Colorado Springs City Council Regular Meeting Summary – April 28, 2026

This meeting of the Colorado Springs City Council convened at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The council addressed a broad agenda, including consent items, recognitions, appointments, utility rate cases, the dissolution of a police oversight commission, acceptance of a major land donation, adoption of updated wildfire-resiliency building codes, and several land-use public hearings. The meeting adjourned at 12:14 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes from the April 14, 2026 regular meeting were approved.
• Evergreen Ridge Metropolitan District Dissolution: A resolution consenting to the dissolution of the Evergreen Ridge Metropolitan District (Council District 3) was adopted by a vote of 9-0.

Recognitions

• Small Business Week (May 3–9, 2026): Council President Pro Tem Risley read a resolution recognizing the week. Brandon Eldridge (Executive Director, Pikes Peak SBDC) noted that the SBDC supports nearly 700 businesses annually, contributing an additional $500,000 in sales tax to the city. Representatives from Amnet Colorado Springs, B Side Capital, and Soapbox Marketing expressed appreciation. The resolution was adopted 9-0.
• Boards, Commissions, and Committees Appointments: Council approved appointments and removals, including the elevation of Richard Ingall from alternate to voting member of the Planning Commission and the removal of Councilmember Williams as alternate on the PPRTA Board to allow her continued service on the Citizens Advisory Committee. Approved 9-0.

Mayor's Business

• Appointment of City Attorney: An ordinance appointing Stefanie Boster as City Attorney, prescribing her duties, compensation, and tenure, was approved on first reading by a vote of 9-0. Travis Easton, Acting Chief of Staff, presented the item.

Utilities Business

• Commercial Recreation on Watersheds: A resolution authorizing commercial guided recreation on Colorado Springs Utilities-controlled watershed areas and reservoirs was adopted 8-0-1 (Councilmember Leinweber recused due to ownership of a commercial outfitter). Abigail Ortega, General Manager of Infrastructure and Resources Planning, stated that the resolution allows a pilot program at North Slope Recreation Area, managed by Pikes Peak America’s Mountain, and that best management practices will be applied.
• Natural Gas Rates (March 2026 Rate Case): A resolution setting natural gas rates was adopted 9-0. Chris Bidlack, Utilities Division attorney, presented the final decision order following a prior hearing.

Unfinished Business

• Dissolution of Law Enforcement Transparency and Advisory Commission (LETAC): Ordinance 26-16, repealing ordinances that created LETAC, was finally passed by a vote of 9-0. Councilmember Rainey introduced the ordinance. Travis Easton read a letter of appreciation from Mayor Mobolade and Police Chief Vasquez. Three citizens spoke in opposition: Taylor Gray expressed fear that stronger accountability would not replace LETAC; Brandon Rincon (Colorado Springs Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression) called for a civilian police accountability commission with subpoena and hiring/firing powers; Memphis Curry read a statement from a family member of a victim of police shooting, criticizing the lack of accountability and urging a truly independent oversight body. Councilmember Donelson noted that police may use lethal force depending on a citizen’s actions. Councilmember Rainey stated he would facilitate a “warm handoff” of LETAC members to the Mayor and Police Chief to explore a new advisory committee.

New Business

• Pikeview Quarry Land Donation: A resolution authorizing the acceptance of a donation of approximately 100 acres (the Pikeview Quarry site) from Castle Concrete Company was adopted 9-0. Lonna Thelen (Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services) and David Deitemeyer detailed the site’s history, reclamation process (3.4 million cubic yards of material moved, 31,000 trees/shrubs planted), and independent third-party review confirming slope stability. Councilmember Henjum spoke of land as a gift and restoration as relationship. Councilmember Williams supported the acquisition but noted maintenance backlogs. Citizens Steve Harris (PRCS Advisory Board Chair) and Glenn Carlson (Trails and Open Space Coalition) spoke in support. Property owner Ron Gidwitz provided historical context. The city must close by May 15, 2026.
• Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Code Update: An ordinance repealing and reordaining Appendix K of the Fire Prevention Code to align with the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code was approved on first reading 8-0-1 (Councilmember Leinweber absent). Fire Marshal Kris Cooper presented: the new code applies to both residential and commercial properties, introduces Class 1 and Class 2 risk areas, and uses a locally developed risk map (approved by the state) covering 28,000 acres on the east side. Estimated cost increase per residential property for Class 1 is up to $1,200. Councilmember Risley acknowledged state mandate but noted increased construction costs. The ordinance will be up for second reading.
• Special Meeting Minutes: Minutes from the April 6, 2026 special meeting were approved 8-0-1 (Councilmember Casey recused).
• Settlement Approval: A request for approval of a $750,000 settlement for a claim arising from an arrest on April 24, 2022 was approved 7-2-0. Councilmembers Donelson and Gold voted no. Acting City Attorney Marc Smith presented.
• Postponement: Item 10.C (Unified Development Code procedural process ordinance) was postponed to the May 12, 2026 meeting by a vote of 9-0 at staff request for last-minute revisions.

Public Hearings

• Creekside at Flying Horse Rezone and Land Use Plan (Items 11.A & 11.B): Ordinance 26-14 (rezoning 44.72 acres from PDZ/AF-O to R-Flex Medium/AF-O) and the associated Land Use Plan were both approved by votes of 8-0-1 (Councilmember Casey recused due to his role on Planning Commission). The applicant, Jason Alwine (NES), explained that the change reduces potential density from up to 1,500 units to about 580 units and removes intensive commercial uses, citing market changes. No public comments were received.
• Airport Road Multi-Family Rezone (Item 11.C): Ordinance 26-15, amending zoning at 4880 Airport Road from R1-6/AP-O to R-5/AP-O (2.17 acres), was passed 7-1-1 (Councilmember Donelson voted no, Councilmember Casey recused). The Planning Commission had previously denied this rezone. The council added a condition requiring dedication of approximately 20 feet of right-of-way to Airport Road. No public comments were offered.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: All major agenda items passed with supermajorities. LETAC dissolution (9-0), Pikeview Quarry donation (9-0), WUI code first reading (8-0-1), Creekside rezone (8-0-1), Airport Road rezone (7-1-1), settlement (7-2).
• Directives: Councilmember Rainey committed to connecting former LETAC members with the Mayor and Police Chief. Parks Department will begin a public master planning process for the Pikeview Quarry property. Staff will continue training and education on new WUI code requirements.
• Next Steps: The city attorney appointment requires a second reading on May 12, 2026. The WUI code ordinance also heads to second reading. The postponed UDC ordinance (10.C) will be heard May 12. The city must close on the Pikeview Quarry donation by May 15.

Public Comments (Citizen Discussion Period)

During the one-hour citizen discussion period, several residents addressed topics not on the agenda:

• Shaun Mee objected to the towing of his son’s vehicle during a city “surge enforcement,” citing lack of notice, excessive fees, and a 13-day delay in notification. Councilmember Risley and Travis Easton indicated the city would investigate.
• Brittany Smith described ongoing crime, shootings, and intimidation at a neighboring property on East Moreno Avenue, urging intervention by CSPD, Human Services, and the District Attorney.
• Bruce Barron requested the return of portable toilets in neighborhood parks, specifically at Westmoor Park and Thorndale Park. Councilmember Donelson noted he is working with Parks on the issue.
• Damon Cox urged the city to close the Nixon coal-fired power plant by 2029 as scheduled and replace it with solar and battery storage.
• Nick Raven advocated for increasing City Council compensation from the current $6,250/year stipend to a living wage, arguing the role is now full-time executive-level work.
• Bradley White questioned the legality of gray water reuse under city code, noting a contradiction in city guidance that allows washing cars on grass while prohibiting laundry water on lawns. The City Attorney’s Office noted ongoing litigation on this matter.
• John Smith provided a constitutional argument against charging by information rather than grand jury indictment, alleging violations of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments.
• Taylor Gray raised concerns about data privacy, the aggregation of personal data through municipal systems, and alleged societal control by elites and a “society of Satanism,” questioning liability if data falls into the wrong hands.
• Steve Lightfoot spoke about the death of John Lennon and alleged a cover-up involving Stephen King, calling for accountability.

No executive session was held.