One year after deady floods, business owners are moving forward

One year ago, 18,000 homes were damaged by flooding across the state and seven people died, including one in southern Colorado.

As many of us know, one of the areas hit the hardest was Manitou Springs.

Good Karma coffee shop on Canon Avenue in Manitou Springs wasn’t even open for one year when the skies opened up.

“We really thought after opening maybe we would not make it,” said Tina Blae, general manager of Good Karma Coffee Shop.

Fountain Creek runs right under the shop’s kitchen.

“It’s very scary to be in the new business anyway and to have a disaster on top of it? We wonder if people are going to come back. How long is it going to take for us to be successful if we survive?” said Blae.

But the community quickly answered that question.

“We really have. Our business has tripled this year,” Blae said.

The shop seems to have exactly what it’s named after “Good Karma”.

But it still has its challenges.

“The biggest obstacle is getting people to come back to town,” Blae said.

“It’s different since that year, but it’s different in a good way too. We’ll be alright,” said another business owner, Travis Mauzy.

The community is moving forward. One year later, it’s more prepared and stronger than ever.

“We are a community of survivors. We love our town,” said Blae.