2025 will mark the 49th annual Colorado Labor Day Lift Off (Colorado Balloon Classic. The Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off was organized in 1977 and has grown to be the largest and the longest continuously running hot air balloon festival in the Rocky Mountain Region as well as the State of Colorado.

The Colorado Springs labor Day Lift Off is an annual family event - admission is free - held each Labor Day weekend. The event is held in Memorial Park off Pikes Peak Avenue between Hancock Ave. and Union Blvd near the shores of Prospect Lake. Mass ascensions with approximately 100 balloons are scheduled for Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings with a Balloon Glow scheduled for Saturday and Sunday evenings. Each year a variety of concessions are available and entertainment is provided during each event.