Colorado Springs Family Week Ahead: Free Library Programs, CMZoo Little Paws, and More
With the school year now underway for all three major Colorado Springs districts — D49, D11, and D20 — the rhythm of after-school and weekend activities is settling in. For families looking for free and low-cost options this week and into the coming weekends, the Pikes Peak Library District has a consistent lineup of programs running through the end of August, and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo just added something new to the calendar starting today.
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Advertise herePikes Peak Library District — Weekly Programs
The Pikes Peak Library District offers several recurring programs for young children that run on a weekly basis through August. All programs are free.
Storytime — Fridays
Storytime is offered for ages 3–7 with an adult on Fridays at two branches:
- Cheyenne Mountain Library (1785 S. 8th St.) — 10:30–11am
- Old Colorado City Library (2418 W. Pikes Peak Ave.) — 10:30–11:15am
Sensory Storytime — Saturdays
Sensory Storytime is designed for children with sensory processing needs and their families. It runs Saturdays 10:30–11am at Library 21c (1175 Chapel Hills Drive). The program adjusts lighting, sound, and pacing to create a more accessible storytime experience for children who need it.
Paws to Read — Saturdays
Paws to Read gives children the chance to read aloud to certified therapy dogs — a research-supported approach that helps build reading confidence. It runs Saturdays 10:30–11:30am at Old Colorado City Library (2418 W. Pikes Peak Ave.).
Reading Roll Call with COS Police Officers — Saturdays
Colorado Springs police officers join the storytime at Library 21c on Saturdays 10:30–11am for Reading Roll Call. It's aimed at ages 3–7 with an adult and combines community connection with early literacy. Library 21c is at 1175 Chapel Hills Drive.
The full Pikes Peak Library District calendar is available at ppld.org.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Today, August 24, marks the opening of Little Paws Nature Preschool at CMZoo — Colorado Springs' first state-accredited outdoor preschool for ages 3–5. For families with children in the right age range, it's worth knowing enrollment may still be available. Contact LittlePawsPreschool@cmzoo.org for details.
CMZoo's Tails, Tunes and Tastes series — a Thursday evening event combining live music, food vendors, and extended zoo hours — is continuing through the summer. Check cmzoo.org for current Thursday dates and ticketing. CMZoo's general admission also includes access to the giraffe feeding area and other ongoing family features.
Additional Options
The US Olympic and Paralympic Museum (200 S. Sierra Madre St.) continues its 90-minute guided experiences daily, including rotating exhibits and interactive athlete displays. The experience is engaging for school-age children and older. Admission fees apply; check usopm.org for current hours and pricing.
Garden of the Gods remains free and open daily for families who want to take advantage of the last weeks of summer weather. The visitor center offers interpretive programming on geology, wildlife, and local Indigenous history. Check gardenofgods.com for current ranger programming schedules.
What's Next
COS Parenting publishes a weekly family events guide each Monday. Check back next week for an updated lineup of September programs as Colorado Springs' community calendar shifts into fall mode. For the most current events across Colorado Springs, visit springseventhub.com, visitcos.com, or peakradar.com. Share your family's favorite go-to spots with us in the comments below.
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