Carly has lived in Colorado Springs most of her life and has never been to Labor Day Lift Off—until now. To get her prepped, we brought back insider Lauren DeMarco from Colorado Springs Sports Corp, who shares the stories you won’t hear in the news.

We’re talking balloons dipping into Prospect Lake at sunrise, pilots crisscrossing the sky while chase vans scramble to find where they’ll land, the jaw-dropping drone show that lights up the night, and so much more. Lauren also spills on the pastry-fueled early mornings, the surprising year-round planning, and the sheer joy of 200,000 people turning into kids again as the balloons lift off.

If you thought Labor Day Lift Off was just a photo op, think again. This insider’s guide shows you the traditions and magic that make it one of Colorado Springs’ most unforgettable weekends.

PICKS OF THE WEEK

• Fall Classes at Bemis School of Art
• Bristol's Movies Under The Stars

WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS

Core Collective

Core Collective Pilates is a boutique studio dedicated to helping clients build strength, flexibility, and confidence through expert-led, personalized Pilates sessions. With a welcoming atmosphere and a focus on mindful movement, Core Collective transforms workouts into empowering experiences. Enter code SPRINGSANDTHINGS to get 3 classes for $30!

Why Wait Stories

Why Wait Stories captures the moments that matter, transforming personal legacies, business journeys, and nonprofit missions into beautifully crafted films. With a gift for storytelling and a heart for connection, Lauren preserves memories and messages before they fade, ensuring they inspire for generations to come.

This summer in Colorado Springs, two organizations—Braver Angels and Reclaiming Civility—are joining forces to turn down the heat on our most heated conversations.

In this episode, Lori Leander and Eric Brody share how they’re creating spaces where people can engage on tough topics, like gun control and the First Amendment, without the shouting matches, walkouts, or social media meltdowns.

From practical tools like the LAPP framework to heartwarming stories of unlikely camaraderie, you’ll hear how their Civil Summer Series is helping neighbors, colleagues, and even family members move past polarization toward genuine understanding.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s still possible to disagree without disconnecting, this conversation might just restore your faith in civil discourse.

PICKS OF THE WEEK

• Roots and Wings Math
• Hotel Polaris

WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS

Core Collective

Core Collective Pilates is a boutique studio dedicated to helping clients build strength, flexibility, and confidence through expert-led, personalized Pilates sessions. With a welcoming atmosphere and a focus on mindful movement, Core Collective transforms workouts into empowering experiences. Enter code SPRINGSANDTHINGS to get 3 classes for $30!

Why Wait Stories

Why Wait Stories captures the moments that matter, transforming personal legacies, business journeys, and nonprofit missions into beautifully crafted films. With a gift for storytelling and a heart for connection, Lauren preserves memories and messages before they fade, ensuring they inspire for generations to come.

A re-release of one of our most popular episodes!

Colorado Springs is changing, and in all the best ways. In this episode, we chat with community powerhouse, Lauren Ripko of Studio Q Events, about the people, places, and passion projects making the Springs cooler than ever. From alley dance parties to city-shaping events, she’s helping build a more connected, creative Colorado Springs—and we’re here for it.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

- Taste of Pikes Peak
- Meanwhile Block
- Kinship Landing
- Fiddles, Vittles, & Vino
- Old Colorado City Christkindlmarket
- White Pie
- Youth Documentary Academy
- Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival
- Loyal Coffee
- Story Coffee
- Book: Your Brain On Art
- Shuga's
- Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
- United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum
- Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
- Masala Mingle

PICKS OF THE WEEK

- Crooked Cue
- Weenies and 'Tinis

WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS

Core Collective

Core Collective Pilates is a boutique studio dedicated to helping clients build strength, flexibility, and confidence through expert-led, personalized Pilates sessions. With a welcoming atmosphere and a focus on mindful movement, Core Collective transforms workouts into empowering experiences. Enter code SPRINGSANDTHINGS to get 3 classes for $30!

Why Wait Stories

Why Wait Stories captures the moments that matter, transforming personal legacies, business journeys, and nonprofit missions into beautifully crafted films. With a gift for storytelling and a heart for connection, Lauren preserves memories and messages before they fade, ensuring they inspire for generations to come.