Colorado Springs City Council Work Session – February 23, 2026

The Colorado Springs City Council held a work session on Monday, February 23, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 11:13 AM in Council Chambers, City Hall. All nine council members were present. The session included presentations on Red Cross services, a waste diversion plan, and introductions of several ordinances and resolutions. No formal votes were taken on the introduced items; they are scheduled for regular meetings in March.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes of the February 9, 2026, work session were approved by consensus.
• Executive Session items: Council authorized the City to defend employees in two lawsuits (Gwen Hengehold v. Brandon Hensley, Case No. 2025CV32808; and Peter R. Forbes v. Shivani Sharma et al., Case No. 25CV32913) as recommended by the Civil Action Investigation Committee. Both were approved by consensus.

Presentations for General Information

• Red Cross Presentation (20 minutes) – Phil Martinez, Executive Director of the American Red Cross, Southern Colorado, provided an overview of the organization’s history, programs, and local impact. Key points: 953 volunteers, 76,203 documented disaster relief hours in the past year, 1,532 blood units collected (450 first-time donors), and plans for a fixed blood donation site in Colorado Springs by 2027. Councilmembers asked about Candy Stripers (confirmed as part of history), CPR certification updates (every two years), free smoke detectors (obtainable via sign-up as a volunteer on the Red Cross website), and the ability to donate to specific chapters. Councilmember Leinweber emphasized the importance of staying current on CPR changes. The presentation highlighted the Red Cross’s community mobilization strategy for March (Red Cross Month).

Staff and Appointee Reports

• Wasteless COS Presentation (20 minutes) – Asha Kurian (Project Manager), along with representatives from Colorado Circular Communities (C3), Resource Recycling Systems (RRS), and Circular Action Alliance (CAA), presented a grant-funded waste diversion study. The study found the current diversion rate is 16% with a goal of 37% by 2045. Methodology included a field inspection of 9,000 pounds of trash, two-season composition studies, and community input (97 stakeholder participants, 800+ survey responses). Five strategies were outlined: leveraging extended producer responsibility (EPR) for free recycling, focusing on organics, education, governance, and specialty waste. Rachel Zerowin (CAA) explained that EPR reimburses collectors for 100% of net eligible costs; the program’s 2026 budget is $215–267 million. Councilmembers raised questions about contamination (current contamination rate 14.7%), hauler participation, and trust in recycling. Councilmember Donelson requested periodic updates on the program’s success. Councilmember Leinweber expressed skepticism about end-market reuse and called for measurable outcomes. Asha Kurian offered a tour of the local recycling facility.
• Agenda Planner Review – No comments.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance Repealing and Reordaining Appendix K (Wildland Urban Interface Requirements) – Fire Marshal Kris Cooper presented the ordinance to align with the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code (state mandate, effective April 1, 2026, with implementation by July 1, 2026). The ordinance introduces two risk classes (Class 1 and Class 2) and a local wildfire risk map, replacing the previous WUI/PUI designations. New provisions include non-combustible fencing within 8 feet of structures, a 5-foot non-combustible defensible zone, and requirements for HOAs to oversee landscaping compliance. Estimated cost per home: $1,200 for Class 1, under $2,500 for Class 2. Councilmember Bailey questioned HOA enforcement; Fire Marshal Cooper noted ongoing training. President Pro Tem Risley called the state mandate an “inappropriate overreach” but supported the local map modifications. Councilmember Donelson asked about potential legislative delays; Cooper recommended moving forward due to wildfire risks. The ordinance will be updated to clarify that detached ADUs are prohibited in Class 2 areas but allowed in Class 1. First reading is scheduled for March 10, 2026, pending state approval of the local risk map.
• Resolution Approving Amended IGA for Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management (PPROEM) – Ryan Trujillo and Andrew Notbohm presented the resolution to extend the IGA between the City and El Paso County for three more years. The amendments include removing search and rescue (not an OEM function), fixing the hyphen in the name, and removing the advisory council (deemed duplicative). PPROEM is the only locally accredited emergency management program in Colorado (43 nationally). Councilmember Bailey asked about the three-year term; Trujillo said it allows adjustments but a longer term may be considered in the future. Councilmember Rainey asked about agreements with military installations; Notbohm confirmed response agreements and coordination through the MAC group. The resolution is expected for first reading on March 10, 2026.
• Resolution Authorizing Property Acquisition for Alternative Treatment Site (Austin Bluffs and Woodmen) – Gayle Sturdivant presented the resolution to purchase 15.38 acres at the northwest corner of Woodman Road and Austin Bluffs Parkway for $1.38 million (appraised fair market value). The site will be used for stormwater water quality treatment, serving six PPRTA transportation projects (e.g., Nevada Avenue, 30th Street Corridor). The purchase will provide hydraulic credit within the same drainage basin, saving an estimated $800,000 in capital costs and reducing long-term maintenance. Councilmember Henjum questioned the location’s distance from the projects; Sturdivant explained it is within the same hydraulic unit code. Councilmember Rainey asked about community outreach; Sturdivant said no individual outreach has been done but noted the site will remain open space and improve trails. Councilmember Donelson asked about the type of pond (retention). The resolution is scheduled for the consent agenda on March 10, 2026, pending PPRTA board approval on March 11.
• Ordinance Dissolving the Citizens’ Transportation Advisory Board (CTAB) – Michael Montgomery presented the ordinance, which was previously discussed on February 9, 2026. Councilmember Henjum noted that the CTAB chair, Jerry White, was in attendance, and recognition of CTAB members will occur at the March 10 regular meeting. No further questions. The ordinance will be on the March 10 regular meeting agenda.

Councilmember Reports and Open Discussion

• Councilmember Williams asked about the closure of bathrooms in 10 neighborhood parks. Travis Easton (Acting Chief of Staff) confirmed the closures due to budget issues. Williams stated she is not comfortable adding Fisher’s Canyon to park infrastructure given the maintenance backlog.
• Councilmember Leinweber reported on a trip to Argentina, noting that City security prevented him from checking emails while abroad, and observed no visible homelessness in Buenos Aires, attributing it to a strict anti-drug policy.
• Councilmember Donelson announced the swearing-in of 24 new police officers, the retirement of Sergeant Olaf Cheney (35 years of service), and honored the 20th anniversary of Detective Jerod Jensen’s murder.
• Councilmember Rainey described hosting Dr. Huang, Designated General Counsel for Taiwan, to discuss investments and business partnerships, leveraging the Sister City Program and local economic development groups.
• President Crow-Iverson recognized the U.S. Olympic team’s 33 medals (12 gold, 12 silver, 9 bronze) at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Key Outcomes

• Consent items approved: Minutes of February 9, 2026, and authorization to defend employees in two lawsuits.
• No votes on introduced items: The ordinance on Wildland Urban Interface (8A), the PPROEM IGA resolution (8B), the property acquisition resolution (8C), and the CTAB dissolution ordinance (8D) are scheduled for first reading or action on March 10, 2026. The property acquisition resolution is also pending PPRTA board approval on March 11.
• Next steps: Staff will continue stakeholder outreach on the WUI ordinance and seek state approval of the local risk map. The Wasteless COS program will proceed with EPR reimbursement applications; the city has already met early deadlines. Council will receive periodic updates on the waste diversion program.