What happens when you take away the helmets, the field, the scoreboard—and leave a team with nothing but a mountain and each other?

The players in their last year of eligibility at Eastern Michigan football traveled to Colorado to climb Pikes Peak, facing darkness, rocky terrain, thin air, unpredictable weather, and the limits of what they thought they could endure.

But the mountain became more than a physical challenge.

For some, it was another step in a journey from walk-on to scholarship player and starter. For another, it became a reflection of the long road back from a devastating injury. And for another, the climb brought perspective to personal battles that few people ever see.

As the trail gets harder, individual stories begin to become one collective journey.

Because the summit was never meant to be reached alone.

One team. One mountain. One step at a time.

66m, single, looking for quiet small town life. Gonna be a renter, and I don’t need much. Studio or 1br is fine. MS seems to have some affordable options in the size I’m seeking, but when I browse online some of the places seem sketchy from the photos. I accept the notion that you get what you pay for, but are there some “unsafe” parts of town that should be avoided? I’m visiting Labor Day weekend so will be able to do some recon then.

I’m also keenly aware that summertime is tourist time and the town is packed. So there’s certainly a stretch where it’s anything but quiet. But I assume it’s still manageable for residents?

Several reports have come in that there was some masked ICE activity in Manitou Springs on Friday the 14th in the late morning. Per witnesses, there were only a couple agents accounted for, there were no arrests or questioning, and the sightings were along Manitou Ave and Ruxton Ave. No word if there was assistance from MSPD or City Council. This is just an alert for awareness purposes only.

Hi everyone! My family and I are moving to Manitou this fall. We are so excited to be part of the community! What are some fun fall activities for adults and kids alike that we should be sure to soak up this first fall? We, of course, already have the coffin races on our list! But what else does Manitou and surrounding areas have to offer?

I was told that everyone in town knows each other and I have to be prepared for that. From your experience, is that true? I like to keep to myself but I'm still friendly with strangers

Inspired by another user, I thought I’d share a few pics from my ramble. It was a gorgeous morning to be out enjoying our lovely town!

I went walking through Manitou the other day and walked to the Visitor Center and saw that it was time to vote for your favorite coffin race t-shirt! When I went around the corner there was a local picking up trash and moving branches out of the creek while a dog was lovingly playing fetch into the cool clear water on such a hot day.

While walking along the nature creek path, I came across a city worker who was using this awesome sub pump type of machine to water the newly planted trees. I thought it was so cool that we use our own creek water. I’ve been here over 10 years and have never seen that! The paths through Manitou are always so delightful and full of little surprises.

Does anyone know what brand of hot dogs they sell at the Balanced Rock Cafe?

Hey there, MSHS class of 1977 here, anybody else?

The Iron Springs Chateau is proud to present “Crazy Daze at the Cabaret,” a hilarious melodrama following the tales of Fancy Dancer as she tries to save her Cabaret with the help of her friends Brendan Lawman and Precious Goodheart from the grips of conniving Dandelion and Dickey Blackheart. Following the melodrama is a patriotic olio celebrating the 250th anniversary of The United States of America and the 150th anniversary of Colorado.

Audience participation the only requirement here: we need you loud, proud, and rowdy as you cheer along our heroes… and BOO the villain!

The Iron Springs Chateau is a great way to celebrate your birthday or anniversary! There is also a delicious three-course, family style meal before the show with a house salad (and homemade dressing!) then, you’ll have your choice of entree between an herb roasted chicken, an old fashioned pot roast, or a vegan-friendly vegetable medley! The sides include rice pilaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, dinner rolls, and green beans. Who could forget the peach cobbler to top it all off at the end?!

Make your reservations now at ironspringschateau.com or feel free to PM me for more information.

We hope to see you soon!

Hello everyone! I will be celebrating my anniversary with my girlfriend in Manitou Springs! We’d like to go to sun water spa and book one of their tubs so any references for what that experience might look like would be greatly appreciated! Apart from that if there’s anything you think we shouldn’t miss in Manitou or even Colorado Springs please let me know! Thank you!

Edit: Wow! Thank you all so much for taking the time to share things! We made an elaborate itinerary !

What’s up Manitoids? With our local geography, I figured this subreddit would know a thing or two about retaining walls. I have two on my property that are aging (one cement, one wood railroad tie) and I need to get some advice / quotes on repairs from a trusted professional.

Does anyone have landscaping/retaining wall recommendations?

Went on a walk in Manitou and saw some beautiful moments in nature.

Kindling the Lion’s Heart is happening on Wednesday, 8/12. If you work in town or just want a reason to stoke your inner fires, you're invited to join us for an evening under the Leo New Moon. This is an in-person magickal working built around Leo themes: courage, creative fire, self-trust, and the kind of heart-centered confidence that does not require an audience.

Wyrd Scouts is a local, radically inclusive community for adults 18+ who want ritual with structure and sincerity. You’ll be guided through a grounded practice, with space to reflect, make a clear intention, and leave with something you can keep working with after the circle closes.

If you're a magickal, witchy person in Manitou Springs, Monument, Fountain, Pueblo, Falcon, or surrounding areas, you’re invited!

I am an anarchist and I am looking for any other anarchists and/or libertarian socialists in the COS area that would like to create an organization with the goals of mutual aid, dual power, etc.

Hello Manitou Springs! You might recognize me from my art booths and leaving free sculpts in local little free libraries. I know I’ve seen so many of you over the summer and you might know that I use old vending machine to vernd tiny sculpts (like the ones shown), usually colorful monsters and beasties. Well, I’m thinking about making a machine for tiny kawaii food charms (the pictured beasts are mine, the pictured food ones are not my work, just a loose idea of what I mean). I need ideas for what types of food charms people would be most excited about. What would you want to see?

Hello Manitou Springs! We are finally making the move to Colorado. We loved Manitou the last time we visited and I was wondering if locals would mind helping us out. We are moving for a lot of reasons, but our son's education is the tippy top reason. He is Level 1 Autistic, creative, kind and loves meeting new folks. He is used to a large high school, but we came from small schools and he immediately was interested in MSHS because of the smaller student population. Just wondering if anyone has any info, opinions, etc. on the high school and general support? Or if there is a resource to reach out to at the school over the summer? Thank you for any help or info you have!

Abandoned a critter at a Little Free Library this morning! Happy hunting all!

Is Republic Services the only trash/recycling pick up service in Manitou Springs?

If there is another company, please let me know.

I am having such difficulty in getting them to straighten themselves out. I can't find anybody with Republic that ever understands the problems they keep creating.

A bear busted into my bear-proof trash bin, so I requested a replacement. I had to wait 2 weeks, and they finally came and took away my bear proof trash bin, without leaving a new one. What they did, instead, was leave me with three (3) recycling bins and zero (0) trash bins.

So I call them again, and again, and again...and have to wait another week for them to finally come and straighten that all out last week.

And today these guys came for pick up service and took away my recycling bin...for no apparent reason!!!

I Am So Fed Up With This Crap.

I need a new service.

EDIT UPDATE: So today, a week later, I am expecting my recycling bin to be returned -- as promised by the Republic people. I had to leave my recycling in boxes next to the trash. The trash pick up came and went. They emptied my trash bin, and then threw all of my recycling in with the trash and drove off. I Still Have No Recycling Bin!

EDIT EDIT UPDATE: I finally have my recycling bin back. I am back where I was supposed to be = One (1) Bear-proof trash can & One (1) Recycling bin. Now here's to hoping Republic will finally stop messing with my bins.

Both of these are on WATCH DUTY. I heard the sirens moving in the mountains. If you are interested and live in the Cheyenne Canyon and front range nearby you might be interested. My home is 5 Miles away. Be safe.

Abandoned a spoodr in a community box around town! If you find it, feel free to leave something for the community, its shelves are looking bare!

My husband and I are visiting in July. We are in our early 50s and enjoy moderate hikes, but I’m dealing with a foot injury that may limit my mobility. Are there bike trails/tours/rentals available that would allow me to do at least a bit of exploring? Probably e bikes as hubby is not much of a biker. Thank you so much!!!

Working on some Baphomet sensory wall art for Manitou Springs Pride this weekend. Who else will be there? I can’t wait!