This week near Blazek Loop: November 4, 2026.

Welcome to this week's community update from 2552 Blazek Loop. We keep an eye on the Garden Ranch neighborhood and the stretch of Colorado Springs around North Academy and Austin Bluffs, then report what is real: campus events, trail news, and local businesses worth your time. Here is what is happening the week of November 4, 2026.

The year's biggest trail news is done and open.

This summer the city wrapped up its Austin Bluffs Master Plan improvements, and the headline is the new Inspiration Trail: a 400-step stairway that opens up Pulpit Rock from the neighborhood side. Trailhead upgrades finished alongside it, and Austin Bluffs Open Space is back to its normal rhythm, open daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. with leashed dogs welcome. On a clear November morning, the payoff is a view over the city and a straight look at Pikes Peak, all without leaving the neighborhood.

Two campus events worth your Friday.

This Friday, November 6, Cybersecurity First Friday returns to Exponential Impact inside the UCCS Kevin W. O'Neil Cybersecurity Center at 3650 N. Nevada Avenue, 4 to 6 p.m., with free networking and guest speakers. The same weekend, the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs performs "Speak to Me in Silence" at the Ent Center for the Arts, Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m., per the Pikes Peak region arts calendar .

Mark November 13 on the calendar.

Three things land the same day. UCCS men's basketball opens its home season against Cameron at Gallogly Events Center. Downtown, Skate in the Park opens its rink at Acacia Park, and the Community Caroling and tree lighting runs 5 to 7 p.m. at the bandshell. And minutes from the house, the Colorado Springs Country Christmas Gift Show sets up at the Colorado Springs Event Center, 3960 Palmer Park Boulevard, just off Academy, a stop on the region's holiday calendar .

Around the corner: new plates nearby.

Pizza Ranch opened this summer at 3958 N. Academy Boulevard, right at the Academy and Austin Bluffs intersection, per the Gazette . Coming soon, KPOT Korean BBQ and Hot Pot is building out the former On The Border space at 7695 N. Academy Boulevard, first reported by What Now Denver . For a hands-on evening, The French Kitchen at 4771 N. Academy Boulevard runs an "Oh My Dumplings" class on Friday and a Holiday Puff Pastry class on Sunday, November 8.

The neighborhood, one week at a time.

If you are weighing a move to this corner of Colorado Springs, this is a good week to tour the townhome at 2552 Blazek Loop, then walk it off on the new Inspiration Trail. We publish this update every week, so you can follow along. To see the home or talk through the area, book a consultation with Jeff and Lane, or call Lane at 719-499-9394.