City Council Work Session Summary – August 11, 2025

The Colorado Springs City Council held a work session on Monday, August 11, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 10:51 AM. The meeting included presentations on PikeRide and the Front Range Passenger Rail District, a discussion of a consolidated service plan for six new metropolitan districts, and an ordinance authorizing revenue bonds for the Bradley Ridge Apartments project.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The City Council approved the minutes of the July 21, 2025 Work Session by consensus.
• Executive Session (Open): Council authorized the defense of City employees in the lawsuit Zachary Bowers v. Sergeant Charles Johnson et al. (1:25-cv-1605-WJM-CYC) by consensus.

Discussion Items

PikeRide Presentation

• Ruth Black, Board Chair, and Tara McCarthy, Executive Director, presented PikeRide’s operations as a nonprofit bike-share program. They highlighted its community impact, including economic vitality, health access, and affordable transportation.
• Key Statistics:
  • Fleet: 300 bikes (all Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes), expanding to over 500 with grant funding.
  • Stations: 98, covering east to Union Boulevard, west to Manitou Springs, north to Fillmore Street, and south to Fountain Boulevard.
  • 2024 ridership: 4,300 unique riders; 31% from out of town; 55% used PikeRide to visit a business; 82% of low-income participants used it to access employment.
  • Budget: just under $500,000. Breakdown: 19% rider fares, 32% municipal support ($130,000 from Parking Enterprise in 2025), 16% partnerships, 28% grants, 5% donations.
  • Affordability programs: 111 low-income participants (2% of riders) accounted for 15% of miles ridden. PikeRide Plus leased e-bikes program.
  • Housing and public safety: 40 people kept or moved into stable housing in 2024.
• Councilmember Donelson asked about bike management, fleet size, service area, and funding. Ms. McCarthy confirmed that riders are asked to return bikes to stations or pay a convenience fee, and the system uses GPS monitoring.
• Councilmember Rainey asked about e-bikes and GPS. Ms. McCarthy confirmed all bikes are e-bikes with GPS.
• Councilmember Henjum inquired about tourism importance and funding diversification. Ms. McCarthy stated that most social media followers are from outside the area, and PikeRide serves as a marketing arm for Visit COS. She suggested exploring ride-share service fees or fees on speeding tickets as potential sustainable funding sources.
• Councilmember Bailey asked about private sponsorships, noting partnerships with Colorado College, SRAM, and local businesses.

Front Range Passenger Rail District Presentation

• Chrissy Breit, Interim General Manager, presented the vision for passenger rail connecting Fort Collins to Pueblo, with a station at America the Beautiful Park in Colorado Springs.
• Key Details:
  • Service: 4–10 daily round trips, 9 primary stations, maximum speed 79 mph.
  • Capacity: 470 passengers per train.
  • Travel time: Colorado Springs to Denver estimated at 1 hour 45 minutes.
  • Goal: Starter demonstration service by 2029.
  • Funding: State impact fees on rental cars and oil/gas production (2024 legislation). Future ballot initiative for a sales tax within the 13-county district.
  • District board includes local representatives; Chelsea Gondek (Downtown Partnership) serves as board member.
• Councilmember Rainey asked about the Southwest Chief, Union Station, and infrastructure. Ms. Breit clarified that a new train line (not yet named) is being introduced, and no new infrastructure upgrades are planned for the northern segment.
• Councilmember Donelson questioned passenger numbers relative to highway traffic and cost. Ms. Breit cited Colorado’s aging population, winter weather, and limited highway expansion as reasons for the project. Councilmember Donelson also noted that using freight lines (BNSF/Union Pacific) would incur fees.
• President Crow-Iverson asked about westward expansion and the tax ballot. Ms. Breit stated that a separate state project is exploring lines to Winter Park and Steamboat Springs, and the tax would be district-wide (within the blue boundary on the map).

Contrarian Airport Metropolitan Districts Nos. 1-6 Service Plan

• Kevin Walker, Planning Director, presented a resolution to approve a consolidated service plan for six new metro districts on 320 acres northwest of Drennan Road and South Marksheffel Road, adjacent to Peterson Space Force Base.
• Key Details:
  • Land uses: commercial, industrial, and residential (up to 2,000 residential units).
  • Maximum debt issuance: $400 million; total estimated public improvements: $245 million.
  • Mill levy: up to 50 mills for debt service; 10 mills for commercial/industrial operations, 20 mills for residential.
  • Special Improvement Districts (SIDs): an additional tool using assessment liens against land value, to be paid off before transfer to end users (e.g., homeowners).
• Councilmember Leinweber noted that metro districts are eventually run by community members, providing local governance.
• Councilmember Henjum asked about the SID mechanism. Mr. Walker explained that SIDs provide a different source of funds and payment method, with bonds repaid through annual assessments based on land value.
• Councilmember Bailey asked about the Model Service Plan. Mr. Walker confirmed that the SID language is not currently in the model but is allowable, and staff will consider adding it in the future.
• Councilmember Donelson asked about SID repayment. Mr. Walker stated that assessment liens are cleared before sale to homeowners, ensuring end users are not burdened.

Bradley Ridge Apartments Project – Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds

• Aimee Cox, Chief Housing and Homelessness Officer, presented an ordinance authorizing up to $76,832,222.72 in private activity bonds for the Bradley Ridge Apartments, a 336-unit affordable housing development near South Powers and Bradley Road.
• Key Details:
  • Unit mix: 84 two-bedroom, 84 three-bedroom, 84 four-bedroom; rents 24–32% lower than market rate.
  • On-site childcare: 60–65 slots for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years, provided by Early Connections Learning Centers at reduced costs.
  • 20 units set aside for veterans in partnership with Mount Carmel Veteran Center.
  • Total project cost: over $157 million; bond allocation from city, state, and Colorado Springs Housing Authority.
  • Completion expected: January 2028.
• Councilmember Leinweber noted the housing crisis, stating that 28,000 units are needed citywide. He emphasized the need for faster, larger-scale solutions.
• Councilmember Henjum asked about the focus on four-bedroom units. Ms. Cox and Katie Sunderlin (Housing Solutions Manager) explained that the development is family-oriented, and market studies show larger units will be absorbed quickly.
• Councilmember Donelson discussed broader factors like interest rates and material costs, noting that reductions in those would lower all housing costs. Ms. Cox agreed, adding that federal policy is shifting toward supply-side approaches.

Key Outcomes

• Consensus Actions:
  • Approved the July 21, 2025 work session minutes.
  • Authorized defense of City employees in the Zachary Bowers lawsuit.
• Next Steps:
  • The Contrarian Airport Metro Districts resolution will have a formal hearing at the next regular council meeting.
  • The Bradley Ridge bond ordinance will proceed to first reading at the August 26 regular meeting and final reading on September 9, 2025.
  • The Southeast Strong Plan will be reintroduced by Councilmember Gold in coordination with Planning Director Kevin Walker and President Crow-Iverson.
  • Councilmember Leinweber reported that the Citizens’ Transportation Advisory Board (CTAB) will provide feedback on bike safety standards in the Parks Master Plan, and the Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance (PPORA) received approval to submit a $2.5 million grant for the Ring the Peak Trail corridor.