It’s that time of year when the days are shorter and our time outside is seemingly all the more precious. To beat the sun setting over the Front Range, we must look to shorter trails.
Trails such as these — easy to reach and offering variety in different parts of Colorado Springs:
Mesa Trail, Palmer Park
Popular among dog walkers, this is the wide path looping the top of the rocky wilds east of the city’s core. From the Yucca Flats parking lot, Mesa Trail roams above the rock, touring meadows with clear views of the mountains and plains. With more time, one ventures off for Templeton Trail. ~2 miles
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South Blodgett Loop, Blodgett Open Space
The well-marked South Blodgett Loop starts from the parking lot about a mile south of the open space’s main lot, at 3786 W. Woodmen Road. At last visit, we started uphill on the wide path to views of the open space’s namesake peak. The route descends on a single-track trail through hilly woods, looking out to the city lights that start to twinkle around dusk. ~2 miles
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Pulpit Rock Trail
The white, throne-like promontory just east of Interstate 25 has gotten more accessible in recent years. That’s thanks to a well-defined trail that gently rises along its flanks to the summit, where Pikes Peak looms large. The small parking lot is off North Nevada Avenue, behind the BMW dealership. ~2 miles out and back
Scotsman Loop, Garden of the Gods
Here’s a quick way to admire the signature beauty of the Garden on dirt rather than the sidewalk in the center of the park. From the Scotsman Picnic Area — the parking lot numbered 13 along the park road — the trail rises to views of the Gateway rocks and Pikes Peak. ~1 mile
Quail Lake
It’s best enjoyed before the lake freezes, when the water reflects Cheyenne Mountain and the foothills looming over the city’s south side. The sunsets are splendid. A combination of dirt and pavement loops around the lake. ~1 mile
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Organizers for the Pikes Peak or Bust Parade announced on Friday, June 19, that due to a lack of resources, the parade has been canceled.
Originally scheduled for July 11 in Downtown Colorado Springs, parade organizers said they could not secure the resources needed to produce the event at the level the community deserves.
“We know many of you were looking forward to the parade, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who offered their time, support, sponsorship, and enthusiasm,” said organizers.
While the parade will no longer be taking place on July 11, organizers said the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo will return on July 14 through July 18, and tickets remain on sale.
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Organizers hope to see the Colorado Springs community at the rodeo, and they remain hopeful that the beloved tradition can return in the future.
Denver Post writers have explored Colorado’s many corners and offer ways to find fun, relaxation or something new for summer. Take a look at how you can expand your possibilities this season if you’re keeping travel close to home this year.
In the mountains
Colorado’s 10 most popular hikes, according to AllTrails
Colorado waterfall hike: Copeland Falls best this time of year in early morning
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This hiking trail near Red Rocks will help you get in shape for 14er season
Gorgeous Colorado hike reopens this summer with new rules for hiking, camping, human waste
An Estes Park getaway can be about more than just the outdoors
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Camping
Gorgeous Colorado hike reopens this summer with new rules for hiking, camping, human waste
Forest service now charging $20 for dispersed camping in Homestake Valley
Within driving distance
These adult summer retreats can help Coloradans escape burnout
Big balloons will rise above Colorado’s heat this summer; watch ’em soar or take a ride
Looking for beach vibes? Here’s where to find them in landlocked Colorado
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Movie-theater hotel adds vintage Airstreams, Quonset huts in San Luis Valley
Sleep in a treehouse, hike with llamas, stargaze and more summer whimsy
Pick your own flowers at these farms and garden centers in Colorado
Is city fishing safe? Yes, experts say, but there are updated guidelines to follow.
Big balloons will rise above Colorado’s heat this summer; watch ’em soar or take a ride
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Here’s where to fish with kids near Denver
Summer fun
Biodegradable pickleballs, size-inclusive skorts made in Colorado and other sports gear we love
More women are playing padel than ever — and for good reason
Meet the Boulder dogs cast in this summer’s Colorado Shakespeare Festival
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Gravel biking events are a hot commodity in Colorado this summer
Want to get off your phone? Learn blacksmithing or floral design at these Colorado classes and makerspaces.
Beyond Colorado
10 tree-house hotels in the U.S. for you to commune with nature in comfort
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Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders has an overall record of 16-21 since taking over in Boulder prior to the 2023 season.
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Where does Coach Prime rank among Big 12 coaches entering the 2026 college football season?
Deion Sanders No.15 in Big 12 Coach Rankings
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Nov 23, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Colorado head coach Deion Sanders watches the run of play during the 3rd quarter between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Colorado Buffaloes at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images | Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images
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On3 ranked all 16 Big 12 head football coaches heading into 2026. Deion Sanders is ranked No.15, only ahead of Kansas State Wildcats coach Collin Klein. This will be Klein’s first year as Wildcats head coach. He is a former Kansas State quarterback was most recently the offensive coordinator for the Texas A&M Aggies.
A top this ranking at No. 1 is BYU Cougars coach Kalani Sitake. Sitake has been at the helm for the Cougars since 2016. He has accumulated an overall record of 84-45. In four of Sitake’s 10 seasons with BYU, he has led them to double digit wins.
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Dec 27, 2025; Orlando, FL, USA; BYU Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake works out prior to the game at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Here is the entire ranking:
1. Kalani Sitake, BYU Cougars 2. Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State Wildcats 3. Joey McGuire, Texas Tech Red Raiders 4. Sonny Dykes, TCU Horned Frogs 5. Willie Fritz, Houston Cougars 6. Lance Leipold, Kansas Jayhawks 7. Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia Mountaineers 8. Eric Morris, Oklahoma State Cowboys 9. Brent Brennan, Arizona Wildcats 10. Dave Aranda, Baylor Bears 11. Scott Satterfield, Cincinatti Bearcats 12. Morgan Scalley, Utah Utes 13. Scott Frost, UCF Knights 14. Jimmy Rogers, Iowa State Cyclones 15. Deion Sanders, Colorado Buffaloes 16. Collin Klein, Kansas State Wildcats
Is 15th a fair ranking for Coach Prime?
What stands out right away from this is a first time collegiate head coach is ahead of Sanders, Morgan Scalley. While Sanders’ team struggled in 2025, it would be hard to rank him behind Scalley.
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CU football head coach Deion Sanders, or Coach Prime, watches his team warm up before the game against CSU in the Rocky Mountain Showdown at Canvas Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colo. | Cris Tiller/For the Coloradoan / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
When Sanders was hired, the Buffaloes were coming off a one-win 2022 season. It was a controversial hire, as Sanders’ collegiate coaching experience came at the FCS level with Jackson State. The Coach Prime era in Boulder got off to a great start.
In 2023, Colorado began the season 3-0. It got going with a stunning season opening upset on the road against the defending national runner-up TCU Horned Frogs. The Buffs won their next two games against the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Colorado State Rams to get to 3-0.
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They hosted ESPN’s College GameDay for their in-state rivalry game against Colorado State. The country had their eyes on what Sanders had cooking. This undefeated came to a screeching halt with a road loss to Oregon. Colorado ended up losing eight of their final nine games to end with a record of 4-8. While the end was dissapoitning, it was still three more wins than the previous season.
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2024 a major turnaround. The Buffs went 9-3 and made the Alamo Bowl. Buffs’ wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter won the 2024 Heisman Trophy and quarterback Shedeur Sanders was named 2024 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.
2025 was more of what 2023 was. The Buffs went 3-9, missing a bowl game for the second time in three seasons. Will they get back to a bowl in 2026?
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