Colorado Springs City Council Regular Meeting – March 24, 2026

The Colorado Springs City Council met on March 24, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting covered a range of legislative actions, including rezonings, utility rate adjustments, a board dissolution, a reconsideration of a street vacation, and a quasi-judicial appeal. Key decisions included final passage of several rezoning ordinances, adoption of utility cost adjustment rates, dissolution of the Citizens' Transportation Advisory Board, and a motion to reconsider the vacation of East Boulder Street. The meeting adjourned at 3:54 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Ordinance 26-10 (Second Reading): Rezoned approximately 5.75 acres at 7915 Hunter Peak Trail from R1-6/DF/AP-O to PK/AP-O (Public Park with Airport Overlay). Finally passed.
• Ordinance 26-11 (Second Reading): Rezoned approximately 4.48 acres at 950 Spectrum Loop from PDZ to PK/AF-O (Public Park with U.S. Air Force Academy Overlay). Finally passed.
• Resolution 26-119: Approved City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of March 10, 2026.
• Resolution 26-070: Adopted amendments to the City Council Rules and Procedures effective March 24, 2026.
• Resolution 26-086: Authorized the CEO of Colorado Springs Utilities to enter into a Regional Wastewater Treatment Service Agreement with Triview Metropolitan District.
• Resolution 26-087: Authorized the CEO of Colorado Springs Utilities to enter into a Regional Wastewater Treatment Service Agreement with Forest Lakes Metropolitan District.
• All consent items were approved by a vote of 8-0-0-0.

Recognitions

• Resolution 26-122 – National Vietnam War Veterans Day (March 29, 2026): Councilmember Dave Donelson read the resolution, noting 58,479 U.S. service members died in the Vietnam War, 8 of whom were women. Andrea Finnegan-Fosse (American Legion Post 5), Russ Miller (Pikes Peak Veterans Council, Marine Corps League), and Leroy Trusty (Vietnam Veterans of America, VFW) spoke in support. Councilmember Nancy Henjum shared her father’s Vietnam service and his role in founding Home Front Cares (now Home Front Military Network). The resolution was adopted 8-0-0-0.
• JustServe City Certificate: Former Councilmember Wayne Williams and Tamie Farris presented the City with a JustServe City Certificate, highlighting the free volunteer platform with over 5,000 registered users in the Pikes Peak region. Councilmembers requested a future work session for a more in-depth presentation.
• City Council Appointments to Boards, Commissions, and Committees: President Crow-Iverson presented appointments. Councilmember Williams thanked nominees. Motion approved 8-0-0-0.

Items Called Off Consent Calendar

• Ordinance 26-09 – Vincent Drive Rezone (2.93 acres, southwest of Dublin Boulevard and Vincent Drive): Councilmember Donelson pulled the item due to concerns about a dangerous blind corner on Dublin Boulevard. The proposal rezoned from A/PDZ/R-1 6/HS-O/AF-O to MX-N/AF-O (Mixed-Use Neighborhood Scale). Austin Cooper (Senior Planner) presented. Traffic Engineer Gail Sturdivant stated the site distance is 390 feet, consistent with the Traffic Criteria Manual, and that a traffic study will be required at the development plan stage. Two citizens spoke in opposition: Doug Johnson (owner of Sunrise at Woodmen Kennels) and Valerie Conteras. The applicant represented by Blaine Perkins argued that a traffic impact determination cannot be made until the development plan phase. The motion to finally pass the ordinance passed 7-1-0-0, with Donelson voting no.

Utilities Business

• Resolution 26-085 – Gas Cost Adjustment (GCA) Rate Effective April 1, 2026: Tristan Gearhart (Chief Planning and Finance Officer) presented. The GCA rate would decrease from 32.63 cents to 19.94 cents per CCF, reducing the typical residential gas bill by $7.62 (15% drop). Councilmember Rainey asked about strategies to keep rates low; CEO Travas Deal cited increased gas transmission, hedging, and storage programs. Motion adopted 8-0-0-0.
• Resolution 26-128 – Electric Cost Adjustment (ECA) and Green Power Service Rates Effective April 1, 2026: The ECA rate would decrease from 2.63 cents to 2.33 cents per kWh, reducing the typical residential electric bill by $2.10 (2% drop). Combined with the GCA reduction, the total sample bill would drop by $9.72 to $280. Motion adopted 8-0-0-0.

Unfinished Business

• Ordinance 26-13 – Dissolving the Citizens' Transportation Advisory Board (CTAB): Councilmember Leinweber provided a history, noting the board had become redundant due to other citizen feedback mechanisms. The dissolution was described as a thoughtful process after six months of review. Motion to finally pass passed 6-2-0-0 (Gold and Henjum voting no).
• Motion to Reconsider Ordinance 26-06 – Vacation of East Boulder Street (0.92 acres between N. Nevada Ave. and N. Weber St.): Councilmember Brandy Williams moved to reconsider, citing pedestrian safety concerns around Palmer High School that were not adequately addressed in the original hearing. Councilmember Henjum supported the applicant returning with a new application rather than reconsideration. The motion to reconsider failed 3-4-0-1 (Risley recused). Later, Councilmember Rainey moved to reconsider the reconsideration due to confusion about the vote. That motion passed 4-3-0-1, reopening the reconsideration. Councilmember Williams then moved to reconsider the vacation with a hearing date of May 26, 2026, to include a presentation on intersection safety solutions. That motion passed 4-3-0-1.

Public Hearing – Landings Business Park

• Ordinance 26-12 – Rezone of approximately 319.94 acres west of Marksheffel Road, north of Drennan Road, southeast of Peterson Space Force Base from MX-M/cr/GI/cr/BP/cr/APD/AP-O/APZ-1 to PDZ/AP-O/APZ-1 (Planned Development Zone). The associated Land Use Plan (LUPL-25-0011) proposes residential (up to 924 units), commercial, industrial, and a 5.28-acre park. Drew Foxx (Planner II) presented. Peterson Space Force Base Lt. Col. Scott Kelly stated the base has no concerns with the project moving forward, and that a quarter-mile buffer is not necessary. Councilmember Donelson expressed concerns about potential encroachment and the ongoing SOICU study. The applicant (Andrea Barlow, NES) noted the developer will continue coordinating with Peterson. Two speakers spoke in support: MJ Benenati (Chamber and EDC) and Jill Gaebler (Pikes Peak Housing Network). Motion to finally pass the ordinance passed 7-1-0-0 (Donelson voting no). The Land Use Plan was also approved 7-1-0-0.

Public Hearing – Appeal of 4880 Airport Road Rezone

• Appeal (APPL-26-0002) of the Planning Commission’s denial of a zone change from R1-6/AP-O to R-5/AP-O (Multi-Family High) for 2.17 acres at 4880 Airport Road. Chris Sullivan (Senior Planner) explained the procedural anomaly: since Planning Commission denied the rezone, the appeal goes directly to City Council. If the appeal is approved, the rezone will be processed for a future Council hearing. The applicant (Ann Odom, NES) argued the R-5 zoning is consistent with adjacent multifamily developments and will provide needed housing. Traffic Engineer Gail Sturdivant stated that even at maximum density (50 units), traffic impacts are minimal and a right-in/right-out access onto Airport Road is supported. Several citizens spoke in opposition: Barbara Overgaard (21-year resident of Sand Creek Commons), Helen Mackay (HOA Board President), Tao Thai (Buddhist monk), Jessica Brownley (educator), and Joyce Salazar (RISE Southeast). They cited safety concerns, traffic congestion, and lack of sidewalks. Jill Gaebler, Miles Diaz, and Lukas Killiman spoke in support, citing housing needs. Councilmember Gold supported the appeal, noting the need for housing density. The motion to approve the appeal and reverse the Planning Commission decision passed 6-1-1-0 (Donelson voting no, Risley excused). The rezone will now return for a future Council hearing.

Citizen Discussion (Items Not on Agenda)

• Lisa Brandt (Reclaiming Civility) invited councilmembers to a civility workshop.
• Lonnie Mera opposed the closing of the Stratton Meadow Community Center and called for action on marijuana shops near schools.
• Taylor Gray invited council to the “No Kings” event, spoke against metadata collection without warrants, and urged council to protect the Constitution.
• Steve Lightfoot reiterated claims that Stephen King murdered John Lennon and criticized city pothole management.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 26-09 (Vincent Drive Rezone): Finally passed 7-1-0-0.
• Ordinance 26-10 (Hunter Peak Trail Rezone to Park): Finally passed on Consent.
• Ordinance 26-11 (Spectrum Loop Rezone to Park): Finally passed on Consent.
• Resolution 26-085 (Gas Cost Adjustment): Adopted 8-0-0-0.
• Resolution 26-128 (Electric Cost Adjustment): Adopted 8-0-0-0.
• Ordinance 26-13 (Dissolve CTAB): Finally passed 6-2-0-0.
• Motion to Reconsider East Boulder Street Vacation: Reconsideration approved with a hearing set for May 26, 2026 (4-3-0-1).
• Ordinance 26-12 (Landings Business Park Rezone): Finally passed 7-1-0-0.
• Landings Business Park Land Use Plan: Approved 7-1-0-0.
• Appeal of 4880 Airport Road Rezone: Approved 6-1-1-0, reversing the Planning Commission denial.