we had our Hawaiian village, which used to be on top of the old club, The Penroses loved Hawaii and they loved that sense of relaxation. There were a lot of events, a lot of dancing up there, a lot of things going on in that Hawaiian gardens.

Lauren Ferrara:

It's fun to go over by the bowling alley and see all the photos of all the famous people that have spent some time

Carly Ries:

at Broadmoor. Love that place. So what's something that used to be totally normal at the Broadmoor that would shock people today?

Cindy Leonard:

Totally normal. When we look back in 1918, when you came to the Broadmoor or you came to probably any hotel, you had to be in full fancy dress attire to go in the dining room. And we had stables across the street. Polo was very popular. And so people needed a place just to get a snack.

Cindy Leonard:

And so what is our tavern now used to be called the Indian room? You could get a sandwich, you could get a drink there, but you could tie your horse up and go in there because you didn't have to go inside, get all dressed up to go eat lunch. It's something that was very unusual for us now, because we can just, you know, hop on an airplane and anything, you know, go to dinner pretty much wearing, you know, anything that we want. But at that time it was very formal. And they also had a separate room for children's dining.

Lauren Ferrara:

My mom would love to go back in time and have that be how it is now. Like you must be in white tie to come into And the

Cindy Leonard:

And your children wouldn't be with you when they You went to

Carly Ries:

said that, I was like, pause. Can we please circle back on there's children's only dining? Yes. That means that the parents were in one room and the kids were in the other room?

Lauren Ferrara:

Totally unsupervised? Just like

Cindy Leonard:

Their nannies were there, and there was some supervision going on.

Carly Ries:

So if you could go back in time and spend one day at the Broadmoor in any decade, which would you choose and why?

Cindy Leonard:

This one was tough, but I chose like 1936, 'thirty seven because that's when we were kind of in our initial growth phase. The zoo was just really getting going, building the Thunder God House coming up, building the ice palace, turning our indoor riding arena to the ice Palace. Also, Spencer Penrose Stadium was built. And both of those places are no longer with us. They've kind of been moved or shifted.

Cindy Leonard:

But a really exciting time. And we had a lot of stars that came here. We had Alexander Film locally and they would have people come in and they would have, you know, whether it was girls or guys or the local TV talent or national TV talent come and they would stay at the Broadmoor, which you'll see a lot of those photos in our hall of fame.

Carly Ries:

And so what moment in Broadmoor history changed everything for the property?

Cindy Leonard:

I think that that moment was in 1961 when we built our first convention space. And it's beautiful. It's a little bit buried. It's a mid century modern hyperbolic paraboloid. But when we built that in 1961, we also built additional rooms, which is our South Tower where our Penrose Room is located because we needed to accommodate the guests.

Cindy Leonard:

And I think that really changed our trajectory. We went from just being a social place and a place to play golf, to really inviting the world in to visit us.

Carly Ries:

And so what's the most surprising true story about the hotel that sounds like a rumor, but actually is not?

Cindy Leonard:

I think everyone's favorite is that bloodshot eye.

Lauren Ferrara:

I love the eye. Was talking about it to some friends earlier today.

Cindy Leonard:

Yes. So when Spencer Penrose, he lost his eye. I've seen multiple reasons of how he lost his eye. Some say it was during a boating accident when he was in college. Some say it was a polo accident.

Cindy Leonard:

But he lost an eye. And because he loved alcohol, when he drank, he wanted an eye that would match. We would have his kind of bloodshot eye for partying and his regular eye for non partying.

Lauren Ferrara:

As one does.

Cindy Leonard:

As everyone would, if you only had one eye. And we have that located in our case outside of Cafe Julie's. It's fabulous. And my biggest fear is when I go there to dust the case, I'm always worried I'm going to knock that eyeball on the ground. That's going to go rolling across the floor.

Carly Ries:

Oh, that's so stressful. Yes.

Cindy Leonard:

I'm so careful in that case.

Lauren Ferrara:

Can the glass, Can it break? If it fell

Cindy Leonard:

and complete? I'm sure. Yeah. I have not dropped it yet. Yeah.

Lauren Ferrara:

I don't wanna be the one to drop it.

Carly Ries:

Oh gosh. Don't ever let me near that eye. Okay. So I there are a lot of legends around this. Lots.

Carly Ries:

Lots. So I want you to tell us if they are true or not. Are there any hidden tunnels, rooms, or spaces that guests don't know about? And if so, why?

Cindy Leonard:

There are probably a lot of hidden spaces that guests don't know about just so staff can get from from point A to point B. There are a lot of rumors. There are rumors that there's a tunnel from El Palmar, which was the Penrose's home over to the hotel. Not that I'm aware of, but there's always that rumor. There's rumors that there are hidden tunnels where, you know, you could have a tryst with somebody not seen it.

Cindy Leonard:

A lot of times they might be places where you'd have utilities and they've maybe have some lore that's a part of that. Now we do have our swimming pool. Our original swimming pool is under Cafe Julie's. And if we go in the back and we open the door, we can go downstairs and duck because it's a swimming pool. So it's different levels, but we can see the original tile work.

Cindy Leonard:

They have some storage in there. So that's a pretty fun thing.

Lauren Ferrara:

Oh, that is fun. Like, will it, it will never be a swimming pool again.

Cindy Leonard:

It will never be a swimming pool again.

Lauren Ferrara:

And there's no plans to like demolish it or anything. It's just going

Cindy Leonard:

stay No, there as just a little storage. Yeah. That's a fun, that's a fun fact.

Carly Ries:

It is a fun fact. So how do

Lauren Ferrara:

you think the Broadmoor has shaped the identity of Colorado Springs over the decades?

Cindy Leonard:

I think that the Penroses love this city. So initially just building this hotel. But before they built the hotel in 1916, Spencer Penrose wanted to announce it. He actually built the road to the top of Pikes Peak. He was the one that built that, which started our hill climb, which is in its a 100 year plus anniversary.

Cindy Leonard:

So he started both the hill climb, built the road. He purchased the cog railway when it was having some troubles. He also purchased the Manitou Incline, which everyone walks up, but it used to be this fun, this really fun funicular that would go up and down. You could see the city of Manitou Springs. Now you have to walk your legs off to go.

Lauren Ferrara:

Oh yes, you do.

Cindy Leonard:

But it's there. Also the art academy in 1916, the Penroses donated their home on Potter Street to the, art center to become the art academy. And it was very early on women were allowed to go to this art school and were allowed to participate in the life drawing classes, which is kind of unheard of in 1918. And that became our fine arts center. So really the Penrose started the Fine Arts Center as well.

Cindy Leonard:

Also Fountain Valley School with Elizabeth Hare. They helped fund that and make that a big priority because Julie had lost her son early on and she had a really strong passion for education and for children. And they built the pool in Fountain Valley in the Monument Valley. That pool,

Carly Ries:

they built that. Did you tell her to sink Fountain Valley into this conversation?

Cindy Leonard:

I didn't, but I knew

Lauren Ferrara:

it was coming because they, yeah, but I had no idea they had touched so many different parts of Colorado Springs. Like I knew the Broadmoor and I knew Fountain Valley School, but like, I didn't know the incline. That's all new to me.

Carly Ries:

They say that Lauren does communication with her at Fountain Valley. That's her day job. Oh, that's why. So beautiful.

Cindy Leonard:

And it's such a part of the history of Colorado. And when Spencer and Julie built the hotel, they thought, okay, well, people can come here. We have to make this a destination. So what else can they do? And it's really fabulous that Mr.

Cindy Leonard:

Anschutz purchased 7 Falls because it's really in line with what the Penrose's mission was.

Carly Ries:

Well, you've touched on this a little bit, but how has the hotel evolved with this city as it's changed?

Cindy Leonard:

I think that it's just become a more integral part of the city. Golf. We haven't even talked about golf. Look at our history of golf here and how we bring a lot of visitors into Colorado Springs. One of the things that we found is that a lot of people come to the Broadmoor because they have a convention to go to, but they come back to Colorado Springs to vacation.

Cindy Leonard:

And I think that that's really critical that, you know, we are out there kind of as a beacon and it could be international. It could be just local. You know, for someone from Denver, a lot of times people don't come to Colorado Springs, but if they come here for a business reason, they're like, I need to go back there and I need to take my family. So I think that that's how it's made the biggest impact.

Carly Ries:

Was there ever a moment when the hotel nearly failed or closed? I I know it's changed ownership, but any of those first two?

Cindy Leonard:

Yeah, actually during the depression, the stock crash. It was very difficult. It was in 1929, so we really had to scale back our staff in 1930 and they really had just kind of a skeletal crew. A lot of the people that worked here just worked for tips because they needed a job. It was a time in the country where there, it was difficult to get a job and everyone had lost a lot of money.

Cindy Leonard:

So they even only housed people at our Maine and our Colonial Club. They didn't use Northmoor or Southmoor or any of those locations. They really scaled back, but they were able to hang on, surprisingly, because a lot of places went out.

Carly Ries:

So what traditions exist at the Broadmoor today that guests don't realize are decades old?

Cindy Leonard:

You know, one of the things I remember was our Waltz club. And I am not as familiar with that as I should be, but they have been a consistent partner of the hotel for a hundred years.

Lauren Ferrara:

I have looked into that, like, cause I love the Waltz and I've been trying to convince my husband that we need to come to the Waltz club here. And it just looks so like delightful and fun and fancy and, you know, stepping into another era.

Cindy Leonard:

Yeah. And one of those things that I need to learn more about, but I do know that they're getting ready to celebrate their one hundred years. We also have a ladies luncheon club, the Tuesday luncheon club that's over a 100 years old. We also have our, you a know, lot of people are familiar with our gingerbread house, especially local people that come see the gingerbread. But it was actually started in 1964.

Cindy Leonard:

It was on a very small scale at that time, but that's been a tradition at the hotel for quite some time, as well as our white light ceremony. But the other thing is our swimming pool. When we opened that swimming pool, you mentioned that's underneath Cafe Julie's. When you walked in the door, there was a large swimming pool to the left hand side and there were spa services, both for women and men. Again, shocking because a lot of times women didn't have those opportunities.

Cindy Leonard:

Then where we're sitting right now, was our indooroutdoor swimming pool. It was a three sixty five day pool outside with glass walls and it was used three hundred days probably out of the year. And then now we have this beautiful infinity pool. So I think swimming was a big part.

Lauren Ferrara:

One of my favorite things to do in Colorado Springs is walk through that arch into the swim. Like you just, you walk through and you're like, and I'm on vacation.

Cindy Leonard:

It's stunning. And the mosaic tile work, if you've ever been to the swimming pool or the hot tub, is just beautiful.

Carly Ries:

So really quick, going back to the Waltz Club, you mean like Waltz dancing, right?

Cindy Leonard:

Yes.

Carly Ries:

Cause cotillion is here as well. Is that intimidating to add all to the Waltz? Like, No, can read

Cindy Leonard:

history a of separate club. I did jot down cotillion because it's a good way for your children to learn manners. A lot of times kids are on devices and to really learn how to interact and say, please, thank you. What fork do you use? I see adults that have a hard time with that.

Lauren Ferrara:

I did cotillion as a kid. So I've, my oldest daughter did it last year here and I love like the receiving line where they look you in the eye and shake your hand and introduce. Yeah, it's like just-

Cindy Leonard:

The confidence it builds So, in children is

Carly Ries:

what's a piece of Broadmoor history that you wish was preserved better or more widely known?

Cindy Leonard:

This one I had to think about a little bit. Preserving is always early photographs, 1920s, 1930s, because a lot of times I don't have access to those unless people have them personally. Just don't have those images. But I also kind of miss Ski Broadmoor. The people in Colorado Springs love Ski Broadmoor.

Cindy Leonard:

They would bring their kids here, drop them off, have a cocktail with this large copper hooded fireplace. They had night skiing. And so everyone learned to ski here. It holds such a strong memory in people's hearts. We can see why it closed.

Cindy Leonard:

I mean, it's 50 degrees today and it's January.

Lauren Ferrara:

Yes, does. But yeah, most of my friends who grew up here, like that's where everybody learned how to ski. Carly, that's where you learned how to ski.

Cindy Leonard:

Ski ice more.

Lauren Ferrara:

And I just, yeah, I wish it still existed because it sounds, yeah, so much better than hauling my kids to Summit County every weekend.

Carly Ries:

Well, to ski, but I also learned to ice skate here. Before I switched over to the Barman World Arena, my lessons were on-site I

Cindy Leonard:

those two pieces of our past, I know things have to change and move on and we wouldn't have the facilities that we have today, but those are two that have very strong memories for people, both the ice palace and ski broaden.

Lauren Ferrara:

And you know, they're in the pioneers museum. There's a little exhibit like to the, about the ski hill, right?

Cindy Leonard:

Yes.

Lauren Ferrara:

Yeah. I think that's super cool. So, my final question for you is when you have friends in town and you take them here, what's the place that you're like, oh, I have to show you this.

Cindy Leonard:

Well, because I'm a historian, I love the display cases. But I currently, if it's not open and I have the pass and the key, I'll go up to Penrose Room. When my sister was here at the holidays, she was having dinner over at the Golden Bee with her husband. And I said, well, just go up to the Penrose Room and have a cocktail. You may not have sport coat on because it is a little more formal dining, but have a cocktail.

Cindy Leonard:

And especially as the sun setting, it is stunning. The woodwork up there. And then I have a lot of neat things in the cases when you come in and they are actually are pieces that Spencer and Julie Penrose owned of, you know, I have Spencer Penrose's top hat that we were able to borrow from El Pomar. I have some of Julie's items because she loved the opera so much. So that's the place that I like to take people.

Lauren Ferrara:

Even before it reopened, you know, pre COVID, that was my spot, like the bar by the Penrose room with that view. And so I'm so delighted that it's open again.

Carly Ries:

Yeah. Cindy, we've been so excited for this episode and you did not disappoint. This is just so fascinating. There's so much to learn.

Lauren Ferrara:

And Cindy, if you retire again, call me first and I'll study up and apply for your job.

Carly Ries:

Okay. Hint hint. But we actually wanna ask you what your pick of the week is. Before we get into our picks of the week, are gonna thank our sponsors, but we will be right back. Okay.

Carly Ries:

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Carly Ries:

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Carly Ries:

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Carly Ries:

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Carly Ries:

Lauren, I announced pick of the week in a goofy way when it's just the two of us. Dare I do it right now?

Lauren Ferrara:

Yes. Do it, Carly.

Carly Ries:

Pick of the week. Sound effects that

Cindy Leonard:

we

Carly Ries:

have. Cindy, you have a pick of the week. Why don't you kick things off? Because then we have one that we want to share.

Cindy Leonard:

Well, my pick of the week, and it's not an advertising thing. I was able to stay here. It was in February with my kids. And because of our Colorado appreciation rates, I could afford it. And I get a little bit of a discount as an employee here, but my kids loved it here.

Cindy Leonard:

The grandkids were able to swim indoors. They have activities on the weekend. You could take a dance class. It was really fun. And I speak to a lot of people and say, oh, I can't afford to stay there, but it's very reasonable and enjoy it.

Cindy Leonard:

People will spend a few $100 to go out to dinner and have some wine at the Broadmoor.

Lauren Ferrara:

Oh, and it's so nice and peaceful right now.

Cindy Leonard:

Just like

Lauren Ferrara:

a beautiful time to be here.

Cindy Leonard:

It's wonderful.

Carly Ries:

Well, and I think we were talking about this offline, but there are some locals, they're like, Well, mean, if I could just stay at my house, why would I go stay at the hotel? Because it's the Broadmoor. It is. It's a different feeling than any other place in the city.

Cindy Leonard:

It's fabulous. And you know, have that same opinion often. And I was able to stay up in Denver at a holiday time and I'm like, I could just drive up here. But sometimes you need to just get away, have a different environment, fabulous linens, great service, in a room that is different than your bedroom and your living room.

Carly Ries:

Oh my gosh. I have one final kind of interviewee question because it just came to me. So the little A, that's like a middle finger to the antlers, right?

Cindy Leonard:

No. No, that's what I thought. But a lot at the time, I know that's the legend is that Spencer Penrose wanted to buy the antlers and he did. He put an offer in and Palmer did not want to sell it to him because he didn't like the offer. It was a lowball offer.

Cindy Leonard:

So he decided to build his own hotel. But the A is actually our trademark. The Broadmoor already existed as a town and so we needed to be able to trademark that Broadmoor. So the little finger, middle finger A thing, it's a great story, but it's really for trademark.

Lauren Ferrara:

I have told that story so many times.

Carly Ries:

We have told that story on air. We take responsibility for that rumors spreading even further.

Cindy Leonard:

That's an urban legend.

Carly Ries:

We definitely talked about it in one of our episodes.

Lauren Ferrara:

All right. We stand corrected. Okay. Your so our your our book, we have a combined pick of the week. Usually I have like 12 more, but this is a big one.

Carly Ries:

I wish you could have seen what your mouth just did trying to form that sentence. That was impressive. Wish I had that on camera. But thanks for passing the baton over to me. So, yes, our pick of the week, we are obviously talking about the Broadmoor today.

Carly Ries:

So it would be remiss if we didn't talk about the Broadmoor Winter Polo Classic. That was the best time last year. I feel like I mean, what? How's it

Lauren Ferrara:

already a year ago? I had never seen polo before. That is my first and only polo match.

Carly Ries:

I got oddly into it, like really into it. Because I mean, it was fun to have the cocktails. Were fortunate fortunate enough to be in the Heritage Room, and the amazing food. And there were so many wonderful people there. But then I would like and I honestly thought that's what I would get the most out of it.

Carly Ries:

We'd sneak over to the balcony. And oh my gosh, pure entertainment. We actually have an episode that we should re release or re promote that you would love on the Warner Prologue classic. But it is it is just such a fun way to spend a day. It's at the Norris Penrose Event Center happening on February 21.

Carly Ries:

The doors open at 02:30. And it's just such a unique Colorado Springs tradition that benefits local sport community, and it's it's just so much fun. It's a great time to spend with your girlfriends, your significant other. Go by yourself if you want. Just go.

Carly Ries:

It is a blast. And the Broadmoor also has a package with the event. It has complimentary transportation. It's a two night stay VIP seating at the event and access to the Heritage Room, which again has the food and beverages included. It was just so fun.

Lauren Ferrara:

Yeah.

Carly Ries:

Like, I I highly recommend it. That's that's our pick of the week. Do you have another one that I'm unaware of?

Lauren Ferrara:

No. That is mine as well.

Carly Ries:

Perfect. Well, we'll end on that note. Well, Cindy, thank you so so much for coming on the show today. This was an absolute blast, and I feel like we need a part two at some point. Totally.

Cindy Leonard:

Absolutely. I'd be enthralled. Perfect.

Carly Ries:

I'll come up with another list of questions. Listeners, thank you so much for tuning in. As always, please leave that five star review. It helps us spread the word to other locals. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform specifically specifically, excuse me, Spotify and Apple, and share this episode with a friend, and go to the Broadmoor and check out all the history and all the cases.

Lauren Ferrara:

Especially the eyeball.

Carly Ries:

So so cool. We'll see you next week.