[Photo by Bryan Oller]
Compiled by Greta Anderson Johns, Jeanne Davant, Bryan Oller, Nick Raven and Pam Zubeck
Kimball Bayles, owner of the beloved Kimball’s Peak Three Theater on East Pikes Peak Avenue, died on Jan. 11, after battling cancer for more than two years. Bayles is survived by his wife Sabrina and daughter Marina.
Kimball’s, which has been in business since 1994, is the Springs’ only independent movie theater. A post to the theater’s Facebook page on Jan. 13 said it would be “closed until further notice,” and the theater refunded tickets for weekend shows.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Bayles family in this difficult time,” the post said.
The long-term future of the theater is unclear. In 2020, Bayles told the Colorado Springs Independent that it barely survived the pandemic shutdown.
Former El Paso County Commissioner Dennis Hisey has been named district director for Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colorado Springs). Hisey served as a state senator but lost the November election to Democrat Tony Exum in a redrawn district.
Deadline is Feb. 3 for an off-cycle round of funding by Colorado Springs’ Lodgers and Automobile Rental Tax. More than $1.3 million is available, although not all will be allocated. For an application, go to coloradosprings.gov/lart or by email Michelle.Briggs@ColoradoSprings.gov.
Colorado Department of Transportation’s Winter Blitz DUI enforcement will continue until Jan. 25. The campaign, which began Jan. 12, is the first of 16 enforcement periods and aims to decrease DUI deaths in Colorado. In 2022, of the 271 DUI deaths, El Paso County was second with 27, behind only Adams County, which had 35 deaths. During the New Year’s Eve enforcement period, out of 143 arrests, Colorado Springs Police Department were second with 32.
Manitou Springs is gearing up for two favorite annual events: the Fruitcake Toss and Carnivale weekend. Cheer on others flinging fruitcakes as far as they can 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, in Memorial Park, 500 block of Manitou Avenue, or — even better — join in the fun for all ages. Carnivale weekend (Friday, Feb. 17, and Saturday, Feb. 18) includes the Carniball Masquerade Ball, a downtown parade and the Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-off. Keep an eye on the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce website, manitousprings.org, for updates about these events that help keep Manitou weird.