Behind the Springs

It’s been a while! Mayor Yemi is back to talk about a summer of celebrations, public safety, budget plans and a back-to-school reminder. 

We just celebrated a special 4th of July with our country’s 250th anniversary, and the party isn’t over yet! On August 1st, Colorado turns 150. Luckily, that falls on a Saturday and so we’re collaborating with several partners to throw a bash with music, food, drinks, history and more at Rock Ledge Ranch at Garden of the Gods Park. Tune in to find out more about the celebration and how to join the fun!

Our City just welcomed a new director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services. He’s getting started at the perfect time because July is National Parks and Recreation Month. Hear about his vision along with the great events happening in Colorado Springs this summer!

The way officers in the Real Time Crime Center are using drones and other technology is one of the many reasons that some types of crimes are down in our city. Hear about the positive numbers and the challenges facing our Colorado Springs Police Department. Just in time for National Police Week, we hear from Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez. Listen today at: LINK

Meet our new City Forester and find out what his team is doing to care for tens of thousands of trees across Colorado Springs. It’s something that benefits our entire community is so many ways! 

Colorado is experiencing one its warmest winter and spring seasons on record which is concerning for the team that keeps an eye on our wildfire risk. Our Fire Chief has worked in our community for 40 years, and he’s sharing his thoughts about this unusual year, what the Colorado Springs Fire Department is doing to prepare and what YOU can do to be ready. Don’t miss this important conversation! 

This year, the state of Colorado turns 150 and American marks 250 years of independence. Find out about the many ways to celebrate these two major milestones right here in the Pikes Peak region. Hear from our local historians about upcoming events and why it’s so important to pause and reflect!

We’re talking about a plan that will shape an entire area of our City in a positive way. It’s called the Southeast Strong Neighborhood Plan, and it’s the first community planning project undertaken through the Neighborhood Planning Program. Recommendations from this plan will touch on things like transportation, economic development, celebrating culture, housing, public safety and public health. Join our project manager and Councilmember Gold for this great conversation!

Not only is the Colorado Springs Airport convenient and friendly, but it’s also now international and getting a whole new look. Hear from the new Aviation Director about the exciting improvements underway, how new destinations are added, and why you should Fly COS!

Mayor Yemi is here to kick of the new year with some focus!! That’s his word of the year and he’s sharing his main priorities and what the City team will focus on in 2026. 

Mayor Yemi is here to talk about the top 10 things accomplished by your local government this year. He’s celebrating wins in the areas of public safety, infrastructure, housing, economic vitality and more! He’s also sharing his favorite holiday traditions, including a sweet letter from his daughter to Santa. Happy Holidays!

It’s one of our community’s great holiday traditions! City employees build an ice-skating rink in Acacia Park, providing the perfect excuse to visit downtown during the holiday season. Hear about what it takes to make it happen and then head to Acacia Park this holiday season! 

Winter is on the way, and our city crews are ready! Find out how they prepare for snowstorms, which roads they clear first, and how you can help when the snow hits.

October is the time of year to highlight the incredible arts and culture in the Pikes Peak region. We have two guests to give background on Arts Month and the best ways to celebrate!

It’s one of the most beautiful drives in the world (if you ask us) and fall and winter are a great time to experience the Pikes Peak Highway. Hear from a local expert, who offers tips about how to enjoy the drive to the top of America’s Mountain. 

Mayor Yemi recently delivered his 3rd State of the City address, addressing the city’s accomplishments and challenges in what he called his “halftime report” as he hits the middle of his term. Listen to his full speech during this episode of Behind of Springs!

Residents submitted great questions, and Mayor Yemi is answering them on our second edition of “Ask the Mayor”. He tackles public safety, roads, homelessness and much more. Join the conversation and learn about the Mayor’s priorities and plans for the future!

The Colorado Springs Senior Center has served tens of thousands of patrons since the 1980s. A bigger, better facility is opening soon … and we have two guests to talk about the exciting features and what it all means for our community! 

It’s summertime, but we also call this budget season in local government. Hear from Mayor Yemi and our Chief Financial Officer about the budget process and the measures the City is taking to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. 

Parking garages, meters, enforcement, and more! We’re tackling the topic of parking in Colorado Springs, with the new manager of our Parking Enterprise. She’s talking about a new parking plan and what it means for you!

An area in Garden of the Gods Park known as Camp Creek Valley began to be called Rock Ledge Ranch in June of 1875. Robert and Elsie Chambers moved their family into a small stone house on the property and it was Elsie who picked the name. All these decades later, we’re celebrating all the historic site has offered to our community over the years. Dive into a little history during this episode and find out how to join the celebration!

The weather is warming up and it’s time to say “Hey Neighbor”! Join the conversation to learn about the continuation of our 1,000 Neighborhood Gatherings Initiative. This is the perfect time to reach out, connect and build community. Learn how and why during the latest episode of Behind the Springs! 

Imagine your most ideal park, trail or open space! We all have ideas about how to improve or maintain our beautiful parks system in Colorado Springs. Our parks department is hoping you’ll share your input as they embark on a master plan process to help guide decisions over the next decade. Join the conversation and hear how this process will build community and preserve our legacy!

This week is dedicated to remembering and honoring police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. It’s also a time to reflect on the important and sometimes unseen work of our police officers here in Colorado Springs. Join the conversation with two members of our police department with interesting stories and insights!

Mayor Yemi is the guest on this episode and talks about all that’s been going on this past month, including new City Councilmembers and exciting news from the COS Airport! 

Mayor Yemi is here to celebrate the start of Spring, which means a shift from snowplow operations to paving and potholes. He’s also giving some exciting updates about our parks system and a great reminder to VOTE by April 1st!

What’s it like to be a female firefighter in Colorado Springs? How do we recruit more talented women to join the department? What do they bring to the team? A panel of four accomplished firefighters help answer these questions and more during this special episode in celebration of Women’s History Month. 

Brett Lacey has served as our city’s fire marshal since 1998. He’s retiring after a 32 years of remarkable service with the Colorado Springs Fire Department. Tune in for a look back at how far we’ve come when it come to preparedness and some fun stories about Brett’s service to our community. 

Mayor Yemi is addressing the topics you want to know about. We received questions on various social media platforms and the Mayor is talking about everything from potholes to football. Hope you’ll join us for this conversation!

Meet our new Chief Housing and Homelessness Officer. She grew up in Colorado Springs and has an interesting story to share about her path to this current role. Hear what she has to say about the ways the City and our partners are taking action to tackle housing and homelessness challenges in Colorado Springs. 

The City’s Therapeutic Recreation Program is such a gem, and this conversation will explain why. February is Therapeutic Recreation Month and the perfect time to focus on how it impacts our entire community. The leader of TRP has provided recreational opportunities for children and adults with disabilities for 25 years, along with her team of exceptional employees and volunteers.

Mayor Yemi is talking about his word for 2025 and how it will guide decisions for our City. He also discusses cold weather response, wildfire readiness and working with the Trump administration.  

It’s the last podcast episode of 2025 and Mayor Yemi is celebrating accomplishments and talking about priorities for 2025. He’s also sharing some fun and serious thoughts about the holiday season. Thank you for listening to Behind the Springs this year!

Meet one a new employee at the City who’s focused on a developing our workforce and helping local businesses hire talented people. Listen in to find out why this is a win for our whole community!

The Colorado Springs Police Department is using technology to be even more efficient when it comes to keeping our community safe. Hear about a new program that teams police up with community members to fight crime. The police department’s Real Time Crime Center uses camera footage from residents and businesses, along with drones to help solve crimes. Find out how we can come Together COS! 

Episode 150: Mayor Yemi’s 4th quarter updateWhether or not you’re a football fan, you likely know that the 4th quarter is crucial. It’s the end of the game and often when the excitement happens. Mayor Yemi says the same is true for the 4th quarter of the year at the City. We’re working hard on several priorities and finishing strong. Listen in for the updates and latest news about infrastructure, public safety, the Veterans Day parade, voting and more!

Chelsea was 39 weeks pregnant when she had a serious and uncommon complication that caused her to lose a large amount of blood as she went into labor. The new Whole Blood Program at the Colorado Springs Fire Department literally saved the day, and two lives. Join the conversation about how blood transfusions are improving emergency response and outcomes!

Fall is right around the corner and it’s a great time to explore our city’s parks, trails and open spaces. Luckily, our parks director is sharing the latest and greatest when it comes to our parks, new open spaces, public input, winter traditions and so much more. Join the conversation to get some ideas about beautiful places to visit, play and enjoy!

Whether you are a student, have a student, or just care about students – this episode is for you! Mayor Yemi and Lt. Miyakusu talk about ways the city team works to make our schools safe, inside and outside. Hear personal stories, statistics and important reminders. Here’s to a great school year!

Your mental health matters. Join this conversation to learn about a movement called Pikes Peak Rising that includes a website to help you navigate toward better mental health for you and your loved ones. First lady Abbey Mobolade and several partners are shining a spotlight on the great resources in our region. Tune in to find out how this can benefit you, and our entire community!

Celebrate the grand reopening of the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum after a major building restoration project. During this conversation, we’ll hear how the project means major benefits for visitors. Hear about the latest exhibits, new spaces and an improved home for our treasured artifacts. 

We are at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center to talk about the Paris Games, and all that’s happening in our city to celebrate! Mayor Yemi also shares his thoughts about public safety and his strategic plan for our community. Don’t miss this episode! 

Hundreds of thousands of people hit the road each year to reach the top of America’s Mountain via the Pikes Peak Highway. Hear about the shuttle service, special events, and why the marmots are the key to kicking off summer during this latest episode of Behind of the Springs!

We’re catching up with Mayor Yemi just as Colorado Springs was ranked most desirable city in the country and third in the “Best Places to Live” category by U.S. News & World Report! Hear the Mayor’s thoughts on these rankings, along with important news about our police and fire departments. He also shares his personal reasons for caring so deeply about public safety.

What will this summer be like when it come to our wildfire risk? We’re checking in with the Colorado Springs Fire Marshal for predictions and great reminders about how to be prepared. Whether you’ve experienced Colorado wildfires or you’re brand new to this topic, tune in for tips that benefit our entire community! 

It’s not easy to talk about child abuse, but April is the month dedicated to raising awareness. We are fortunate to have a unique and effective approach to helping children who have been sexually abused, housed in a place called Safe Passage. Find out more about the quiet heroes in our community and how the city is involved in helping children heal. 

How about that recent snowstorm? Mayor Yemi is here to talk about the city’s great response, along with the not so great result: potholes! The long term solution to potholes and other roadway maintenance is 2C and the Mayor explains why you need to know about it and vote to extend it!

We’re giving you a taste of a new podcast with some familiar faces! Mayor Yemi and City Councilmember Michelle Talarico talk about their experience in the restaurant industry and how it’s helped them in their current leadership roles. Join us for this special episode!

Spring is coming soon and so are more than 100 flowerbeds, designed to brighten our neighborhoods. The Springs in Bloom program allows people to adopt a flowerbed and help beautify our city. We’re talking to the City’s Horticulturalist in this episode about the 20th year of this program, and so much more that he and his team do for Colorado Springs!

We’re excited to spread the news about a major grant to one of our partners. It means more than just housing for young adults. Learn about the city’s role and the important work local organizations are doing to benefit our entire community.