Behind the Springs

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. 

The numbers are not good. Nearly 4,400 vehicles were stolen in Colorado Springs in 2022, which is about 12 per day. Police estimate that the number went up 33% in 2023. Find out what our officers are doing and what YOU can do to fight back. 

We're focusing on the importance of building community, which includes an exciting event happening in February at Hillside Community Center to celebrate Black History Month. Mayor Yemi talks about why community activation is one of his priorities and shares his love for the month of February. 

Mayor Yemi reflects on our city team's major accomplishments in 2023 and looks toward 2024 with specific action items in mind. He also talks about his gratitude for public input and some special ways he rings in the new year!

When the bitter cold hits Colorado Springs, there's a program providing hope to those in need of shelter. Learn about Hope COS and the personal stories of two people working to save lives in our community.  

It's looking and feeling festive in downtown Colorado Springs. Mayor Yemi talks about his favorite part of the holidays, the importance of supporting local businesses, and his priorities through the end of this year. Happy Thanksgiving!

Mayor Yemi hosts this episode and introduces two city employees who also served in the military. Get to know these public servants and hear what makes Colorado Springs such a special home for veterans. Happy Veterans Day!

Mayor Yemi shares his passion for our right to vote and the importance of the upcoming election. He also talks about the recent loss of one our city's firefighters, great economic development news, and some recognition for our city employees!

The Colorado Springs Airport is taking things to the next level with a major remodel of the concourse. This means a better, more modern and more accessible experience when you fly in and out of Colorado's small airport. This project comes at a time when the airport is growing. Tune in for this conversation to learn more and find out why it's so easy to Fly COS!

Economic vitality, mental health, leadership development and quality of life. What do all of these things have in common? The arts! Hear from Mayor Yemi and Angela Seals who leads the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region. They talk about the benefits of our local arts scene and how you can join in this month, and all year long. Plus, Mayor Yemi share his thoughts on Israel, the city budget and much more. 

Are you ready Colorado Springs? It's National Preparedness Month and we're talking about how local emergency responders prepare for emergencies. Mayor Yemi is joined by the director of the Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management, who emphasizes the need for YOUR help in being ready for local emergencies. 

The 10th annual Creek Week is coming up in just a few days, and it's a great way for volunteers to give back to our community. Find out what's involved, why it's important and how you can join the effort to make our city even more beautiful!

Mayor Yemi is approaching his 100th day in office and will deliver his first State of the City address on Thursday. He gives us a preview of that speech, along with his thoughts about remembering 9/11 and the upcoming Fallen Firefighters Memorial. He also provides an update on an underground fire in downtown Colorado Springs impacting residents and local businesses. Please join us for this conversation!

The need for a new Colorado Springs Police Department training academy is the main topic of this episode. The Chief provides background on the current academy and how it could improve. The Mayor shares his plans to do just that! He also talks about what he's hearing from residents, the progress on the goals he set for his first 100 days, and the fact that his youngest son wants to be a dinosaur when he grows up.  

Mayor Yemi is here to check in about the latest news and events, including the decision to make Colorado Springs the permanent home of U.S. Space Command. He shares what the city is doing in preparation for a slowing economy, he explains why he's traveling around the city to listen to residents, he talks about one of his favorite parks, and he needs your help recognizing young leaders in our community!

Summer kicked off with record breaking rainfall in Colorado Springs, which was good and bad. One positive is that the city was able to see how well our stormwater system held up. Find out how it did and why it impacts everyone in our community. 

Mayor Yemi has been in office for nearly 50 days. He's working to accomplish 42 items during his first 100 days, so he shares his progress and how you can track the city's work on these priorities. He also hopes to hear from residents in order to shape the vision for the next four years. Find out more during this episode of Behind of the Springs!

The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is beautiful inside and out! But the historic building that houses our museum needs some work. Find out why the museum is closing, and how it's also staying open at the same time! 

Meet the city's new Community Affairs Advisor and find out why he thinks the city needs to listen to residents and organizations across the city. He's part of a new office that aims to bring in more voices and make your local government transparent, approachable and proactive. 

Mayor Yemi loves the month of July for two reasons, which he shares with during this episode. But this month is already presenting some challenges that impact potholes. Tune in for the latest conversation with the Mayor as he marks one month in office.

The Mayor's office door is open, both literally and figuratively. He's excited about the number 42 for a few reasons. Plus, he wants to be called Mayor Yemi. Join the conversation to hear more about these topics, along with some changes he's putting in place and what they mean for residents.