Tourists and locals alike will enjoy diversified entertainment options

By Natasha Lovato

Red Leg Brewing Company celebrated the official beginnings of their new location late last year with a ground-breaking ceremony. It was the latest development in Colorado Springs that promises to enhance the experiences of locals and tourists in the state’s second largest city.

For Red Leg, the small brewery is planning an $8 million destination northwest of town that features a taproom, food hall and outdoor event center – all within a stone’s throw of Garden of the Gods.

NEW SOUTH END

Longtime residents are excited about the new venue but it’s only part of the transformation the city is experiencing.

Another major development to the south of town has been dubbed “the new south end.” An 8,000-seat stadium is being built for use by the Colorado Springs Switchbacks soccer club, as well as other local teams. It’s part of a $2.3 billion redevelopment plan in the area that will include the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum. The neighborhood will also see a new food hall – similar to Denver’s Milk Market – that will offer patrons tuned-up food and libations.

RED LEG EXPANSION

Red Leg’s multipurpose facility is located at 2323 Garden of the Gods Road next to the Sinton and Mesa bike trails leading into the area’s towering red rocks. Red Leg founder Todd Baldwin recognized the increasing need to expand production and with the southern Colorado craft beer scene booming, the opportunity was greater than ever for the 14,000-square-foot facility.

“A few years ago, the City of Colorado Springs really changed their tune on where breweries could be located,” Baldwin said. “I think Mike Bristol (co-owner of Bristol Brewing Co.) and the Ivywild Project had a lot to do with that, so all the credit goes to him and his efforts. Since the city has made these changes, it really opened up our eyes to what the possible next move could be.”

After immense brainstorming and planning, Baldwin and the Red Leg team settled on a brewery, food hall and outdoor event center all within one venue.

Although Red Leg’s current location will close, the new venue is scheduled to open this fall.

The new facility is designed to be able to continue to produce their core brands as well as more limited release and specialty beers. As far as the food hall goes, Baldwin is excited to bring some of the best purveyors in the SoCo region into the one-stop shop at Red Leg. Just outside of the brewery and food court will be an expansive event center for concerts, performing arts and maybe even a little goat yoga.

At the end of the day, Baldwin wanted a space to live up to the Red Leg mission for serving those who serve. “We set out six and a half years ago to get our beer onto every military installation in the world and this facility will allow that to happen,” he said.

Building the project has been challenging for the Red Leg team, but Baldwin is grateful for the ongoing support that gets them through the challenges that arise. “We are just so appreciative of our community, who from day one has supported our mission. It hasn’t been an easy road but it sure has been a fun one,” he said.