Colorado Springs and CONO Opening Weekend Recap
Colorado Springs officially launched the 1,000 Neighborhood Gatherings initiative this weekend on May 18, 2024. Mayor Yemi, Governor Polis, Councilmembers David Leinweber, Nancy Henjum, Michelle Talarico, and Senator Tony Exum helped launch the initiative this weekend at three incredible gatherings.
Stop #1: Kimberly Gold’s Lunch
CONO’s Board Member, Kimberly Gold’s home, a military spouse (not just any military spouse – the National Military Spouse of the Year for U.S. Army!) in Southeast COS, where Kimberly was able to talk about the importance of community and neighbors. Kimberly has moved dozens of times, and currently, her husband is deployed, both of which can be isolating. She was able to speak so well about the impact community can make on military residents.
Stop #2: Silver Key Connection Cafè Potluck
Silver Key’s Connection café near Patty Jewett, where about 50 seniors joined in on a potluck lunch. Many seniors live alone, and Silver Key works hard to help connect seniors, especially while the Senior Center is being remodeled. It was a special event and included an 87-year-old woman who was all on board.
Stop #3: Kelly Bull’s Beautification Project
A beautification project by CONO’s Interim Executive Director, Kelly Bull, where she and her neighbors helped completely remodel her neighbor’s yard to be water-wise, edible, and include regenerative gardening practices. It is the third house in a row on the street that has implemented these practices, as she works to create a whole street making for a more sustainable neighborhood.
The group had a Mountain Metro Transit mini-Zeb bus that helped transport everyone between stops, and they are so thankful to MMT for helping make for a fun spin on the roadshow.
Overall, Colorado Springs had more than a dozen gatherings this weekend, including some churches (Village Seven Presbyterian Church and Waypoint Church) that also had different gatherings. We are up to 120+ registrations and have begun shipping our gift boxes to registrants. If you hear of someone hosting a gathering, please make sure they register!
