Colorado Springs is opening the school year with triple-digit heat. The National Weather Service issued a Heat Advisory for El Paso County from 9 AM to 8 PM today, with temperatures forecast to reach approximately 100 degrees this afternoon. For families with kids at home — whether you're in D49 navigating the first day, in D11 with two more weeks before school starts, or somewhere in between — here's where to go that won't have everyone melting by noon.

Free Morning Option: Garden of the Gods

The best free option this week is Garden of the Gods, which is running morning nature programs Monday through Wednesday at 10 AM. The morning slot matters: temperatures are meaningfully cooler in the early hours before the full heat of the day sets in, the programs are specifically designed for families, and the park's Visitor Center is fully air-conditioned if anyone needs a break from the sun.

The park itself is free to enter. Trails offer sections of natural shade from the rock formations, and the programs are a structured way to spend a couple of hours without it costing anything. For families with kids who aren't in school yet — or who have younger siblings — this is one of the better options in the city right now.

Splash Pads

America the Beautiful Park has a splash pad that's a consistent choice on hot days. Entry is free, the location is central, and kids can get completely soaked — which on a 100-degree afternoon is exactly the point. The splash pads along Fountain Creek are another option and generally less crowded than the park.

Splash pads are best in the morning or early afternoon before peak heat. Once temperatures hit the high 90s and above, the sun exposure at an outdoor splash pad adds up quickly. Sunscreen, shade breaks, and water are all essential.

Indoor and Shaded Options

Beat the Heat — Colorado Springs Family Options

Location	What It Offers	Cost	Notes
Garden of the Gods	Morning nature programs, Visitor Center (AC), shaded trails	Free	Programs Mon–Wed at 10 AM this week
America the Beautiful Park	Splash pad	Free	Central location; best in AM
Fountain Creek splash pads	Water play	Free	Multiple locations along the creek
Westside Community Center	Indoor programs, air-conditioned space	Varies	Check programming schedule
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo	Shaded pathways, indoor exhibits	Admission required	Indoor areas provide full AC relief
Monument Valley Park area	Shade, open space, nearby programs	Free	Mature trees provide natural shade

The Westside Community Center and Monument Valley Park area both offer cooler options for families looking for indoor or shaded environments without admission costs. If you're willing to pay admission, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has shaded pathways throughout the grounds and indoor exhibit spaces that offer full air-conditioned relief — it's a full-day option with enough to do that the heat doesn't have to cut the visit short.

Staying Safe in the Heat

With a Heat Advisory in effect, a few basics matter more than usual. Kids — especially young kids — don't self-regulate heat as effectively as adults do. Signs of heat illness include heavy sweating, weakness, fast or weak pulse, nausea, and confusion. If a child is in any of those conditions, get them to a cool space and hydrate immediately.

Regardless of where you're headed, the practical list is short: start early before the heat peaks, bring more water than you think you need, reapply sunscreen, take shade breaks, and keep an eye on how the kids are doing. The advisory expires at 8 PM tonight, but afternoon hours today will be the most intense.

What's Next

D49 families are in day one today, with all remaining grades joining tomorrow. D11's first day is August 12, so families in that district still have a week-plus of flexible summer schedule to plan around. The forecast through the rest of the week continues warm — this isn't a one-day situation. Planning around the heat rather than through it is the move for the first week of August in Colorado Springs.