Over easy colorado springs

Jim Schanel has feared for his life during his four-decade career as a wildland firefighter.He fought Hayman, Waldo Canyon, Black Forest, the 117.But the day that haunts him — the day he can’t recall without tears — is June 30, 2013.That’s the day he thought a wildfire had killed his son.Schanel was battling Colorado’s West Fork fire with a Type I incident management team, protecting structures near the headwaters of the Rio Grande River, when he got a call: “Your son is missing.”Aaron had been a Prescott, Ariz., Hotshot for six years.Schanel found a spot with better cellphone reception and heard that 19 Hotshots were missing. “And you go, ‘S--t, that’s my kid. Rampart fire near Woodland Park 100 percent contained“’What am I going to tell his mom, what am I going to tell his sister?’ I went through this whole wild thing in my head.”About midnight, his son called on a satellite phone.“He said, … [Read more...] about 40 years on the firelines and a terror-filled day recalled by former Colorado Springs battalion chief

For most people, the journey to “who” begins at “which.”Pink or blue? Girl or boy? But what if checking the corresponding box isn’t a reflex?What if your gender identity doesn’t align with your biology or the male/female binary culture where — and when — you were raised?The decision to come out as transgender is a highly personal and individual one, but it’s informed by and refracted through a public prism that has evolved dramatically in recent years.Colorado Springs residents Jamison Courcy and Cornelius Kelley both began the transition from female to male two years ago, at age 14 and 38, respectively. Their experiences are their own, but they also tell a generational story about growing up and coming out in a city once — and arguably still — considered among the nation’s most socially and faith-based conservative.Evolving perceptions, understanding and opportunities aside, the evangelical presence remains a … [Read more...] about PrideFest: Transgender conversion has become more accepted in Colorado Springs

The week between a draw in Oklahoma City and Saturday’s 6 p.m. game against Sacramento Republic at Weidner Field wasn’t enough time for a group of Switchbacks defenders to recover from injury, forcing coach Steve Trittschuh to work the phones to bolster his back four.Right back Taylor Hunter and central defenders Pascal Eboussi and JJ Tambe are not expected to be available when Sacramento, fourth in the Western Conference, visits Colorado Springs, which is narrowly holding on to the last playoff spot. Luke Vercollone, who started the season as a wingback before settling into the midfield, is also out.Fortunately for Trittschuh, his contacts in Denver lent a helping hand, as Kip Colvey officially joined the squad Friday on loan from the Colorado Rapids after discussing the possibility of heading south earlier in the week.“It’s part of professional sports,” Colvey said. “You just gotta expect it and be ready when your time comes, and I feel like I … [Read more...] about Colorado Springs Switchbacks get added support ahead of Saturday’s match with Sacramento