Honestly, if you haven’t looked at the skyline lately, you’re missing the point. Colorado Springs is shedding its "sleepy military town" skin faster than a mountain mahogany drops its leaves in October. It's weird. People still talk about the Springs like it’s just a pit stop on the way to the ski resorts, but the colorado springs latest news from this week paints a much more aggressive, ambitious picture of a city trying to find its soul between high-tech manufacturing and bighorn sheep.
The Pikeview Reclamation: A Century-Old Scar Finally Heals
The biggest visual shift happened just a few days ago on January 14, 2026. You know that massive "scar" on the side of the mountain? The one you see when you're stuck in traffic on I-25 heading north? That’s the Pikeview Quarry. For over 100 years, it’s been a glaring limestone eyesore.
But as of this week, the state’s Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety officially called it: Mission accomplished. Castle Aggregates finished a massive, multi-year facelift. They didn't just throw some dirt on it. They hauled in 3.4 million cubic yards of material to reshape the slope. Basically, they sculpted the mountain back into a shape that actually looks like a mountain. They planted 32,000 trees and shrubs. If you look closely now, you’ll see bighorn sheep grazing where there used to be nothing but grey dust. It’s a massive win for the city’s aesthetic and for the local ecosystem.
Political Walkouts and the ICE Debate
Things got spicy at City Hall on Tuesday. If you think local politics is just about zoning and potholes, you haven't been following District 1. Councilman Dave Donelson actually walked out of a regular meeting.
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The drama started during a proclamation for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. About nine faith leaders, including Rev. Josh Rumple from the First Congregational Church, showed up to speak. Instead of just talking about MLK’s legacy, they went after ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), calling their actions "sinful" and "unjust."
Donelson wasn't having it. He stated he fully supports ICE and found the comments offensive before exiting the chamber. Meanwhile, Councilperson Kimberly Gold stayed and thanked the speakers. It’s a clear sign that the national "red vs. blue" tension is bubbling over into our local chambers, especially as the 2026 legislative session kicks off in Denver with a heavy focus on "protecting" Coloradans from federal policies.
The Economy is Pivoting to High-Tech
Forget the old "just military" trope. The colorado springs latest news on the business front is all about specialized manufacturing.
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- Project Oak: A major aviation company is eyeing El Paso County for a new expansion. They’re looking to add 150 jobs with an average salary of over $85,000. They’re specifically targeting the talent pool coming out of Fort Carson and the Space Force bases.
- Terra Ferma: This is the big one. They just selected Colorado Springs for a new LiFi (Light Fidelity) manufacturing facility. That’s 120 new jobs right there.
- Global Entry Center: Finally! The airport just opened Colorado’s second Global Entry Enrollment Center on Tuesday. You no longer have to trek up to Denver just to get your interview done.
Traffic and the "Orange Barrel" Reality
Look, we have to talk about South Academy Boulevard. If you live on the south side, you already know the pain. The Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Project (MAMSIP) is entering a critical phase the week of January 18.
Expect lane closures between Venetucci Boulevard and Milton Proby Parkway. They’re doing everything from traffic signal work to widening sections from two lanes to three. It’s going to be a mess from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. all week. Just take the side streets if you can, or at least leave 15 minutes early.
The "Elevate Downtown" Vision
While the suburbs are growing, the Downtown Partnership is trying to save the core. They just wrapped up the public feedback phase for the "Elevate Downtown" plan on January 11. They got nearly 1,000 people to weigh in on how to make downtown safer and more "prosperous."
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What does that actually mean? Mostly, it’s about "catalytic sites"—think big, mixed-use buildings and more housing. Speaking of housing, the state just dumped millions into Prop 123 projects here. We're talking about a new apartment complex that includes an early childhood education center, specifically for families earning at or below 60% of the Area Median Income.
Real Insights for Springs Residents
The city is at a crossroads. We’re watching the 100th anniversary of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (happy centennial!) while simultaneously debating how to handle ICE and urban sprawl. The "old" Colorado Springs of the 90s is gone. What's left is a city trying to balance its rugged outdoor identity with a high-tech, politically diverse future.
What you should do next:
- Check your commute: If you use South Academy, check the CDOT alerts daily. The overnight closures on January 22 around I-25 will be particularly brutal.
- Visit the Quarry: Seriously, take a drive past the Pikeview site. It’s a rare example of a long-term environmental project actually being finished and working.
- Engagement: If you missed the downtown survey, keep an eye on the City Council calendar for the Q1 2026 approval meetings. This is where the actual "Elevate Downtown" decisions will be made.
- Travelers: If you’ve been putting off Global Entry, book your appointment at the COS airport center now before the backlog hits "Denver levels" of insanity.
The growth isn't slowing down, and the news cycle is only getting faster. Staying on top of these shifts is the only way to navigate a city that's changing this quickly.