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Summer in El Paso County is synonymous with community traditions, and few events capture the spirit of the season quite like the El Paso County Fair and the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. Together, these longtime celebrations showcase the county's rich agricultural heritage, Western culture, and strong sense of community, offering families nearly two weeks of entertainment, education, and hometown pride. The 2026 El Paso County Fair returns to Calhan July 11-18, transforming the E

The sound of revving engines and the shine of polished chrome will once again fill Fountain as the annual Thunder in the Valley Car Show returns July 10-11 for one of the community's signature summer events. Now in its 22nd year, Thunder in the Valley has grown into a beloved tradition that draws hundreds of car enthusiasts and spectators from across Colorado. The nonprofit event celebrates automotive history while raising thousands of dollars each year to benefit local chari

Firefighters continue working to contain a wildfire burning in El Paso County just southwest of Cheyenne Mountain State Park as changing weather conditions create additional challenges. Officials have requested extra firefighting resources ahead of Wednesday's forecast, which includes strong winds, the potential for thunderstorms, and only a slight chance of rainfall. Gusty conditions could increase fire activity and make containment efforts more difficult, while lightning as

FOUNTAIN, Colo. - While many families across southern Colorado were celebrating Independence Day, firefighters were battling a fast-moving grass fire that had the potential to become something far more destructive. On Saturday, July 4, 2026, a wildfire ignited near Jordan Road and Old Pueblo Road south of Fountain, serving as another reminder that wildfire season doesn't take holidays. Fortunately for nearby residents, local emergency responders wasted no time. The Jordan Roa

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, it stands at a rare historical threshold- close enough to its founding to feel its origins still echo through daily life, yet far enough removed that its early struggles now read like distant chapters in a long, unfinished story. The Semiquincentennial is not just a commemoration of a date in 1776; it is a reflection on how a bold and fragile experiment in self-governance became a global example of democracy, expansion, c

El Paso County is preparing for a full slate of Independence Day celebrations this week, with events stretching across Colorado Springs, Fountain, and Fort Carson. While fireworks remain a centerpiece of the holiday for many, this year’s festivities are being shaped by heightened fire restrictions across the region, prompting officials and organizers to emphasize safe, community-centered celebrations. Fort Carson Freedom Fest Kicks Off Holiday Weekend One of the county’s larg

Colorado voters casted their ballots in Tuesday's primary election, narrowing the field for several statewide and local races that will appear on the November general election ballot. While many contests were decided quickly, others remained too close to call as election officials continued counting ballots Wednesday. One of the night's closest races came in the Republican primary for governor, where State Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer held a narrow lead over Victor Marx by roughly

For more than three decades, emergency calls across El Paso and Teller counties have been supported by a regional partnership designed to keep first responders connected, regardless of city or county lines. That partnership could soon look very different. The City of Colorado Springs has announced plans to withdraw from the El Paso-Teller County 911 Authority and establish its own city-run 911 authority beginning in 2027, a move city leaders say will allow more emergency comm

As Colorado prepares to celebrate its 150th birthday on Aug. 1, communities across the state are reflecting on the people, places and events that have defined the Centennial State for a century and a half. While Denver often takes center stage in Colorado's history, El Paso County has long played a pivotal role in shaping the state's identity. From the towering presence of Pikes Peak to the military installations that have become synonymous with national defense, El Paso Coun

As Colorado voters head to the polls for Primary Election Day today, many politically engaged Coloradans spent the weekend gathering in Castle Rock for the inaugural Rocky Mountain Voice Freedom Fest, a two-day event that brought together elected officials, media personalities, community members, and families for a variety of speakers, entertainment, and activities. Held June 26th-27th at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, the festival was organized by Rocky Mountain Voice as pa

Photo courtesy of the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, El Paso County officials are urging residents to put fire safety first after Stage II Fire Restrictions took effect Monday in response to increasingly dangerous wildfire conditions across Southern Colorado. Effective at 1 p.m. on June 29, El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal declared Stage II Fire Restrictions for all unincorporated areas of the county. The decision comes as Color

After six years of detours, frustration, and increased traffic on surrounding roadways, Southmoor Drive in Fountain has officially reopened to through traffic, restoring a critical east-west connection for residents and businesses on the city's west side. The reopening marks the end of one of Fountain's longest-running transportation disruptions. The roadway was originally closed in April 2020 after severe erosion along Fountain Creek threatened the stability of the road. Yea

For many Southern Colorado residents, this week felt like living in two different disasters at once. To the southeast of Fountain, smoke from the rapidly growing Hammer Fire filled the horizon as firefighters worked around the clock to contain thousands of acres of burning grassland. Mandatory evacuations forced families from their homes, roads were closed, and anxious residents watched updates, hoping shifting winds wouldn't send the fire closer to their neighborhoods. By we

The United States Men's National Team enters its final Group D match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday night against Turkey with momentum firmly on its side. After opening the tournament with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay and following it up with a 2-0 win over Australia, the Americans have already secured a place in the Round of 32. Thursday's match against Turkey offers an opportunity to maintain momentum and potentially lock down first place in Group D heading into the

Editor's Note: This is a complimentary article from the latest edition of The El Paso Journal. To enjoy exclusive local reporting, opinion pieces, and community coverage in every issue, subscribe today at elpaso-journal.com/subscribe. By Colorado House Representative Rebecca Keltie Public service is not something I ever viewed as a career path. It was a calling. Long before I took the oath of office as a member of the Colorado House of Representatives, I believed that leaders

Photo courtesy of the Fountain Valley Reporter. Source: Fountain Valley Reporter Facebook page. As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary in 2026, communities across the nation are beginning to reflect on the ideals, sacrifices, and achievements that have shaped our country for nearly two and a half centuries. In Fountain, city leaders recently took a meaningful step in recognizing this historic milestone by adopting a resolution commemorating America's

Residents across the Fountain Valley felt the summer heat in full force this week as temperatures climbed into the mid-to-upper 90s, with some locations in southern Colorado reaching record-setting levels. The National Weather Service issued heat advisories for portions of the region, and Fountain-area temperatures approached the upper 90s and near 100 degrees during the hottest part of the week. According to weather officials, Wednesday was one of the hottest days of the yea

Photo courtesy of KOAA News5. Source: KOAA News5. COLORADO SPRINGS — A collision involving a Colorado Springs Fire Department engine and a Bustang bus sent nine people to area hospitals Saturday morning and temporarily shut down a busy downtown intersection. The crash occurred shortly after 10 a.m. near the intersection of Bijou Street and Tejon Street. According to officials, the fire engine was responding to an emergency medical call when it became involved in the collision

Photo courtesy of News5. Source: News5 Photojournalist Carl Winder. A residential fire near the intersection of Marksheffel Road and Bonnie Cap Lane prompted a large emergency response Thursday evening, drawing assistance from multiple fire agencies across the region. Fire crews worked to bring the blaze under control, successfully extinguishing the fire by approximately 7:30 p.m. Officials reported that no firefighters were injured while battling the incident. One resident w

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. — An 18-year-old man is facing multiple felony charges after investigators say he fired shots at a residence in the Security-Widefield area last month, prompting an extensive investigation by the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. Deputies were dispatched to the 4400 block of Witches Hollow Lane on the evening of May 26 after receiving multiple reports of gunfire in the neighborhood. Upon arrival, law enforcement officers located a residence with its front