Contact:  

  

Amy Gillentine, Director of PR, Marketing & Promotions 

(719) 314-8957 | agillentine@ppld.org   

Denise M. Abbott, Chief Communications & Marketing Officer 
(310) 430-0496 | Dabbott@ppld.org  
            
LIBRARY HAPPENINGS IN JANUARY 

Annual Winter Adult Reading Program Supports Year-Long Healthy Reading Habits; Library Open Houses and Commemorative Programs Celebrate Colorado’s 150th and the United States’ 250th Anniversary; and Volunteer Tax Services Help the Community File on Time at No Cost.


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) presents many options to engage people of all ages and interests across El Paso County. Here are some upcoming opportunities this month: 

The Winter Adult Reading Program Engages People in Building Healthy Reading Habits for 2026 

Districtwide annual event; Community interest; Winter activities 

Jan. 1 – Feb. 28 

All PPLD locations 

More info: ppld.org/winter-reading 

Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) kicked off its annual Winter Adult Reading Program on Thu., Jan. 1. This popular program encourages adults ages 18 and up to develop brain-healthy reading habits and participate in activities for a chance to win prizes by completing 30 days of reading and activities between Jan. 1 - Feb. 28. Last year, 5,775 people registered for the program, a 13% increase from 2024.  

Studies show that adults and seniors who use leisure time for reading receive a range of benefits including reduced stress, less cognitive decline, improved critical thinking, enhanced conversation skills, better sleep, higher empathy, and stronger connections with others. With reading rates decreasing in recent years, the Winter Adult Reading Program supports mental and cognitive health in the Pikes Peak region by encouraging the community to pick up a book. 

In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Colorado and 250th anniversary of the United States this year’s program is themed around Colorado and its history. The Library has planned a variety of engaging programs based on this theme. This year’s program also includes a special after-hours event, Sorry, I’m Booked: Winter Adult Reading Program Party. The event will include literary trivia, a book swap, an adult Storytime, bookish crafts, and book talks about titles coming out in 2026, hosted at East Library on Sat., Feb. 7 starting at 6 p.m. 

Participants will receive a 2026 calendar with historic photos of Colorado Springs libraries when they register (while supplies last), and anyone who registers by Jan. 15 will be entered to win a 4-pack of Crumbl® desserts every week for a year. After registering, participants must complete 30 days of reading and activities (such as attending a Library program) to earn this year's limited-edition program mug and a coupon for a free dessert from Crumbl®, both while supplies last. They will also be entered into a Grand Prize Drawing for one of five $100 gift cards from The French Kitchen or a 50L hiking backpack from Mountain Chalet. Participants can earn additional entries for the grand prize for every additional five days of reading and activities completed.  

Sesquisemiquincentennial Celebrations Kick Off with Open Houses and a Passport Program at the Library 

Co150-USA250; Community interest; Family activities 

All of 2026 

All PPLD locations 

More info: ppld.org/co150-usa250  

In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Colorado and 250th anniversary of the United States (the sesquisemiquincentennial), PPLD is hosting a series of Library Open Houses throughout 2026. Each of the District’s 14 Library locations, its Regional History & Genealogy Department, and the Mobile Library Services will host Open Houses with activities for all ages, entertainment, scavenger hunts, and prizes.  

The first Open House will take place at the Library’s Regional History & Genealogy Department, which is housed in the 1905 Carnegie Library attached to Penrose Library on Sat., Jan. 24 from 3 – 5 p.m. Attendees can enjoy a life-sized history game, browse the PPLD Digital Collections for historical photos and documents, and test their research skills with a scavenger hunt for a chance to win a $100 gift card from Poor Richard’s Downtown. 

The community is invited to experience the individual charms of each Library and explore all that PPLD has to offer. The Library will also host special programs throughout the year themed around Colorado and U.S. history, and its annual programs and contests such as the Pikes Peak Regional History Symposium and Jean Ciavonne Poetry Contest will be themed to the celebration as well. 

Alongside these celebrations, the Library is launching the CO150-USA250 Passport Program presented by the Colorado Springs Airport starting on Fri., Jan. 2. Library users can bring this commemorative passport booklet to each PPLD location at any time during business hours to receive a stamp. After seven stamps they will receive a special CO150-USA250 prize and will receive a second prize after collecting all 16 stamps (including stamps for Regional History & Genealogy and the Mobile Library Service).  

The Library is releasing a limited-edition commemorative library card for the historic anniversary. The card features a 1907 photo of the historic 1905 Carnegie Library in downtown Colorado Springs, now adjacent to Penrose Library. These cards will be available at all PPLD locations in 2026.  

Open Houses schedule: 

Regional History & Genealogy (adjacent to Penrose Library): Sat., Jan. 24 | 3 – 5 p.m. 

Monument Library: Tue., Feb. 24 | 3 – 5 p.m. 

Manitou Springs Library: Wed., Feb. 25 | 4 – 6 p.m. 

Fountain Library: Sat., March 7 | 2 – 4 p.m. 

East Library: Sat., March 28 | 3 – 5 p.m. 

Palmer Lake Library: Fri., April 24 | 3 – 5 p.m. 

Library 21c: Sat., May 9 | 2 – 4 p.m. 

Ruth Holley Library: Fri., June 12 | 10 a.m. - noon 

Penrose Library: Thu., Aug. 13 | 3 – 5 p.m. 

Cheyenne Mountain Library: Sat., Sept. 12 | 10 a.m. - noon 

Ute Pass Library: Thu., Sept. 24 | 3 – 5 p.m. 

Sand Creek Library: Sat., Oct. 3 | 2 – 4 p.m. 

High Prairie Library: Fri., Oct. 16 | 3 – 5 p.m. 

Calhan Library: Wed., Nov. 4 | 3 – 5 p.m. 

Old Colorado City Library: Mon., Dec. 7 | 4 – 6 p.m. 

Tax Time 

Community resources; Tax services; Economic impact 

Starting mid-January through early April 

Fountain Library, High Prairie Library, Library 21c, and Sand Creek Library 

More info: ppld.org/taxes  

The Library is partnering with AARP Foundation Tax-Aide and VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program) again this year to offer no-cost tax preparation services to help El Paso County residents prepare and file their 2025 tax returns. These services are available by appointment only. Starting mid-January, patrons can reserve a no-cost appointment with IRS-certified volunteers for services. Appointments are available at Fountain, High Prairie, and Sand Creek libraries, as well as Library 21c. Information to make an appointment is available on the Library’s website at ppld.org/taxes. 

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide services (open to all ages and income levels) will be available at: 

  • Library 21c  
  • Feb. 3 – April 14 
  • Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 
  • Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

Call (719) 257-3805 beginning Jan. 15 to make an appointment. 

  • Fountain Library 
  • Feb. 4 – April 8 
  • Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 
  • Wed., April 15  
  • 9 a.m. – noon 
  • Feb. 14, Feb. 28, March 14, March 28, and April 11 
  • Saturdays 9 – 1 p.m. 

Call (719) 357-5450 or email  61051102@aarpfoundation.org beginning Jan. 5 to make an appointment.  

  • Sand Creek Library 
  • Thursdays, Feb. 5 - April 9, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

Call (719) 203-1205 beginning Jan. 15 to make an appointment. 

VITA – Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program – Pikes Peak United Way (for individuals who earned less than $69,000 in 2025) will be at: 

  • High Prairie Library 
  • Sat., Feb. 21, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 
  • Sat., March 14, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 
  • Sat., March 21, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 
  • Sat., April 4, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

Call 2-1-1 after Jan. 19 to make an appointment.