Colorado Springs Provides Picturesque Escape for LGBTQ Travelers

Nestled at the base of beautiful Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs offers the perfect mix of outdoor adventure, captivating history and vibrant entertainment. The Springs is brimming with highly anticipated openings, reopenings and events to explore this year.

In December 2022, AdAmAn Alley in Downtown Colorado Springs was reimagined with awe-inspiring murals and installations to honor members of the AdAmAn Club – a nonprofit whose members ascend Pikes Peak each New Year’s Eve to set midnight fireworks off at the summit for all to see. This summer, Downtown Partnership of Colorado Springs is launching Revel ReMix: themed outdoor dance parties held in AdAmAn Alley. On June 29, Downtown Partnership will co-present the very first Revel ReMix in collaboration with Pikes Peak Pride complete with food, drinks, live entertainment and a rainbow LED firework show.

Even more exciting events will take place through the spring and into the summer:

o   During all of May and through the beginning of June, catch the groundbreaking LGBTQ+ musical RENT, performed by the award-winning professional theater company at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College.

o   Memorial Day Weekend, experience Territory Days: a huge annual street festival in  Old Colorado City. Explore nearly 200 food and craft booths, a petting zoo, live music, Native American dancers, Wild West gunfight reenactments, blacksmith demonstrations and more.

o   Green Box Arts Festival in gorgeous Green Mountain Falls is a celebration of all things arts from July 1-14. Delight in dance companies, esteemed musicians, Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, captivating art installations and a wealth of community-minded events and health & wellness offerings, along with a comprehensive array of exciting classes.

o   On July 27, head to Gather Mountain Blooms at Venetucci Farm for Rocky Mountain Flower Festival. At this annual music festival, enjoy flower picking, line dancing and excellent music by americana, folk and bluegrass artists.

Two Colorado Springs staples of family-friendly fun are reopening their doors this summer. The Space Foundation Discovery Center is scheduled to reopen on June 1 after months of expansion and renovation. The changes will improve visitors’ experience with new technology, never-before-seen exhibits and engaging community events. Additionally, the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum plans to reopen its doors this July after nearly a year of renovations. The 120-year-old building once served as the El Paso County Courthouse, and now will have an updated HVAC system, a new exhibition gallery, access to previously unseen spaces, inspiring new collections, additions to existing gallery space and more.

In recent years, Colorado Springs’ north side has become a hub for exciting amenities. Sunset Amphitheater, a luxury 8,000-capacity outdoor music venue will open in the area in August. With the U.S. Air Force Academy and Pikes Peak as majestic backdrops, The Sunset will provide a world-class entertainment experience with luxury firepit suites, a 5-star restaurant and a rooftop bar. Opening weekend takes place August 9-11, featuring Colorado’s own, OneRepublic. Right across the highway from The Sunset, you’ll find Hotel Polaris at the U.S. Air Force Academy’s North Gate. The hotel is conveniently situated right off I-25, making travel to the entire region simple. Hotel Polaris is slated to open in fall 2024 and will offer several onsite dining options, a spa, an outdoor pool and two in-house flight simulators for a real-life pilot experience. Take in the view from the elegant rooftop cocktail bar or the outdoor terrace.

The Mining Exchange Hotel in Downtown Colorado Springs was originally established in 1902 as a stock exchange for precious gold and silver, and soon became a bustling hub for mining magnates and investors. After the hotel’s recent remodel, it’s just as vibrant and full of even more exciting offerings! BLK MGK, the hotel’s full-service coffee bar is now open, with a full menu of breakfast and lunch items, a range of specialty coffee and tea beverages, along with coffee-based cocktails, wine and beer. The decadent lobby bar, Golden Hour, will open in late spring and will feature live jazz music on Thursday evenings. A new restaurant concept, Oro, will open later this summer/fall along with the refreshed spa. Additional hotel programming includes The Vault, an on-site art gallery that will feature rotating art shows in partnership with Auric Gallery and BLK MGK’s rotating schedule of aura and astrology readings, artistic events and coffee tastings.

Learn more at VisitCOS.com