PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. – Peterson Space Force Base is proud to announce the grand opening of its innovative Solar System Running Trail on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, at 12:30 p.m. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and inaugural run will be held, featuring remarks from Col. Kenneth Klock, Commander of Space Base Delta 1 who will also be available for interviews.

This unique trail is designed to merge fitness with education, featuring markers that represent the planets of our solar system, scaled to their relative distances from the sun. The trail offers an exceptional opportunity for Guardians, Airmen, and their families to stay active while embarking on a journey through the solar system.

Media are invited to capture the event, which highlights the base's commitment to promoting physical fitness and providing an engaging educational experience for all ages.
In order to register for access to the installation, media representatives interested in attending must RSVP to Space Base Delta 1 Public Affairs at SBD1.PA@spaceforce.mil Please identify specific names and contact numbers for media professionals who plan to attend no later than 9:00 a.m. MST on 16 March.

Media who have RSVP’d should meet at the Peterson SFB West Gate Visitor Center located at 1334 Stewart Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80914, no later than 12:00 p.m. on the date of the event. From there media will be escorted via government vehicles on base. Due to current base security measures, media who have not RSVP’d will not be granted access.

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City-wide engagement as D11 sponsors the home opener at Switchback’s Weidner Field 

Colorado Springs School District 11 will be the title night sponsor this Saturday, March 14, for the Colorado Springs Switchbacks’ home opener match against the Las Vegas Lights FC. D11 and Switchbacks FC have formed a partnership that highlights the importance of local businesses coming together with local education. 

In addition to an exciting Sea of Cyan Fan Zone before the match, families from D11 will get to unfurl the American flag, help as ushers in the stands, toss the starting match coin, cheer on the sidelines, and play a scrimmage at halftime. Elementary girls’ soccer players will go up against the Palmer High School girls’ soccer team. 

Not only does the partnership increase engagement with downtown and create opportunities for families, D11 and the Switchbacks now have an apprenticeship program, supporting employment growth in Colorado Springs. The first D11 Switchbacks Marketing Apprentice will walk out on the field with other district representatives. 

“At the Switchbacks, our vision statement says that we will embed ourselves into the heart of the community. We believe working with kids in our neighborhood is just the way to do that,” said Switchbacks President Brad Estes. “We are ecstatic to partner with D11 as our title night sponsor for the home opener, and we are even more ecstatic to continue developing interesting avenues for kids to develop in Colorado Springs.”

Join D11 and the Switchbacks at Weidner Field this Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 1pm for the Sea of Cyan Fan Zone and 3pm for the game. 

Switchbacks FC:

The Colorado Springs Switchbacks Football Club is a professional soccer team based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, competing in the USL Championship, the second tier of the American soccer pyramid and one of the most widely followed professional soccer leagues in North America, reaching over 84 million fans. Founded in 2015, the Switchbacks play at Weidner Field, an 8,000-seat downtown stadium that opened in 2021 and serves as a premier destination for sports and community events in the region. In 2024, the club captured both the USL Championship Western Conference title and the USL Championship title, marking one of the most successful seasons in club history. Matches are broadcast nationally on ESPN (ESPN+ and select linear channels) and locally on KOAA and Xtra Sports 1300. The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, its holdings, and Weidner Field are owned by Dean Weidner of Weidner Apartment Homes.

The Colorado Springs School District 11

The Colorado Springs School District 11 is reshaping public education by focusing on excellence, choice, and engagement to drive student achievement. With a PreK-14 model, including the county’s largest number of preschool sites and the D11 Promise scholarship, the district ensures access to high-quality education for all students. D11 values parents’ right to choose the best educational path, offering a range of options from traditional schools to innovation zones and online platforms. Through strong community partnerships, the district provides students with expanded opportunities and a commitment to finding excellence through experience.

Prepare for an amazing night of entertainment provided by our own CIVA Raven Talents!

Thursday, March 19, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Friday, March 20, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 1:30 PM & 7:00 PM

Get your ticket online at https://civaarts.ludus.com/index.php or at the door. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
New Summit Charter Academy
Nikki Reichert
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
719-749-4012
eichert@newsummitcharter.org" style="text-decoration-line: none;">nikki.reichert@newsummitcharter.org

New Summit Charter Academy Kindergarten Class Spreads Kindness Across the Country

Colorado Springs, CO – Mrs. Lucero’s kindergarten class at New Summit Charter Academy is proving that kindness knows no boundaries. As part of a nationwide educational initiative known as “Hearts Around the USA,” students are collecting valentines, postcards, and letters from all 50 states—and beyond—to demonstrate that kindness happens everywhere.

The project, traditionally held around Valentine’s Day, encourages classrooms to receive mail from across the country and place a heart sticker on a map for each state represented. As letters arrive, students proudly mark the corresponding state and display the cards, turning their classroom into a vibrant showcase of connection and community.

Mrs. Lucero thoughtfully tied the activity into New Summit’s schoolwide Kindness Challenge, helping her young learners see that acts of kindness extend far beyond their hometown. “We want our students to understand that kindness isn’t just something we practice at school—it’s something people share all over the country and the world,” said Mrs. Lucero. “Each card we receive is a reminder that we’re connected.”

To expand the project's reach, Mrs. Lucero shared the initiative in a national Kindergarten Facebook group. Families and classrooms from across the country responded enthusiastically. When participants provided their contact information, Mrs. Lucero’s class sent valentines in return—creating a two-way exchange of goodwill and learning.

In addition to reinforcing social-emotional learning, the project supports academic goals by helping students learn about geography, state names, and map skills in an engaging and meaningful way. Each new letter sparks discussions about different states, landmarks, and communities, turning every delivery into a teachable moment.

New Summit Charter Academy is proud of Mrs. Lucero and her kindergarten students for embracing this opportunity to combine learning with compassion. Through small acts of kindness, these young learners are building connections that stretch across the nation—one heart at a time.