(SOUTHERN COLORADO) — With summer’s arrival, people are more motivated to get out and get together with friends and connect with others. But for those who have recently moved into the Pikes Peak Region, or who have struggled to find a community of people with shared interests, it can be tough to know where to start.
Finding groups of people with shared interests makes it easy to start conversations, especially when activities give you a shared purpose to work toward.
There are plenty of ways to find ‘your people’ in the Colorado Springs area, and sometimes it just takes knowing where to look. Check out the resources below for ideas on how to meet your new bestie.
Online resources
It may seem counterintuitive to start your search for friends online when the whole point is to make face-to-face connections, but you can’t escape the fact that the internet is the easiest way to spread the word about activities or find special interest groups.
Facebook Groups – Facebook is a great place to start when searching for like-minded people with shared interests, simply by typing in the name of your local area. Some neighborhoods even have their own dedicated groups where local events and concerns are discussed and addressed. And while many groups are technically online-only, it can still be a good starting place to make connections with people in the area and plan get-togethers from there.
Facebook Events – Whether you are looking to play Frisbee golf or want to play bingo at a music video binge night, the Events page is the place to find a wide variety of events to show up and bring, or find, a friend.
Meetup and Nextdoor– Meetup and Nextdoor are good alternatives to Facebook when looking for events and groups in your local area. Options can include regular Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) sessions or monthly crafting socials at the local Quaker Meeting House.
The Colorado Springs City website – The summer events page on the Colorado Springs official city website maintains a list of upcoming summer events, including concerts, brunches, and festivals, and is a great way to get involved in community activities.
Local hangouts and events
There are plenty of nooks and crannies in Colorado Springs that provide a relaxing environment to chill and make connections with others, or that host events to facilitate interaction. Many can be found in the links above or through an internet search, but some ideas are listed below.
Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) – The libraries in town are not just for reading books quietly in the corner. PPLD locations host numerous events and workshops that serve as a chance to expand your knowledge as well as connect with your community. Just click on their event calendar to see if anything strikes your fancy.
Arts and crafts –
Lulu’s X Meininger Art Club – Lulu’s Downtown is a live music, comedy, and performance arts venue that serves alcohol and coffee, but it also hosts the Lulu’s + Meiningers Art Club, a unique and supportive space where guests can create and discuss art every Monday night.
Performance –
Communidance – A freeform, expressive movement community, Communidance allows men and women from diverse personal and professional backgrounds to come together and express themselves through movement and dance.
Cottonwood Center for the Arts – The center hosts several events, including Open Mic at Cottonwood, a monthly meeting where literary arts lovers can come together to read or perform their creations, or take part in the audience.
Peak Film Forum – For those interested in the world of independent film, Peak Film Forum hosts “Show Us Your Shorts!“, a monthly networking event where local independent filmmakers can show off their short films.
Local game stores
Dungeons and Javas – One of several gaming stores that hosts Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) and other gaming nights for all ages, where you can join groups of adventurers and save the realm.
Athletics and Outdoor activities –
IVP at the Beachhouse – A place to eat, drink, and play with friends, IVP at the Beachhouse features a sand pit with spaces for beach volleyball and other seaside-style games, and hosts tournaments and parties.
City Rock – City Rock is a climbing gym with multi-purpose facilities, including a full training and fitness area, yoga studio, kids area, and restaurant. The gym offers climbing walls suitable for people of all ages and experience levels, and hosts a variety of events.
City adult sports leagues – The Colorado Springs City website’s adult sports page offers information on a variety of sports leagues for adults and seniors, including basketball, flag football, softball, and volleyball.
Bars, cafes, and food halls with live performances
Coati – A food hall and community events space, Coati features restaurants and bars, plus a stage for performances, and is a lively place to hang out and connect.
Poor Richard’s Downtown – A combined restaurant, coffee shop, and bookstore, Poor Richard’s is a Colorado Springs community staple and hangout that often hosts live music nights, team trivia, and other events.
1,000 Neighborhood Gatherings
The City of Colorado Springs launched the 1,000 Neighborhood Gatherings initiative in May 2024, and it has returned in 2025, to combat isolation and loneliness in the community. The goal of the initiative is to encourage locals in the Colorado Springs area to host 1,000 neighborhood gatherings between May and September.
You can host your own neighborhood gathering to get to know people in your surrounding area. Hey Neighbor partners with the City to offer resources to hosts planning a gathering. Gatherings can include block parties, movie nights, or even volunteer opportunities.
In 2024, an estimated 55,000 people attended a gathering throughout the campaign, and more than 10,000 new connections were made between neighbors.
Loneliness and isolation can cause some of the biggest struggles people have with mental health, and it can be hard to make new friends. But finding a place to connect with kindred spirits can help to overcome one of the biggest hurdles to connecting with your community. With the resources above and the willingness to put yourself out there, your new circle of friends might be waiting for you.
