Colorado Springs City Council Regular Meeting - February 10, 2026

The Colorado Springs City Council met on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers. The meeting included consent calendar approvals, recognition of Black History Month, board appointments, a discussion on a camping ordinance, authorization of recreational use of Rosemont Reservoir, first reading of an ordinance restricting residency for sexually violent predators, and a lengthy public hearing on appeals related to the Colorado Springs Temple development plan. The meeting adjourned at 2:30 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the January 27, 2026 City Council meeting minutes (4B.A).
• Approved on first reading an ordinance amending the Unified Development Code (Chapter 7) regarding signs (4B.B).
• Approved on first reading an ordinance amending Chapter 3 (Public Property) pertaining to sign regulations (4B.C).
• Adopted a resolution approving a Memorandum of Understanding for digital orthorectified imagery acquisition in 2026 (4B.E).
• Adopted a resolution authorizing the disposal of surplus city property to Project Manitou (4B.F).
• Approved on first reading a zoning map amendment for approximately 21.19 acres northeast of Bradley Road and Powers Boulevard from R-5/AP-O to R-FLEX M/AP-O, with a public hearing set for February 24, 2026 (4B.G).

The consent calendar was approved by a vote of 8-0-1-0 (Councilmember Bailey excused).

Recognitions

• Black History Month Proclamation: Council President Crow-Iverson read a proclamation recognizing February 2026 as Black History Month. Several community speakers highlighted the contributions of Black Americans and local organizations, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Preservation Society, the African American Historical and Genealogical Society, and the Colorado Front Range Buffalo Soldiers. Councilmember Rainey emphasized that Black history is American history.
• Board and Commission Appointments: Council approved appointments to the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Advisory Board. Councilmembers Gold and Leinweber expressed appreciation for the nominees. The motion passed 8-0-1-0.

Mayor's Business

• Acting Chief of Staff Travis Easton announced that Friday, February 13, 2026, is a city furlough day, but essential services (public safety, code enforcement, snow plowing) will continue.

Discussion Items

Camping Ordinance (Item 4B.D)

• Councilmember Henjum requested removal from the consent calendar. She provided background on the ordinance (originally heard November 10, 2025) and expressed concern that the process had been rushed, with insufficient engagement from stakeholders, housing providers, and those with lived experience. She opposed moving the hearing date to February 24, 2026, advocating for more time to create thoughtful legislation.
• Councilmember Leinweber supported the February 24 date, arguing that the ordinance simplifies existing camping laws and provides police with clear tools. He stated that urgency has existed for years and that clarity is needed.
• The motion to set a revised legislative hearing date of February 24, 2026, passed 6-2-1-0 (Councilmembers Henjum and Gold voted no; Bailey excused).

Rosemont Reservoir Recreation (Item 8.A)

• Jessica Davis, Land Resource Manager for Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU), presented a resolution to authorize expanded recreational use at Rosemont Reservoir, including overnight camping, campfires, and non-motorized boating. The site is currently managed as a State Wildlife Area by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).
• April Estep, Deputy Regional Manager of CPW, expressed support and noted the model is similar to the Cheyenne Mountain State Wildlife Area, with CPW handling operations and funding through sources like GOCO and the Keep Colorado Wild Pass.
• Two property owners from the adjacent JoHoMa cabin spoke in opposition, citing concerns about noise, light, fire risk, and loss of tranquility. They requested protections for their historic cabin.
• Becky Leinweber, Executive Director of Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance (PPORA), spoke in support, noting alignment with the Outdoor Pikes Peak Vision plan.
• Councilmembers asked about wildfire mitigation (confirmed), inclusion of adjacent owners (confirmed), and the primary use of the reservoir (non-drinking water, dual-purpose).
• The resolution was adopted 8-0-1-0 (Bailey excused). The City Attorney clarified that this resolution is step one; subsequent lease amendments and land-use approvals (in Teller County) will include further public input.

Sexually Violent Predator Residency Restrictions (Item 10.A)

• Division Chief Shantel Withrow presented an ordinance creating new residency restrictions for sexually violent predators, requested by Councilmember Bailey (absent). The ordinance was approved on first reading 8-0-1-0 with no public comment.

Public Hearing: Colorado Springs Temple Appeal (Item 11.A)

• The hearing involved two appeals: one from resident Jennifer Kuhn (denying the Planning Commission's denial of her appeal and seeking conditions), and one from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (appealing the conditions imposed by the Planning Commission). The property is 18.6 acres at the southwest corner of Flying Horse Club Drive and Barossa Valley Road.
• Staff Presentation: Tamara Baxter (Planning Supervisor) explained that the development plan was administratively approved on November 6, 2025, and the Planning Commission denied an appeal on December 10, 2025, but added two conditions: the steeple must be non-reflective matte finish, and the top tier of the steeple must not be illuminated. The Commission did not define "top tier." Staff requested council interpretation.
• Appellant (Kuhn) Position: Attorney Michael Kuhn argued that the 140.5-foot spire and its illumination violate UDC sections requiring design to minimize visibility from residential zones (Section 7.4.203(B)(2)) and lighting restrictions (Section 7.4.1201). He claimed no photometric analysis was done for the spire lighting, lights are pointed upward without a canopy to reflect them down, and the illumination maximizes visibility rather than minimizing it. He requested remand to staff or council action to reduce the spire height to 95 feet, use warmer 2700K lights, and prohibit illumination above 45 feet.
• Applicant (Church) Position: Attorney Carolynne White (Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck) and John Suthers argued that the project complies with all UDC requirements. They stated the total height is 140.5 feet (building 39 feet, spire 95 feet), and the spire was designed to minimize visibility: one-story building instead of two, use of light-absorbing glass fiber reinforced concrete, steeple placement away from residences, and a narrow tapering design. They presented a photometric analysis showing light is precisely directed (98% absorbed by the building) and reflected downward by cornices at each level. The top 17 feet of the spire are not illuminated. They cited the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) as protecting the spire and its illumination as religious expression, and argued that aesthetics are not a compelling government interest to restrict religious exercise.
• Public Comments: Approximately 16 speakers expressed support for the temple as originally designed, including several Flying Horse residents, a former city councilman (Wayne Williams), and members of the church. Three speakers opposed the appeal (neighbors Dave Phillips, Linda Miller, and Monica Fuchs), requesting lower height, reduced nighttime lighting, and more evergreen screening.
• Rebuttals: Kuhn reiterated that illumination cannot minimize visibility, and the spire's height and lighting were not properly analyzed. White countered that the spire is 95 feet, not 140, lights are not the most intense, and the design modifications were made to minimize visibility. She noted that of 313 public comments received, approximately 294 supported the project.
• Council Deliberation: Councilmember Leinweber asked about the future Powers Boulevard extension (planned to be 30 feet below grade, acting as a buffer). Councilmember Donelson stated that the church minimized lighting while conveying religious message, and RLUIPA requires compelling interest to limit expression. Councilmember Williams provided context on the Flying Horse history.
• Motion: Councilmember Donelson moved to deny the appeal seeking reversal of the development plan approval but reverse the Planning Commission's conditions, finding that only the temple appellant met the appeal criteria. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Williams and passed 8-0-1-0 (Bailey excused).

Citizen Discussion (Items Not on Agenda)

• Isaac Contreras and Taylor Gray spoke against ICE enforcement actions, accusing the mayor and officials of violating Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights.
• Dustin Hanson discussed inequitable Ratio Utility Billing System (RUBS) in his apartment complex and requested transparency in utility billing. Councilmember Rainey noted ongoing dialogue.
• Steve Lightfoot spoke against a red-light camera citation and made allegations about Stephen King.
• Laurel Bahe requested that the January 13, 2026 City Council meeting minutes be corrected to reflect Councilmember Donelson's departure and refusal to participate in a commemorative photo.
• Derek Shetrone spoke against Flock artificial intelligence surveillance cameras and raised concerns about biometric data privacy.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar approved unanimously (8-0-1-0).
• Revised legislative hearing date for camping ordinance set for February 24, 2026 (vote 6-2-1-0).
• Resolution authorizing recreational use of Rosemont Reservoir adopted (8-0-1-0).
• First reading of sexually violent predator residency restrictions approved (8-0-1-0).
• Temple appeals: council reversed Planning Commission conditions and denied Kuhn's appeal, approving the development plan as originally administratively approved (8-0-1-0).
• Meeting adjourned at 2:30 PM.