Publisher’s Note

January is clearly a transitional month. From the excitement and anticipation of our end-of-year holidays beginning with Halloween, through to that blurry first week of the New Year. Slow but sure, our neighborhoods grow a tiny bit dimmer with every taking down of holiday lights until it’s just the streetlights again. The darker skies on both ends of the day keep us snug in our homes. We huddle inside to watch bowl games, the Australian Open, some early basketball, and our world-famous ski season in the mountains, until … February! Most Coloradans won’t waste an opportunity to enjoy the winter sports season somewhere within our majestic Colorado Rocky Mountains. Based on recent month's precipitation, hey, we could have several more months of base and fresh powder to come. Goodness knows, we need the blessing of fuller reservoirs and a longer melt and mud season to get our high-desert region some power to green-up in the spring and stay strong in moisture for summer. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.

We’re pleased to present another one of our region’s most exciting and visionary leaders to our NORTH audiences. Meet L. Song Richardson, JD. Prior to taking the President’s Office at Colorado College, or “CC” as it is referred to locally, Richardson served as Dean at the University of California’s School of Law. Since arriving to Colorado Springs nearly 18-months ago, she leads one of America’s top private colleges and one of the Springs’ true treasures.

As we spent time with her, we were immediately taken in by her accessibility, warmth, and command of the vision she and her faculty have for today, and the future of the college.

Lead by tenets found in leadership’s Four Pillars and a 2024 Plan, President Richardson has much to say about the college’s desire to not only attract more students from within Colorado, but as importantly, to intentionally engage with Colorado Springs’ business and community leaders to help create thriving communities. Richardson is determined to position CC as a “shining gem”, rather than the “hidden gem” quietly embedded in downtown Colorado Springs.

The region’s northern entertainment district (between InterQuest and Northgate) continues to thrive adding new options for residents seeking unique and fun options. Inside you’ll meet the founders of iFly, the indoor skydiving venue in Polaris Pointe. Oh, and did you hear about the new Air Force Falcon Football Stadium they recently broke ground on? What a time to be living in COS!

One more thing: Colorado Media Group who brings you NORTH, is launching a new talk-radio program we’re calling TrueNORTH - airing on Saturday mornings on Salem Media’s 101.1FM and AM1460. I can’t wait to share these rich conversations with regional leaders, luminaries, sports figures, business leaders, and community leaders. There’s no better place to get in the know about important local projects, initiatives, new businesses/employers moving to the region, and so much more. Get in the know with TrueNORTH!

Until next time,

Dirk R. Hobbs, Founder & Executive Publisher NORTH and Colorado Media Group

FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER

Dirk R. Hobbs: dhobbs@coloradomediagroup.com

VP PARTNERSHIPS

John Lerohl: jlerohl@coloradomediagroup.com

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Jeff Mohrfeld: jmohrfeld@coloradomediagroup.com

DESIGN & PRODUCTION EDITOR

Dirk R. Hobbs, Sheyenne Livingston

WEBSITE MANAGERS

Sterling McMannis & Angelina Pecoraro

LAYOUT & DESIGN

Sheyenne Livingston | Livingston Design Co.

SENIOR EDITOR

Lee Ann Harper

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Don Jones, Studio 9 Photography

Feature Photography: Stu Duffy/ROAN

SENIOR WRITERS

Pam Bales, Tom Hess

FEBURARY, MARCH 2023

WRITERS & CONTRIBUTERS

Marquesa Hobbs, Amy Newland Ward, Gillian Rossi, Dirk Hobbs, Pam Bales, Linda Weise, Stu Duffy, AdriAnn Bossi, Osama Kassab, DC, Tom Stewart, Travis Bockenstedt, Brent Thompson, Amy Long, Wayne Pinegar, Greg Balman, Roger Hukle, Carriann Johnson, Charmas Lee and Jason Watson, CPA

NORTH PARTNERS

KKTV 11 NEWS, Visit COS, United States Air Force Academy Athletics, Colorado Springs Sports Corporation, Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Colorado Springs Airport, YMCAofthePikesPeak Region,ReclaimingHope,NationalCharityLeague