Colorado Springs City Council Regular Meeting - June 24, 2025

The Colorado Springs City Council held its regular meeting on June 24, 2025, starting at 9:00 AM. The meeting covered resolutions, a consent calendar, a budget update, ordinance debates on marijuana tax spending and parking minimums, and a lengthy public hearing on the Fishers Canyon Open Space Master Plan. A separate hearing on a battery energy storage zone change also took place. The meeting concluded with citizen comments.

Consent Calendar

• Routine items were approved on a voice vote, except items 4BG (retail marijuana sales tax ordinance) and 4BH (annexation petition resolution) which were pulled for separate discussion. Councilmember Risley recused himself from 4BH due to a conflict of interest; the remaining council voted 8–0 to approve.

Resolutions & Recognitions

• Independence Day (5A): Council unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing July 4, 2025, as Independence Day. Speakers from the Colorado Springs Philharmonic and Sports Corp highlighted the Star-Spangled Symphony and fireworks show at Ford Amphitheater, now with 8,000 seats claimed in one day, plus eight additional community firework displays.
• Park and Recreation Month (5B): The council designated July as National Park and Recreation Month. Parks Director Britt Haley noted the 40th anniversary and outlined events including a silent disco and Music in the Park. The resolution passed unanimously.
• Retirement Recognition (5C): A resolution honored Patrick Gentili, Golf Course Superintendent, for 30 years of service. Councilmembers expressed gratitude; the resolution passed unanimously. A motion and second were noted; vote carried 9–0.
• BID Appointments (5D): Three appointments to the Greater Downtown Colorado Business Improvement District were confirmed unanimously: Brian Bradigan, Freddie Provazino, and Alison Cortez.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Fishers Canyon Open Space (support): Multiple speakers (Phil Wartman, Delane Bredvick, Alan Ocampo, Carol Beckman, Steve Harris, Hank Scarangella, Bob Falcone, Corey Sutela) urged approval of the master plan. They cited extensive public process, fire mitigation already performed, the need to connect regional trails (Chamberlain Trail, Cheyenne Mountain Heritage Trail), and that the open space serves all citizens who paid TOPS tax. Some noted the alternative was 70 homes.
• Fishers Canyon Open Space (opposition): Residents and professionals (Diane Bridges, Jeanette Caproon, Mike Anderson, Dutch Schultz, Lisa Bigelow, and many others) argued the plan was premature without proper rezoning, lacked detailed drainage and geologic studies, posed wildfire and evacuation risks, and had insufficient public process. They requested denial or postponement until all safety measures were committed.
• Citizen Comments (end of meeting): Several speakers from the Colorado Springs Homeless Union (Don Briggs, Shane Hood, Candy Lewis, and others) called for decriminalizing homelessness, better services, and a shift from enforcement to housing. A speaker also made an unscheduled comment about the murder of John Lennon. One citizen urged review of water reserve ordinances for annexations.

Discussion Items

• Budget Update (6A): Budget Manager Jen Vance presented a mid-year forecast. Sales tax revenue is projected $9.2 million under budget for 2025, with a total general fund shortfall of $11.5 million. To maintain reserves (currently 17.1% of expenditures), the city is targeting spending cuts: 4% for most departments, 2.6% for police, fire, and IT. Key considerations for 2026 include 911 center staffing, health insurance costs, and removal of $9 million in one-time funding. A timeline for budget development was provided.
• Item 4BG – Retail Marijuana Tax Ordinance: Councilmember Gold pulled this item. The ordinance would create a grant program for external organizations using the expected $1.4 million in marijuana tax revenue, earmarked by voter initiative for public safety, mental health, and veteran PTSD services. Chief of Staff noted the administration opposes it due to the budget shortfall and charter concerns. Fire and police deputies presented needs: homeless outreach ($368,000) and alternate response teams ($292,000). After debate, the ordinance failed on a 6–3 vote.
• Item 10A – Parking Minimum Ordinance: This ordinance would eliminate minimum parking requirements near high-frequency transit lines to comply with state HB 24-1304 (deadline June 30). Planning staff presented, though the planning department did not fully support it due to time constraints and a prior 6–0 denial by the Planning Commission. Council leadership brought it forward. Public comment overwhelmingly opposed, citing impacts on 44 neighborhoods, lack of public process, and concerns about wildfire evacuation and stormwater. Councilmember Donaldson moved to deny; the motion passed unanimously (9–0).
• Fishers Canyon Open Space Master Plan Appeal (11A): The appeal challenged the Parks Board approval, arguing the plan violates the Unified Development Code because the property is not yet zoned PK (park) and lacks required studies (geologic, drainage, traffic evacuation). City attorneys clarified that a park master plan is exempt from development plan requirements until a future rezoning. Parks staff detailed a 20‑month process with 2,600 citizen engagements, 21 public meetings, and 71% community support (though closer neighbors were less supportive). Fire marshal noted proactive mitigation (89 acres of thinning) and that the parking lot would aid emergency staging. After extensive testimony and council deliberation, a motion to uphold the appeal (which would deny the master plan) was made and seconded. The vote result was not captured in the transcript, but based on council comments (Councilmember Williams supported the appeal; Councilmember Donaldson supported it; others appeared to favor the plan), the outcome is uncertain from the record.
• Battery Energy Storage Zone Change (11B/11C): ES Volta requested rezoning 6.18 acres at 1133 South Royer Street from General Industrial to a Planned Development Zone to allow a battery energy storage facility. The facility would use lithium-iron-phosphate batteries, be largely unmanned, and provide up to $4.6 million in local tax contributions. Fire marshal stated the technology is safer than older chemistries and that the department is comfortable with the design. City Utilities CFO noted the project was not selected in the latest RFP and no new RFP is planned. The council approved the rezoning on a 7–2 vote.

Key Outcomes

• Independence Day Resolution: Adopted unanimously.
• Parks Month Resolution: Adopted unanimously.
• Gentili Retirement Resolution: Adopted unanimously.
• BID Appointments: Confirmed unanimously.
• Consent Calendar (minus pulled items): Approved on voice vote.
• 4BG – Marijuana Tax Grant Ordinance: Defeated 6–3.
• 4BH – Annexation Petition Resolution: Approved 8–0 (Risley recused).
• 10A – Parking Minimum Ordinance: Denied (motion to deny passed 9–0).
• 11A – Fishers Canyon Appeal: A motion to uphold the appeal (denying the master plan) was made and seconded; the vote outcome was not included in the transcript.
• 11B/11C – Battery Storage Rezoning: Approved 7–2.
• Budget Forecast: Staff will continue working with council through October to prepare the 2026 budget amid an $11.5 million shortfall.