Colorado Springs City Council Work Session - May 12, 2025
Colorado Springs City Council Work Session - May 12, 2025
The Colorado Springs City Council held a work session on Monday, May 12, 2025, from 9:01 AM to 12:49 PM. The meeting included an executive session, presentations from the Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance, the Pikes Peak Commission on Aging, year-end LART updates from the Colorado Springs Sports Corp and the Chamber and EDC, and the introduction of a park land acquisition resolution. No public comments were received.
Executive Session
- Open Session: Ben Bolinger, City Attorney's Office, requested authorization to defend city employees in the lawsuit Laura Voepel v. Reuban Crews, et al. (Case No. 25-cv-00506-KAS). Council provided unanimous consensus to authorize representation.
- Closed Session: Council voted 9–0 to enter a closed executive session to discuss (i) strategy for a real estate acquisition for a public works project and (ii) instructions for negotiators regarding an economic development and incentive agreement, citing Colorado Open Meetings Act exemptions.
Presentations for General Information
Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance (PPORA)
- Becky Leinweber (Executive Director) presented the Outdoor Pikes Peak Initiative (OPPI), which has been in development since 2021. The draft vision plan was released for public comment through June 1, 2025.
- Connor Hall (Lead, Office of Colorado’s Outdoor Recreation Industry) noted that Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) has set aside $50 million over five years for regional partnership implementation, with $40 million for implementation grants (minimum $250,000, expected $2–$5 million per project). PPORA is among the first partnerships to complete a vision plan, positioning it to access these funds.
- Jeff Moser (Board Chair) and Toby Gannett (Past Chair) highlighted PPORA’s structure and the need for local financial investment to complement state funds. Cripple Creek has already contributed.
- Councilmember Henjum expressed full support, calling the outdoors “the most profound asset.” Councilmember Leinweber asked about Colorado Springs Utilities’ involvement; Chris Olney (CSU) explained collaborative work on infrastructure and watershed solutions.
- Councilmember Williams asked about specific costs for Pikes Peak work; Leinweber stated those are not yet determined. She confirmed that the $50 million is only available for regional partnerships.
- Councilmember Rainey asked about the Governor’s Office priorities; Hall stated they are respecting community plans and seeking balance.
Pikes Peak Commission on Aging (PPCOA)
- Erin Maruzzella (Commissioner) presented on aging policy, the Colorado Commission on Aging, and the local PPCOA. She noted that Colorado Springs’ age-friendly designation (through AARP) lapsed in June 2024 when Innovations in Aging closed, though volunteers are working to rebuild the group.
- Councilmember Leinweber asked about Alzheimer’s and dementia; Maruzzella stated they have more experts to address cognitive behaviors and continue research.
- Councilmember Donelson emphasized the need to focus on the elderly, specifically transportation, isolation, and socioeconomic challenges. He asked about appointments; Maruzzella said City Council appoints one member to PPCOA, and there are six appointed members with room for at-large members.
- Councilmember Bailey asked about university partnerships; Maruzzella cited UCCS and Pikes Peak State College as age-friendly partners.
- Councilmember Henjum confirmed the city’s past age-friendly designation and noted the volunteer effort to re-establish it.
- Maruzzella requested council partnership and highlighted the upcoming multi-sector plan on aging, open for comment through May, with a meeting at El Pomar on Thursday.
Colorado Springs Sports Corp – 2024 LART Year-End Update
- Jamie Fabos (Chief of Staff) presented changes to the LART (Lodgers and Auto Rental Tax) grant process, including new committee makeup (four lodging, one rental car, two at-large citizens; contract agencies are ex-officio). A LART Administrator position (one-year pilot) will be housed at Sports Corp, funded at $80,000/year. Councilmember Donelson expressed concern about the position being at a contracted agency rather than city hall. Fabos noted that a previous council opposed growing government, and Sports Corp is fronting the salary before the contract starts July 1.
- Megan Leatham (President & CEO, Sports Corp) stated the percentage distribution among four pillars (arts, sports, business/general tourism, outdoor) will be based on the number of applications received each year, with final approval through the budget process. Councilmember Donelson argued this approach is reactive, not strategic. Council President Crow-Iverson and Councilmember Henjum defended the changes, emphasizing increased accountability through KPIs and that 60% of the 80 prior LART contracts were not fulfilling obligations.
- Davis Tutt (Director of Sports Tourism) reported 2024 KPIs: 43 events (up 49% from 2023), 31,000 athletes, over 100,000 spectators (up 32%), and hotel room nights up 320% from 2023. He highlighted key 2025 events including the US Senior Open, USA Weightlifting Nationals, and DoD Warrior Games. Councilmember Leinweber asked what the city lacks to be more competitive; Leatham replied a massive indoor/outdoor sports complex.
Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC – 2024 LART Year-End Update
- Dani Barger (Senior Vice President) presented results from a perception study (conducted every three years) showing Colorado Springs is known for outdoors but not career opportunities. She highlighted earned media (12 national placements), digital marketing, and the “Takeoff in Colorado Springs” campaign during Space Symposium, which generated 24 qualified economic development leads. Councilmember Donelson asked how KPIs are established; Barger said they are in the contract and reviewed annually with the Chief Financial Officer. Councilmember Rainey asked for a definition of a “lead”; Barger will provide that to the full council.
Items for Introduction
Cumbre Vista Park Extension (Items 8A & 8B)
- Lonna Thelen (Parks Design and Development Manager) presented a resolution and budget ordinance to acquire approximately 5.75 acres from El Paso County School District 20 for $791,740 plus $3,000 in closing costs, using Park Land Dedication Ordinance (PLDO) funds. The site is adjacent to existing Cumbre Vista Park (5.16 acres), creating a combined 10.91-acre park. The purchase will address a neighborhood park deficit of about 1–1.5 acres in the area due to multifamily development replacing planned commercial uses. The Parks Advisory Board approved unanimously. Councilmember Henjum asked if PLDO funds can be used for park development; Thelen explained their primary purpose is land acquisition, with limited alternative compliance options for construction. Councilmember Risley asked how the price was established; Thelen stated D20 proposed a price, and an appraisal supported it. The items will go to regular council meetings on May 27 and June 10 for final votes, with closing expected late June/early July.
Key Outcomes
- Approval of Minutes: The April 21, 2025 work session minutes were approved by consensus.
- Authorization to Defend City Employees: Council unanimously authorized representation in Laura Voepel v. Reuban Crews, et al.
- Closed Executive Session: Council voted 9–0 to hold a closed session for real estate acquisition negotiation and economic development agreement discussion.
- Presentations Received: All four presentations (PPORA, PPCOA, Sports Corp, Chamber/EDC) were received as informational; no formal votes were taken.
- Introduction of Cumbre Vista Park Items: Resolution and ordinance were introduced for the May 27 regular meeting; final adoption scheduled for June 10.
- Council Reports: Councilmember Donelson raised concerns about noise from the Ford Amphitheater affecting nearby residents. Councilmember Henjum reported on community trail cleanup efforts and the upcoming Juneteenth celebration at Citadel Mall. Councilmember Leinweber noted a very successful Small Business Week with sold-out events.
- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 12:49 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning. I saw Councilman Lineweber come in and then run back out. So we're gonna go ahead and get started with the work session this morning, Monday, May 12th, 2025. Work session meeting. Where did he go? Oh yeah. Okay, then we'll go ahead and call order roll call. He'll get to a seat by the time we get to him. So will the clerk please call roll? Councilmember Bailey. Here. Councilmember Crow Iverson. Here. Councilmember Donaldson. Here. Councilmember Gold. Present. Councilmember Henjam. Present. Councilmember Williams. Here. Councilmember Lion Weber. Here. Councilmember Rainey. Here. Councilmember Risley. Here. All nine present. Do we have any changes to the agenda for today's agenda? Seeing none, we'll move on to the regular meeting comments. Are there any changes to the regular meeting for tomorrow? Um, madam president. Uh I'm an it's not changed. I'm gonna pull some stuff off consent. Those things that are quasi-judicial, and it's the first uh hearing to set only set a date, but really, and I'm not sure every all the new members understand this. You're voting on it the first time and you're approving it the first time. So um I guess we'll get to that tomorrow. Noted. So the review of the previous minutes. Um, do we have it? Oh, will the city clerk please read in item 4A? Which items are you exactly pulling off, Councilmember Donaldson, just for the public to know. I don't have the list with me today because normally we're talking about all the land use items where we're setting here. There's probably like four or five of them. Yeah, 4BF, 4BG, 4BH, 4B. I 4BJ. And that's the last one. Is J uh quasi judicial ordinance? Then yeah, that would be the okay. Thank you.
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