Loving the Springs

Dave Gardner, Al Brody and Carrie Simison

Celebrating the best of Colorado Springs and elevating the rest.   Plug into what’s happening in the Pikes Peak region, learn about awesome people, places and happenings, and explore opportunities to make life here even better. Longtime Springs booster Carrie Simison co-hosts with local gadflies Al Brody and Dave Gardner. All three love our two springs – Colorado and Manitou, so they give them the mic in this twice-monthly podcast. Nothing’s off the table – recreation, the arts, government, business, politics – if it touches your life, they’ll talk about it. We’ll invite the movers and shakers, conspiracy theorists, NIMBYs, YIMBYs, yaysayers and naysayers to join them.   Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and give us feedback and suggestions via comments at https://studio809podcasts.com/loving-the-springs or lovingthespringspodcast@gmail.com

  1. Aug 4

    51: August 5 2026 – We All Have a Pumpkin Patch Inside

    Venetucci Farm is a community treasure celebrating its 90th anniversary. Get the scoop on annual pumpkin giveaways, a flower farm, and much more making community happen in the aftermath of the PFAS water contamination disaster. Sam Clark, Executive Director of the Pikes Peak Real Estate Foundation, and Nikki McComsey, owner of Gather Mountain Blooms share the history and legacy, current happenings, and an upgrade in the works for 2027. Also: Pikes Peak Bulletin Managing Editor Heila Ershadi updates us on PFAS groundwater contamination in the area (see link to her story below). LINKS: Venetucci Farm Gather Mountain Blooms Rocky Mountain Flower Fest Contaminants on the Way Out of Rural Residents' Tap Water, Says Water Provider and State Health Department (Pikes Peak Bulletin story) MENTIONED: United States Air Force PFAS contamination Widefield Aquifer Nick Venetucci Bambi Venetucci Pikes Peak Community Foundation Gordon Price Grass It Up Mike and Amanda Bristol Venetucci Pumpkin Ale Bristol Brewing “Give Back Mix Pack” Smokebrush Friends of Cheyenne Canyon School District 11 Colorado Parks and Wildlife Colorado Youth Outdoors El Pomar Foundation El Paso County Liz Rosenbaum Wigwam Mutual Water Company Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment Loving the Springs celebrates the best of Colorado Springs and elevates the rest. Plug into what’s happening in the Pikes Peak region, learn about awesome people, places and happenings, and explore opportunities to make life here even better. Longtime Springs booster Carrie Simison co-hosts with local gadflies Al Brody and Dave Gardner. All three love our two springs – Colorado and Manitou, so they give them the mic in this twice-monthly podcast. Nothing’s off the table – recreation, the arts, government, business, politics – if it touches your life, they’ll talk about it. We’ll invite the movers and shakers, conspiracy theorists, NIMBYs, YIMBYs, yaysayers and naysayers to join them. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and give us feedback and suggestions via comments at studio809podcasts.com/loving-the-springs or lovingthespringspodcast at gmail.com

  2. Jul 22

    50: July 22 2026 - Passenger Rail Coming to Colorado Springs

    Passenger rail service is coming to Colorado’s front range in 2029, Colorado Springs by 2032. Get details in this conversation with Sal Pace, General Manager of the Front Range Passenger Rail District. The district has secured funding to provide initial service between Fort Collins and Denver. Phase 2 will extend service to Colorado Springs and Pueblo. Pace shares the history of the district and answers all our tough questions about the plan, funding, and anticipated fares. We get quite a bit of detail about how this is happening so quickly, which is music to the ears of the Colorado Springs residents who spend an average of 61 hours in traffic jams each year. This was recorded on May 12, 2026. On July 20, the district released its Draft Delivery Plan for Colorado Connector. Public input on the draft plan is invited until July 27. Also, Pikes Peak Bulletin Managing Editor Heila Ershadi shares an interesting story. LINKS: Front Range Passenger Rail District Draft Delivery Plan for Colorado Connector Share Your Feedback United We Rock – August 1 Pikes Peak Bulletin Loving the Springs celebrates the best of Colorado Springs and elevates the rest. Plug into what’s happening in the Pikes Peak region, learn about awesome people, places and happenings, and explore opportunities to make life here even better. Longtime Springs booster Carrie Simison co-hosts with local gadflies Al Brody and Dave Gardner. All three love our two springs – Colorado and Manitou, so they give them the mic in this twice-monthly podcast. Nothing’s off the table – recreation, the arts, government, business, politics – if it touches your life, they’ll talk about it. We’ll invite the movers and shakers, conspiracy theorists, NIMBYs, YIMBYs, yaysayers and naysayers to join them. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and give us feedback and suggestions via comments at studio809podcasts.com/loving-the-springs or lovingthespringspodcast at gmail.com

  3. Jul 20

    49: July 20 – Hit the Pause Button – Bike to Work Day Part 3

    Bicycling improves our physical and mental health, and helps us be more connected. Conversations recorded live on Bike to Work Day during the final hour of our live stream from the Studio 809 Podcasts breakfast station at The Next Us on June 24, 2026. Included: an excellent conversation with PikeRide CEO Tara McCarthy about how bicycling is “human scale.” “ Today's world is so fast and so overwhelming that I think cycling allows you to hit the pause button and be in a different mindset.” She also shares news about expanding into southeast Colorado Springs, 2 new adaptive electric tricycles, and E-cargo bikes later this year. We also hear from local safer streets advocates Joan and Karl Stang. Karl has been riding to work since 1995. The couple can sometimes go a month without getting in a car. They tell us there are online lessons to help us make our streets safer – Bicycle Friendly Driver, Auto Friendly Bicyclist, Ride Leader training, Cycling Basics 101, Walkability training, and more (see links). 00:00:00 Open 00:02:17 Tara McCarthy of PikeRide 00:15:32 Joan and Karl Stang of Pedestrian and Cycle Manitou Springs (PaCMan) 00:23:42 Jax Armendariz Unzueta, host of the Justice with Jax podcast LINKS: PikeRide Pedestrian and Cycle Manitou Springs - new website with links to courses, etc. Bike Colorado Springs Bike Lane Uprising Justice with Jax podcast Video Replay of Studio 809 Podcasts Bike to Work Day Live Springs Bike Map Colorado Springs Bike to Work Day MENTIONED: Bike Colorado Springs The League of American Bicyclists Ciara Guerrero Kaizen Torri Front Range Passenger Rail District Loving the Springs celebrates the best of Colorado Springs and elevates the rest. Plug into what’s happening in the Pikes Peak region, learn about awesome people, places and happenings, and explore opportunities to make life here even better. Longtime Springs booster Carrie Simison co-hosts with local gadflies Al Brody and Dave Gardner. All three love our two springs – Colorado and Manitou, so they give them the mic in this twice-monthly podcast. Nothing’s off the table – recreation, the arts, government, business, politics – if it touches your life, they’ll talk about it. We’ll invite the movers and shakers, conspiracy theorists, NIMBYs, YIMBYs, yaysayers and naysayers to join them. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and give us feedback and suggestions via comments at studio809podcasts.com/loving-the-springs or lovingthespringspodcast at gmail.com

  4. Jul 14

    48: July 14 - Laws, Etiquette and Community Podcasts - Bike to Work Day Part 2

    Learn about some of the other Studio 809 podcasts, and discover what both Manitou and Colorado Springs are doing to aid mobility – in this continuation of a conversation recorded live on Bike to Work Day. This is from the second hour of our live stream from the Studio 809 Podcasts breakfast station at The Next Us on June 24, 2026. We hear from several guests (see chapters) LINKS: Video Replay of Studio 809 Podcasts Bike to Work Day Live Stream Colorado Springs Bike Map Colorado Springs Bike to Work Day Everybody Welcome Imagination Celebration What IF Festival The French Kitchen MENTIONED: U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum Mountain Metro Sheridan, Wyoming Trails and Open Space Working Committee Fan Fest KCMJ (our short-lived community radio station) Jill Gaebler Jan Martin Gary Casimir City xx podcast Reality Check podcast PASF 350 Colorado Springs Pikes Peak Permaculture Pikes Peak Women Elevating Pikes Peak Women podcast Pedal the Springs podcast League of Women Voters Making Democracy Work Outdoors with Hiking Bob Allen Beauchamp Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates Wild Westendorf El Paso County Parks Advisory Board North Cheyenne Cañon Boulder Blodgett Open Space Ute Valley Park Pikes Peak Bulletin French Kitchen City Hall Carlos Perez Dave Bryan Free bus service to and within Manitou Springs PikeRide Manitou Incline Iron Springs Chateau Manitou Penny Arcade Poor Richard’s Downtown Linda Weise Old Town Bike Shop John Crandall Ted’s Bicycles Water Works - the long-gone downtown carwash (had great greeting cards) Loving the Springs celebrates the best of Colorado Springs and elevates the rest. Plug into what’s happening in the Pikes Peak region, learn about awesome people, places and happenings, and explore opportunities to make life here even better. Longtime Springs booster Carrie Simison co-hosts with local gadflies Al Brody and Dave Gardner. All three love our two springs – Colorado and Manitou, so they give them the mic in this twice-monthly podcast. Nothing’s off the table – recreation, the arts, government, business, politics – if it touches your life, they’ll talk about it. We’ll invite the movers and shakers, conspiracy theorists, NIMBYs, YIMBYs, yaysayers and naysayers to join them. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and give us feedback and suggestions via comments at studio809podcasts.com/loving-the-springs or lovingthespringspodcast at gmail.com

  5. Jul 7

    47: July 7 2026 – Why Bike to Work? Bike to Work Day Part 1

    Bicycling fans share their reasons for riding, we explore “complete streets,” and we discuss safety and infrastructure issues for bicyclists and pedestrians – in this conversation recorded live on Bike to Work Day. This is from the first hour of our live stream from the Studio 809 Podcasts breakfast station at The Next Us on June 24, 2026. See the video live stream replay here We'll share hours 2 and 3 in future episodes. GUESTS: 3:18 - Judy Pearring Davila, The Next Us 7:06 - Beth Roalstad, CEO of Homeward Pikes Peak, Host of a Place for everyone podcast, Co-host of Elevating Pikes Peak Women podcast 20:37 - Allen Beauchamp, ride leader, Community Engagement Manager, Trails and Open Space Coalition 24:41 - Nancy Henjum, Colorado Springs City Councilor 31:24 - Kimberly Gold, Colorado Springs City Councilor 36:34 - Torie Giffin, Founder of Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort, Host of Pedal the Springs podcast 42:06 - Nate Nassif, Manitou Springs City Councilor 44:54 - Konrad Schlarbaum, Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future, Colorado Green Business Network, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment LINKS: Episode of Loving the Springs featuring Judy Pearring of The Next Us Studio 809 Podcasts T-shirts Colorado Springs Bike Map Colorado Springs Bike to Work Day Complete Streets Thanks to These Sponsors of Our Breakfast Station: Crumb & Kiln - 2140 Cooper Ave, Just west of I25 and North of Centennial Starbucks - in front of COS City Hub – on Austin Bluffs Parkway just east of Academy Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort The Next Us – 525 N. Cascade MENTIONED: The Next Us Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments Melissa Marts Aging with Altitude podcast Pat Rigdon Clean and Safe Program Downtown Colorado Springs Pikes Peak Women Brenda Morrison Mary Lou Makepeace KOAA Liv Wood Motorless Morning in Garden of the Gods UpaDowna Pedal Party Manitou Spokes Wednesday Women’s Ride Peak Environment podcast Legacy Plaza Monument Valley Park Mesa Springs Greenway U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum Support Community Podcasting in Colorado Springs Loving the Springs celebrates the best of Colorado Springs and elevates the rest. Plug into what’s happening in the Pikes Peak region, learn about awesome people, places and happenings, and explore opportunities to make life here even better. Longtime Springs booster Carrie Simison co-hosts with local gadflies Al Brody and Dave Gardner. All three love our two springs – Colorado and Manitou, so they give them the mic in this twice-monthly podcast. Nothing’s off the table – recreation, the arts, government, business, politics – if it touches your life, they’ll talk about it. We’ll invite the movers and shakers, conspiracy theorists, NIMBYs, YIMBYs, yaysayers and naysayers to join them. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and give us feedback and suggestions via comments at https://studio809podcasts.com/loving-the-springs or lovingthespringspodcast at gmail.com

  6. Jun 10

    46: June 10 2026 - Meet Poor Richard’s New Owners – Joe and Sarah Gibeau Cole

    How or if this community institution might change largely depends on what makes Joe and Sarah tick. REALLY get to know them in this no-holds-barred conversation. Poor Richard’s changed hands in April, 2026 after 50+ years in the hands of Richard Skorman and Patricia Seator. Sarah Gibeau Cole says they don’t feel like Poor Richard’s belongs to them; they feel like they are stewards. Do NOT miss the very end of this episode, when Joe and Sarah share a scary and very surprising story. Also, Colorado Springs’ SafeStreetsCOS program and Action Plan, and an announcement about our upcoming Bike to Work Day breakfast station and live stream. LINKS: Poor Richard’s 50th Anniversary - episode 21 of Loving the Springs: https://studio809podcasts.com/poor-richards-50th/ Safe Streets COS: https://coloradosprings.gov/SafeStreetsCOS The Colorado Springs Safety Action Plan: https://coloradosprings.gov/document/colorado-springs-safety-action-planfinal05.07.26.pdf Bike to Work Day June 24, 2026: https://coloradosprings.gov/biketowork Loving the Springs/Studio 809 Podcasts/The Next Us Bike to Work Day live stream: https://www.youtube.com/live/muAKUy1w4qw?si=K_Qn8GmsJyB5bRET MENTIONED: Fox 21 KKTV Torie Giffin Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Pedal the Springs podcast Mountain biking TSA The empty Indy stands around town SoCo Insider Dirk Hobbs Loving the Springs celebrates the best of Colorado Springs and elevates the rest. Plug into what’s happening in the Pikes Peak region, learn about awesome people, places and happenings, and explore opportunities to make life here even better. Longtime Springs booster Carrie Simison co-hosts with local gadflies Al Brody and Dave Gardner. All three love our two springs – Colorado and Manitou, so they give them the mic in this twice-monthly podcast. Nothing’s off the table – recreation, the arts, government, business, politics – if it touches your life, they’ll talk about it. We’ll invite the movers and shakers, conspiracy theorists, NIMBYs, YIMBYs, yaysayers and naysayers to join them. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and give us feedback and suggestions via comments at https://studio809podcasts.com/loving-the-springs or lovingthespringspodcast at gmail.com

  7. May 12

    45: May 12 2026 - Smorgasbord of Colorado Springs Events

    Get the scoop on a variety of area news and summer happenings, plus a report on the recent block party celebrating Richard Skorman and Patricia Seator passing the torch for Poor Richard’s to Joe Cole and Sarah Gibeau. Also, how many bikes do you think Carrie and Al each own? The role John Crandall and Old Town Bike Shop have played in the community. Are we ignoring Briargate? And what is the Meanwhile Block, anyway? 1:30 – Kids riding bikes to school 3:30 – Ditching the car and bicycling around town 4:26 – Bike to Work Day June 24 10:08 – Block Party for Poor Richards 15:47 – Farmers markets downtown 19:30 – Ride of Silence and safety for bicyclists 23:16 – Tacos & Tequila Passport 27:22 – Air Force Academy Visitors Center 28:49 – United We Rock festival 30:21 – City accepts Pikeview Quarry land 32:00 – News Update with Pikes Peak Bulletin 46:00 – What WE love about the Springs 50:39 – What is happening at Studio 809 Podcasts LINKS: Bike to Work Day: https://coloradosprings.gov/biketowork Gazette photos of block party: https://gazette.com/2026/05/03/photos-poor-richards-retirement-torch-passing/ Ride of Silence May 20: https://www.bikesprings.org/ https://www.meetup.com/colorado-springs-cycling-club/events/313247489/?eventOrigin=group_events_list Meanwhile Block: https://www.meanwhileblock.com/ Tacos & Tequila Passport May 15 – 31 (with May 14 kickoff at Golden Hour in the Mining Exchange Hotel): https://www.downtowncs.com/tacos Feb 25 2025 – Planning to Make the World a Better Place – episode of LTS featuring Maréa Janae of Dream Catcher Weddings: https://studio809podcasts.com/dreamcatcher/ Support Studio 809 Podcasts: https://www.patreon.com/join/studio809 MENTIONED: Generation Wild PikeRide La Casita Lionel Rivera Yemi Mobolade Steve Bach John Suthers Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort Trails & Open Space Coalition The N+1 Theory Pikes Peak Center Joe Cole Sarah Gibeau John Weiss The Catalyst Fund John Crandall and Old Town Bike Shop Tubby’s Turnaround Stephanie Vigil Julie Ott Lauren Ripko Colorado Springs Cycling Colorado Farm and Art Market Acacia Park Meanwhile Block Norwood Development Group Side Dish with Schniper Kelsey Swen SoCo Insider Colorado Craft Social The Golden Hour Icons Jax Fish House Latin Social Red Gravy T-Birds Tacos and Tequila The Brit Pub Wobbly Olive Zocalo Pikeview Quarry Carlos Perez Briargate Banning Lewis Ranch Manitou Springs WestFax Brewing Company Cerberus Brewing Company ICE Mel Flores Smokebrush Foundation Colorado Springs Utilities Ciara Guerrero Pikes Peak Diversity Council UCCS Black Student Union Dream Catcher Weddings League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region Homeward Pikes Peak Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging El Paso County Progressive Veterans Pikes Peak Women Colorado Spring Chamber & EDC Corvus Technologies Digital Beachhead Loving the Springs celebrates the best of Colorado Springs and elevates the rest. Plug into what’s happening in the Pikes Peak region, learn about awesome people, places and happenings, and explore opportunities to make life here even better. Longtime Springs booster Carrie Simison co-hosts with local gadflies Al Brody and Dave Gardner. All three love our two springs – Colorado and Manitou, so they give them the mic in this twice-monthly podcast. Nothing’s off the table – recreation, the arts, government, business, politics – if it touches your life, they’ll talk about it. We’ll invite the movers and shakers, conspiracy theorists, NIMBYs, YIMBYs, yaysayers and naysayers to join them. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and give us feedback and suggestions via comments at https://studio809podcasts.com/loving-the-springs or lovingthespringspodcast at gmail.com

  8. Apr 28

    44: April 28 2026 - Joe Reagan, Man About Town Running for Congress

    Joe Reagan shares his reasons for running, and how and why he thinks he can unseat GOP incumbent Jeff Crank to represent Colorado’s 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House. Get to know Joe as we explore his military service, history working in the nonprofit sector, and his time in Colorado Springs. We also get a few updates from Pikes Peak Bulletin Managing Editor Heila Ershadi: 43:38 - Appointment of Wayne Williams to serve as Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade’s chief of staff 50:47 - Development plans for the Union Printers Home, including Urban Renewal funding and adjoining neighborhoods’ effort to get a community benefits agreement. LEARN MORE: Joe Reagan’s Campaign Website: https://www.reaganforcolorado.com/ Bulletin Sits Down with Mobolade, Williams to Discuss Coalition Building and Faith: https://pikespeakbulletin.org/news/bulletin-sits-down-with-mobolade-williams-to-discuss-coalition-building-and-faith/ Union Printers Home May Become Hotel Using Urban Renewal Funds. Neighborhood Group Says that Should Come with a Benefits Agreement: https://pikespeakbulletin.org/news/union-printers-home-may-become-hotel-using-urban-renewal-funds-neighborhood-group-says-that-should-come-with-a-benefits-agreement/ Loving the Springs celebrates the best of Colorado Springs and elevates the rest. Plug into what’s happening in the Pikes Peak region, learn about awesome people, places and happenings, and explore opportunities to make life here even better. Longtime Springs booster Carrie Simison co-hosts with local gadflies Al Brody and Dave Gardner. All three love our two springs – Colorado and Manitou, so they give them the mic in this twice-monthly podcast. Nothing’s off the table – recreation, the arts, government, business, politics – if it touches your life, they’ll talk about it. We’ll invite the movers and shakers, conspiracy theorists, NIMBYs, YIMBYs, yaysayers and naysayers to join them. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and give us feedback and suggestions via comments at https://studio809podcasts.com/loving-the-springs or lovingthespringspodcast at gmail.com

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About

Celebrating the best of Colorado Springs and elevating the rest.   Plug into what’s happening in the Pikes Peak region, learn about awesome people, places and happenings, and explore opportunities to make life here even better. Longtime Springs booster Carrie Simison co-hosts with local gadflies Al Brody and Dave Gardner. All three love our two springs – Colorado and Manitou, so they give them the mic in this twice-monthly podcast. Nothing’s off the table – recreation, the arts, government, business, politics – if it touches your life, they’ll talk about it. We’ll invite the movers and shakers, conspiracy theorists, NIMBYs, YIMBYs, yaysayers and naysayers to join them.   Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and give us feedback and suggestions via comments at https://studio809podcasts.com/loving-the-springs or lovingthespringspodcast@gmail.com

Information

  • Creator
    Dave Gardner, Al Brody and Carrie Simison
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Dave Gardner, Al Brody and Carrie Simison
  • Show Website
    Loving the Springs

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