July is one of the best months to be in Colorado Springs. The weather is warm, the mountains are green, and the city is packed with events and activity. Whether you already live here or are thinking about making a move, this roundup covers the new openings, community developments, and real estate trends you should know about heading into mid-summer 2026.

Big New Openings in 2026

Colorado Springs has seen some exciting new additions this year that are changing how residents live, play, and dine:

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo — 100th Anniversary. The zoo is celebrating its centennial in 2026 with special events, exhibits, and even free daytime admission at select times. It is a milestone year for one of the city's most beloved attractions, perched on the side of Cheyenne Mountain with some of the best wildlife views in the state.
Surf Shack Indoor Wave Pool. A brand-new indoor FlowRider Double wave pool has opened in the Northgate area near Topgolf. It is the first of its kind in the region and gives families, teens, and adventure-seekers a way to surf year-round — a unique amenity that adds to the Northside lifestyle appeal.
New Air Force Academy Visitor Center. A new visitor center at the Academy is now open, making it easier for residents and tourists alike to experience one of Colorado Springs' most iconic landmarks.
The Blue Star Reopens. The beloved Ivywild restaurant has reopened its doors, bringing back a community favorite in one of the city's most charming neighborhoods.
New Dining Options. Angelo's Taverna and Carboy Winery opened in late June in northern Colorado Springs, bringing Italian dining and a craft winery experience to the area. Homegrown Tap and Dough, a popular Denver-based chain, is opening its first Colorado Springs location in the former Jose Muldoon's spot. L&L Hawaiian Barbecue has also opened a new location at Broadmoor Towne Center, and Por Favor Tacos & Tragos is expanding with a second Springs location.

These openings matter beyond just food and entertainment. They signal continued investment in Colorado Springs as a city that is growing not just in population, but in quality of life. When national and regional brands choose to open locations here, it reflects the economic strength and demographic appeal of the market.

July Events to Put on Your Calendar

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb just wrapped its 104th running on June 21, and the summer event calendar is only getting started. Here is what is happening in July:

Star Spangled Symphony & July 4th Fireworks — Colorado Springs' signature Independence Day celebration at The Broadmoor World Arena and throughout downtown. Expect live music, community festivities, and an extra-large fireworks display.
Broadmoor Traditions Fine Art Festival (July 4–5) — A juried fine art show at The Colorado Springs School featuring dozens of regional artists. A wonderful way to spend the holiday weekend.
Cinch Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo (early July) — PRCA rodeo action, concerts, and community events at Norris Penrose Event Center. A classic Colorado Springs tradition.
Manitou Chamber Music Festival (July 12–26) — World-class classical performers in intimate Manitou Springs venues, now in their 13th season.
First & Main Summer Concert Series — Free live music on Friday evenings in June and July at First & Main Town Center. A great way to enjoy the long summer evenings.
Downtown Concert Series at Acacia Park — Free concerts on Thursday evenings throughout the summer in the heart of downtown.
Banning Lewis Ranch Concert Series — Family-friendly concerts with food trucks, running weekly through the summer at the community's outdoor event space.
Summer Night Series in Old Colorado City — Free live music every Thursday evening in Bancroft Park, a neighborhood staple.

Infrastructure and What It Means for Homeowners

Several major infrastructure projects are underway or nearing completion in the Colorado Springs area, and they have real implications for property values and quality of life:

I-25 Improvements (Fillmore to Garden of the Gods) — CDOT is adding acceleration and deceleration lanes and reconstructing an aging bridge on I-25 over Ellston Street. Work began in late 2024 and is expected to be completed by early fall 2026. Once finished, this stretch will be significantly safer and more efficient for daily commuters and visitors heading to Garden of the Gods and the westside.
South Academy Boulevard Widening (MAMSIP) — A major Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program project is widening the southern 1.5 miles of Academy Boulevard from I-25 to Milton Proby Parkway. This improves access for military families commuting to Fort Carson and Peterson Space Force Base.
Powers Boulevard Extension — Final engineering is underway for extending Powers from Highway 83 to Voyager Parkway, with early construction activities beginning in 2026. This project will improve connectivity in the northeast corridor, where many of the city's fastest-growing communities are located.
Rock Island Trail Expansion — About 1.95 miles of new trail and a pedestrian bridge across Sand Creek are in the design phase, adding recreational access in the eastern corridor and connecting neighborhoods to the larger city trail network.
2C Road Improvements — The voter-approved road improvement program continues with significant paving projects across the city in 2025 and 2026.

For homeowners, these projects are a positive signal. They show that the city and state are investing in the infrastructure needed to support Colorado Springs' growth, and historically, infrastructure improvements correlate with rising property values in the affected corridors.

New Developments: Percheron and Continued Growth

One of the most notable new communities in the Colorado Springs area is Percheron, a brand-new master-planned community that welcomed its first residents in 2025. Located in the Falcon District 49 area, Percheron features a mixed-use village plan, five miles of trails, and 30 acres of parks — designed from the ground up as a walkable, amenity-rich community. It is already attracting buyers who want modern construction with a community-first design philosophy.

Meanwhile, established master-planned communities continue to release new phases:

Banning Lewis Ranch — One of the largest communities in the city continues expanding on the far east side with ongoing infrastructure and lot releases.
Wolf Ranch — A major source of new homes in the northeast (Academy District 20), with single-family and townhome options from multiple builders.
Cordera — Final phases in the Briargate corridor with move-up and semi-custom homes and active lifestyle amenities.
Sterling Ranch — Active development continues in the northern corridor.
Forest Lakes — A newer master-planned community in Monument with trails, lakes, and open space, starting in the mid-$700s.
The Farm — A community with open space, wetlands, and mountain views, with homes from the $700s to over $1 million.

On the multi-family side, the city approved several significant projects in 2025 that will add nearly 500 middle-class and affordable housing units to the downtown area, including Draper Commons Phase Two (185 units), Venture on Venetucci (336 units), and Sierra Junction Apartments (368 units). These projects are part of a broader effort to increase housing options and affordability in the urban core.

Looking Ahead: Back-to-School and Fall Events

As summer winds down, several important milestones are on the horizon:

School starts mid-to-late August — Academy District 20 and District 49 typically begin in the second or third week of August. Both districts are investing in new school facilities, with Academy District 20 recently receiving a $42.7 million federal grant to rebuild Douglass on the Air Force Academy. New school zones are also being installed at 21 schools across the city to improve pedestrian safety.
Pioneer Rodeo & Demolition Derby (August 14–16) — PRCA rodeo action at Norris Penrose Event Center with concerts and community events.
Rocky Mountain Flower Fest & Tacos and Tequila Festival (August 8) — A doubleheader weekend with a flower festival and a food-and-drink celebration in downtown Colorado Springs.
Cycle to the Summit (August 8) — The annual bicycle race up Pikes Peak. One of the most unique athletic events in the state.
Colorado Day (August 1) — Statewide celebrations marking Colorado's admission to the Union.

And as fall approaches, look for the return of the Miner's Pumpkin Patch at the Western Museum of Mining & Industry, Pumpkins in the Park, the Festival of Lights Parade in December, Skate in the Park at Acacia Park (opening mid-November through January), and the Old Colorado City Holiday Tree Lighting.

What This Means for the Real Estate Market

All of this activity — new restaurants, major attractions turning 100, infrastructure investment, new master-planned communities, and a packed events calendar — paints a clear picture: Colorado Springs is a city on the move.

The real estate market remains balanced and favorable for buyers, with the average sale price at $577,202 and over 3,600 active listings. But the lifestyle and economic factors driving demand here are not slowing down. If you have been considering a move to Colorado Springs, or if you are already here and thinking about your next step, the current market conditions combined with the city's trajectory make this an excellent time to act.

For buyers: You have options, negotiating room, and time to find the right home. New construction communities are actively releasing phases with builder incentives, and the resale market has more inventory than it has had in years. Take advantage of that while the market favors thoughtful decision-making.

For sellers: The community investment and population growth happening here continue to support strong property values. Homes that are well-priced, well-presented, and marketed effectively are still selling. If you are considering selling, let's look at the data together and build a strategy that works for your timeline.

Curious about what your home is worth in today's market, or ready to start your search? Contact me today and I will pull the data you need. Thank you, talk to you soon!

What's New in Colorado Springs: July 2026 Roundup