Drayage Brokersin Colorado Springs, CO

Final details are being completed on the new Family Success Center, a project of Pikes Peak United Way and Harrison School District 2 that consolidates in one large space what residents identified as needed services in southeast Colorado Springs, the city’s largest low-income neighborhood.

“It’s getting people into situations to improve the condition of their lives,” said Cindy Aubrey, executive director of Pikes Peak United Way.

A ribbon-cutting will be held Thursday at 3 p.m., to show off the renovated former Pikes Peak Elementary School, 1520 Verde Drive.

Funding package will help United Way turn southeast Colorado Springs school into family center

The nearly 60-year-old building closed in June 2022 under a D-2 restructuring plan to address declining enrollment and the desire to provide equity for all students.

The school building has undergone a $2.5 million renovation to become a community campus that offers a host of opportunities for families, from GED, English as a Second Language classes and certificate training programs for adults to afterschool tutoring and sports for kids, to driver’s license and public assistance kiosks.

“In D-2, we believe that schools should be community hubs,” said Superintendent Wendy Birhanzel. “It made sense to us that if we had to repurpose a school, it would benefit the community in this way.”

Families were involved in voicing what they would like to see, she said, and many of their wishes have been fulfilled.

United Way held family dinners and with the help of residents created a menu of services and support that would be advantageous, Birhanzel said.

The idea came out of a food distribution program the local United Way office ran from Mitchell High School for several years, Aubrey said.

"Serving all those families punctuated the need in the community," she said.

The organization was leaning toward sponsoring a mobile food pantry for southeast Colorado Springs when Birhanzel offered up the elementary school that was slated for closure.

United Way staffs the center and has amassed numerous other organizations and agencies that are providing the services on site.

Completion is about six months behind schedule, Aubrey said Wednesday while giving a tour, citing supply chain issues and construction hold-ups that took longer than expected to resolve.

The project has been nearly four years in the making, Aubrey said.

Birhanzel said she’s happy to see it come to fruition.

New after-school programming coming to southeast Colorado Springs students this fall

From 2 to 6 p.m. on Monday, the complex’s largest program, a Sunnyside Market of Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado, will open its doors in the former school library, which now has bright yellow walls and a friendly grocery store layout.

Distribution of pantry staples, frozen meats and other foods, dairy products and other choices that residents will be able to select themselves using grocery carts will happen every Monday and Thursday.

There are no income qualifications, but shoppers must register with Care and Share to participate.

Next door to the food pantry, Fountain Valley Health Care has set up a primary care clinic for patients of all ages who are Medicaid and Medicare recipients or uninsured.

Other programs are trickling in and should be fully functional next month, Aubrey said. Some, such as computer classes, are ongoing in refurbished classrooms in one wing of the building.

The other wing houses organizations such as Catholic Charities of Central Colorado, which handles wrap-around services, including life coaching, to help things click for families who are struggling with employment, housing and finances.

A child care center and preschool occupy several rooms for licensed daily and nightly consistent and drop-in care.

“There’s a lack of affordable and quality child care,” said Pikes Peak United Way’s Chief Operating Officer Heather Steinman.

Parents Challenge does parenting and budgeting sessions, and Colorado Springs Sports Corp. runs an afterschool sports program for elementary-age kids to play basketball, volleyball, pickleball and do other activities.

“Physical activity helps children deal with anxiety and mental health issues,” Aubrey said, “and teaches them how to conduct themselves as a team member and a leader.”

Pikes Peak United Way, Harrison School District 2 to open family success center

The National Cybersecurity Center teaches IT and cybersecurity certification courses in its computer lab, Ent Credit Union is offering financial literacy programs, Junior Achievement is presenting lessons on money for kids, Thrive Network is providing entrepreneurial business classes, Mentally Strong is available for behavioral health care referrals, and there’s more to come.

“One of the pieces we’re wanting to continue is that organic feel for what needs will arise,” Steinman said.

Organizations lease space for $1 a year but pay toward operational costs such as utilities, maintenance and landscaping, she said.

“There have been barriers to access for many years in our community,” Birhanzel said, “but we have great partners who are now actually bringing the needed services to families in their communities.”

King Soopers reopened its store along South Academy Boulevard on Wednesday after asbestos contamination and a series of renovations had forced its closure in recent months.

Serving over 45 years with the company, King Soopers associate Deb Kiley lead the southeast location in Colorado Springs’ official ribbon cutting ceremony at Wednesday’s grand reopening. pic.twitter.com/vmo59XRNa3

— Abbey Soukup (@AbbeySoukup2) November 1, 2023

The store in southeast Colorado Springs closed abruptly in late June after carcinogenic contamination was found through testing during renovation efforts. Many customers were left scrambling to find alternatives for grocery, gas and pharmacy shopping. The store’s location, within a USDA-recognized “food desert,” meant that its closing had a deeper impact on many patrons.

The $2.9 million renovation included a new storefront, which served as a backdrop to a nearly quarter mile-long line of customers waiting outside the doors Wednesday.

The grand reopening included a raffle for customer gift cards and donations by King Soopers to southern Colorado nonprofit Care and Share along with Pikes Peak United Way, Food to Power and Solid Rock.

Among the crowd was Melissa Pomce, an Instacart driver who uses the store for work and as an everyday customer.

“It feels amazing that it’s open because over here it’s kind of like a market desert, especially on this side (southeast),” Pomce said.

“The staff is so friendly here it’s like the customers and the staff are a big family. I really missed shopping here. Of course, I’d go to other King Soopers around town but it wasn’t the same.”

The summer shutdown happened after asbestos was found in the store’s pickup and pharmacy flooring and adhesives. It was removed by a certified asbestos abatement contractor, according to a previous King Soopers news release.

“This has definitely been a different project for us,” said King Soopers spokeswoman Jessica Trowbridge.

“Remodels are always a ton of work — they inconvenience the customers, it’s challenging for associates, we move product around and the fact that we had to close the store and that just added an extra layer of challenge, but I think it also created extra excitement for reopening the store and bringing everybody back in to their home store.”

The store is open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. While many associates returned to the location, Trowbridge said King Soopers is “always hiring.”

It looks like Colorado Springs will get 350 new manufacturing jobs by the end of next year. The city announced Monday that the Swiss solar company Meyer Burger is opening a new “high performance” solar cell manufacturing facility in town.

The company will move into a former semiconductor fabrication plant where they will manufacture solar cells used in solar modules, panels, and arrays. According to Meyer Burger, the cells made in Colorado Springs will directly supply a separate production facility in Arizona.

“Meyer Burger’s technologies are found in most solar modules produced worldwide, and their decision to locate in Colorado Springs adds to our growing advanced manufacturing sector," said Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer, president & CEO of the Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corporation. "The new Colorado Springs footprint will be Meyer Burger’s first site in the Western Hemisphere to manufacture the chips and wafers that power cutting-edge solar technology.”

A press release from the city says workers will be paid an annual wage of nearly $80,000, about $18,000 more than the average for El Paso County last year. Positions include operators, engineers, and maintenance personnel.

Meyer Burger says “more than 80 percent of the purchasing volume for the company’s German production plant came from local suppliers." A similar commitment will be in place in Colorado Springs, according to a press release.

Governor Jared Polis also weighed in on the news.

"Colorado's strong economy and business-friendly environment continues to attract companies to move and grow here,” he said in a statement, adding that the expansion will further position the state as a leader in the cleantech industry.

According to the governor's office, Colorado is currently fourth in the nation for its concentration of cleantech employment, with the industry having a $4.6 billion economic impact each year. Employment in the sector grew 10 percent over the last two years, directly employing 62,000 people.

“Meyer Burger is currently working on additional multi-gigawatt offtake agreements in the U.S. with new customers,” said Gunter Erfurt, Meyer Burger CEO. “We are already exploring opportunities to add further solar cell and module production capacity in the country.”

The company has received its fair share of incentives from city, state, and federal entities.

In a press release on the Meyer Burger website, a list of incentives includes an eligible sum of $1.4 billion as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, a $90 million package from the city and state, and an anticipated $300 million loan from the Department of Energy.

Meyer Burger says they’re planning to have their “Made in USA” solar cells pumping out of Colorado Springs by the fourth quarter of 2024.

As internet technology continues to evolve -- with providers like T-Mobile rapidly expanding its 5G service -- and people are always looking to save money, it's important to know your options. If you're in the market for internet service in Colorado Springs, Colorado, you'll find several plans that vary in availability and cost.

While many top-rated internet service providers aren't yet available in Colorado Springs, there are still several to choose from (at good prices and decent speeds). Popular internet service providers like Xfinity and CenturyLink come in clutch for plenty of customers in this area, with Xfinity earning our nod as the best overall ISP in Colorado Springs.

Find out what Colorado Springs offers so you can decide which internet service provider is best for you.

Best internet providers in Little London

Colorado Springs has a handful of top options for internet, but four stand out from the rest. Here are your best choices for overall service, fiber, fixed wireless and budget-friendly.

Note: The prices, speeds and features detailed in the article text may differ from those listed in the product detail cards, which represent providers’ national offerings. Your particular internet service options -- including prices and speeds -- depend on your address and may differ from those detailed here.

Best internet provider in Colorado Springs, CO

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Comcast's Xfinity is a widely available and reliable internet service provider for Colorado Springs. Because of its availability, a vast range of plans to choose from and some lower-priced options, it's the best overall choice for Colorado Springs.

Or call to learn more: (877) 498-5506

Check with Xfinity

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Best fiber internet in Colorado Springs, CO

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Quantum Fiber (formerly known as CenturyLink's fiber service) is one of only a few fiber options in town. And while locals will see many CenturyLink options, not everything available is fiber. Look for Quantum Fiber specifically if you're after fiber service.

Or call to learn more: (877) 609-6623

Check with Quantum

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Best fixed wireless in Colorado Springs, CO

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T-Mobile's home internet offering is growing rapidly, and though it's not widely available across Colorado Springs, it's a good option if you can get it.

Or call to learn more: (877) 687-6988

Check with T-Mobile

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Best cheap internet in Colorado Springs, CO

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Though Rise Broadband may not be the absolute cheapest internet option (that goes to Xfinity's Connect tier), it is a great budget-friendly option for those who live just outside the city limits of Colorado Springs.

Or call to learn more: (877) 458-9550

Check with Rise

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Source: CNET analysis of provider data

All available Colorado Springs residential internet providers

Colorado Springs has quite a few options for internet service providers, though many of the smaller companies offer service to only a few areas. Many of them are also a bit pricey, but if you value a small business, there are some to choose from.

Pricing info on Colorado Springs home internet service

You'll find decent deals on your internet in Colorado Springs. Based on our calculations, the average starting price is about $44 per month, with a handful of providers offering plans starting even lower than that.

Cheap internet options in the Colorado Springs area

Xfinity clocks in with the lowest price available (plus, it's a good value when looking at price per Mbps), but some internet service providers may offer an even better deal. If you qualify for a low-cost internet plan through the Affordable Connectivity Program, you can save $30 monthly (up to $75 per month on tribal lands) on your internet.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data

Fastest internet providers in Colorado Springs

Xfinity has the second-fastest median download speed nationwide, so it's no surprise it's the fastest internet service provider you can get in Colorado Springs. Most internet speeds in this area are under 100Mbps, especially if you're on a budget. However, you'll find download speeds up to 2,000Mbps if you want to spend a little more money.

Colorado Springs isn't exactly known for its superfast internet speeds -- only a few internet service providers offer speeds over 940Mbps (and only one has a multi-gigabit plan). That being said, the prices are moderate for these fast speeds.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data

What's the final word on internet providers in Colorado Springs?

Colorado Springs offers a wide variety of internet options, whether you're living in a rural area and need a satellite provider or living downtown looking for a fiber connection. With prices starting at just $20 a month, there's a little something for everyone. Xfinity offers the widest variety with the lowest prices and highest speeds, but local companies like PCI Broadband or Stratus IQ are hanging in there as contenders.

How CNET chose the best internet providers in Colorado Springs

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So what’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.

But it doesn’t end there. We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we’re considering every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. To evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP's service, we look at sources including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of the time of publication.

Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:

While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend.

To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.

Internet providers in Colorado Springs FAQs

The following is a lighthearted look at some staple Colorado Springs businesses. Some have opened in the past 20 years. Some first opened back in the mid-1900s. Either way, take a look at why they all play a part in making Colorado Springs "weird" in their own way.

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Leechpit Records & Vintage has been keeping Colorado Springs "lame" for about 20 years. Ran by the Leech family, the store is full of decades-old items in mint condition. Their store is a dream come true for any toy collector, music enthusiast, vintage-clothing lover, band T-shirt wearer, and everyone in-between. It's hard to leave the store empty handed.

The unusually named business CO.A.T.I. Uprise, new to Tejon Street, is the brain child of the Atlas Restaurant group that their website says is meant to embody the spirit of the coati, known for its rebellious spirit that Atlas says mirrors Colorado Springs. The result of many conceptions is an industrial-style building with exposed brick and metal beams with colorful neon and natural lighting. A large entryway opens to a deconstructed food hall that spans the first and second floors. There are two bars and a stage to boot. Their weekly events are the best way to experience CO.A.T.I. Uprise in all its weird glory.

The penny arcade ("Arcade Amusements, Inc.) in Manitou Springs is unlike any other attraction in Colorado. It started as a bingo parlor in the 1930s named "Bingo Jack's." But when laws restricted bingo, the parlor transformed into an arcade. Today, several buildings, including the Bingo Jack's parlor, house hundreds of games. Some are a century year old, appealing to the young and old while drawing both locals and tourists.

In 1973, Leon Gardner wanted to make a "living monument" to pizza based on his very own “mountain lore.” The lore tells the story of Fargo and Sophia- star-crossed lovers who opened an Italian restaurant 100 years ago, introducing pizza to the Colorado territory. To accompany the story, a peculiar mix of Victorian Era decadence and Wild West folksiness covers the building - a mismatch of authentic and handcrafted pieces that makes Fargo’s Pizza Co. a distinguishable business. Nothing says weird like Fargo and Sophia wax figures sitting at a table on a second-floor balcony in the full view of customers, a self-playing piano, and magic mirrors that display ticket order numbers.

As the name "Cronk Arts & Curiosities" suggests, this shop is anything but normal. From the red velvet couch, curious things like a live tarantula and a double-faced baby doll encased in glass can be seen. Cronk Arts & Curiosities may be too weird for some, but those who are fans of the curious are sure to enjoy what they have to offer and feel right at home.

A single building in downtown Colorado Springs contains four businesses of Richard Skorman: Poor Richard's Book Store and Gift Store, Rico's Café, Little Richard's Toy Store and Poor Richard's restaurant. The four-in-one location makes what is collectively known as Poor Richard's Downtown a rare site and a unique experience. Whether you go to only one or all four, you are sure to leave pleased.

The Novis Mortem Collective specializes in entomological fine art, specimens, and taxidermy, which are three products that don't typically go together. But the Collective's products combine the weird with the beautiful, using bright blue butterflies and Edison lightbulbs to create whimsical conversation pieces that brighten any space or make an intriguing gift.

Weird perfectly describes this casual fine dining establishment that’s a local and out-of-towner favorite, The Rabbit Hole. They encourage you to “come as you are” to dine on rabbit meatloaf and buffalo ribs, which are two of its menu favorites. One of the most intriguing aspects of the restaurant is its location- underground. Patrons descent into "the rabbit hole," entering through a subway-style doorway for a dining experience unlike any other.