Dental Implants Near Manitou Springs, CO

Members of the district, a quasi-municipal corporation and political subdivision of the state, anticipate a drawn-out court process, said the mayor’s brother, Mike Graham, a director on the metropolitan district board.

The metropolitan district was formed in 1989 by the city’s downtown merchants to provide parking facilities “to promote easy and affordable means for people to visit downtown Manitou Springs businesses and spend time and money downtown,” according to a petition filed in El Paso County District Court. It also was charged with creating a pedestrian walkway and expanding parking opportunities, which the district says it has done.

“The district has efficiently and effectively provided parking services and facilities for the mutual benefit of the public and downtown Manitou Springs businesses,” board Chairman Shemi Shlomo said in a statement to The Gazette.

“The district is able to provide these services at little cost to its taxpayers, as the revenue from the district’s parking facilities are invested into improving the existing parking lots and expanding parking facilities in downtown Manitou Springs,” he said.

The skirmish began last year, when a long-standing intergovernmental agreement for facilities’ maintenance by the city fell apart, a contract the mayor said had been fraught with disagreements. He said the city was providing maintenance services like shoveling snow, cleaning bathrooms and repainting stripes for the parking lots “basically at cost.”

After the deal ended, the metropolitan district locked the public restrooms at one of the parking lots it owns. Amid a “devolving” relationship, Graham said the closure prompted the city to start the process of dissolving the district.

“We got kind of upset with them,” he said.

City Council voted in favor of the dissolution in February. Since a court order formed the metropolitan district, its dissolution would need to be adjudicated in court, too. The district filed its response petition in April, saying it was still implementing its service plan and should be allowed to continue existing.

Metropolitan districts typically are formed to finance public infrastructure projects, are separate from city or county governments, and operate under their own elected boards and taxing authority.

The district in Manitou and the opposition to potential closure is unusual in that its work is contained within the city, according to some in the industry.

The district is not required to give its consent to dissolve under the law, however, the court document states that dissolving the district “would not reduce administrative costs or enhance governmental efficiency.”

This year, the city has been increasing its parking portfolio, with the newly constructed Dillon lot expected to open this month.

At a meeting in February, Manitou Springs Mayor Pro Tem Natalie Johnson said that dissolving the metropolitan district would allow the city to “unify its parking infrastructure.”

Money from parking fees could benefit the city’s Business Improvement District or be under the charge of a new board that would handle the funding, she suggested.

“We believe it is time to manage these assets in a more coordinated fashion,” she said. “While we do not enjoy using a resolution in our authority as a city this way, every change results in new opportunities.”

Now, the issue has become what may be a unique case in Colorado law — a municipality attempting to force the elimination of a metro district that wants to remain in place.

To consider dissolution, the metropolitan district contends that the city should offer a plan to transfer services and pay fair market value for the district’s assets.

City Councilwoman Julie Wolfe said in February that the assets of the metropolitan district could pass to the city without reimbursement.

“We’re not spending any city money to do this,” she said.

The metropolitan district sees the city’s actions as “a power grab aimed at diverting money away from downtown businesses,” and an “expensive and misguided effort to commandeer the district’s assets and resources for itself,” Shlomo said.

Shlomo believes the city’s “unilateral attempt to eliminate the district” is not in the best interest of the constituents, that is, the city’s downtown businesses.

“The district has no confidence that the city will provide comparable support to downtown Manitou Springs businesses,” Shlomo said.

Furthermore, he said, taxpayers of the city and the district are footing the bill for the litigation.

The schism comes at a time when parking revenue from the two lots that have been under the purview of the metropolitan district is growing.

At the district’s June 11 meeting, a financial report showed total revenue increased substantially for the month of May over last year, from nearly $40,000 in May 2024 to nearly $52,000 last month.

The district also bought the site of the Ute Pass Motel downtown last year to redevelop as a third parking lot. According to the court petition the district filed, $500,000 of the $850,000 purchase is a loan that will be financed over the next 10 years.

Tax revenue for the district has declined over the years as the initial mill levy decreased and has been replaced by revenue from the parking lots.

The district earned more than $394,000 from the lots in 2023, according to the petition, which is more than the district has ever collectively raised in tax revenue since its inception.

The court could dismiss the dissolution plans or order each party to present competing plans at a hearing, the petition states.

Since the city and the district have not been able to agree on how to transfer the services, assets and debts, the issue could be put to the 168 eligible voters of the district. A special election could include voters weighing in on one of two competing plans or a dissolution plan created by the court, according to the reasoning of the district’s petition.

What will happen is not easy to say, since this exact situation might be new to Colorado case law, according to officials. Mayor Graham said that the city was in the process of discussing the implications of state statute.

“We’re working through that, and the metro district is supposed to be working through that, too,” he said.

The Graham brothers are no longer speaking because of the situation, John Graham said.

“It’s just contentious,” he said.

The next scheduled court date is a review hearing on June 18, according to judicial documents.

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KOAA) — The legalization of recreational marijuana sales in Colorado Springs may be taking a toll on a nearby city. The Manitou Springs City Council voted to cut an additional sales tax for recreational marijuana and recreational marijuana products in half.

Recreational sales started in Colorado Springs in April after voters gave the green light not once, but twice, including a special election. There is an additional 5% sales tax on recreational marijuana in Colorado Springs.

The City of Manitou Springs approved an additional 5% sales tax on recreational marijuana in 2013, but the city council increased that to 10% in January of 2022. The City Council will be voting Tuesday night in a second reading for an ordinance that would return the additional sales tax to 5%.

There are only two shops in Manitou Springs, Maggie's Farm and Starbuds. The owner and founder of Maggie's Farm, Bill Conkling, tells News5 his business was the single operator that requested Manitou Springs lower taxes.

"The despair in our pricing has already caused a 30 % drop in our traffic and our revenue, with more stores still to come in Colorado Springs," Conkling said during a May 20 city council meeting. "it doesn't seem to matter how much we cut our pricing... we Googled and the first thing we see is, 'why go to Manitou when the tax is double?'"

Due to state law, the city can't share specific revenue information on marijuana sales tax because the town has fewer than three stores, so it isn't clear exactly how much the city has benefited over the years from recreational sales. The marijuana business as a whole has been experiencing a decline in Colorado in recent years.

"[I'm] thankful for our partnership with Manitou and for their response of my ask to lower taxes," Conkling wrote to News5. "Our lowest pricing is about to get lower, so we’re very pleased with the leveling of taxes across the Springs area."

The new tax rate of 5% will take effect on June 9.

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A fentanyl scare prompted the evacuation of more than 1,500 people from an arts festival in southern Colorado over the weekend.

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Surrounded by natural splendor, Colorado's small towns make the perfect home bases for launching your Rocky Mountain adventures. While you recover from days out on the pistes and trails, these small towns offer a wealth of frontier and mining history to uncover, charming independent hotels and restaurants, and some towns are even lucky enough to be beset with steamy hot springs.

Each one has its own character and claim to fame, so read on to find out our 10 picks for the best small towns in Colorado.

Estes Park

About an hour's drive from Boulder, Estes Park is located among the protected lands of Rocky Mountain National Park and Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests. It's the best base for exploring these beautiful mountain landscapes, but it's best known as the home of The Stanley Hotel, which famously inspired the haunted hotel featured in Stephen King's "The Shining." Many people also come specifically for the Elk Rut in the fall. This annual mating ritual amongst Rocky Mountain Elk brings visitors out in droves for a first-hand view of the sparring males.

Paonia

You might think Colorado is all about adrenaline-pumping adventure and the rugged outdoors, but a slow-paced trip to bucolic Paeonia might be just what you're looking for. The climate in Colorado tends to be dry, but this little agricultural haven produces some of the state's best tree-ripened fruits like apricots, cherries, peaches, and pears. Every fall, the town hosts a harvest festival that celebrates all things apples with boot-stomping music and lots of food. Head to the town's well-regarded Creative District, an area full of shops, artist studios, and galleries, or visit one of the local wineries like Black Bridge Winery, which is part of Orchard Valley Farms. If you stay at the Bross Hotel, don't skip the legendary breakfast, where everything is made in-house.

Steamboat Springs

Steamboat Springs is one of the few places in Colorado where you can soak your legs in geothermal hot springs after a full day of epic skiing. This family-friendly town is beloved for its distinct Wild West history, which you can learn more about at the Tread of Pioneers Museum. It also has some of the best trout fishing waters in the state and a myriad of hiking and biking trails. In the summer, you can even rent a tube and enjoy a nice float down the Yampa River. After a long day in the mountains or on the water, finish back in town with a beer at The Barley Tap and Tavern before walking the 10 minutes to Laundry Kitchen + Cocktail for the small, shareable plates.

Crested Butte

Crested Butte is one of the few Colorado ski destinations that has managed to retain its small-town feel. You won't hear this small town mentioned alongside resorts like Vail and Aspen, and that's exactly what makes it so great. The skiing is steep, the town is beautiful, and in the summer, it transforms into a mountain biking destination with more than 750 miles of trails in the Gunnison Valley. The town is also known for its incredible summer wildflower bloom, which is celebrated during the annual festival in July. For a romantic getaway, consider booking a room at the Eleven Scar Ridge Lodge, which combines the bones of a historic saloon with a modern hotel complete with fireplaces and a rooftop hot tub.

Snowmass Village

It may be just 15 minutes by car from Aspen, but Snowmass Village has a feel all of its own. In the winter, life revolves around its ski area, which is part of the four-mountain Aspen-Snowmass family. And in the summer, it's all about biking and hiking in the Elk Mountains, which is arguably the state's most beautiful mountain range. Rest your head at the ski-in, ski-out hotel Limelight Snowmass and enjoy exploring the quaint village before jumping into the day's adventure. Solo travelers can stay busy on the mountain during the day, but keep an eye on the event calendar, which usually has a busy roster of free concerts, competitions, and food and drink fests.

Salida

Driving two and a half hours south of Denver will put you in Salida, a small town that sits in the heart of the Sawatch Range. It's a popular spot for mountaineering pros aiming to climb one of the many 14,000-foot mountains in the region, but you could also go mountain biking via the Arkansas Hills and Methodist Mountain trail systems. Or do as the locals do and hang by the shady shores of the Arkansas River, which runs through town. After a day of exploring the historic district, which is one of the largest in Colorado with over a hundred 19th-century buildings still standing, you'll want to wrap up your day on the Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub patio with a well-deserved slice and beer.

Manitou Springs

Manitou Springs is an easy, 15-minute drive from Colorado Springs and a great choice if you don't want to stray too far from a large city. You can make your way up the Manitou Incline for a cardio challenge or visit the Manitou Cliff Dwellings, a recreation of traditional Indigenous homes. Before you hit up Manitou Avenue's hip boutiques and grab a bite at a local wine bar like Swirl, don't miss a visit to Miramont Castle, a Victorian mansion that hosts historical exhibits and offers a high tea service in its Queen's Parlour Tea Room—fancy hats included!

Silverton

Measuring its altitude at 9,318 feet, the historic Wild West town of Silverton is surrounded by even higher peaks and is uniquely accessible by railroad. Arrive on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which takes passengers on a steam-powered journey from Durango to Silverton. Once you arrive in this Wild West town, make your way to Handlebars Food & Saloon and ask for a basket of Rocky Mountain oysters, a regional delicacy with a shocking ingredient—bull testicles. The San Juan County Mining Heritage Museum is located in the old jailhouse and has three stories of exhibits that go into detail about the town's glory days with historical artifacts on display.

Pagosa Springs

Down in southwestern Colorado near the New Mexico border lies this small town, which is best known for its naturally heated mineral-rich waters. The "official" springs open year-round are The Springs Resort & Spa, Healing Waters Resort & Spa, and Overlook Hot Springs—or you can make your way to Nathan's Hippy Dip, a public bathing area on the San Juan River. Just don't miss a visit to the Pagosa Baking Company for your morning coffee and a sweet treat.

Carbondale

Another steamy destination, Carbondale is located on Colorado's Historic Hot Springs Loop, and is also a hotspot of adventure tourism. The town makes it easy to pass the day fly fishing in the Roaring Fork River, biking the Prince Creek trail system, or cross-country skiing at Spring Gulch. But even the most adventurous need a rest from time to time, so book a night at the Marble Distilling Co. & The Distillery Inn, where you get a good night's rest or stay up for a stiff cocktail.

(MANTIOU SPRINGS, Colo.) — The City of Manitou Springs announced that Ruxton Avenue has reopened to vehicle and bicycle traffic after city crews completed a temporary repair to the ruptured water main. In addition, both Iron Springs Chateau and Barr Trail parking lots are now reopened, as of 3 p.m. on Saturday. Mountain Metro Transit Route 33 has resumed normal operations.

Crews completed a short-term fix, allowing water service to be restored and the road to be safely reopened before the business week and Fourth of July holiday. Full repairs will still be required after the holiday

The road surface is temporarily patched, and drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians are advised to use caution when traveling through the area. Final paving will occur once the final repairs are complete.

The City of Manitou Springs reported that the water main break has led to a full closure of Ruxton Avenue to all vehicles and bicycles, in order to protect the public’s safety and allow city crews to perform emergency infrastructure repairs.

Access restrictions and detours are as follows:

The Mountain Metro Transit Route 33 will now stop at the intersection of Ruxton Avenue and Manitou Avenue; service to the upper Ruxton area is temporarily suspended.

There is still no estimated time for repairs to be completed, but the City will continue to monitor progress and issue updates.

The City of Manitou Springs reported that crews responded to an active water main break near the intersection of Ruxton Avenue and Osage Avenue around 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, that is creating detours for drivers in the area.

According to the City, the situation is ongoing and a formal detour route is being finalized, but a full closure of Ruxton Avenue is likely. Drivers are urged to avoid the area and find alternate routes until further notice. There is currently no estimated time for the repair to be completed.

Mountain Metro Transit Route 33 to the Incline will stop on Manitou Avenue and Ruxton Avenue until the situation is resolved.

When the repairs are completed and water service returns, local homes and businesses may experience discolored water or low pressure. This is normal and can be resolved by running the bathtub, or the lowest tap in the home, on cold for five minutes or until the water runs clear.

Those with questions can contact the City of Manitou Springs Public Services Department at (719) 685-2573. To follow the progress of the water outage, click the link above.

The Pikes Peak region boasts several top swimming pools to beat the summer heat. These indoor and outdoor pools in Colorado Springs are all open to the public during the season.

In order of their proximity to Downtown Colorado Springs, here are some of the best pools in the area:

Monument Valley Pool – Colorado Springs

1.1 mi | Monumental Valley Park is a historic recreational area that houses Monument Creek. With numerous trails for walking and biking, along with courts for basketball, tennis, and volleyball, they also feature the city’s first public swimming pool.

It features a lap pool as well as a recreational swimming area, one that sports a drop slide with a trio of tubes, so you have no fear of long lines. There’s also a diving board for those of you who are more adventurous and a shallow area reserved for the kiddies.

220 Mesa Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 | 719-578-6636 | ppymca.org/…

Little Dipper Pool – Colorado Springs

3.4 mi | The Little Dipper Pool is modest in size, though it is a cozy neighborhood pool thriving with plant life. Sometimes, homeliness and simplicity are best, something that is certainly the case here.

A large central pool, along with large grass areas with which you could do whatever, this pool lets the imagination run wild. There’s a shallow end so that novice swimmers can still get in on the hydro-filled fun, and also a diving board if you’re in the mood for a bit of a thrill. There are also numerous BBQs with which you can freely cook, making this private retreat the ideal spot for a sun-soaked Saturday.

They also hold numerous events throughout the summer that can bind the community together. Some of these include Kid’s Night, Teen Night, Family Night, and a friendly yet competitive Volleyball League.

1232 Milky Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80905 | 719-475-2008 | thelittledipperpool.com

Manitou Pool & Fitness Center – Manitou Springs

5.6 mi | Manitou Pool & Fitness Center is a hybrid facility with a wonderfully decorated wooden interior and an outside pool that is surrounded by trees. Be it with family, friends, or alone, this facility in cozy Manitou Springs has a little something for everyone.

The indoor facility features a 25-yard swimming pool, along with a hot tub to accompany it if you’re in the mood for relaxing. There’s also a fitness room if you feel like getting a quick workout in before you take a dip.

The outdoor section has a kiddie pool along with a mushroom fountain that the children can play under (lifeguards are always on duty). There’s also a hot tub outdoors, a spot for parents to unwind as their kids are having fun.

It should be noted that the facility also provides swim lessons and aqua aerobics classes. There are CPR lessons and lifeguard training, as well.

202 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829 | 719-685-9735 | manitouspringsgov.com/…

Fort Carson Aquatics – Fort Carson

8.5 mi | Fort Carson Aquatics is a set of pools within the Army Post and census-designated place of Fort Carson, but don’t worry: you don’t need to be military to get in. Despite the perhaps intimidating nature that a military base can bring, those unfamiliar with the area will happily find it to be a fun and welcoming environment for all.

For the time being, one of their indoor pools, the Nelson pool, is closed for maintenance. Luckily, the Ivy pool is still open and presents you with a 25-yard lap pool with swimming equipment provided. There’s a family pool as well, so you can ensure that no member of your family is left behind.

The main pool boasts a pair of diving boards, and both the main and family pools have two slides each that are buckets of fun. Also, there is a mushroom fountain that drops water, a nice amenity for the kids.

Your alternative option is the Ellis Outdoor Pool, which you can not go wrong with. It features a 50-yard lap pool that also has an open swim, as well as a diving board and a water slide so that everyone can have fun. This pool is open seven days a week, and some days, you may even be able to bring your pup with you!

1231 Ellis St, Fort Carson, CO 80913 | 719-526-4456 | carson.armymwr.com/aquatics

Wilson Ranch Pool – Colorado Springs

9.3 mi | Wilson Ranch Pool provides you with a cozy facility and a gorgeous mountainous backdrop. Supplied with a grassy area so you can get your tan on, this is a wonderful place to head to on a day out to mix the sun with some splash.

The facility includes a lap pool and recreational pool with lifeguards on duty, a play structure for the little kids (or free-spirited adults), a lazy river, and even a whirlpool. There’s also a spiral slide that will surely have its share of participants. If you’re feeling hungry, then have no fear, for there are concessions on site. Just make sure to wait 30 minutes before dipping back into the water.

2335 Allegheny Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80919 | 719-598-3226 | ppymca.org/locations/north/wilson-ranch-pool

Cottonwood Creek Family Center – Colorado Springs

11.3 mi | Cottonwood Creek Family Center is a YMCA recreation center featuring a fitness center with a vast number of machines, along with an indoor swimming pool. With a great view of the community and the mountains outside its windows, its indoor swimming facility is a wonderful spot to relax.

This place has a little something for everyone. It sports a wave pool and a vortex, fun alternatives to regular swimming if you’re in for a little bit of zest. There’s also a lazy river guaranteed to provide you with relaxation and spiral water slides that you’re guaranteed to ride on more than once.

More than that, though, the facility also offers classes in a variety of areas. Aqua aerobics classes and swimming lessons could be taken, as well as lifeguard and CPR lessons if you’re interested in an important skill.

3920 Dublin Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80918 | 719-385-6508 | ppymca.org/…

Banning Lewis Ranch Recreation Center – Colorado Springs

14.2 mi | The Banning Lewis Ranch Recreation Center is a YMCA facility that rocks a multitude of facilities. Various activities can be done here, as there are tennis and pickleball courts, indoor multi-purpose rooms, and free wi-fi.

There’s an outdoor lap pool that can be doubled as an area for free swimming and plenty of deck space to lounge about. There’s also a splash pad to the side, a place where the little ones can play freely.

The Vista Water Park it has is also worth mentioning, an entertaining area for all ages. Large buckets of water dumping upon your head, squirt guns, a water slide; attending this will surely be something that you won’t forget.

6885 Vista Del Pico Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80927 | 719-522-2432 | ppymca.org/…

All of us need days to reprieve and relax. Whether you’re trying to maximize your comfort or trying to bond with your community, what activity fuses the two with as little effort as the pool? When you’re looking to appreciate the weather despite the extreme heat, consider these public swimming pools around Colorado Springs.