NORTH By Colorado Media Group || FEB/MAR 2024 || Lonnie Cramer

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024

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Marisa Wigglesworth

USOPM Chief Honors Local Origins First

Local Day Spas:

The Perfect Valentine’s Gift

The Orbital Edge

Cultivating the Next Gen of Aerospace Talent

LONNIE

CRAMER

PRESIDENT & CEO

Southern Colorado Region, UCHealth

Photo by Don Jones, Studio 9 Photography

Inside Front Cover: WCG

Discover The Unbridled Majesty of Flying Horse.

Classic Homes, Best Homebuilder Gold Winner, 16 years running Flying Horse, Best New Community Gold Winner, 8 years running The Grandview Model, The Village of Turin at Flying Horse 2409 Parma Court, Colorado Springs, CO 80921

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

he healthcare apparatus in the United States is complex and multifaceted, to put it mildly. As advanced as life sciences are in many regards — early detection, minimally invasive procedures, surgical technology — for patients it can be remarkably cumbersome and, of course, costly. For healthcare professionals and executives, it’s even more complicated. Considerations are seemingly neverending: consistently escalating cost; steadily declining reimbursement; strained physician/patient relationship; outcomes- and evidencebased medicine; the avalanche of documentation associated with care; the list goes on and on. It truly is 3D chess — a daily calculus few of us would endeavor to take on. Anyone who snaps on a badge for a medical clinic or health system will tell you they love their job. And, in the same breath, could give you a dozen reasons why no one in their right mind should go into healthcare. Life as a modern healthcare executive can be described as many things — but “cushy job” is not one of them. The occupation is a fullcourt press, every day, day and night. To put it another way, it’s a constant intellectual and emotional withdrawal, where the deposits to those personal accounts don’t reconcile. So, what kind of person embraces the challenges and ever-moving goalposts that are today’s healthcare landscape? Fortunately, there are folks whose driving motivation is the love and commitment to make healthcare better for all involved. One of those unique individuals is Lonnie Cramer, CEO of UCHealth for southern Colorado. NORTH’s sit-down with Mr. Cramer gives us a glimpse into the many variables he and his teams contend with daily, and illustrates UCHealth’s continued commitment to excellence for the southern Colorado communities they serve. Do you know someone who is moving the needle in a positive direction in the Pikes Peak Region? We’d love to tell their story. Send us a message at info@coloradomediagroup.com. Until next month,

Dirk R. Hobbs

Founder & Executive Publisher Dirk R. Hobbs

dhobbs@coloradomediagroup.com

Vice President Partnerships John Lerohl

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Managing Editor Lee Harper

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Creative Director

Christopher Tombaugh

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Senior Graphic Designers

Geraldine Villanueva & Erica Kunihisa

Website Managers

Sterling McMannis & Angelina Pecoraro

Director of Photography

Don Jones, Studio 9 Photography

Senior Writers

Pam Bales, Jeanne Davant, Kim Daly & Wayne Heilman

Staff Writers

Olivia Bond, Keri Kahn, Emilie Hagopian & Kay Rowe

Writers & Contributers

Marquesa Hobbs, Amy Newland, Michelle Bobart, AdriAnn Bossie, Tom Stewart, Jason Watson, CPA, Joel Rauser PT, Julie White, Michael Pinkerton, Meghan McGuire, Meegan McCorkle, Carriann Johnson, Chelsey Valerio & Zach Langston

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NORTH • February/March 2024 • 3

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ISSUE

VOL. 4 NO. 1

CONTENTS 6/BUSINESS, WEALTH & FINANCE How to Annoy Your Tax Accountant

Treasures Await at Westside Gem

The Orbital Edge

Heartshake Studios

Hurdles Today & Tomorrow 21 Healthcare’s UCHealth’s Lonnie Cramer reflects on his past and medicine’s future

20/PEOPLE Figure Skating for All

From Feisty Kid to Olympian

Marisa Wigglesworth: USOPM

38/REAL ESTATE Stretch Your Remodeling Budget

Leading with her Heart

Winter Wonderland Wanderings

62 Your Glow Back 54 Get Take a look at some area day spas

52/HEALTH & WELLNESS Skin and Body Rejuvenation

The Pain-Free Teen Athlete

Winter Wonderland Wanderings

The Practical Art of Renovation

Gratitude in 2024

Tracking the Way to Explore the Outdoors

Red Light, Green Light

icecastles.com/colorado

64/LIFESTYLE & COMMUNITY

Events & Attractions 78 Winter Festivals, fun, free stuff & Flatley!

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NORTH • February/March 2024 • 5

BUSINESS, WEALTH & FINANCE

How to Annoy Your Tax Accountant In Five Easy Steps BY JASON WATSON, CPA

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hile our clients are wonderful, occasionally a client of another CPA firm will ask us for advice. How should I set up my next business? Can I deduct donations made to United Way? (spoiler, yes you may) At times these inquiring minds also ask us how to annoy their tax accountant, for whatever reason. Being the helpful CPA firm that we are, WCG CPAs & Advisors feels compelled to help those who ask. Yes, we are being playful and having a bit of fun…call it satire. After all, we chose this profession!

Step 1:

Don’t Read Don’t fully read correspondence from your tax accountant yet respond with “Sounds good. Thanks.” Then, when a tax notice arrives about two or three months after the tax return has been filed, respond with “I am not sure why the IRS says I owe them money.” You can also safely assume that any letter from the IRS means your tax accountant messed up. Of course, the IRS has the best computers and certainly the brightest accountants.

Step 4:

Play Hide the Ball Act completely surprised when your tax account asks for a brokerage statement that was on your prior year tax return but seems to be missing from your document upload. Even though you’ve supplied the same brokerage statement for six years running, respond with “I didn’t think you needed that.” Better yet, respond with “I am out of the country” which universally means, while most of the free world has internet access, somehow being in a foreign country prevents a brokerage statement PDF from being downloaded and sent to your tax accountant.

Step 2:

Take Inventory in Others Compare yourself to your neighbor or fellow coworker. Believe everything they say is accurate and then ask your tax accountant why your neighbor only pays $50 in taxes while you pay so much more. You can also tell yourself that everyone should pay taxes except you.

Step 3:

Doubt that Water is Wet Just like when you ask your surgeon what scalpel they intend to use or inquire about the exact chemistry behind anesthesia, ask your tax accountant how the tax was computed. Comment that your co-worker, who earns exactly the same as you to the penny, pays absolutely zero taxes. Ever. You can go in a different direction and tell your tax accountant that you aren’t asking for much explanation, but you do want to know “how taxes work,” since synthesizing 4 million words of tax code (excluding case law) into a 20-minute chat is an easy request. Seriously, what’s the big deal here? Sure, the King James Bible has 788,280 words; War and Peace runs 560,000 words; and the entire Harry Potter series is just over 1 million words. What’s another 3 million?

Step 5:

Ghost Your CPA Be a champ by providing all your tax documents early, and then sit on your delivered tax return for several weeks. Of course, you can’t be bothered since playoff hockey is right around the corner. Next, ignore the multiple emails, text messages and phone calls asking if you have any questions about the tax return. Then, on April 12 or so, email your tax accountant and request a tax return review. Act baffled how time just zipped by. If nothing else, claim both: time zipped by and you were out of the country.

How Tax Accountants Annoy Clients In the interest of equal airtime, we will work on an article about how tax accountants annoy their clients. Some things that come to mind — radio silence, industry jargon, incomplete answers to questions, and multiple uses of “audit risk” in every response.

Jason Watson, CPA,

is a Partner for WCG CPAs & Advisors, a progressive boutique tax and accounting firm located in northern Colorado Springs. You may contact him at 719-428-3261 or jason@wcginc.com.

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Treasures Await at Westside Gem

Heartshake Studios BY KERI KAHN, Staff Writer

hoppers who set foot inside Old Colorado City’s Heartshake Studios are met with an inviting atmosphere that heightens the senses and pleases the eyes. The queer-owned store at 2627 W. Colorado Ave. is technically a gift shop, but unique in Colorado Springs with its blend of Southwestern aesthetics, metaphysical gifts and ethically sourced goods from makers the world over. “I really strive to order from other queer makers, from BIPOC makers, from more marginalized communities so we have a broader array of things to offer,” says store owner and curator, Kit Hutchinson. The shop’s signature items, designed and produced by Kit, are wool-wrapped deer antlers with copper ranging from $55 to $78. You’ll also find art prints from $15 - $50, unique hook pillows and other textiles that won’t break the budget, candles, books, plants and self care items to gift yourself or another.

Kit Hutchinson, artist and owner of Heartshake Studios.

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Unique gift items curated in Heartshake Studios.

An artist by nature and business owner through practice, Kit got started in retail back in California after becoming store manager for their first antler wholesale client. Now a Coloradan, Kit set up their store with many similarities, but very different price points. “I’ve always been a really thrifty person and more into affordable stuff and so I try to curate things in a similar way but at more attainable prices for people,” they say. Despite the affordability, inflation has been a challenge for Heartshake, especially considering that Hutchinson opened a second location geared toward children – Little Heartshake – in 2022. “We’re not selling groceries or necessities. We’re selling fun things,” Kit says. Heartshake has weathered the pandemic and inflation like a champ, but one theme remains clear: If you want local shops to survive, shop small. With holiday spending in the rearview mirror and tourist season still several months away, February and March can be slow for local shops. Winter’s home stretch might be perfect for exploring the many curiosities of Old Colorado City, Manitou Springs or downtown.

Visit either location during First Friday Art Walks, held the first Friday of each month. Learn more about Heartshake at www.heartshakestudios.com, or their neighbors at www.shopoldcoloradocity.com.

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Peace of Mind in a World of Uncertainties BY AMY NEWLAND

hen making financial decisions, most people weigh the risk with the uncertainty. The most difficult thing about insurance is paying for something you hope you will never use. Nobody wants something bad to happen to their family, but if it does, suffering a loss without insurance can put a family in a difficult financial situation. Peace of mind and a financial safety net are both potential outcomes with the right insurance. The purpose of insurance is to help you and your loved ones recover after something bad happens – such as a car accident, lawsuit or fire. Premiums reduce the risk by transferring it to insurance companies in exchange for the possibility of a much larger loss. There are a few things to consider when choosing an insurance company to work with:

COVERAGE – Most insurance policy contracts are now customizable, allowing you to select optional coverage endorsements based on your family’s needs. You may also be able to bundle your policies for additional savings! FINANCIAL STRENGTH OF THE COMPANY – Look at the AM Best credit rating to determine the company’s financial strength. It’s important to know the company will be able to pay your claim in the event of a catastrophic event. AGENCY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE – Do you prefer managing your own policies, coverage and claims; or would you like recommendations, assistance and trusted feedback? Unless you prefer to do it on your own, it’s to your advantage to gain a relationship with your local agent and team. Your agent is an expert with the knowledge to guide you through the process, assisting you both with selecting the best insurance protection and during a claim. Life can change in an instant and anyone can fall victim to a catastrophic event or accident. This serves as a tough

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reminder that life is full of uncertainties. For example, death is certain, but no one knows when. This uncertainty causes two types of risks — the risk of dying early and the risk of living too long. The risk of dying early could put a family in financial hardship with loss of income, debt, funeral expenses and future education expenses, among other worries. On the other hand, the risk of (frankly) living too long may mean a person uses up all their retirement savings, also resulting in financial difficulty. Understanding life insurance and how much coverage you may need can help with long-term financial planning. Making plans to help support your family’s financial stability when you pass could help mitigate the stress and burden of an already difficult time. Depending on your financial goals and needs, life insurance may be an important part of this plan. Your insurance agent is a great resource to learn more about the benefits of insurance, as well as the benefits with your specific coverage. For example, you may have access to emergency roadside service, risk-control consulting for your business, and cash value in your life insurance policy, in addition to many other coverage options and discounts. The Amy Newland Agency offers free consultations. I encourage you to schedule an appointment to review your current insurance plan. Let’s chat about what’s important to you and your family and see if the plan you have now still fits you and your future.

Amy Newland, Amy Newland Agency, LLC Give me a call at 719-686-4216. I look forward to meeting you!

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THE ORBITAL EDGE Cultivating the Next Generation of Aerospace Talent BY KIM DALY, Senior Writer

(COS). “The global space workforce is aging,” says Brunswick, “and we are not prepared to replace them as they retire.” Her focus is on developing the space workforce pipeline, from K-12 education to entrepreneurship — a big endeavor based on sheer size alone.

A PLETHORA OF OPPORTUNITY olorado’s ascent as an aerospace powerhouse isn’t merely fueled by the highest concentration of private aerospace jobs in the nation, or the fact it hosts the headquarters of the U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM). It’s a symphony of academic excellence and industry collaboration, with institutions like The University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) playing a key role. Their recent designation as an Academic Engagement Enterprise (AEE) partner illustrates a unified — and vital — effort by local entities to raise up the next generation of aerospace talent AEEs exist to foster relationships and collaboration between USSPACECOM and cutting-edge academic institutions. Goals include engaging the future workforce of college graduates, increasing spaceapplied research and innovation, expanding spacefocused analytic partnerships and enriching the overall strategic dialogue on space. According to Shelli Brunswick, it’s much needed. Brunswick is the executive director for the Center for International Space Policy for the BEID Society, and former COO of the Space Foundation, a 40-yearold global nonprofit based in Colorado Springs

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“Aerospace is a very broad area,” explains Dr. Thottam Kalkur, chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at UCCS. “It brings together electrical and mechanical engineering with cloud computing, cybersecurity and more, and there’s a lot of demand for space applications,” he says. “This includes people who can work on space signals, space communications and satellites.” That said, “Not everyone needs to be a STEM professional,” says Brunswick. “We need diversity of women and underrepresented groups, but also diversity of career fields.” According to Brunswick, changing the space workforce trajectory is a two-pronged approach that both raises awareness of initiatives and projects, and excites young people about space and provides pathways for opportunity. More importantly, those opportunities transcend aerospace. Space cuts across all industries, including emerging technologies like energy storage, healthcare, AI, quantum computing and virtual reality, as well as areas that people may usually think of, like satellite servicing and orbital debris removal. It also transverses economies including public safety, transportation, education, agriculture and healthcare.

“We’re using space technology already in these other economic sectors, but most people just don’t realize it,” says Brunswick. “For instance, thanks to telecommunications, there’s Zoom. All of that was created because of the space industry. It’s a matter of not necessarily saying ‘I’m incorporating space technology’ but asking how space technology could be creating the bridge or the intersection or the infrastructure to create a better platform for business.”

MEETING DEMAND

To meet increased demand, The UCCS College of Engineering and Applied Science offers multiple degrees — from bachelor to doctoral — that align with space research and employment needs, including a BS in Aerospace Engineering launched in 2022 and an MS in Aerospace Engineering debuting this year. The university’s brand new Anschutz Engineering Center will add 24,000 sq. ft. of specialty labs and instructional spaces when it opens this spring. However, building the infrastructure for a future aerospace workforce goes beyond university campuses and students who love math. It requires collaboration with industry partners to immerse this next generation in hands-on practice.

Space Foundation Center for Innovation and Discovery

This lifelong learning platform provides the global space gateway to deliver workforce development and economic opportunity for students, teachers, entrepreneurs and professionals. Learn more at spacefoundation.org.

THE TIMING HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER

Of the 500 aerospace and defense companies in Colorado, about 250 of them are in COS, as well as approximately 150 cybersecurity companies, explains Dawn Conley, CEO of Catalyst Campus. This COS-based nonprofit connects academia, industry and government to support emerging tech companies that could play a critical role in solutions for the Department of Defense (DOD). “There’s actually a lot of applicability between healthcare, aerospace and defense,” says Conley. “For instance, a company with an existing healthcare technology may be exactly what the DOD seeks to fulfill a need.” According to Conley, of the 87 companies that have gone through Catalyst’s Accelerator Program, 29 of them have pivoted their product, service or capability as a result. “When you have an emerging tech company,” says Conley, “and they can get that purview into what’s needed sooner into their evolution as a business rather than later, they have a higher rate of success.” “Colorado is such a great hub for innovation,” says Brunswick. “Now is a really great opportunity for space to be a great leader in this community, to create high-paying jobs, to create jobs that are for high school graduates and PhDs and everything in between.”

Catalyst Campus

This collaborative ecosystem offers best-in-class amenities where industry, small business, workforce training, entrepreneurs, startups and venture capital intersect with the aerospace and defense industry. Learn more at catalystcampus.org.

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NAVIGATING ESTATE AND LEGACY PLANNING BEFORE 2026 BY MEGHAN MCGUIRE, MS in Organizational Leadership, CFP®, RICP

LEVERAGING THE 2017 TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT FOR FUTURE BENEFIT In a world where certainty is rare, Benjamin Franklin’s adage that only death and taxes are inevitable remains true, especially when discussing estate taxes. Since the implementation of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, there has been a significant shift in estate tax regulations. In 2024, individuals can benefit from a substantial estate tax exemption of $13.61 million. However, this is set to change in 2026, due to a sunset provision reducing the exemption to approximately $5 million per taxpayer, adjusted for inflation. Above these amounts, a tax rate of 40% is applied to the deceased individual’s estate.

PREPARATION IS KEY AS 2026 APPROACHES Proactive estate planning and discussions with family, financial advisors, accountants and attorneys are more important than ever. Acting before the sunset provision takes effect ensures that the current higher exemptions are locked in, protecting

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against future reductions. Several estate structures may be applied between now and 2026, one of which is a Spousal Lifetime Access Trust.

SPOTLIGHT ON SPOUSAL LIFETIME ACCESS TRUSTS (SLATS) The Spousal Lifetime Access Trust (SLAT) takes advantage of the marital deduction, allowing assets to transfer between spouses without tax implications. Here is how it works: a spouse creates a SLAT for the other, funding it with assets up to the current exemption limit. The beneficiary spouse can then draw income (health, education, maintenance and support) from the trust during their lifetime. After they pass, the remaining assets are transferred to the designated beneficiaries, up to the estate tax deduction in the year the SLAT is created, free from estate taxes. However, SLATs have their nuances. They must be carefully structured to avoid being viewed as reciprocal by the IRS, which could trigger tax liabilities. This means creating distinct, dissimilar trusts, possibly in different years, with varying assets, beneficiaries and trustees.

SLATS: ONE PIECE OF THE PUZZLE

A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE SLAT Example

2024

2026

Wilma’s SLAT

$ 13,610,000

$ 5,000,000

Fred’ SLAT

$ 13,610,000

$ 5,000,000

Total SLAT

$ 27,220,000

$ 10,000,000

Net Worth

$ 30,000,000

Taxable Estate

$ 2,780,000

$ 20,000,000

Taxes owed 40%

$ 1,112,000

$ 8,000,000

Consider Wilma and Fred, a couple with a net worth of $30 million. They wisely decide to establish SLATs for each other. Fred sets up a trust for Wilma in 2024, transferring $13.61 million in assets and naming their twins as beneficiaries. Wilma does the same for Fred but includes her brother and a charity as additional beneficiaries, while adding a few additional stipulations. This strategy, executed before 2026, allows them to maximize their exemptions, significantly reducing their taxable estate and future tax liabilities. If they act in 2024, Wilma and Fred’s taxable estate would be around $2.78 million, leading to a potential tax liability of approximately $1.11 million. However, delaying until after 2026 would increase their taxable estate to $20 million, with a staggering tax liability of $8 million. This comparison highlights the benefits of acting before the sunset provision.

While SLATs offer a significant advantage, they are just one tool in a diverse estate planning toolkit. Other strategies to reduce estate taxes include irrevocable trusts, gifting and life insurance policies, all of which can be tailored to individual needs and circumstances. Each method has its own set of advantages and potential drawbacks, making it crucial to explore all options.

PLANNING TODAY FOR TOMORROW The impending changes in estate tax laws underscore the importance of proactive estate planning. Strategies like SLATs offer a window of opportunity to maximize benefits under the current law. However, these decisions should not be made in isolation. Collaborating with legal, tax and financial professionals to stay informed and adapt plans as needed is vital to securing a financial legacy that reflects one’s wishes and provides for future generations.

Meghan McGuire, First Vice President – Investments VIRTUENT Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors

The opinions and ideas presented here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Wells Fargo or its affiliates.

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Don Jones, Studio 9 Photography

REVENUE

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COSTS

PEOPLE

Healthcare’s Hurdles Today and Tomorrow UCHealth’s Lonnie Cramer Reflects on His Past and Medicine’s Future BY WAYNE HEILMAN, Senior Writer

onnie Cramer sees the future of healthcare and it includes cutting costs through technology to cope with lower federal reimbursements. As CEO of UCHealth Memorial Hospital and all of UCHealth’s operations in southern Colorado, which depend on government healthcare programs for 70% of their revenue, Cramer believes the healthcare industry must become more efficient without sacrificing the quality of care. That likely will mean more virtual visits with doctors and other healthcare providers, and greater use of artificial intelligence and other new technologies to care for patients in rural and remote locations. “As we continue to face legislative challenges that have a negative impact on reimbursement and as we continue to see declines in commercial payer reimbursement and denials, we have to find ways to be more efficient to provide care in an affordable model while maintaining high-quality care for the communities we serve,” Cramer says about his plans for the healthcare system that is the largest civilian employer in the Colorado Springs region. While the threat of reimbursement cuts is a nationwide issue, UCHealth would feel the impact of any reductions acutely since the UCHealth system is the state’s largest provider of Medicaid services. Memorial also sees a large share of patients covered under the military’s Tricare health plan, due to the area’s large population of military personnel and their families, and most hospitals generate a major share of

their revenue from Medicare patients. Cramer says a new partnership formed with Defense Health Agency’s Colorado Military Health System will help UCHealth become more efficient by allowing military healthcare providers to train in Memorial’s Level 1 trauma center at its central campus. As a secondary benefit, the partnership allows military providers to treat patients with injuries and medical conditions they might have to treat on the battlefield — keeping those skills sharp. Technology will provide a role by making better use of existing facilities and equipment through virtual visits, reducing the need to build expensive new facilities packed with the latest technology in locations where such facilities likely would not be cost effective. He also believes that artificial intelligence and other new technologies may be able to discover medical issues before they are discovered by traditional diagnostic methods. Artificial intelligence could play a role in helping doctors find “some of the markers that identify infections or things that may be happening to a patient well before it shows up visually through such things as lab tests, respiratory stats, body temperatures,” Cramer says. “I think AI will play a huge role in taking care of our patients and also identifying interventions ahead of time before they show up, maybe even to the patient.” That doesn’t mean Memorial is abandoning bricks and mortar – the hospital system added 40 new beds

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“

I think AI will play a huge role in taking care of our patients and also identifying interventions ahead of time before they show up, maybe even to the patient.”

— Lonnie Cramer

last year by remodeling administrative offices and converting unfinished space into inpatient medical units. Memorial also opened new facilities this year in the InterQuest area of Colorado Springs, and the Eastview Medical Center on Powers Boulevard which both offer a variety of outpatient services. Also, UCHealth will bring its second Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit to the Colorado Springs area in January and plans to open a new primary care clinic next year in Fountain, the first of several new primary care clinics Memorial has in the works. Building new facilities is only half of the job – Memorial also must hire the staff to operate them. The hospital system hopes to do that at least in part through its Ascend program by paying for staff members in non-clinical jobs to get more education for promotions into high-demand jobs such as nursing, behavioral health, phlebotomy, respiratory therapy and radiology. The program has helped Memorial meet its diversity, equity and inclusion goals because more than half of the program’s

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participants are Black, indigenous or people of color. Cramer became interim CEO in January 2023, and had been president of UCHealth’s Longs Peak Hospital in Longmont, Broomfield Hospital and multiple outpatient care facilities in the north Denver area. He oversaw an expansion of Longs Peak from 51 to 68 beds as well as construction of a medical office building that housed an outpatient cancer treatment center — the first to be operated by a partnership of Rocky Mountain Cancer Center and the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Cramer was at Longs Peak when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The hospital was “really new and our intensive care unit was only six beds,” he recalls. “We later expanded that and doubled its size but during the peak of the pandemic, Longs Peak Hospital and its care team was just remarkable, how they responded. During the height of the pandemic, I was informed that we had taken care of almost a third of the COVID patients in the county, which was pretty remarkable, with the size of our facility.”

Don Jones, Studio 9 Photography

He took the Longs Peak job after leaving the Centura Health system, where he had been chief operating officer of Penrose-St. Francis Health Services and served in a variety of other roles. Returning to Colorado Springs, where he has lived longer than anywhere else, Cramer says, “felt like [coming] home,” giving him the opportunity “to come back and visit with colleagues and friends I’ve known for 14 years.” Cramer’s experience at Penrose-St. Francis — he is the area’s highest-ranking executive that has worked in senior management at both local hospital systems — helped him build relationships with key health industry players in the Colorado Springs area. He says those relationships “with providers and community leaders are probably the biggest asset that I cherish today. There are a lot of people who have been around for a long time, and I consider most of them dear friends.” Before moving to Colorado Springs, Cramer had spent 10 years as chief operating officer of Louisiana-based MDiagnostics, formerly National Imaging Affiliates, which operates five outpatient imaging centers in Florida. He began his civilian career at a community hospital near Savannah, Georgia, once he’d finished an eight-year hitch in the Army, where he served mostly in Germany and treated wounded soldiers from Operation Desert Storm. The son of a 27-year Air Force Tech Sargeant, not surprisingly Cramer ended up in the military also, although he admits his choice of service branches caused “a little bit of friction” with his father. After he joined the Army, the young Cramer was sent to its Academy of Health Sciences to become a Radiologic Technologist, and was also trained to do cardiac catheterization and conduct X-ray, CT and MRI scans. He still keeps current registries in all three areas, though he hasn’t done any such scans recently. An early riser, Cramer likes to be a hands-on boss. He walks around the units in Memorial’s two hospitals on rounds because “I like to be in front of my people.

Growing up in healthcare as a bedside provider, I didn’t start as a CEO, I started as an X-ray tech, so being at the patient care level I always felt very comfortable, I guess, at the bedside. I’ve gone to many department meetings to speak to our staff. I think it is important as CEO to be out there and know what our staff and providers are dealing with.” Cramer says he loves his job and takes responsibility leading the area’s largest employer — with a staff of more than 6,000 — “very seriously and understand[s] that the decisions we make as a system, and I make as a leader, are important — not only for our patients but also our staff. Cramer continues,

“

Our mission to improve lives doesn’t just mean the lives of our patients; it also means the lives of our communities, our staff, our providers.

”

“To get up every day and have a mission that you believe in is something I am grateful for.” Retirement for this 52-year-old executive is not in the cards any time soon. Cramer says, “My wife says I’ll die in my office. It goes back to the passion I have to be at work and to serve. She asks me all the time when I want to retire, and my response is never. I really think I’m going to continue to do this forever.” Cramer and his wife are the parents of three adult children and two twin grandsons, all of whom live in Colorado. He is an outdoor enthusiast who loves to spend time hunting, fishing, hiking and camping.

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“Our vision was to create that safe space to allow growth and expansion into the community — a tangible opportunity.” — Katrina Achivida

More Than 9 To 5 BY JULIE WHITE, The Resource Exchange

mily Miller, 41, starts her day like many — with coffee. She loves working at The Whispering Aspen, a boutique that just opened its fourth Colorado location. The store is accomplishing something different and meaningful in the retail space: employing people with disabilities. Emily says, “I love to come here and have my coffee and start working.” The newest retail location is a pop-up shop now open in the lobby of New Altitude, a coworking space with a unique mission, on Colorado Springs’ north side. New Altitude was created in partnership with The Resource Exchange (TRE), a local nonprofit that coordinates care and case management for the disability community. New Altitude’s long-term goal is to partner with local businesses to create career paths for people with disabilities. Katrina Achivida is Southern Colorado’s vocational coordinator for Integrated Life Choices and facilitates job coaching for Emily and others who work at The

Whispering Aspen. Katrina points out that employers may not realize they have options when hiring people with disabilities. She explains, “There’s a lack of awareness. Businesses may not know that job coaching exists; that is why The Whispering Aspen was established, to bridge that gap. Our vision was to create that safe space to allow growth and expansion into the community — a tangible opportunity. The community can see it in action here.” Employees at The Whispering Aspen learn valuable skills like accountability, cash handling, completing transactions and meeting goals. Employees can choose whether to work in the storefront or create items on the production side, based on their interests. Most of the boutique’s items are created by people with disabilities, and proceeds from boutique sales are invested back into the store. Emily prefers retail because she loves meeting new people. She says, “I always have a lot of sales. It’s awesome! I also stock sodas, restock snacks and help with gift baskets.” To support The Whispering Aspen: @whisperingaspen.cos on Instagram New Shop: 6385 Corporate Drive, COS, 80919 5630 N. Academy Blvd., COS, 80918

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NORTH • February/March 2024 • 25

Figure Skating for All BY KERI KAHN, Staff Writer

“

It benefits the next generation because at least the door is open now. There’s a hope it will get into the Olympics and I might not be able to skate it but that’s fine because now it’s open for other people.”

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Photo credit: Gabriele Photography/www.gabrielephoto.com

acia Loconte isn’t your typical teenager. The Mesa Ridge High School junior is a three-time Junior World Champion in inclusive skating and she’s on a mission to make figure skating more accessible to others with physical disabilities. In 2019, Dacia was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury that occurred at birth and affected her coordination center and sequencing abilities. Even before her diagnosis, Dacia had been in physical therapy and, at seven years old, she was cleared to take part in the activity she’d been dreaming about since age three – skating. “Learning a program for her takes longer,” Dacia’s mom Beth says of her daughter’s challenges in learning a skate routine. “Just to learn the sequence plus the physical coordination piece is very different than for other people.” Figure skating is not currently a sanctioned sport by the International Paralympic Committee but, according to Beth, inclusive skating took a step down that path when it became recognized by the International Skating Union (ISU) in 2022. Dacia wakes up at 4:30 each morning to train at the Broadmoor

“

I’m so excited to meet other people who have adaptive abilities and to skate against them and to make friends.”

Left: Dacia (L) stands with Coach Stephanie Kuban at the Broadmoor World Arena Ice Hall.

World Arena Ice Hall before school, and she returns to the ice after class each day. Though she knows it is unlikely for inclusive skating to become a Paralympic sport while she is still competing, she’s driven to raise awareness of adaptive skating opportunities for others. “It benefits the next generation because at least the door is open now,” Dacia says. “There’s a hope it will get into the Olympics and I might not be able to skate it but that’s fine because now it’s open for other people.” US Figure Skating offers an adaptive program which includes two distinctive tracks for skaters with disabilities: Special Olympics and Skate United. Special Olympics supports skaters with intellectual disabilities, while Dacia’s track, Skate United, supports recreational and competitive skaters with physical disabilities. Dacia also benefits from the expertise and advocacy of her coach, Stephanie Kuban, who took it upon herself to learn how to coach an athlete with a disability. So how does Dacia spread the word about inclusive skating opportunities? By competing, and through social media of course. On social media, supporters can help spread the word by following and interacting with Dacia’s content. Search “Dacia Loconte Para Athlete Figure Skater” on Facebook. “My involvement is to go out and skate and let people

know there is a track,” says Dacia. “I think everybody deserves that opportunity and I think it’s equally important to show the judges this is a track that is going to exist so that they’re prepared for the people who are going to come.” According to Beth, the physical disability track is picking up steam. While 2022 was the first year the Broadmoor Open hosted a Skate United event — and Dacia was the only participant — last June, 12 skaters took part. The National Honor Society student is busy prepping for the Inclusive Skating World Championships which will take place in Scotland in April. Because most of her international competition has been virtual due to COVID, it will be her first time competing at this level in person. The music for her new routine is a mix of “Going Under” and “My Immortal” by Evanescence. “I’m so excited to meet other people who have adaptive abilities and to skate against them and to make friends,” she says. “It’s kind of lonely.” Dacia says she’s not planning a career in figure skating, but instead wants to become a forensic toxicologist and will study forensic chemistry and trace analysis when she gets to college. She might coach to help pay tuition, she says.

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FROM FEISTY KID TO OLYMPIAN BY KERI KAHN, Staff Writer

JOSH EDWARDS’ JOURNE Y

OSH EDWARDS IS ABOUT TO LIVE HIS OLYMPIC DREAM.

Last October, the 23 year old punched his ticket to Paris after a semifinal victory over Cuba’s Fernando Arzola Lopez at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago. He followed with a win in the finals, becoming only the second super heavyweight American in history to win Pan Am gold. USA Boxing’s Assistant High Performance Director Derrick

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Raedel says that Edwards is considered undersized for super heavyweights — at 6 feet, 3 inches tall and approximately 220 pounds — which makes him a threat. “It’s kind of a David versus Goliath thing,” Raedel says. “His speed and footwork are hard to beat against those bigger super heavyweights. He showed that in Pan Am where he beat a Cuban.” Cuba is one of the tougher countries to best in the world of amateur boxing. Hailing from the historic boxing

city of Houston, Edwards gives much credit to his father, who put him in the gym around age six. “I was all over the place,” Edwards says. “It started with my dad just seeing that I needed something to put some energy into so I wouldn’t be so bad at school.” Once he stepped into the ring, his dad, Henry, saw visions of gold. “From there, he was just a guiding hand, making sure I stayed on track and was the best me I could be.” Eventually, a teenage Edwards

became burned out on the sport and made his way to the high school basketball courts. But it wasn’t long before the call of boxing brought him back to the ring. “Actually, the love I found was stronger than before,” he says. “I didn’t feel I was pushing myself as hard playing basketball. It was like I was missing something.” A downtown Houston gym called the Progressive Amateur Boxing Association, or PABA, is where things became serious. Edwards qualified to compete in the 2020 Olympic Trials but didn’t make the cut. After continuing to incorporate speed and agility into his workouts, he won the USA Boxing Elite National Championships in 2021, which earned him an invite to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. “You pay attention, especially to heavyweight and super heavyweight,” says Raedel. “Because in America, it’s kind of tough to fill those spots. Most of the guys who are six foot, four inches and 240 pounds play football. They don’t box.” Edwards admits he was bigheaded for a bit when he got to Colorado Springs, but it didn’t last long. “I went to my first tournament and I was like ‘These guys are good. I thought I’m number one in the USA.’ It was a humbling experience,” he says. Raedel says it’s normal for athletes who are heroes in their hometown gyms to join a high-performance team and realize they’re one of many heroes. “He brings a lighthearted and

“Nerves are normal, but you shouldn’t be too nervous about the future and you can’t be dwelling on the past. Staying in the moment before you perform – that’s the best place to be.”

—JOSH EDWARDS

easygoing demeanor,” Raedel says about Edwards. “Outside the ring, he’s fun to be around. He jokes around all while still holding the team accountable.” Boxing may be an individual sport, but when it comes to Olympic-caliber amateurs, they train and travel together as a team. Edwards spends his Paris-prep time in Colorado Springs, where he studies the other 15 opponents in his weight class by watching film and looking for their tendencies. Once he gets to Paris however, he plans to

take it one match at a time. “Nerves are normal, but you shouldn’t be too nervous about the future and you can’t be dwelling on the past,” he says. “Staying in the moment before you perform – that’s the best place to be.” Olympic boxing matches are slated to begin on Aug. 6, when the US will cheer for their quick and agile super heavyweight who has already solidified his place in history by being able to call himself an Olympian, forever.

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Grace’s Story a Journey To Overcome Trauma, Homelessness & Addiction

hen she reached Springs Rescue Mission in 2020, Grace decided that she might as well make the best out of a hard situation. It wasn’t the first time she’d been forced to search for the silver lining of her life. After an abusive childhood, teenage homelessness, broken marriages and battles with addiction, it’s become a necessary skill. “I’m just making the best of it — moving forward and trying to let go of the past,” she said. “We make the best of what we got, and no matter what I keep that chin propped up where it belongs!” Grace’s first experience with homelessness and addiction began when she left home, back on the East Coast, at just 14 years old. She’d been kicked out of the house by her parents. By the time she was 18, her life seemed to be back on track. She

“Life is what you make it.”

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married, had babies and stayed sober for a while. But the next few decades proved to be tumultuous. Grace came to Colorado to be closer to her son, who is currently incarcerated. Still struggling with addiction and a much higher costof-living, she found it difficult to make ends meet in Colorado Springs. So, she came to Springs Rescue Mission for help. “Life is like what you make it. You can be miserable and cry all day or you can be happy, and I always used drugs to keep me happy until I got here,” she said. “If you're wanting the help, you can find it here.” During her time at Springs Rescue Mission, Grace made the best of her circumstances. She worked hard, grew in her faith and graduated from multiple programs, including those for addiction recovery and culinary arts. “They even let me garden and I was growing squash,” she said. “That helped a lot — just anything inspiring was great.” After getting sober and working to straighten out her finances, Grace

Scan the QR code to watch Grace’s video testimonial!

finally moved into an apartment at the end of 2022. “This is the first time I have no desire to go back to getting high again,” she said. “I’ve been out for over a year now and I’ve been staying away from dope. … I thank God. I’m happy and proud of it.” Through the programs and services she found at Springs Rescue Mission, Grace received the help she needed to get sober and find housing. She is living a beautiful new life and recently celebrated the birth of her first grandchild.

You can help a neighbor like Grace overcome homelessness by becoming a monthly Good Samaritan Sponsor today. Visit SpringsRescueMission.org/GSS to learn more.

[ National Charity League’s Senior Profile ]

Working to Be the Change BY MEEGAN MCCORKLE, National Charity League

Submitted photos

s a gymnast, Aubrey Petersen may love tumbling, but she’s moving into her future with a sure step. Last fall, realizing she was just two classes shy of graduating early from Pine Creek High School, Aubrey added inperson and online classes to make it happen. She’s proud of graduating early, finishing strong in her honors and AP classes. “The most important thing I learned from high school was to always try to focus on the positive,” Aubrey explains. “It’s not always easy to do.” Gymnastics is Aubrey’s favorite activity. She says, “I love practicing and competing with my friends.” She took up gymnastics at age 9, and progressed quickly, winning the Colorado State Xcel Platinum Beam competition in 2022 and the Colorado State Xcel Floor competition in 2023. She has been a cheerleader at Pine Creek since her freshman year. Helping others has also been high on her list. She and her mother participate in National Charity League, where they volunteer with local organizations, including Aubrey’s favorite, Silver Key. There, Aubrey gained valuable leadership experience as the senior class co-president. “I enjoy being able to help those in need and I learned volunteering in that capacity helps many.” It’s no surprise that Aubrey’s favorite quote is “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Aubrey dreams of being a criminal psychologist. In

college, she plans to major in psychology and minor in forensics or criminal justice. She’s waiting to hear from several colleges, but has exciting plans in the meantime — visiting Rome, Paris and London this summer. She’s currently job hunting, in hopes of working with kids. Aubrey points to her mom, Erin, as her biggest influence. “She’s always made sure to be at every important event and has always been there when I needed her. She handles so many things and does it with a smile on her face. I truly look up to her and want to be just like her.” With Aubrey’s strong drive, positive attitude and her heart for helping others, she’s off to a great start. Top: Aubrey Peterson Left: Aubrey (right) and her mother, Erin

The Colorado Springs Chapter of National Charity League is made up of mothers and daughters in grades 7-12, who are committed to community service, leadership development, and cultural experiences. Membership information: www.nationialcharityleague.org/chapter/ coloradosprings

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Celebrating 25 Years in Business How did we get here?

s the saying goes, the days are long and the years are fast. That accurately describes ownership of a residential remodeling company. My childhood dreams certainly didn’t include construction. No, those dreams had me playing small forward for the San Antonio Spurs. Not sure what happened there, besides not scoring as much as I thought I should — likely my coach’s fault. It was my father-in-law who introduced me to construction. He was a retired builder from rural Indiana, a gentleman who loved to tell stories and laugh; he spent his lifetime in construction. His favorite smell was a bunk (a large quantity) of fresh lumber delivered to a job site. We worked together for a few months, long enough to give me the bug, before he shifted his focus to drafting plans — in his late sixties. Reflection isn’t usually a focus of mine, as I’m constantly looking ahead with improvement in mind. But 25 years is a milestone and a good reason to venture down memory lane. As I ponder the past, there are a myriad of memories. How many thousands of homes I’ve been in; there aren’t many streets I drive down that don’t strike up a memory of some sort. I wonder about the builders from eras gone by, especially when working in turn-of-the-century homes. They’ve long since retired, maybe been forgotten, or the original owners have moved. Maybe the builder’s name appears on some random piece of information at the building department. Will that be my fate one day too;

Brought to you by Stewart Remodeling just a name attached to permit cards for homes scattered across our great city? Perhaps my son will choose my same path and the legacy will continue — a dream of many other dads. For the first decade of his life, he was on every job site I was, out of necessity — it’s been just the two of us. A few clients had the privilege to watch me change his diaper in my office, if you’ll call it that. Other clients babysat him. As I look back, it’s the people who have left lasting memories — the clients who watched my son; the many clients who’ve had so much grace when it wasn’t deserved; clients who looked at the bright side of life and were just so pleasant to be around; the clients who were so reasonable and so respectful to everyone who set foot on their property. Then there are the many tradesmen who have humbly showed up day after day — incredible craftsmen, caring, honest, making us look better than we are. No fanfare, no names in the paper, no ovations; sometimes not even seen by the client, then onto the next job. Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. And I can’t wait to see what the next 25 years bring.

Tom Stewart, Owner 719-266-0336 www.stewartremodeling.com

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Marisa Wigglesworth:

The journey to place the USOPM on the national stage starts with community BY KERI KAHN, Staff Writer

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ix months into her role as CEO of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum (USOPM), Marisa Wigglesworth has a positive outlook. Following its COVID-era opening, the USOPM has struggled to live up to the visions of Olympic City USA residents and museum backers, with lower-than-estimated attendance. Low is a relative term though, as Wigglesworth points out. “We are seeing lower attendance than the initial feasibility study projected,” she says. “However, when you benchmark other like museums, I’m not sure I would necessarily say the attendance we are seeing is significantly lower than we might expect in our first few years of operation.” With 39 staff members and an annual budget of just over $5 million, the museum welcomed a projected 88,000 visitors in 2023, up from 85,000 in 2022. “We do still want to see more attendance, and I believe we will as we continue to build out our programming,” she says. The USOPM is privileged to share stories of athletes from around the nation, and Wigglesworth intends to move it into its rightful place on the national stage. She also knows this effort begins locally. “We have an obligation to the local community,” she says. “It’s the local community who invested and built this museum with a grand vision, and we can do both. We’re not going to try to be everything to everyone, but I have every confidence that, while we are growing and establishing our national presence, we can also elevate our service as a cultural asset and quality of life contributor for this community.” As Wigglesworth rounds out her first year, priorities

Marisa Wigglesworth, CEO of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum. Photo credit: USOPM now are building awareness, adding staff resources and expanding offerings. Currently, she says the museum is adult-leaning but with great potential to serve families with young children. Family-friendly programming will be on the menu by summer, possibly including events like family workshops or summer camps in partnership with youth-serving organizations. Staff will be added and focus will continue on an already successful meeting and event space rental program. Prior to taking the USOPM’s helm, Wigglesworth was CEO of the Buffalo Museum of Science and Tifft Nature Preserve where she and a staff of 70 welcomed more than 200,000 annual visitors. She has also held leadership positions at the National Aquarium in Baltimore and The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

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REAL ESTATE

Purchasing Power in the 2024 Home Buying Market BY MICHELLE BOBART, Certified Mortgage Advisor

et’s talk about purchasing power. Understanding strategies that can help you maximize home affordability in today’s current market can make a significant impact on your real estate investment. Today’s headlines are full of news about waiting to purchase a home. Whether you’re purchasing a first home, moving to a bigger home, or investing in real estate, there are many factors to consider when determining the right time to buy. Let’s start with a simple, but powerful example. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate in 1971 was about 7.3%.₁ If you had waited for that rate to drop, you would not have purchased a home until 1993. While waiting 22 years for rates to fall below 7.3%, the value of your real estate would likely have quadrupled.

HOW DOES THIS COMPARE TO TODAY? Housing experts are predicting good news in 2024. After 11 hikes to the Federal Funds Rate in 2023, expectations are that the Federal Reserve will begin rate cuts this year. With these cuts, mortgage rates

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should see some relief, resulting in increased purchasing power for homebuyers. This chart shows the difference in a principal and interest (P&I) payment on a 30-year fixed mortgage as home prices and mortgage rates fluctuate. As you can see, every .25 point decrease in interest rates equates to $80+ savings per month in this price range. Looking at the highlighted area, you can see the effects of declining rates on a $3,000 monthly P&I budget.2

Principal and interest payments rounded up to the nearest dollar. Total monthly payment may vary based on loan specifications such as property taxes, insurances, HOA dues and other fees. Interest rates used here are for marketing purposes only. Consult a licensed mortgage advisor for current rates and payment information.

IS IT A GOOD IDEA TO WAIT FOR MORTGAGE RATES TO DECLINE TO MAXIMIZE PURCHASING POWER? Supply and demand play a big factor in housing affordability. The U.S. is currently experiencing pent up housing demand. Millennial and Gen Z buyers are waiting on the sidelines for mortgage rates to decline. In addition, there is a housing supply shortage, resulting from lower housing starts since 2008, historically low mortgage rates during the pandemic, and inflationary pressures. As rates decline, we expect these factors to cause the housing market to heat up quickly. When demand increases, a return to competitive bidding and multiple-offer scenarios is likely. This could then inflate housing prices, offsetting some of the savings from lower mortgage rates. Many mortgage lenders offer programs that can help mitigate higher mortgage rates. Temporary and permanent rate buydowns are one option, but complimentary refinancing when mortgage rates decline is another. Regularly reviewing your complete financial picture and understanding all the mortgage options available to you is the best action you can take in maximizing your purchasing power. By planning your strategy early, you can decide the right time to buy. Please contact me to schedule a complimentary mortgage consultation. 1 Source: freddiemac.com/pmms

2 Source: mortgagecalculator.net

Michelle Bobart

is a certified mortgage advisor with Guaranteed Rate and is licensed in all 50 states.

www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org 312-953-7365 “In my 25+ years in the mortgage industry, I’ve partnered with over 3,500 clients and real estate agents to create customized mortgage solutions to fit each individualized portfolio in every economic situation.” Michelle Bobart NMLS 137164 Guaranteed Rate, Inc. NMLS 2611 AK - AK137164, AL - 72981, AR - Licensed, AZ - 1007852, CA - CA-DBO137164, CO - 100035767, CT - LO-137164, DC - MLO137164, DE - MLO-137164, FL - LO17860, GA 67205, HI - HI-137164, IA 34440, ID - MLO-2080137164, IL - 031.0002302, IN - 14945, KS - LO.0039572, KY MC701827, LA - Licensed, MA - MLO137164, MD - 137164, ME - Licensed, MI - 137164, MN - MN-MLO-137164, MO - MO-137164, MS - 137164, MT - 137164, NC - I-189254, ND - NDMLO137164, NE - Licensed, NH - Licensed, NJ - Licensed, NM - Licensed, NV - 66499, NY - Licensed, OH - MLO-OH.1371164, OR Licensed, PA - 76869, RI - Licensed, SC - MLO - 137164, SD - MLO.08664, TN - 204296, TX - Licensed, UT - 12468410, VA - MLO13110VA, VT - VT137164, WA – MLO 137164, WI - 137164, WV - LO-137164, WY - 8521

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avid A. Joseph Company offers personalized services tailored to the needs of discerning homeowners who need a watchful eye on their investment while they are away.

Base Package

Whether it is a visual inspection, cleaning, or scheduled maintenance for home systems—to any number of other services—we have you covered.

Cleaning of your home (hard surfaces and carpet) every six weeks

We’ve been in the Colorado resort home business for over 30 years. Contact us to discuss your individual needs.

Weekly visits to your home to ensure everything is safe and operating properly

Monthly inspection of all lighting, fireplaces, sinks, toilets, and showers for proper operation Scheduling of maintenance and repairs as needed

Additional Services Additional cleans as requested Linen service and dry cleaning Stocking of groceries, fresh flowers, liquor, etc. Landscaping, pool and spa services Small- and large-scale construction and remodel projects

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STRETCH YOUR REMODELING BUDGET BY MICHAEL PINKERTON, DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen

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emodeling your home can be an exciting but expensive endeavor. Whether you’re looking to revamp your kitchen, renovate your bathroom, or give your entire home a makeover, staying within budget is crucial. Here are some valuable tips to help stretch your remodeling budget without compromising on quality or style.

Plan Ahead and Set a Realistic Budget

2 3 4

Before you embark on any remodeling project, it’s essential to plan ahead and set a realistic budget. Take the time to research the average costs of materials, labor and other expenses associated with your specific project. A clear understanding of what you can afford helps you make informed decisions throughout the remodeling process.

Prioritize Your Needs When working with a limited budget, it’s important to prioritize your needs over your wants. Identify the key areas that require immediate attention and focus on those first. For example, if your bathroom is outdated and in dire need of repairs, allocate a significant portion of your budget to this area. Remember, you can always tackle the less essential projects at a later time. For instance, you could replace all your cabinetry, counter tops, sink and backsplash in your kitchen now and then replace your floor later.

Consider DIY or Partial DIY One effective way to stretch your remodeling budget is to take on some of the work yourself. If you have the necessary skills and experience, consider doing some of the easier tasks, such as painting or demolition, on your own. Be cautious not to take on projects beyond your capabilities, as it may end up costing you more in the long run. Alternatively, you can opt for partial DIY projects, where you do some of the work and hire out for the more complex tasks.

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Minimize Structural Changes Significant structural changes during a remodeling project can quickly escalate costs. Try to work with the existing layout of your home as much as possible. Focus on cosmetic changes, such as new paint, updated fixtures, or new hardware, which can have a significant impact on the overall look without breaking the bank.

Waste Not, Want Not Reusing certain items may also be a good option to save money on your project. If your appliances are working well, you can choose to keep them in place for now. If you have a tub that is rarely used it may be a good option to leave it in place and remodel around it. These little changes may sound insignificant, but they add up and can make your remodel a more budgetfriendly reality. Remodeling your home on a budget is entirely possible with proper planning and smart decision-making. Follow these tips to stretch your remodeling budget while still achieving the desired results. Please give us a call and we can help you navigate these different options.

Shop Smart for Materials Savvy shopping can significantly impact your remodeling budget. Take the time to compare prices and quality of materials with us. We are always on the lookout for sales, discounts and clearance items that can help you save money without compromising on quality. Additionally, consider alternative options over expensive materials. For example, instead of hardwood flooring, you could opt for laminate flooring that mimics the look of wood at a fraction of the cost.

Michael Pinkerton Schedule a consultation: www.dreammaker-remodel.com 719-636-2444

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Leading with her Heart BY PAM BALES, Senior Writer

arquesa Hobbs has called Colorado Springs home for the past 25 years. Currently with Colorado Hearthstone Properties at The Platinum Group, she is coming up on a decade of serving her community as a Realtor®. She is an entrepreneur, a supporter of other business owners, a mom, a wife, a new grandma and a friend to many. When you meet this petite lady, you’ll encounter a warm and genuine smile, kind energy and focused interest in you. She’s one of those people who truly listens, which is extremely important in her profession. Recognized in the top 1.5% of Realtors in the Pikes Peak

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region, Hobbs has garnered the respect of her clients and colleagues alike. “I had a bad experience with a Realtor® when I bought a home in my twenties,” explains Hobbs. “I promised myself that I would educate clients in a kind way and add value to whatever point they were in their lives.” Hobbs volunteers with many organizations across the Pikes Peak region including Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber and Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Care & Share Women at the Well, BBB Board Member, Downtown Partnership and more. One of her biggest commitments is as a CASA

Business Partner and Circle of Impact Member. “I was adopted and served as a foster parent for many years before adopting my daughter at eight years old,” explains Hobbs. “She graduates this year from high school!” She acted in the business development and marketing realms with several businesses of her own before she stepped into the real estate arena. “People are always surprised to learn that I was recruited by the IRS in Washington D.C. to develop the marketing department for Alternative Ways of Filing,” she laughs. “It was a great experience-builder, but once I had my own company — creating a natural skin care line before it was popular — I knew I was an entrepreneur at heart” “I love what I do, and that’s not just selling a house,” emphasizes Hobbs. “I listen to where my clients are in their lives — often a lifestyle change like divorce or marriage or

“I promised myself

downsizing.” Her business major and communications minor come that I would in handy as she taps into the human side of buying or selling a educate clients in a home. kind way and add That’s only one side of the real estate business, according to value to whatever Hobbs. She is always looking for innovative ways to differentiate point they were in her client’s homes when she is their lives.” listing them. She owns a Staging Company which helps to prepare for listing photos and videos. Hobbs has stationed a coffee cart and food truck at an open house, and she even incorporates the ancient art of Feng Shui with her friend Jen Weis. “We met at Flying Horse in the 2010s when I was in the membership department,” explains Jen Weis, owner of Leading with Shui. Their friendship deepened as they worked together on the financial side of Hobbs’ real estate deals and Weis was working in the mortgage industry. One of those rare Colorado Springs natives, Weis researched Feng Shui online and found it fascinating. She registered for a one-year certification, graduated and launched her business a year ago. “It’s intuitive and logical at the same time,” says Weis. “You learn to read floor plans and people’s energy. I did it for my own home and office, and certain things started moving in a positive direction.” Her consultations start at $650 for businesses and residential clients. Hobbs is offering an education workshop on Fung Shui to her clients and associates in the first quarter with Jen and Leading with Shui. This type of workshop is just one of the many events Hobbs does throughout the year. During the holidays, she promoted a “12 days of Christmas Giftaway” with videos featuring local businesses. “I love highlighting other small businesses and elevating my community while I’m doing these events — it’s always a two-prong effort for me,” says Hobbs. She also hosts monthly events and larger quarterly events including Lunch-and-Learns with CASA, a women’s self-defense class; USAFA graduation flyover and taco bar; Annual Concert with a band and food trucks; Vibes Baseball game; a pumpkin patch and an annual cookie decorating bash, where even Santa shows up!

WHAT IS FENG SHUI? Feng Shui is an ancient practice that teaches us to connect with the natural elements of the world while in our living environments. It not only creates positive energy and flow within a home or office, but it can also help create a desired result or outcome in one’s life. Connecting the seen and unseen energies in our environments creates a powerful force and has massive positive effects on our subconscious minds. Contact Jen Weis for more information about a consultation with Leading with Shui at 719-321-9913 or jen@leadingwithshui.com.

Marquesa Hobbs works hard to earn the trust and respect of her clients in order to serve as their Realtor® for life. Contact her at marquesa@coloradohearthstone.com or 719-238-0330.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Peak Gastroenterology Associates Welcomes Top-Rated GI Physicians to Colorado Springs With a team of over 25 physicians, Peak Gastroenterology Associates is the fastest growing and largest gastroenterology practice in southern Colorado. Located in Colorado Springs and Denver, Peak utilizes its dedicated clinical workforce to administer a broad spectrum of advanced, patient-centric, gastroenterology and digestive services across the Company’s network of outpatient locations, ambulatory centers, and hospital-based endoscopy centers throughout the state. In addition, Peak complements its advanced gastroenterology services with a full suite of ancillary patient services, including anesthesia, clinical research, and pathology.

Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, OH. She currently serves on the medical board of the El Paso County Medical Society.

Dr. Neil Sharma Dr. Sharma, one of the nation’s leading boardcertified, fellowship-trained gastroenterologist and endoscopists, joined Peak’s Colorado Springs based location in January 2024. He previously practiced at Parkview Health, northeast Indiana’s largest not-for-profit healthcare

SPECIALIZING IN:

provider, where he served for over 10 years, most

• Colon Cancer Screening, • Colonoscopies • Endoscopy • Liver Transplantation

Institute, which he helped to conceive and develop.

Recent Physician Additions Dr. Karin B. Cesario Dr. Karin Cesario joined the Peak team in October 2023. Board certified as a Gastroenterologist and a Transplant Hepatologist, Dr. Cesario brings over 15 years of experience in highquality outpatient and inpatient endoscopy care, general and transplant hepatology, as well as vast experience in clinical research. She has been treating patients in Southern Colorado since the start of her career and serves Peak’s existing and new patients as a regional liver expert. She has been awarded “Top Doc” for Gastroenterology/Transplant Hepatology in the Colorado Springs Style Magazine every year from 2011 through 2023. Dr. Cesario graduated from the University of Colorado School of Medicine and completed both a Fellowship and an Advanced Fellowship at the

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recently as the first President of the Parkview Cancer

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Sharma is a distinguished academic researcher, published scholar, professor, and speaker with over 100 peer-reviewed publications. He has lectured nationally and internationally at medical educational courses and events in endoscopy and oncology. He has conducted prospective trials in pancreatic and foregut cancers, endoscopic resection, and numerous endoscopic interventions. He served as Assistant Professor at Indiana University School of Medicine, mentored third- and fourth-year medical students and residents, as well as created and served as program director for an Interventional Endoscopy. Sharma earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of South Florida at the H. Lee Moffit Cancer Center & Research Institute. He went on to pursue an additional fellowship in Interventional Endoscopy at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

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Get your glow back at a day spa BY JEANNE DAVANT, Senior Writer

hat could be better for Valentine’s Day than a couple’s massage or a soak with a significant other in hot mineral water? Several local day spas are offering specials on spa services for couples or individuals who just want to relax, refresh and renew with luxurious face and body treatments. Here’s a sampling of what’s available at local spas:

Strata Spa at Garden of the Gods Resort and Club 3320 Mesa Rd. Suite A, Colorado Springs, CO 80904 719-520-4988 • stratawell.com For ultimate luxury, Strata Spa offers memorable experiences for two at its VIP Couples’ Suite, with an emphasis on wellness. Side-by-side couples treatments include the Ayurvedic Immersion couples ritual — a full-body massage, kansa wand facial, balancing foot bowl massage, Shirodhara (oil steadily dropped on the forehead) and scalp massage. Other couples therapies include detox and renew treatments and the Strata

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Couples Escape, featuring their signature 50- or 80-minute Strata Signature Massage. Any of the couples treatments can be followed by the Private Relaxation Enhancement, an additional 30 minutes of private relaxation with a glass of sparkling wine and chocolatecovered strawberries. For individuals in need of a wellness makeover, Strata Spa is continuing to offer its New Year, New You package through March 31. This suite of services includes transformative wellness coaching, fitness evaluation, immune boosting IV therapies, nutrition consultation and more, plus a personalized plan based on results of each therapy. The package is valued at $600 and offered for $299.

Day Lily Salon and Spa 5975 N. Academy Blvd. #203 Colorado Springs, CO 80918 719-260-5544 • daylilysalonandspa.com February specials at Day Lily Salon and Spa include a Luxury Rejuvenation Package with classic European facial, moisturizing body wrap, spa pedicure and gel manicure, plus lunch; a Wrap Your Day in Luxury Package with body wrap and facial; and a Hydrate Your Soul Package

with facial, pedicure and manicure. The spa also offers a four pack of gel pedicures at a discounted rate. A unique service offered at the spa is ultrasonic cavitation, a pain-free body sculpting treatment that uses lowfrequency sound waves to burst fat cells and reduce cellulite, varicose veins, stretch marks and scars. (Although this procedure is FDA-approved, it’s important to note that not everyone is a candidate — customers should read the contraindications section on Day Lily’s website and research in advance.) Treatment can be combined with other spa and salon services: the Melt Yourself Away Package includes ultrasonic cavitation on one area of the body plus a moisturizing body wrap.

International Salon & Spa Academy 5707 N. Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80918 719-597-1413 • csbeautyschools.com For the budget-minded, the students at International Salon & Spa Academy perform client services under the direct supervision of certified instructors. Skin services include facials; lip, eye and décolleté firming treatments; and waxing. Haircuts and styling, color and conditioning, and spa manicures and pedicures are also offered. Services for men include shaves, beard and mustache trims, as well as hair color, cuts and styling. Prices are affordable: A 30-minute Glow Getter Brightening Facial is $25, and haircuts and styling begin at $15.

SunWater Spa 514 El Paso Blvd., Manitou Springs, CO 80829 719-695-7007 • sunwaterspa.com SunWater Spa draws the healing, mineral-rich waters that fill its outdoor cedar hot tubs from a spring beneath what was once sacred land to the native Ute people. While the spa isn’t offering specific Valentine’s Day packages, a 90-minute couple’s soak in one of the spa’s heated tubs with stunning views of the surrounding mountains provides a peaceful, relaxing and romantic experience. Soaks can be combined with couples spa services such as the Darma Duet, a sideby-side massage and skin care package — each partner receives a 50-minute Alma massage and a 50-minute custom Éminence facial. The spa recently added a new hydrotherapy room and offers unique treatments like the 80-minute Healing Waters, a Moroccan oil hair mask and scalp massage followed by a full-body sugar scrub and mango enzyme wrap, a warm Vichy shower, eye stone treatment, shampoo and condition, and application of firming body lotion and oil. For all services and soaks, reservations are recommended at least a week in advance.

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Skin and Body Rejuvenation BY PAM BALES, Senior Writer

Colorado native who always wanted to be a doctor, now Dr. Rachel Degurse is a family practice physician and co-owner of Pearl Skin & Body Rejuvenation – a two-year-old Colorado medical spa. “I know, people are often very curious about ‘the why’ of our business,” notes Dr. Degurse. She runs the medical spa with her husband, Travis, an IT professional who is learning a whole new set of skills as the company’s COO. The “why” is simple for Dr. Degurse. She cares about her patients and has always been passionate about the patient-doctor relationship, which she feels has declined in the past decade. The greater demands on physicians’ time increasingly took away from time with patients, and the patient-physician relationship, according to Dr. Degurse. “I wanted to start a business where I could reestablish that relationship and take control of my time. I also noticed in my practice increasing patient frustrations with their health, that I did not have the time or resources to address in corporate medicine,” she says. “I’m a life-long learner and medical spa technology has evolved; I found myself wanting to take my medical expertise into an area that is often extremely unregulated.” Each state has different rules, regulations and requirements for who can administer treatments and services, explains Travis. “It’s kind of like the wild, wild west in Wyoming and Colorado. There aren’t a lot of medical spas who have the doctor doing the more complicated work,” he says. “Some med spas have a physician ‘associated’ with the group, but they aren’t even at the facility on a regular basis. Clients really do need to do their due diligence about who is supplying your services.” After graduating as valedictorian from high school, Degurse pursued a degree in biology at Colorado College, received her medical degree from Saint Louis University School of Medicine and finished her residency at University of South Carolina in Columbia. With more than 13 years of invaluable expertise in her field, Dr. Degurse strives to empower individuals on

their journey of evolution and transformation through Pearl Skin & Body Rejuvenation. “It’s just so different now than even a couple of decades ago, where there was a lot of cutting; people had to take a month off to recover and the like,” explains Travis. “In addition to tech and operations, it’s my job to educate the public about the options that are now available and how much it really does create a sense of wellbeing and confidence, for women and men.” “We were worried that this would be a highly competitive industry,” says Travis. “We were pleasantly surprised to find that it is more collaborative than competitive. We’ve had some help from other companies and amazing conferences. It’s great!” The couple gracefully balances working together, parenting together and being entrepreneurs together. “Most of the time, we do well,” laughs Dr. Degurse. “And Travis has amazing skin now…he’s often my test subject!” For more information about the services offered at Pearl Skin & Body Rejuvenation, visit pearlskinbody.com, email contact@pearlskinbody.com or call 719-249.4210.

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The Pain-Free Teen Athlete TWO THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

BY JOEL RAUSER PT & JEROD LANGNESS MSC, Trainer

laying with pain is not normal. But let’s face it, we often play with pain. We want to stay in the game! Here are two things you should know to reduce your teen’s chance of an injury and to help them heal more quickly.

Teenage athletes should get nine to ten hours of sleep every night

A recent study showed that teens who get less than seven hours of sleep at night nearly double their chance of an injury. There are two factors in preventing our teens from getting enough sleep. The first is their natural biology of a circadian rhythm that releases melatonin later than their parents (this

is why your teen is making a sandwich at midnight). The second is an early start time for highschoolers. This is worse for teens who need to catch a bus. The average teenager requires nine to ten hours of sleep every night. Take that away and there are consequences that affect everything from their mental health to reducing their jump height.

A pain-free, FDAapproved treatment for accelerated healing

When your teen is dealing with pain, either from an acute injury or chronic pain that doesn’t go away, Shockwave Therapy should be considered to accelerate healing and a return to pre-injury play. A study

comparing high hamstring tears in college athletes with conventional treatment, like physical therapy, dry needling and exercise, as compared to Shockwave Therapy, showed that 80% of the latter group returned to pre-injury levels of play in an average of nine weeks. Even after a year, none of the conventional treatment group had returned to pre-injury levels.

For more information to help teen athletes, check out the QR code.

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ANATOMY LESSON:

H A N D and Symptoms of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome BY COLORADO SPRINGS ORTHOPAEDIC GROUP

arpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common compressive neuropathy conditions in the upper extremity and involves compression of the median nerve at the wrist. Alternatively, cubital tunnel syndrome is slightly less frequent and results from compression of the ulnar nerve which travels along the inside of the elbow. So, what exactly is cubital tunnel syndrome? We each have normal structures that surround and support the location of the ulnar nerve as it travels behind the medial epicondyle, the bony prominence on the inside of your elbow. With cubital tunnel syndrome, these normal structures, along with an increase of tension along the ulnar nerve as the elbow bends, can create diminished blood flow and initiate nerve breakdown and dysfunction.

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The symptoms resulting from this nerve breakdown are typically easy to recognize; patients usually complain of: • Numbness along the ulnar border of the hand, typically involving the ring and smallest finger • Tenderness along the inside portion of the elbow • Clumsiness and/or weakness in the hand Symptoms can occur throughout the day or night, whenever the arm has been in a bent position for a period of time, such as when sleeping, talking on the phone, typing, leaning on a surface, or with vigorous pushing and pulling motions such as weightlifting. Most patients will notice numbness around the inside of the elbow first. Clumsiness or weakness may emerge later. Over time, with chronic compression, the numbness can persist and patients may start to exhibit muscular atrophy symptoms of the smaller muscles within the hand. When addressed early enough, various rehabilitation, bracing or injection therapies can be utilized to stop the process before it reaches this stage. It’s important to note that, in some cases, these symptoms of numbness, tenderness and weakness may come secondary to instability of the ulnar nerve. When the nerve is unstable, it will snap back and forth over the bony prominence on the inside of the elbow whenever flexing or extending the arm. Treatment plans for cubital tunnel syndrome vary upon the severity of symptoms however, when addressed in early stages, recovery can be achieved relatively quickly. To learn more about the conservative and operative treatment methods available, along with what to expect during initial evaluation and throughout recovery, visit csog.net/cubital-tunnel-syndrome.

To schedule an appointment, please call 719-632-7669 and ask for the CSOG Hand Center.

Dale Cassidy, MD

Jeffry Watson, MD

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Winter Wonderland Wanderings Snow and ice don’t stop intrepid Pikes Peak Road Runners BY JEANNE DAVANT, Senior Writer

unning with the Pikes Peak Road Runners has helped Karen Masias lose 100 pounds. As someone who claims she’s always been heavy, Masias says that, with the support of her running buddies, she’s accomplished goals she never thought were possible. After recovering from bariatric surgery in 2019, she knew she needed to get off the couch and move to lose weight and keep it off. She also knew she had to walk before she could run; so at age 40, she joined a walking team that was participating in the Brewer’s Cup 5K, one of the races the Road Runners sponsor. As the pounds fell off, she quickened her pace and progressed to teams that were running together regularly. Now, Masias, like the club’s other runners, doesn’t let anything stand in her way, including snow and ice. “It doesn’t matter if it’s cold or windy or snowy,” she says. “As long as your friends are going, we can throw on our spikes and put on all the layers we need. Everybody shows up and is happy and we get it done.” In fact, Bruce Barron, Pikes Peak Road Runners president, says there’s a special reward for winter runners. “It’s a beautiful experience,” he says. “You’re looking at the snow-capped peak while you’re running.” Barron says the club conducts 26 races annually. They’re scheduled year-round and include the Super Half Marathon and Game Day 5K on Super Bowl Sunday; the four-race winter series, run in January and February; Woody’s Tortoise & Hare

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5K, a unique race with handicap based on gender, age, weight and height; and the Pony Express, a 15-mile trail run held in September. The club also assists with timing and volunteers for 12 other races, including the 5K/10K Rescue Run held in Bear Creek Park on New Year’s Day, and the Garden of the Gods 10 Mile/10K organized by the Triple Crown of Running. For races like these, the club provides timing

“It doesn’t matter if it’s cold or windy or snowy. Everybody shows up and is happy and we get it done.” — Karen Masias

hardware and software, along with experts to operate them. “If you don’t have reliable timing, it really ruins the experience,” Barron says. “Except for one tireless administrator, by far the most valuable volunteers to our organization are the six to eight people who make timing possible.” Of course, runners have to prepare for any race. Members can join one of several training groups that match their age and ability and run together two to three times a week. In the winter, “nothing changes except the number of layers you put on,” Barron says. “After a very short distance, as your body heats up, the comfort level is pretty much the same.” Otherwise, he says most people don’t use special equipment for winter running, save for the folks in the early groups who set out at 6 a.m.; they often wear head lamps. In the very worst weather, “plenty of people train indoors,” he says. As far as Barron knows, the Pikes Peak Road Runners — formed in 1975 — is one of the oldest running clubs in the state. With over 1,100 members, it

is also the largest. “The bulk of the membership is at the recreational level — people who love to stay in shape and have a great selection of well-managed local events available to them,” he says. Barron was a college soccer player who decided to try distance running at the age of 46 to keep up with his son, a race walker who competed in the 2012 London Summer Olympics. “I started out just walking next to him,” he says. “When he got too fast, I ran.” Father and son were covering distances up to 20 kilometers. “I might as well do half marathons competitively — I’m doing them next to you anyway,” Barron says of his son. “My fastest time in the half marathon was done at age 52.” Now, at age 63, he’s a bit slower, “but it becomes just a wonderful way, especially if you have a running community, to stay engaged and stay in shape.” Not everyone participates in the club’s races, but Masias found they helped motivate her. “I was seeing my friend doing things on the weekend and really enjoying the social aspect of it,” she says. “She motivated me to get out there and make some friends and see where it led.” For Masias, the competition isn’t the main thing — it’s the camaraderie. “In my age group, I’m usually in the middle,” she says. “I compete against myself more than anybody else.”

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COLORADO LIFESTYLE & COMMUNITY

The Practical Art of Renovation BY CARRIANN JOHNSON

enovating costs money, it upsets your daily routines, causes plenty of messes and can stress everyone in the house…including the family pet! But I assure you, it’s not all bad. I’m deep in several design projects — two are renovations. There are several benefits to renovating your home, if done right (key statement here). Improvements will increase the value of your home, be less costly than purchasing a new home, and allow you to personalize your space instead of settling for someone else’s design decisions. A renovation project is anything that involves a structural or cosmetic transformation to your space. And if you’re tackling this on your own, here’s your checklist to ensure optimal results (plus sanity). 1. What’s your “why?” Why are you renovating and what do you gain by doing so? If available to you, check with your real estate agent to determine how much value your renovation will add to your home, based on other homes in your area. Don’t over-improve your home, as you may not get those funds back if and when you sell your home. 2. Check with Pikes Peak Regional Building Department if you need a permit for your project. Tackling a project without doing this can be costly and could hinder a future sale of your home. (pprbd.org) 3. Create a budget. What’s your maximum amount to spend for this? It’s difficult to come up with a budget down to the penny. No matter how well your planning skills, unexpected expenses

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come up. To avoid renovation resentment, stick to your budget and don’t deviate from it! And if you can’t afford it now, wait until you can. Also, ask your contractor(s) how they can help keep you within your specified budget for their services. Make a list of all the items you need in your renovation project and add budget allocations to each item and category. These may include plumber, electrician, painter, carpenter, etc. Obtain two or three estimates from insured professionals – most provide complimentary estimates – to research approximate costs for that item. Don’t take the first estimate — get several. Once you fully understand the scope of your renovation, create a project calendar. If you know painters are coming on Tuesday, and the trim carpenter on Monday, make sure it’s on the calendar. Schedule dates with yourself if you are doing some of the work. Family members and other contractors should have access to this calendar so they can plan around when you won’t have water or electricity, etc. For more invasive projects that require leaving the home for a period of time, schedule something fun. This allows you to step away from the project, exhale and recharge. Have a deadline. And while your renovation project is in full swing, keep your focus on that date. Communicate with your contractors so you stay on the same page — it’s key.

And one more note: to maintain sanity, have places in your home that aren’t under transformation. It’s important to have spaces you can retreat to until your project is complete. Happy renovating!

GRATITUDE IN 2024

Around the Springs BY KAY ROWE, Senior Writer

Practicing gratitude has very positive effects, from improving one’s mental health to boosting relationships with others. Here is what some local experts and residents had to say on the subject.

Latalia White, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Latalia believes that the best way to make a positive change in your life is to start small, be consistent, and attach gratitude to an existing part of your routine. She suggests picking something you do everyday — like brushing your teeth, eating lunch or ending work for the day — and dedicating a minute or two to acknowledging gratitude toward someone or something. As that becomes part of your routine, she recommends adding a five or ten-minute meditation in which you envision positive thoughts and feelings toward yourself and others. Tamara Herl, Breakthrough Coach Herl states, “Being grateful is really a lot like building a habit. A person can train themselves to notice things around them they can feel grateful about.” Her advice is to make a list before you go to sleep of three things you’re grateful for that happened that day. Challenge yourself to name different things each day. “As a business owner, you can be grateful when you meet someone who’s your ideal client,” Herl says. “Or when someone buys your product. Or you can be thankful that you were able to come up with a new product or service.”

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Chadd Harrison, Natural Healer Chadd Harrison recommends a daily practice of gratitude and envisioning, including creating a gratitude journal and writing down ten things you’re grateful for each day. Per Harrison, this brings it to the front of mind, allowing you to see what you already have instead of what you don’t. A detailed vision board hanging on the wall to see when you wake up is a good way to remind you to visualize, and in doing so, envision your success. Danielle A. McCarthy, Life Coach Per Danielle McCarthy, gratitude opens the experience of living to deep fulfillment, to simply appreciate the joy of being alive. Also, genuine gratitude each day, even for difficult life challenges, has the miraculous ability to transmute and transform into grace. She advises setting time aside each day to journal gratitude, add gratitude as a meditation practice, and set daily or hourly intentions to focus on gratitude. McCarthy believes that the real transformation comes when a person can discover thankfulness in challenging circumstances or situations.

Gary Farnon, Ed.D, Real Estate Team Lead Gary Farnon believes that, as humans, our minds automatically default to what our problems are and we forget about the good stuff: our blessings! He uses the analogy of a garden — if we don’t willingly plant good things in it, weeds will automatically grow. According to Farnon, the key is intentionality. From his experience, who and what you surround yourself with (your environment) play a huge role in being mindful of gratitude and envisioning. He enjoys reading or listening to books on audio that pertain to his industry and his faith. Ty Dearing, Co Founder/CEO of Twin Flames Mycology (the study of fungi) Ty Dearing has found the best way to practice gratitude is to focus on moments where you feel uneasy, angry, sad, fearful; or any feeling that isn’t the one you are striving for. It’s then that you can take a moment and just sit and verbally speak about a few things you are grateful for. Even in times of happiness, bliss, attaining your goal; even when everything is going right for you. It is important that, in those moments, you continue to remember and be grateful for all that has supported you in getting there.

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Writing the Book on Living Outside BY ZACH LANGSTON, Freedom Landscapes

our home, nestled somewhere here in the Colorado Springs area, is more than a stick-built frame with siding and a roof. It’s a property waiting to be used and developed. That purpose is not confined to the interior but extends to the exterior — a landscape of possibilities waits to be developed into some masterpiece, based on the narrative you write as the homeowner. High-end landscaping, beyond its visual appeal, is an art that intertwines with your day-to-day living experience. Let’s explore three profound reasons homeowners invest in the transformative power of landscaping and outdoor living spaces.

1 Solving Your Property’s Challenges Your outdoor space, like the chapters of a novel, presents challenges that are unique to your home. Uneven terrain, unruly slopes, or a desire for more privacy – these are the plot points that our skilled landscaping team approaches as creative challenges. Picture a sloping backyard prone to water runoff transformed into a terraced oasis, solving drainage issues and crafting a visually stunning solution. In your story, landscaping becomes the tool that turns potential problems into captivating features.

2 Crafting Purposeful Spaces Living outside isn’t a one-size-fits-all endeavor; it’s about understanding the nuances of your lifestyle. Your outdoor spaces, from an enchanting kitchen under the open sky to a cozy fire pit for shared stories, become

extensions of your living space. This isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s a narrative of purpose. Your outdoor space becomes a living testimony to intentionality, where every feature serves a meaningful purpose in the unfolding story of your home. In what purpose can your outdoor space better serve you?

3 Your Vision, Our Masterpiece Every homeowner harbors a unique vision, a chapter they wish to pen in the narrative of their property. Whether it’s a vibrant, flower-filled garden or a modern, minimalist sanctuary, Freedom Landscapes steps in as the collaborator, turning your concept into a reality. Imagine each plant, each stone, and every detail carefully considered to ensure that your landscape becomes a true reflection of your vision. At Freedom Landscapes, we grasp that landscaping is a journey of creativity, functionality and personal expression that’s unique to each homeowner. Our team of dedicated designers and installers collaborates closely with you to address challenges, enhance functionality and breathe life into your unique vision. The result is a landscaped property that is a developing masterpiece to extend the Colorado Springs living experience outdoors — your home, your narrative, your landscaping. Brought to you by Freedom Landscapes

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Cocktail

CHEAT SHEET

t 1350 Distilling we firmly believe that making cocktails should be simple and satisfying. We share our recipes often. It is what a good neighbor does. It becomes rewarding when you visit them and they serve you a sensational libation too. Here are some of our house favorites including our in-house coffee liqueur you can make from home.

St. Valentine’s Martini

Become smitten with the marrying of autumn flavors in this delicious dance of pomegranate, apple cider and Minuteman Vodka (made from Colorado sugar beets). This is called “The Rudolph” on our menu. • Fill your martini glass with ice and cold water to chill the glass, then in a shaker with ice add • 1.75 oz Minuteman Vodka • 1.75 oz Pomegranate juice • 1.75 oz Apple cider • Shake to chill. Empty ice water in martini glass and strain and pour cocktail into glass. • Garnish with a lime wedge.

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The Purple Heart

This is one of our Taste Lounge’s most popular cocktails made with two local businesses’ products from 1350 Distilling and Pikes Peak Lemonade Co., both found in Downtown Colorado Springs. • 2 oz. Guardian Bourbon • 1 oz. Blackberry Pikes Peak Lemonade syrup • 3-4 oz. Club soda or seltzer water In a tumbler glass, add ice, bourbon, and syrup. Fill the remainder of the glass with soda water and stir contents in the glass. This is a lemonade, so garnish with a lemon for a little more tartness if wanted.

1350 Distilling Cinnamon Coffee Liqueur

Make your own coffee liqueur with three easy ingredients and a mason jar. We recommend using 1350 Distilling’s Five Alarm Cinnamon Fire Bourbon for a warming cinnamon flavor without a syrupy sweetness–perfect for the colder months of the year. In a 32 ounce mason jar include all ingredients. Shake daily to help dissolve the sugar and extract the flavor and color from the coffee. Infuse for one week minimum, then enjoy. Strain beans when ready to enjoy. • 1 cup whole coffee beans of choice • 1 cup white sugar • Fill remainder of jar with Five Alarm Cinnamon Fire Bourbon

Best of Pikes Peak Winner

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616 S Tejon Street I Colorado Springs, CO I 719.470.6040 I tillsouth.com

Trystan Brown I WSET 3 Sommelier I Vine & Wheel Wine can often seem intimidating and complex. With over a thousand varieties found around the world, diverse landscapes to bolster differences, and individual winemakers crafting wines in differing artistic ways, wine is ever-changing and ever-evolving. So, how do we keep up with wine? The best way is to try. Try the variety you have never heard of before. Try that wine from the country you didn’t know they made wine from. With a bit of luck, you may discover a new favorite. As I see it, that is the most crucial part of my job as Sommelier of Vine & Wheel. To introduce you to a new wine that may excite you or a different style that may intrigue you. Through this space, we are able to pour 50 different wines by the glass and explore wines from all over the world. To give you an idea of some excellent wines we are pouring right now, I’ve looked at two in particular:

Trystan is passionate about making wine approachable and taking the stigma out of it. With a bachelors degree in Wine Science, Level 3 Award in Wine WSET, and years of wine making experience in Australia, Trystan is excited to share his knowledge at Vine & Wheel.

The Melville Pinot Noir from Santa Rita Hills in California is everything I look for in a Pinot and then some. The team has spent three decades farming high-quality wines using organic and sustainable farming practices that result in a complex wine with a richness many Pinot’s would be jealous of. The Domaine Ciringa Sauvignon Blanc is not your average Sauvignon Blanc and may tick the box for you as a wine from a country you have not tried previously. Hailing from a single vineyard in Slovenia, the vines grow over a bed of limestone dating back 60 million years. These conditions help balance the acidity in the soil and give the wine a unique minerality and freshness, which can similarly be found in many high-end Loire Valley Sauvignon Blancs from France. These are just two of the 50 wines poured at Vine & Wheel. My passion is wine and helping people find new wines they may love. Utilizing our team’s knowledgeable guidance, we can guide you through our wine flights; making the most of our 2oz tasting pours is a great way to explore new and exciting wines. Join us for a glass or two any time. Cheers!

WEBSITE

72 • COLORADOMEDIAGROUP.COM 616 S Tejon Street I Colorado Springs, CO I 719.266.2140 I vineandwheel.com

RESERVE

Tracking the Way To Explore The Outdoors BY JEANNE DAVANT, Senior Writer

t isn’t always easy for people with disabilities, especially those in wheelchairs, to enjoy the Pikes Peak region’s parks and trails. With the deployment of two new Action Track Chairs this spring, Colorado Springs aims to make the outdoors more accessible. According to Wesley Hermann, park ranger with the city’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department, Track Chairs are powered mobility devices that can go where wheelchairs won’t. These Track Chairs have treads like tanks or bulldozers, he explains. They can more easily navigate obstacles and won’t get bogged down like the narrow wheels on wheelchairs. “They’re almost like a wheelchair strapped on top of a tiny tank,” he says. The vehicles are bottom-heavy and not prone to tipping over. The two chairs were purchased with funding from Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Colorado Springs Office of Accessibility. It’s likely that they will be in high demand. “We will learn more based on how popular the program is,” Hermann says. The Track Chairs program is a part of the Therapeutic Recreation and Trails Open Space and Parks goals of removing barriers and allowing visitors with disabilities to enjoy a recreational experience, but the city has also taken other steps to make parks more accessible. Tim Hartong, the city’s accessibility projects manager, says the playgrounds at Palmer, Memorial, John Venezia and Panorama parks feature solid surfacing materials so wheelchairs can access them, as well as solid surface walkways. Rubber tile at Memorial, Acacia Park also can be traversed by wheelchairs and is soft enough to provide fall protection for the playground.

Photos courtesy of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department.

Cristin Byren takes a Trackchair for a spin along with April Allen, Casey Grice and Ranger Wesley Hermann of the Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department.

The city added accessible parking in the overflow parking lot at Garden of the Gods Park and shuttle service that accommodates wheelchairs, Hermann explains. Additionally, concrete walkways have replaced gravel at places such as Rock Ledge Ranch. A kiosk is also being installed this year in the carriage house, which features video tours of some of the buildings that are less accessible, such as those that have steep, narrow stairways. “We have a plan,” Hartong says, “but we really appreciate public input so we know what is important to the community.”

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A C S CCC P R OGR A M

DISCOVER YOUR NEW FAVORITE DISH AT OPUS CREATIVE KITCHEN! FROM THE HARVEST SALAD TO OUR SPICY FRIED CHICKEN SANDO, EXPERIENCE LOCAL INGREDIENTS THAT BRING THE FLAVOR!

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Only valid at Opus Creative Kitchen, limit one per order. See Opus Creative Kitchen for details.

JOIN JW ROTH AND NOTES LIVE IN SUPPORTING OPUS CREATIVE INDUSTRIES!

”Colorado Springs is a bold and tenacious city. It is one of the main reasons why I chose to build both my businesses here. Supporting Colorado Springs Community Cultural Collective and its new Opus Creative Industries program means reinforcing the prosperity of arts, culture, and business industries in our City of Champions. I am proud to help the enduring growth of our community.” JW Roth - CEO and Chairman of Notes Live

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS!

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Applications are now open for our Creative Technologies Workforce Program! SCAN HERE TO APPLY TODAY!

Have you heard about our workforce programs?

What if you could try a career as a restaurant chef before committing? What if you got paid to train on a real theater set with industry professionals? What if you could learn more about how art and music shapes young minds? Look no further than the Community Cultural Collective’s Opus Creative Industries.

CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY MEDIA ARTS AND THEATER TECH PRODUCTION – NOW ACCEPTING STUDENTS

Lights, Camera, Action. But a lot more goes on behind the scenes of every production. This program is designed to teach people who want to learn the art and science behind the magic of media arts. Starting this February, a cohort of six students will get paid to learn about a variety of media arts programs —lighting and sound, digital design, marketing, ﬁnance, music, and graphic arts. Students work in classrooms and on community-led projects for real-world experience while also creating a portfolio for future jobs.

CULINARY AND HOSPITALITY CAPSTONE PROGRAM

The Culinary and Hospitality program incorporates advanced food preparation skills and the ability to build a menu for ﬁne dining, along with training in business and resource management, ﬁnance, and ordering supplies — all resources needed to build a successful career. Aspiring chefs from this program have gone on to successful careers at top restaurants in the region. First of its kind, it’s the solution to providing well-trained staff for area kitchens.

EARLY CHILDHOOD ENRICHMENT TRAINING

The Simple Gift Series, a nationally televised children’s television program and a 29-book series, is also creating a curriculum to help early childhood educators bring music and literacy to their classrooms in creative ways. The successful program offers skills to preschool teachers through workshops and coaching that combine music, movement, and early reading skills. The program emphasizes taking risks, fun, building teams and being creative while teaching. The SG Scholars program provides professional development that meets Colorado’s Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten literacy standards.

Learn more or apply today at communityculturalcollective.org

Part A is referred to as Hospital Insurance

Medicare 101 Do You Really Understand How It Works? BY ADRIANN BOSSIE

ince my last couple of articles focused on enrollment periods and what they mean, I wanted to take a step back and dedicate this article to Medicare 101. Everyone knows the word Medicare but very few know what it really means or how it works. And, with few exceptions, all of us will go on Medicare at some point. Medicare is the federal health insurance program for individuals who are aged 65 and older and for younger individuals who are disabled or have certain health conditions. Everyone is entitled to Medicare and it is not based on income. However, some individuals may pay higher premiums based on their income, and some low income individuals may be eligible for additional assistance. When we are working and are covered by health insurance through our employer, once a year we get to look at the insurance options that have been pre-selected by the employer and usually pick an HMO or a PPO. Medicare has different parts and that is what is confusing to most of us. In Original Medicare, you have Parts A, B, and D.

As always, I am here to help determine which option is best for your individual needs. I will sit down with you and take as long as necessary to make sure you completely understand both options – that way you can make the most informed choice for you.

AdriAnn Bossie

works for Senior Insurance Solutions and can be reached at adribossie@gmail.com.

*We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

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and is premium-free if you have worked a minimum of 10 years (or 40 quarters) during which you paid into the Medicare system. It covers inpatient hospital care including skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, and hospice services . is referred to as Supplemental Medical Insurance and covers a broad range of outpatient services, including doctor visits. Everyone pays a premium for Part B (unless you are a low-income individual and get assistance with your premium from the state). Part B has a standard premium rate that is adjusted yearly by CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services). Higher income earners will pay a higher premium called an IRMAA (income-related monthly adjusted amount) which is based on your tax return. Parts A and B are paid by the Medicare system at 80%. As the beneficiary, you are responsible for the remaining 20%. For those who choose to go with Original Medicare for their health insurance needs, you may also choose a Medicare Supplement or Medigap policy. These are administered through private insurance companies and are standardized policies that help pay the 20% cost share the Medicare system does not cover.

Part B

Part D is prescription drug coverage and

is required by Medicare unless you have other credible coverage such as VA or TriCare for Life. It is administered through private insurance companies and the IRMAA also applies to Part D plan premiums.

Medicare Part C plans, which are

also known as Medicare Advantage, are regulated by Medicare and administered through private insurance companies. These plans combine Parts A, B and D into one plan that is typically co-pay-based, as opposed to the co-insurance of original Medicare. These plans typically offer some additional benefits not covered under Original Medicare such as vision, dental, and hearing benefits. They are most commonly HMO or PPO plans that work very similarly to employer coverage. In our local market, most of these plans have no or a very low premium and no deductibles to be met before the co-pays start.

New Lots & Quick Move-in Homes! The West Valley at Forest Lakes

A PRISTINE MOUNTAIN LAKE COMMUNITY Nestled deep in the West Valley of Forest Lakes, you'll find an extraordinary opportunity to build your Colorado dream home.

Featuring new homes from the $700s.

The West Valley at Forest Lakes is located west of I-25, just off of Baptist Road and Forest Lakes Drive. As you travel through Forest Lakes, on your way to the West Valley, you’ll revel in rolling hills, open space, and a 65-acre private lake. Upon completion, the West Valley will showcase 180 homes situated adjacent Pike National Forest and built by local Colorado based homebuilders, Classic Homes and Vantage Homes.

719-419-8232 | ClassicHomes.com Forest Lakes Model 15725 Timber Trek Way, Monument CO 80132

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Pricing and availability subject to change without notice.

Winter Events & Attractions BY NORTH Writers: KAY ROWE & OLIVIA BOND

First Friday Art Walks in Old Colorado City Year-Round, First Friday of every month • shopoldcoloradocity.com/ first-friday-occ Browse through local art galleries and art studios along W. Colorado Avenue in Historic Old Colorado City. Free to the public. Art pieces available for purchase.

Ice Castles in Cripple Creek Nov. 10, 2023 - Feb. 23, 2024, daily • $22 - $27 Irene Avenue and 4th Street, Cripple Creek, CO • icecastles.com/colorado Since 2011, Ice Castles has brought fairy tales to life for thousands of families across North America. Dates and hours are weather dependent.

Pleasure & Protest in Contemporary Figure Painting Jan. 25 - Mar. 16 • Free event Ent Center for the Arts, 5225 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs • gocadigital.org/exhibitions/pleasureand-protest Pleasure & Protest is a group

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exhibition that features the work of Jackie Gendel, Lovie Olivia, Yana Payusova, Alexis Pye, and Keer Tanchak. These artists explore pattern, repetition, and a variety of materials in this exhibit.

“Gratitude” Art Exhibit by Auric Gallery Feb. 2-23 (see website for individual dates) Auric Gallery, 125 E. Boulder Street, Colorado Springs • auricgallery.com/ password Celebrate the merging of G44 Gallery and Kreuser Gallery, launching Auric Gallery and enjoy the exhibit “Gratitude,” which features over 150 artists.

Superstars Bookstravaganza Feb. 7, 7-8:30 pm Summit Ballroom at the Antlers Hotel, 4 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs A book sale and signing with Superstars Writing. Featuring bestselling authors Kevin J. Anderson, Gail Carriger, Jonathan Maberry, Rebecca Moesta, James Artimus

Owen, Todd McCaffrey, David Weber and many other awardwinning and debut authors.

Black History Month Celebration With Soprano Christiana Danaé Feb. 7, 1-3 pm Colorado Springs Conservatory, 415 S. Sahwatch Street, Colorado Springs • pikespeakoperaleague.org/ event-details/black-history-monthcelebration-with-soprano-christianadanae/form The Pikes Peak Opera League presents a celebration of Black History Month. Featuring Conservatory Scholarship winners and performance by Christiana Danaé. Dessert and decaf coffee served before the performance. Dessert bites and decaf coffee will be served prior to the program. Free event.

Monte Carlo Masquerade Gala

Crescent Street, Palmer Lake, CO 80133

Feb. 9, 6 pm • $90 The DoubleTree Hotel, 1775 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., Colorado Springs • cschorale.org/monte-carlomasquerade-2024

Ellie Hinkle and the Palmer Lake Historical Society present “Union Printers Home: Past, Present, and Future.” Learn more about this historic Colorado property and its potential future. Free event. Doors open at 6:30 pm

A glittering evening in support of the Colorado Springs Chorale. This event features dinner, dancing, games, and a silent auction.

Black Wings Family Day Feb. 10, 12-3 pm Hillside Community Center, 925 S. Institute St., Colorado Springs • cspm. org/blackwings Join the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum and the Space Foundation Discovery Center in honor of Black History Month for a FREE celebration of the amazing achievements of African Americans in aviation history. The Black Wings Family Day features family-friendly STEM activities, food trucks, and a historical performance by Gigi Coleman, the great granddaughter of Bessie Coleman, the first female African American pilot.

A Blue Violin Valentine Feb. 13, 7 pm • $35 Warehouse Restaurant & Gallery, 25 W. Cimarron St., Colorado Springs Enjoy a Valentine-themed night with your special someone, or friends! Featuring Special Guest Vocalists: Cami Maree And Justin Gregory. A performance featuring a dazzling solo violin with great love songs and guest vocalists Cami Maree and Justin Gregory. Tickets include appetizers and drinks.

Union Printers Home: Past, Present and Future Feb. 15, 7 pm • Free event Palmer Lake Town Hall, 42 Valley

Yesterday: A Tribute to the Beatles Feb. 16, 7 pm • $28 Stargazers Theatre & Event Center, 10 S. Parkside Drive, Colorado Springs • stargazerstheatre.com/product/ yesterday-beatles-tribute-feb-16 “Come Together” and enjoy this Beatles tribute performed by Stargazers Theatre. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

Michael Flatley’s Lord Of The Dance

with senior and student discounts available.

Jerry Seinfeld Feb. 17, 7 pm • $55 - $187.50 plus fees Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs • pikespeakcenter.com/events/ detail/seinfeld24 Jerry Seinfeld will perform his newest stand-up routine. Tickets available online at AXS.com or in person at the Pikes Peak Center box office.

Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox Feb. 18, 8 pm • $25 - $100 plus fees Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs • pikespeakcenter.com/events/ detail/postmodernjukebox Tickets available online at AXS.com

or in person at the Pikes Peak Center Feb. 16, 7:30 pm • $39.75 - $99.75 plus box office. fees Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Pikes Peak Philharmonic, Arts, 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Masterworks Season Springs • pikespeakcenter.com/events/ February Concert detail/lordofthedance24 Feb. 18, 3-5 pm • $20 25th Anniversary Tour. Tickets 5225 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs available online at AXS.com or in • csphilharmonic.org/concert-seriesperson at the Pikes Peak Center box masterworks office.

“She Loves Me” Feb. 16 - Mar. 3 (see website for individual dates) • $18 First United Methodist Church, 420 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs • onthestage.tickets/show/first-unitedmethodist-church/659f2589b62c9b0e 40d05b07 Presented by First Company at First United Methodist Church, “She Loves Me” is a comedic and romantic musical reminiscent of “The Shop Around the Corner” and “You’ve Got Mail”. Tickets

The concert will feature Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet Suite No. 2 and Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with featured pianist Ada Zukiewicz.

32nd Annual Wine Festival of Colorado Springs Feb. 28 - Mar. 02 • $40 - $250 The Broadmoor, 1 Lake Ave., Colorado Springs • winefestivalofcoloradosprings.com Tickets to the 32nd Annual Wine Festival of Colorado Springs are now available. Choose your favorites from seven days of events at the NORTH • February/March 2024 • 79

Broadmoor – with winemakers and special guests from New Zealand, benefiting local nonprofit Colorado Springs Conservatory.

Explore First Friday Downtown

Troupe Vertigo: España!

St. Patrick’s Day Festival

Mar. 8-9, 7:30 pm • $58 Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts. 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs • csphilharmonic.org/event/ troupe-vertigo-espana

Sat., Mar. 16, starts at 12 noon Downtown along Tejon St., Colorado Springs • downtowncs.com/event/stpatricks-day-festival

Mar. 1, 4:30 pm • Free event Downtown Colorado Springs • downtowncs.com/first-friday

This event features Latin music that the artists of Troupe Vertigo unveil with stunning circus feats.

The first Friday of every month from 5-9 pm, First Friday Downtown features new art, live music, and special events at dozens of galleries, retailers and nonprofits throughout Downtown Colorado Springs.

One Night Of Queen

Young Dubliners 2024 Mar. 3, 8-10:30 pm • $25 Black Sheep, 2106 E. Platte Ave., Colorado Springs • youngdubliners. com/event/young-dubs-the-blacksheep-colorado-springs-co A unique blend of Irish rock and traditional Celtic music. Secure your spot now and be a part of an evening filled with incredible music and memories that will last a lifetime.

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson: We Who Wrestle with God Tour 2024

The Colorado Springs St. Patrick’s Day 40th annual Festival includes a 5k run, beer garden and grand parade. A day full of fun commences at noon. Watch the floats, bands, dancers and performers drive by in celebration of St. Paddy along Tejon Street.

Mar. 10, 7 pm • $29.95 - $59.95 plus fees Pikes Peak Center for the Performing The Organ Symphony Arts, 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs • pikespeakcenter.com/events/ Mar. 23-24, 7:30 pm detail/onenightofqueen Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Tickets available online at AXS.com or in person at the Pikes Peak Center Springs • csphilharmonic.org/event/ the-organ-symphony box office.

The Thorn Mar. 11-12, 7 pm • $52.25 - $109.00 plus fees Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs • pikespeakcenter.com/events/ detail/thethorn Celebrate Easter with this live performance of the biblical Resurrection story. Tickets available online at AXS.com or in person at the Pikes Peak Center box office.

Maestra Chloé van Soeterstède is at the helm of the Philharmonic works from different eras. Cello virtuoso Zlatomir Fung explores Anna Clyne’s DANCE, inspired by the mystical poet, Rumi.

iLuminate Mar. 30, 7:30 pm • $29.50 - $59.50 plus fees Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs • pikespeakcenter.com/events/ detail/iluminate Tickets available online at AXS.com

Mar. 4, 7:30 pm • $53.50 - $118 plus fees Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Gregory Alan Isakov Arts, 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado or in person at the Pikes Peak Center Springs • pikespeakcenter.com/events/ Mar. 14, 7:30 pm • $40 - $85 plus fees box office. detail/jordanpeterson24 Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Dr. Jordan B. Peterson: We Who Wrestle with God Tour will showcase Springs • pikespeakcenter.com/events/ detail/gregoryalanisakov the essence of human struggle, contemplation and the pursuit of truth. Tickets from available online at AXS.com or in person at the Pikes Peak Center box office.

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Grammy-nominated, Coloradobased indie-folk singer Gregory Alan Isakov. Tickets available online at AXS.com or in person at the Pikes Peak Center box office.

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RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT The Safety Camera Program’s first year BY KAY ROWE, Senior Writer

ncreasing population means more people sharing the roads. The state of Colorado has experienced a population growth rate of 14% over the past five years, with Colorado Springs increasing at 4.2% in this same time frame. Unfortunately, this has resulted in more traffic accidents. Of the car crashes that have taken place in a signalized intersection, 28% were the result of a motorist running a red light. Nearly half of those killed in such crashes were passengers or people in other vehicles. More than 5% were pedestrians or cyclists, and just over 35% of those killed were the drivers who ran the red light. To address this, the city of Colorado Springs initiated the Red Light Camera Safety Program. The program started on a small scale, roughly five years ago with just three intersections. Since then, it has expanded to 20 locations. The program plans to identify areas of need and expand into more intersections throughout Colorado Springs deemed dangerous. Understandably, enforcement is the most effective way to ensure drivers abide by red light laws. However, it’s not possible for Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) to be present at every intersection, creating the need for this program. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), when properly administered, red light cameras have reduced the red light running fatal crash rate by 21% in large cities and the overall rate of fatal crashes at signalized intersections by 14%.

Source: coloradosprings.gov/redlightsafety

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HOW WERE THE MONITORED INTERSECTIONS IDENTIFIED?

Intersections throughout Colorado Springs were evaluated and selected based on a combination of factors, including the number and severity of crashes, as well as traffic volume.

WHAT IS THE ENFORCEMENT PROCESS?

A red light running violation occurs when a motorist enters an intersection after the traffic signal has turned red. Images and video of an infraction are reviewed by several qualified CSPD technicians before the alleged civil violation is affirmed and a citation is mailed to the registered owner. The same images and video can be viewed online at www.violationinfo.com. If a motorist seeks to challenge the citation, the instructions to do so are included in the mailed information. In short, a challenge involves requesting a hearing prior to the deadline to pay the violation fee. These fees vary depending on the infraction, charging $75 for running a red light or $40 for exceeding the speed limit.

HOW MUCH DOES THIS PROGRAM COST?

The Red Light Safety Camera

Program is designed to be fully funded by the fines associated with the citations it creates. Revenue that exceeds operation costs goes into the city’s general fund, not CSPD. It is anticipated that as driver behavior changes and crashes decrease, the city and residents will experience a reduction in emergency services and other community expenses. According to the Federal Highway Administration, red light safety cameras will annually save communities $39,000 to $50,000 in collision-related expenses per location.

WHAT COMPANY PROVIDES AND MAINTAINS THIS PROGRAM?

Verra Mobility provides red light and speed safety camera programs to more than 300 communities across North America, now including Colorado Springs. More information about Verra Mobility is available at www.VerraMobility.com.

WHAT ARE THE STATISTICS?

TIPS FOR MOTORISTS: • Prepare to Stop. Lift your foot off the accelerator and “cover the brake” when preparing to enter any intersection. • Use Good Judgment. Monitor “stale” green lights, or those that have been green for a long time, during your approach to the intersection. • Tap the Brake. Tap your brakes a couple of times before fully applying them to slow down. This will catch the attention of drivers who may be inattentive, distracted or tailgating you. • Drive Defensively. Before you enter an intersection once the light has turned green, take a second to look both ways before proceeding.

From January to October of 2023, Colorado Springs experienced over 105,000 violation events and issued roughly 28,700 citations.

For more detailed information, visit the Red Light Safety Camera Program website: coloradosprings.gov/redlightsafety

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Advertiser Index FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

Thank you to each and every advertiser listed herein. You are greatly appreciated for helping make Colorado Springs an amazing Community. 1350 Distillery Altitude Hospitality Group Amy Newland/American Family Boot Barn Classic Homes Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group Club at Flying Horse David A. Joseph Company DreamMakers Flying Horse Realty Fo4rNORTH/Pause II Force Broadband Forest Lakes Garden of the Gods Resort/Strata KKTV 11 News

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Legend Motor Works Marquesa Hobbs/Platinum Group Michelle Bobart/Guaranteed Rate

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American Numismatic Association Nutri-Shops Opus Creative Industries Peak Gastroenterology Associates Pine Creek Dental Q-102.7/Salem Media Ross Studios Senior Insurance Solutions Stewart Remodeling The Resource Exchange TING Internet Virtuent Wealth Management Group WCG, Inc.

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NORTH By Colorado Media Group || FEB/MAR 2024 || Lonnie Cramer

Articles inside

Aerospace Talent: The Orbital Edge

Colorado Springs Medical Spa Offers Top Rated Skin Rejuvenation Services

Old Colorado City Studio Welcomes Guests for Unique Gifts

Just a Few of the Many Luxury Salon & Spa Options in COS.

Making Wine Approachable

Josh Edwards, Olympian for Team USA Boxing is Going to the Paris '24 Games

U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum - A City For Champions Project Welcomes the World to COS!

Leading with Her Heart