Loving the Springs

Dave Gardner, Al Brody and Carrie Simison
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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. 1d ago

    54: Oct 4 2026 - How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love to Vote

    With the critical November election coming up, how can you be certain you’ll receive a ballot? How do you vote? How secure is our voting system? Get the answers from the ultimate election nerd, El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleiker. Steve wants registering and voting to be so easy for you, he practically offers to be your personal election concierge. If you have questions, call him! We recorded this conversation in front of a live audience at Studio 809 Podcasts’ Our Voice, Our Future 2026: Get Out the Vote Podcast Marathon. The marathon was held at CO.A.T.I. Uprise, the cool food hall, bar, dream hatchery and community event center in downtown Colorado Springs. RESOURCES: To check your registration and mailing address, or to register: govotecolorado.go El Paso County Clerk and Recorder - Elections section - including location of ballot boxes and in-person voting centers Steve Schleiker’s office: 719-575-VOTE (8683) email Steve: steveschleiker@elpasoco.com MENTIONED: Hacking elections Ballot harvesting 2,000 Mules Tracie Woods 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. Aug 25

    53: Aug 25 - To Be or Not to Be… a Data Center

    While the proposed Project Taurus data center awaits its city council hearing, we learn about another project being fast-tracked in southern Colorado Springs that will have data center equipment and needs, but we are told is not a data center. Project Primestone will begin with a facility requiring twice the electrical power of Project Taurus and may ultimately use four times Taurus’ 50 megawatt appetite. Seth Palmer Harris, the reporter who has filed a story about Primestone in the Pikes Peak Bulletin, fills us in. The discussion includes various ways developers fund projects in Colorado Springs, including metro districts, urban renewal tax incentives and Tax Increment Financing. There is much more to the story, so listen to this episode and read the report in the Pikes Peak Bulletin. NOTE: When Dave mention there will be many “NIMBYs” at the September 17 Colorado Springs City Council data center hearing, he does not mean it in a derogatory sense. LINKS: Project Primestone Isn’t A Data Center – It Will Just Look and Feel Like One Fight to Save OCC Downtown Development Authority Ramps Up The Rotten Roots of Project Taurus – Episode 154 of Peak Environment 52nd Annual Commonwheel Artists Co-Op Labor Day Weekend Art Festival SinkMS MiniGolf Tournament Creek Week 2026 10th annual COLORADO SHORT CIRCUIT Film Festival Starlight Spectacular MENTIONED: Project Taurus proposed data center Brandy Williams Colorado Springs Urban Renewal Authority Colorado Springs Gazette Phil Anschutz Commonwheel Artists Co-op Independent Film Society of Colorado Springs Gold Mine Mini Golf National MS Society Fountain Creek Watershed District Trails and Open Space Coalition 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. Aug 18

    52: Aug 18 2026 - Preventing and Responding to Intimate Partner Violence – Community Heroes at TESSA

    Efforts in our community are helping individuals and their children achieve safety and wellbeing while challenging us to end sexual and family violence. TESSA CEO Anne Markley fills us in on all the local nonprofit agency is doing, including a confidential Safehouse, Victim Advocacy, Counseling and Children’s Programs, a 24/7 Safe Line, and Community Outreach and Education. We learn that teens and young adults are especially vulnerable, with more unsupervised time, social gatherings, and new relationships increasing the likelihood of dating violence. And TESSA is doing a lot to address this, including hosting a special community conversation: Digital Realities: Protecting Youth in the Digital Age A community conversation about online safety CSPD and TESSA August 23, 4 to 7 pm, Ent Center for the Arts Free, Register Here TESSA Safe Line: 719-633-3819 LINKS: TESSA City Launches New Parking Enterprise Brand Focused on Making Parking Easier MENTIONS: Ent Center for the Arts Wings Credit Union Jelly Roll Goat Patch Brewing Give Pikes Peak Empy Stocking Fund Parking Upgrades Downtown Paul Newman Cool Hand Luke The Charlie Block Urban Egg Poor Richard’s 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. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

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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
    56
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Dave Gardner, Al Brody and Carrie Simison
  • Show Website
    Loving the Springs