Press Release - City of Colorado Springs

The City of Colorado Springs is now accepting applications to serve on the City Planning Commission.

The City Planning Commission is a nine-member body appointed by City Council to review various land use development applications and proposals.  Some applications are decided at the City Planning Commission level while others proceed onto City Council for final approval. Planning Commission meets the third Thursday of each month in the City Hall Council Chambers. The meetings start at 8:30 a.m. and continue until all items are heard.

Send letters of interest and résumés no later than Wednesday, March 13, 2013 to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or mail to City Council; Attention Marti Devine Sletta; P.O. Box 1575; Colorado Springs, CO, 80901.

You may also fill out the Application for Appointment to a City Board, Committee or Commission, which can be found at www.springsgov.com by adding “Boards and Commissions Application” in the search engine.  (The application cannot be submitted online at this time. Please send to the email or physical address above.) For questions or more information, please call (719) 385-5453.

Thermochromic Inks Help Launch “Unbottle the Fun” Campaign

Press Release

COLORADO SPRINGS (Merit Media Relations) -  Chromatic Technologies Inc. (CTI), the specialized inks company whose innovative offerings are seen on consumer products around the world, continues to carry its message in Australia.  Specially marked bottles of Fanta™ beverages in Australia reveal an invitation to customers through temperature changes on the label wherein consumers were invited to join in an interactive campaign offering valuable prizes.

During November and December 2012, labels on Fanta Orange™ bottles contained thermochromic ink which revealed a challenge to consumers to perform a “Funstigator” task such as “High-five someone wearing orange,” “Pretend you’re a ninja” or “Do the robot.” The core activity of the summer campaign was a FANTA Funstigator gaming application available on the FANTA Australia Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FantaAustralia and as a smartphone app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Through the FANTA Funstigator app, users could take on Funstigator challenges as well as send them to their mates, scan characters from packs, all the while earning points and competing for a range of prizes. The FANTA Unbottle the Fun campaign was supported across multiple touch points including specially marked FANTA bottles, cinema, mobile and digital media.  The promotion used different activation temperatures for the thermochromic inks based on whether the bottle was sold in the refrigerator section or the ambient shelf. On the refrigerated bottles, the blue thermochromic inks would clear out as the beverage is consumed. When the product is pulled from the refrigerator at 8° C. (46° F.) the inks were fully colored, hiding the message behind.  On the flip side, the bottles sold at room temperature were utilizing thermochromic ink set to be fully colored at 29° C. (84° F.)  and relied on the heat of the consumers’ hands to clear and reveal the message. 

Having the ability to set specific temperatures for the two retail settings gave each Fanta fan the chance to participate in the promotion regardless of how they buy the product.

“FANTA is about bringing more fun to people’s lives,” explained Delia Maloney, Flavours Marketing Manager, Coca-Cola South Pacific. “We were excited that innovation of thermal inks allowed us to put our packs at the heart of our ‘Unbottle the Fun’ campaign this summer. From fridge or ambient, the thermal inks revealed different ‘Funstigator’ challenges that invited our teen audience to add a little fun to their day-to-day.

Press Release

Colorado Springs (VisitCOS.com)- Exciting news developed from The Mining Exchange today with the brand new downtown boutique hotel attaining the coveted Four Diamond Rating from AAA. Fewer than five percent of nearly 31,000 properties approved by AAA achieve this prestigious distinction. The surprise inspection came over a month ago with the approval process of AAA board pending until today. “We are so excited to be given this rating, especially in light of fact we haven’t been open for a year yet,” explains Shelby Pywell Yarbrough, General Manager. “Our incredible staff is the reason we are able to attain this award,” she continues.

Owner, Perry Sanders adds, “Although we designed this property to ultimately be a 5 diamond property, to get 4 diamonds right out of the gate, without our spa, permanent fitness center or Gold Room being open, is very gratifying.” More luxurious enhancements are set to be in place for this boutique hotel that all of Colorado Springs needs to be on the lookout for!

About The Mining Exchange

Framed in European style and housed in an exquisitely restored historic edifice in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs, The Mining Exchange, A Wyndham Grand Hotel elegantly fuses old world charm with modern amenities and exceptional service to create a world-class hotel experience. Complemented by exquisite cuisine and décor that marries contemporary chic with sophisticated style, business and pleasure travelers alike will trade stress and tension for relaxation and renewal in this stunning haven of well-being. Part of the prestigious Wyndham Grand Collection, The Mining Exchange, A Wyndham Grand Hotel opened on May 9, 2012 and features a combination of 117 rooms and suites, a full service award winning restaurant, Springs Orleans, lobby bar, boardroom, ballrooms and large private courtyard. Visit www.miningexchangehotel.com for more information.

About AAA

AAA is the only rating system that conducts on-site professional evaluations guided by member priorities. With more properties than any other rating entity, AAA is the only rating system that covers the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. For 77 years AAA has used professional inspectors to conduct in-person property inspections and publish the results, on a system of One to Five Diamonds, to guide member travel decisions.

AAA Colorado has more than 560,000 members and is an advocate for safety and security for all travelers. As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 53 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive related services, as well as member exclusive savings.

Press Release (City of Colorado Springs)

Two new bicycle corrals are now installed in Downtown Colorado Springs at Tejon and Colorado and Tejon and Cache la Poudre. Funded by the Bicycle Tax and Sustainability Funds, these new on-street corrals allow for safe and convenient parking of up to 10 bicycles at each corral. The on-street locations free-up sidewalk space and encourage riders to stop and shop in the areas near the corrals.

The new corrals are public-private partnerships. The City provided the equipment, and adjacent business will be providing routine maintenance.

“Adding free bicycle parking gives people more transportation options to shop, dine, and enjoy Downtown,” said Anthony Pratt of City Public Works.

“It is a priority for us to pilot different concepts in our urban spaces that support multi-modal transportation throughout our community, and our hope is this pilot proves successful enough to expand the program to a third location in the near future,” said Nick Kittle, head of Administrative Services and Innovation.

Thanks to the partners who worked hard to make this project a reality:
· Anthony Pratt and Kristen Bennett: City Public Works/Transit Services Division
· Nick Kittle: Administrative Services and Innovation
· Jake Butterfield: City Parks Department
· Greg Warnke: Parking Administration Manager
· Alex Horaz and Dave Chadwell: Tao of Metal
· Dero Bike Rack Company
· Hannah Parsons: Business Improvement District

Merchants interested in applying for a bicycle corral in front of their business should contact City Bicycle Program staff at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.