Standard Stuff
Fort Carson
Peterson AFB
Air Force Academy
Schriever Space Force Base
Buckley Space Force Base
Fun Stuff
Biking in Colorado Springs Area
The Warner Group’s Favorite Mountain Biking Spots: We love riding in Ute Valley Park the most because it has all variety of trails and not a ton of climbing. For a bit more technical action we love to go to Palmer Park. You will find all the technical trails, big drops and beautiful views there. For big climbs check out Stratton Open Space and Red Rock Canyon. They both have amazing trails, spectacular views, and bomber downhills. These trails are not too technical, but they will leave you with burning lungs and a smile for the rest of the day.
My favorite MTB APP for Colorado is MTBProject. Its free and shows all the best trails maps all over the state and it works without cell reception.
Palmer Park
Ute Valley Park
Red Rocks Open Space
Cheyenne Mountain State Park
Stratton Open Space
Ski Passes
Our favorite three ski passes are the Epic Pass, Monarch Mountain and Ikon Pass. All
three offer military discounts. The Epic Military Pass is from Vail Resorts.
In the Rockies, the Epic pass covers:
-
- Vail, CO
- Beaver Creek, CO
- Breckenridge, CO
- Keystone, CO
- Park City, UT
- Crested Butte, CO
The Monarch Pass is great for families with Kiddos and those that don’t like long lines.
More Info…
The Monarch Mountain Pass Covers Unlimited days at Monarch and 3 days at many others
to include Copper, Loveland, Cooper, Arapaho Basin, Angel Fire, Sunlight and Many
More.
OHV (Off Highway) ATV areas
Rainbow Falls
It is 33 miles from my place on the west side of Colorado Springs. Head up HWY 24 towards Woodland Park and turn right (north) on HWY 67. Continue for about 11 miles until you see the Rainbow Falls OHV area on the right side of the road. There is a large parking area to down load your OHVs, or to just “tailgate” with your buddies after a day of riding/Jeeping/4x4ing (or because we are in Colorado-Subaruing-if that even is a thing). There are all sorts of trails in that area and all sorts of difficulty ratings.
Rainbow Falls – Colorado Motorcycle and ATV Trails
This part of the Pike National Forest offers about 20 miles of smooth and fast motorized trails. Most of the terrain is hard packed but there are some challenging sections with rugged climbs.. Most of the trails can be explored in a 4×4 but there are a few wide enough for ATVs.
North Divide Trail System
It is about the same distance from Colorado Springs as Rainbow falls. Instead of going north on HWY 67, just continue straight through Woodland Park. Continue about 8 miles to Divide and turn north on teller County Rd 5. Drive about three miles or so until the signs for the National Forest boundary are crossed. There is a parking lot there to download and start riding!
Divide Trail System
Colorado Motorcycle and ATV Trails ATV, UTV rentals and guided tours can be found in nearby Divide and Woodland Park. This trail system is open year-round, but check with the Forest Service during the winter months for current conditions before heading out.
Rampart Range Road trail system
There are several entrances to the system, from all directions. From Colorado Springs, we usually go through Woodland Park and turn right at the McDonald’s as you come into town. Follow that road out of town until you go past the water treatment plant. Then just follow the signs to get onto Rampart Range Rd. After a few miles, you will come into the area where OHV trails follow along the side of the road, or just find a spot and ride! There is a variety of trails in that area and plenty of dispersed camping too!
This locals favorite has about 200 miles of ATV and motorcycle trails.
Breweries in Colorado
The Warner Group’s favorite breweries are:
Manitou Brewing Company
All of their beer is excellent here! My favorite is their flagship IPA called “HighGround IPA.” It’s full of flavor and just the right amount of bitterness. MBC is also a full bar with tons of local spirits and wines. They also have the best Chicken Wings and Truffle Fries in town! Their outside patio welcome your fuzzy friends and its located right downtown in Manitou Springs!
Bristol Brewery
Bristol Brewery is one of the oldest breweries in town. I remember when it was just a small hole in the wall and all they served is mixed chex mix and nuts with their beer. They now are in the renovated Ivy Wild Elementary School. Not only is their venue awesome but their beer is F**k’n awesome. Try their IPA on nitro! Bristol is also super involved in our community. You can see them at almost every outdoor event in the Springs! Beth also loved Bristol Brewery.
Cerberus Brewery
Cerberus not only makes a great Hazy IPA (one of my fav’s), but they also have AMAZING food. All of their brisket is smoked in house and they have killer truffle fries.
Red Leg Brewery
Red leg Brewing-redlegbrewing.com. Red Leg is a military owned local brewery and they have an awesome venue that is family friendly. Kids can play on turf lawn while the band plays. Tons of food options through
amazing food trucks! This is also one of Beth’s favorite places to chill with a pint.
The Warner Groups Favorite hike!
The Manitou Incline is absolutely the best and most popular hike in the Pikes Peak Region… The Incline is steep. It gains over 2,000 feet of elevation in less than one mile. The base of the Incline is located in Manitou Springs near the base of the Barr Trail and across the street from the Cog Railroad. It will let you know if you are out of shape or not. We recommend taking the Barr trail down when you get to the top. Make sure you don’t over dress and bring water. In the winter, be sure to bring some traction as the trail can be icy….especially the Barr trail on the way down. Due to COVID, you now have to reserve hiking times. Its Free!…but the earlier times fill up in the summer so plan a week out. Here is the link
See if you can beat some of The Warner Group’s Realtor’s best times:
Bobbi Kae Warner: 28:53
Sean Warner: 29:48
Michelle Haessly: 32:30
(Full disclosure… some of these times are from our younger stronger selves)
Dining
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
Jeremy likes to have some good food, drinks, and watch the game at Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery located on the east side of town off Powers Boulevard.
Beth’s top picks for brews and eats:
Colorado Craft
Mash Mechanic Brewing CO
Right downtown Colorado Springs! Great atmosphere and righteous brew!
Mackenzie’s Chop House
Looking for a good steak! Well, we are in Colorado and there are plenty of options. Check out Mackenzies Chop house. Great place for a first date or the 100th date! You won’t be disappointed.
Furniture Shopping
Need Furniture? Other than shopping online, there is one place that I always seem to find what I need.
American Furniture Warehouse (AFW)
Located right off I25 at 2805 N Chestnut St, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 (719) 633-4220. Search other places, but chances are you will end up right back here…
Furniture Row
Another good source, they are a little more pricy than AFW but they have high quality furniture and a bunch of great options.
Wanna Shoot? I do!!
Every once in a while I like to ensure that I can still get a good shot group. There are multiple places in the national forest to shoot for free (bullets excluded), but sometimes its just nice to be in a temperature controlled environment and not have to drive an hour or more to find that perfect spot in the woods. There are two gun clubs that most people use in the Colorado Springs area.
Whistling Pines
Ask when the next military special is because they often offer discounts around veteran’s day, memorial day, etc….
I shoot at Whistling Pines because well,…it’s close to where I live. They have multiple pistol and rifle ranges, offer a variety of training, are open to events and have a decent supply of ammo, guns and targets.
Whistling Pines has two locations. One on the west side of town, and one on the east side of town. The prices vary depending on if the membership is single, or family, and you’ll be paying $32/month. The east range has shotgun, and both ranges have pistol and 100yd indoor rifle. There are plenty of programs including date night (shooting and dinner), CCW classes, and action shooting courses available. (I am a member here-the west location is about five minutes from my house)
Magnum Shooting Center
Magnum Shooting Centers has two locations as well. One up north near the north gate entrance to the AFA, and one in the south about 10 minutes north of Fort Carson. Like Whistling Pines, there is a membership fee, and you will pay $32/month. The advantage over Whistling Pines is that Magnum has membership drives a few times a year where they will waive the fee and you just pay the monthly dues. Both locations are indoors and have 25yd and 100yd ranges for pistol and rifle. (Dan was a member at the north location, until Whistling Pines opened near my house)
Both Whistling Pines and Magnum have the same range systems to control your targets.
Cheyene Mountain Shooting Complex
Outside of Gate 20 from Fort Carson, this venture was put together in conjunction with Army MWR and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. It is an outdoor range with distances out to 1000m. It offers Skeet/trap shooting as well as some limited classes for beginners. Closed on monday to support LE range time, it is the cheapest option at $8/day for military, veterans, and family members. $10 for non-military. (I’ve shot here a bunch, it is great in the warmer weather)
Fort Carson Cheyenne Mountain Shooting Complex
The Cheyenne Mountain Shooting Complex is a 400 acre site that sits on Army land near I-25 just off mile marker 132. The entrance is located just outside Fort Carson’s Gate 20 security perimeter. Shooters using the range will not have to enter Fort Carson to use the range.
CrossFit and Gyms
So most towns have a ton of gyms, Colorado Springs is no exception. There are really good YMCA’s that are great for families and have really good facilities. I work out at two places CrossFit SOCO and VASA. I predominately do CrossFit and my favorite box is:
CrossFit SOCO
Located at 2320 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904. They have a great culture and promotes health and fitness. Their gym is set up for group WODs, Private Coaching and individual workouts. Its really good!
For regular Gyms I go to:
VASA
Its a big gym. They have a pool. They have CrossFit areas in addition to the normal stuff. Plus they have classes like spinning, aerobics and all that jazz…tanning booths also. Basically, all of your non-CrossTit stuff. The good news its only about $10 a month for their basic membership which does include the full gym and pool. The classes are extra.
