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Winter Adult Reading Program 2026 

We invite you to read and explore during the 22nd annual Winter Adult Reading Program!      

Log 30 days of reading and activities from Jan. 1 – Feb. 28 to earn prizes. Activities include reading for 30 minutes or more a day, attending a Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) program, or completing one of the activities listed under the Activities section below.  In 2025, readers logged 165,874 days of reading and activities. Help us reach our community goal of 200,000 days this year!

Sign up between Jan. 1 - 15 and you will be entered to win a delicious prize – a 4-pack of Crumbl® desserts every week for a year!

This year’s activities and programs are designed to celebrate Colorado’s 150th anniversary and the United States' 250th birthday. Participate through attending local author and historian talks, creating Colorado-themed craft projects, and making some well-known Colorado recipes. Bibliophiles and bookworms alike are invited to find a new-to-you read at one of the Book Swap programs.

To register, sign up with Beanstack beginning on Thu., Jan. 1, or stop by the Library to register in-person beginning Fri., Jan. 2 (curbside services available). After you register, stop by your nearest Library location to receive a commemorative Winter Adult Reading Program 2026 calendar featuring historic photos of Colorado Springs libraries (while supplies last).

Sign up with Beanstack, or download the Beanstack app.

Presented by

Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District Logo

How to Participate  

The 2026 Winter Adult Reading Program runs from Jan. 1 – Feb. 28. Registration kicks off  Thu., Jan. 1 online, and at all PPLD locations  Fri., Jan. 2. Pick up a limited-edition registration calendar in-person (while supplies last). Calendars will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the beginning of the month.  And early registrants in the first two weeks of January are entered to win a weekly 4-pack of Crumbl®  desserts for an entire year!

Use your paper tracker (available at the Library or download a tracker here) or the Beanstack app to log 30 days of activities. Activities include reading for 30 minutes or more each day, attending a PPLD program, or doing any of the activities listed below. 

Signed up late into the program? No problem! You can still log any days of reading and activities you did between Jan. 1 – Feb. 28. 

Earn Prizes

Log 30 days of reading and activities from Jan. 1 – Feb. 28 to earn the annual limited edition Winter Adult Reading Program mug* (while supplies last), a coupon for a free dessert from Crumbl® (while supplies last), and an entry into the Grand Prize Drawing.

*Handwashing the mug is recommended to preserve the logo.

Crumbl Logo

Enter the Grand Prize Drawing  

Complete your challenge to earn an entry into the Grand Prize Drawing** for a chance to win one of five $100 gift cards from the French Kitchen or a Mystery Ranch Coulee, 50L hiking backpack from Mountain Chalet, valued at $250.

For every additional five days of reading or activities you log, you will receive one additional entry into the Grand Prize Drawing for a total of six entries. If you earn a bonus entry each week in February, your last bonus entry to the Grand Prize Drawing will be for logging four days of reading or activities due to the number of days in the month.   

The French Kitchen Logo
Mountain Chatlet logo

Programs

Sorry, I'm Booked: A Winter Adult Reading Program Party 

Calling all bookworms, book lovers, and bibliophiles: Join us for an evening to celebrate the joy of books and reading! Events include literary trivia, a book swap, an adult Storytime, bookish crafts, and book talks featuring the hottest new titles coming out in 2026. Show your literary love with a festive T-Shirt or come dressed as your favorite literary character. You will also be able to sign up for the Winter Adult Reading Program and collect prizes.

Be sure to tell everyone "Sorry, I'm Booked!"

This event is designed for adults ages 18 and up and is offered as part of the Winter Adult Reading Program. Please register to let us know that you are coming!

For the book swap, bring your clean, gently used adult fiction and nonfiction books and swap them for new-to-you titles! Please only bring adult titles published within the last five years. No textbooks, manuals, or magazines.

Ghost Stories of Colorado’s Mining Frontier

Join local author Erin Taylor to journey into Colorado’s Wild West past through chilling tales from some of the mining towns where boom met bust. From Cripple Creek’s haunted hotels to Leadville’s legendary mines, explore ghost stories and legends that still linger in the Rockies. Taylor's newest book, Haunted Leadville, will be available for purchase after the event. This program is being offered as part of the Winter Adult Reading Program and to commemorate the Colorado 150 and USA 250 anniversaries.

Birds of the Pikes Peak Region

Join wildlife biologist and author Joe LaFleur for an audio-visual presentation about how to identify local raptors like owls, hawks, and falcons. After the presentation, Joe will have his books and DVDs available for purchase. This program is being offered as part of the Winter Adult Reading Program and to commemorate the Colorado 150 and USA 250 anniversaries.

Introduction to Snowshoeing

Join Anna Miller, education, volunteer, and outreach coordinator at Mueller State Park, for an introductory class on snowshoeing. Anna will cover basic  techniques, equipment, and recommendations for local snowshoeing spots to explore. This program is offered as part of the Winter Adult Reading Program and to commemorate the Colorado 150 and USA 250 anniversaries. 

History of the Pikes Peak Trolleys

Join local author John Haney as he discusses his book Pikes Peak Trolleys. Haney, a volunteer at the Pikes Peak Trolley Museum and Restoration Shop, will also discuss the history of the old Colorado Springs Streetcar system. This program is offered as part of the Winter Adult Reading Program to commemorate the Colorado 150 and USA 250 anniversaries. 

Colorado Nature Embroidery

Embroider the flora and fauna of Colorado in this basics course celebrating the 150th anniversary of the State of Colorado! Create designs inspired by the book The Field Guide to Embroidery by Jessica Kemper. All supplies are provided. Registration required. This program is offered as part of the Winter Adult Reading Program and to commemorate the Colorado 150 and USA 250 anniversaries.

Soup Blend Workshop

As winter approaches, nothing is as soothing as a warm cup of soup! Join us for a dry-ingredient blending workshop and explore your culinary imagination as you create a unique soup blend to enjoy at home. All supplies will be provided. Registration required.  This program is offered as part of the Winter Adult Reading Program and to commemorate the Colorado 150 and USA 250 anniversaries.

Book Swap

Bring your clean, gently used adult fiction and nonfiction books and swap them for new-to-you titles! Please only bring adult titles published within the last five years. No textbooks, manuals, or magazines. Ages 18 and up.

Have items to donate that don't fit the swap? Consider donating to The Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District. All books left after the program will be donated to The Friends for their bookstores. 

This program is offered as part of the Winter Adult Reading Program and to commemorate the Colorado 150 and USA 250 anniversaries.

Container Gardens 

Don't have enough space for a garden? No worries! Allisa Zurbuchen, horticulture specialist at the El Paso County Colorado State University Extension Office, will share hints and tips on container gardening techniques that allow you to grow more with less space. Ages 18 and up. Registration recommended. This program is offered as part of the Winter Adult Reading Program and to commemorate the Colorado 150 and USA 250 anniversaries. 

Planning Your Garden

Unlock your garden's full potential! Learn how to choose the right plants, maximize your space, and optimize your planting schedule for a thriving garden. Join Horticulture Specialist Allisa Zurbuchen from the El Paso County Colorado State University Extension Office and gain the knowledge you need to cultivate a successful and vibrant garden this season. Ages 18 and up. This program is offered as part of the Winter Adult Reading Program and to commemorate the Colorado 150 and USA 250 anniversaries.

Activities

Need some suggestions for activities? We are here to help!

Reading Resources

Pick up your copy of the winter 2026 issue of the Library’s District Discovery magazine to track your progress, read stories, and more! The Winter 2026 issue comes out in January.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!