National Plan for Vacation Day 2021

January 20, 2021 By Claire Garlick Leave a Comment

January 26th is 2021’s National Plan For Vacation Day – make plans now to visit Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region!

Here are just a few ways taking your paid time off helps make you a better employee, person, and economic contributor:

National Plan for Vacation Day, celebrated on the last Tuesday of January, is a day to encourage Americans to plan their time off.

Each year, Americans fail to use 705 million vacation days, and with those days, $255 billion in economic opportunity is lost. That’s why the U.S. Travel Association launched Project: Paid Time Off, an initiative to prove the personal, professional, economic, and social benefits that taking time off can deliver.

Sometimes, planning is the hardest part of actually using your vacation. U.S. Travel has made it easier than ever with their new calendar tool. Plug in your annual days off, book your mountain getaways and family reunions all at once and then export the file to your Outlook Calendar to share with friends and family.

Looking to visit Colorado Springs in 2021? Here are a few things to get excited for:

1. Boutique hotel Kinship Landing, a concept dedicated to bringing travelers and locals together around city and outdoor exploration, is opening in early 2021.

2. Southwest Airlines is coming in for landing March 11 at our hometown airport, bringing even more flight and route options to inbound and outbound travelers.

3. In late spring, The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway reopens with a new track, trains, depot and cog. Advance tickets are now available for this one-of-a-kind journey.

4. The new Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center is slated to open this summer, featuring interpretive exhibits, a new gift shop and café and, of course, the world-famous summit donuts.

5. Weidner Field and Robson Arena will open later this year, providing unique venues with both indoor and outdoor spaces for hosting events and sports groups.

Article originally published at https://www.visitcos.com/events-calendar/annual/plan-for-vacation-day/.

Manitou Fruitcake Toss this Month

January 13, 2021 By Claire Garlick Leave a Comment

The fruitcakes will fly once again in downtown Manitou Springs!

Join in for some old-fashioned tossing of those maybe not so beloved holiday desserts. There will also be a fruitcake costume competition, libations and a fruitcake bake-off!

Non-perishable food item suggested for donation to go to the local food bank. Cakes are available for rent for $1 per cake.

EVENT INFORMATION

When: January 23, 2021
Time: 1 pm – 3 pm
Where: Manitou Springs Memorial Park
Cost: One non-perishable food item is suggested for attendance. All food items will be donated to a Manitou Springs food bank.

EVENTS FOR ALL AGES

Hand Toss Distance
Accuracy
Speed
Best “Balance”
Robotic, mechanical, 3-man slingshot toss for distance

Prizes for all events will be awarded as well as an overall winner.

TOO GOOD TO TOSS FRUITCAKE BAKE -OFF

Although participants will be tossing the traditional cakes, there will also be a fruitcake bake-off. Local bakers will compete for the title of Fruitcake King or Queen as determined by the community. Winners will be based off who makes the best organic, non-GMO, natural fruitcakes. For more information, email Fruitcaketoss@gmail.com.

HISTORY OF THE MANITOU SPRINGS FRUITCAKE TOSS

This one-of-a-kind event, where enthusiasts traveled from all over to compete for trophies and bragging rights, has been a community highlight for more than 22 years. The great fruitcake toss is the event of the winter season as the hapless dessert is launched into space with a variety of mechanical and pneumatic devices.

Competitions have included the Hand Toss, Kid’s Toss, Launch, Pneumatic Gun or Canon, Team Catch or Accuracy division. The cost of competing is simply a non-perishable food item, to be donated to the Westside Cares food bank.

For more information, visit their website.

Article originally published at https://www.visitcos.com/events-calendar/annual/fruitcake-toss/.

Want to Cut Down Your Own Christmas Tree?

December 2, 2020 By Claire Garlick Leave a Comment

National Forests in Colorado now have Christmas Tree Permits available through Recreation.gov.

Whether you’re carrying on a beloved family tradition or creating a new one, make memories that will last a lifetime and support the health of forests across the Centennial State this holiday season.

What are you waiting for! Cue the holiday tunes, pour yourself some cocoa, find a forest near you, and get your Christmas Tree Permit today!

🎄 THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

Please follow all the rules of the national forest where you purchase your permit. Some have very specific instructions for the size of tree you can cut down, and the areas where you can find a tree.
You won’t find a perfectly manicured tree like you would at a Christmas tree lot. Be prepared for more of a “Charlie Brown” style tree.
Be aware that you can only be on National Forest land. It can sometimes be difficult to know where National Forest ends and private property begins.
Due to the recent mountain pine beetle epidemic, before you head into the forest to cut your Christmas tree, look up – look down – look around! Avoid standing dead trees. Stay out of recently burned areas. Be aware that trees can fall at any time and use extra caution on windy days.

🎄 PLAN YOUR TRIP

Permits are only available through recreation.gov or in-person through local vendors. (See below for links to purchase permits).
Cell service may be spotty or unavailable. Be sure someone knows where you are and when to expect you back.
Check the latest weather conditions, forest warnings, and road closures before you leave on your trip.
Bring a map with you. Don’t rely on GPS because it may not be up-to-date with forest service roads.
Dress warmly and take extra dry clothes. Expect winter weather, including cold temperatures, snow, and winds.
Roads may not be plowed. Four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive are recommended. Carry tire chains, a shovel, and a tow chain.
Be sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas.
Bring a spare key and give it to someone else in your party. Don’t get locked out of your car!
Bring plenty of food and water with you as well as an overnight survival kit in case you become stranded.
Park in areas so that traffic can safely pass, and do not block gates.
Start your day early. Be sure to find your tree and leave the woods before dark. Plan to return to your vehicle by 3:00 pm.
We don’t recommend bringing your pets but, if you do, they must be on a leash.
Bring masks for everyone in your party and be sure to wear them if you may be within 6 feet of another group.

🎄 GET A PERMIT

Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests : Christmas tree permits are on sale now through January 6, 2021, for the Sulphur Ranger District only.

White River National Forest (Between Eagle and Glenwood Springs): Unlimited Permits, available now

Pike and San Isabel National Forest

South Platte Ranger District (closest to Denver): Dated permits required 10/15-12/31, some permits still available (these go quick and start early!)
Pikes Peak Ranger District (closest to Colorado Springs): Permits available 11/27-12/16
South Park Ranger District (near Fairplay): Unlimited permits, most of the district open for cutting. Permits available 10/15-12/31
Leadville Ranger District (near Leadville): Permits available 11/20 – 12/31.
The Salida Ranger District is located in the heart of Colorado along the Continental Divide surrounding the communities of Salida and Buena Vista. Permits available 11/20 – 12/31.
The San Carlos Ranger District includes the Sangre De Cristo Mountains, the Wet Mountains and the Spanish Peaks. Permits available 11/20 – 12/31.

🎄 FREE TREES FOR 4TH GRADERS

The Forest Service is offering fourth grade students with an “Every Kid Outdoors” pass or voucher a free Christmas tree cutting permit. To learn more about the “Every Kid Outdoors” program or to obtain a voucher, please visit www.everykidoutdoors.gov for more information.

Article originally published at https://coloradosprings.macaronikid.com/articles/5fbe83e1b4a10574d581e4ed/want-to-cut-down-your-own-tree?-christmas-tree-permits-available-now.