CLICK HERE: July 2025 Museletter to 8/21/25

Mr. Austin Box - Southern Ute Elder and artist

Pictured above: Mr. Austin Box, Southern Ute Elder, artist and exhibit contributor. Photo by Gray Warrior of Aho Media.

Until Forever Comes Elevates Ute Culture

Until Forever Comes This is Ute Homeland exhibit interior

Until Forever Comes: This is Ute Homeland exhibit at the CSPM.

In the words of Crystal Rizzo, Director of the Cultural Preservation Department Southern Ute, "Something that was important from the very beginning was the museum wanting us to tell our story. This wasn’t just them dictating how the story was going to be... All of that time, effort and energy went into making sure it was a really strong representation of all three Ute tribes. I think this exhibit and the work that we did together demonstrated how well museums can work with tribal communities, and understanding the needs of the tribes."

The recent article by Colorado Public Radio, ‘We’re still here’: Ute tribes reclaim narrative in new museum installation, reflects on the importance of the Ute Tribe voices that narrate the new CSPM exhibit, Until Forever Comes.

Read the full article by CPR, ''‘We’re still here’: Ute tribes recl...

Lecture Series is back!

Lecture seating in the CSPM's Historic Division I Courtroom.

After a brief summer hiatus, the CSPM's 2025 lecture series returns on Saturday, August 9. Ted Conover, author of several books including Newjack: Guarding Sing (winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize) and Rolling Nowhere: Riding the Rails with America's Hoboes, will present Cheap Land: Off-Gridders of the San Luis Valley in the CSPM’s Division I Courtroom.

Learn More & RSVP for the August 9 Lecture

Donor Spotlight: Gary Conover

Van Briggle Designs #145, Design #176, and Design #776.

Be sure to stop by the CSPM and take a look at our new Spotlight on the Collections case in the main lobby. We’re currently highlighting three pieces of stunning Van Briggle Pottery generously donated by Gary Conover. An avid collector, Gary’s outstanding Van Briggle collection spans a wide range of designs, colors, and eras with pieces dating from the early 1900s to the early 2000s.

Learn more about the new display presented by Gary Conover

Southern Colorado Best of the Best

The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is honored to be nominated in Fox21 SOCO CW’s Southern Colorado Best of the Best. Please take a moment to vote for us in the Arts & Entertainment category for “Best Museum” today through July 30th.

Vote Now! Southern Colorado's Best of the Best

Creativity & Connection: July Volunteer of the Month

July Volunteer of the Month, Heila Rogers.

During our closure for the HVAC project, the museum recruited and trained a team of volunteers to engage visitors in the 50% of the Story: Women Expressing Creativity exhibit. The Gallery Attendants learned about the goals of the exhibit, the featured artists, and explored different ways to converse with guests in the space. We were fortunate to meet Heila Rogers through this process and have been inspired by her warm and inviting approach to the role.

Read the Full Article - July Volunteer of the Month

Help Shape the Future of Colorado Springs Parks

As many of you may know, the CSPM is part of the Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department. The department is currently updating its Park System Master Plan. The completed master plan will guide the department’s efforts over the next 10-15 years. If you are interested in the future of our city’s amazing park system, as well as the future of the museum, we encourage you to provide input through the online survey. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete, and we appreciate if you mention the that you value the work of the CSPM!

Take the Parks Survey

Scoop & Strategize

Join us for a professionally facilitated gathering where your ideas take center stage! Through lively conversations and creative activities, we aim to gain insight into what the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum means to you - and imagine what it could become. And because big thinking pairs well with cool treats, we’ll have frozen goodies from The Meltdown Food Truck waiting for all participants.

Space is limited. We require that all participants RSVP no later than Tuesday, July 29.

Space is Limited – RSVP Required

Special Promotion for CSPM's Museletter Subscribers

Flyin' West, Written by Pearl Cleage and Directed by Marisa Hébert.

Hello CSPM friends! Have you seen Theatreworks production of Flyin’ West at the Ent Center for the Arts yet? This brilliant play written by Pearl Cleage is not to be missed! “In the wake of the Civil War, a group of Black women stake their claim on the American frontier – building a life, a home, and a future in all-Black Nicodemus, Kansas.” With a stellar cast, this powerful play illustrates the strength and resilience of Black women homesteaders and the complex history of the American West. It’s filled with humor, deep insights, and stories that need to be told. Although set in Nicodemus, Kansas, there are numerous examples of Black communities in Colorado including Dearfield and “The Dry.” To learn more about Dearfield, please check out “Colorado Experience: Uncovering Dearfield” on Rocky Mountain PBS here:

https://www.pbs.org/video/uncovering-dearfield-tv0oan/

Purchase your tickets today and receive a 50% discount when you use the promo code: FWPIONEERMUS.

Purchase your discounted tickets today!

Upcoming Events

Food Truck Tuesdays

Every Tuesday through August 19

11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Learn More

History Stroll: Law & Disorder

Select Saturdays through September

9:30 - 11:00 a.m.

Tickets: $10 per guest

Purchase Tickets

Parent and children craft together at a CSPM Family Fun Day event

Summer Family Fun Days

Saturday, July 26

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

All ages!

Free Event - Please RSVP

Lecture Series, "Cheap Land Colorado: Off-Gridders in the San Luis Valley"

New Volunteer Orientation

Saturday, August 9

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Without our volunteers, we would be history! Each year, the museum relies on over 100 volunteers and interns to support our mission to build a lasting connection to the Pikes Peak region by preserving and sharing our cultural history. We are looking for volunteers that share our values, want to give back to their community, and are willing to learn and grow. Join us for this New Volunteer Orientation to learn more about the museum, current volunteer opportunities, and how to get involved

Register for August's Volunteer Orientation