Colorado Springs City Council Regular Meeting - July 14, 2026

The Colorado Springs City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered a broad agenda including consent calendar approvals, recognitions, a contentious ethics ordinance revision, urban forest code updates, the dissolution of the Old Colorado City Downtown Development Authority, and several annexation and rezoning public hearings. Notable outcomes include passage of an amended ethics code (7-1), approval of urban forest recodifications (8-0 each), postponement of the OCC DDA dissolution to August 25, 2026 (5-4), and unanimous approval of the PTAA and Kettle Creek annexations. The Briargate/Voyager multifamily rezoning public hearing was ongoing at the conclusion of the provided transcript.

Consent Calendar

• Item 4A (Second Presentation): Ordinances 26-24 and 26-25 amending stormwater quality management and discharge control code and stormwater permanent control measures. Passed unanimously.
• Item 4B (First Presentation): Approval of June 9, 2026 City Council meeting minutes; Resolution 26-182 establishing 2027 cemetery fees; and referral of annexation petitions for 7770 Black Forest Road Addition No. 2 and Broadmoor Glen Additions 1-3, and resolutions setting a public hearing date for Colorado Springs Utilities' net metering rate case (August 25, 2026) and authorizing acquisition of real property for the Rio Grande Pump Station Relocation Project. All passed as part of the consent calendar.

Recognitions & Appointments

• Community Recognition Program (5A): Honored District 6 resident Phillip Cisneros for volunteer leadership at Freedom Elementary PTA and Cub Scout Pack 84. Passed unanimously.
• Jack Slocum Day (5B): Recognized July 19, 2026 as Jack Slocum Day for the 99-year-old veteran who served in three wars and received a battlefield commission. Passed 9-0.
• National Park and Recreation Month (5C): Designated July as Park and Recreation Month, citing that 92% of adults report positive mental health from time in parks and that residents living near green spaces save an average of $374 annually in healthcare costs (Kaiser Permanente study). Passed 9-0.
• Board Appointments (5D): Appointed/reappointed members to Planning Commission (Nadine Hensler, Jennifer Cecil), Civil Service Commission (Jenna Blanter, Julian McPadden), Independent Ethics Commission (Timothy Simmons), Parks Board (Stephanie Prochesca, Stephen Lenzo, Vanessa Zink), and LART Advisory Committee (PK McPherson). Passed 9-0.

Mayor's Business

• Reported that the purchase of a replacement fire engine will be ordered without requiring an agenda item because the payment can be deferred. Sales tax revenue increased 4.1% month-over-month and year-to-date. The city will defend a lawsuit against its charter provision for April elections. Economic development director position closes July 16, 2026.

Discussion Items

10A: Ethics Ordinance (Amending Code of Ethics)

• Sponsor Councilmember Risley introduced revisions after an auditor's report on misuse of city resources by an elected official. Proposed changes prohibited personal use of city resources, including vehicle and staff use for babysitting. Debate focused on adding a de minimis exception for trivial use (e.g., $50 items) and clarifying that family members may accompany elected officials to official events in city vehicles.
• The item was postponed to later in the agenda after a 7-2 vote. After lunch, an amended version was presented adding language allowing elected officials to transport others attending the same city business or event, and allowing city employees and valets to drive city-owned vehicles for maintenance or valet purposes.
• Councilmember Henjum opposed because the amendment did not include a de minimis exception and remained concerned about personal errands during official travel. The ordinance passed 7-1 on first reading (second reading scheduled July 28, 2026).

10B & 10C: Urban Forest Code Recodification

• City Forester Matthew Puckett presented the first major update since 1968, moving forestry regulations from Parks (Chapter 4) to Public Works (Chapter 3) and adding definitions, property owner responsibilities, and enforcement tools. The code maintains the existing approach where the city manages approved street trees. Letters of support from five organizations were noted. Both ordinances passed unanimously (10B: 8-0, 10C: 8-0).

10D & 10E: Old Colorado City Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Dissolution

• Councilmember Williams (District 3 liaison) argued that a DDA is the wrong tool for historic Old Colorado City, noting that no other Colorado city has two DDAs and only three U.S. cities do. The DDA board and legal counsel requested more time to prepare a response. After public comment and debate, a motion to postpone item 10D (dissolution) to August 25, 2026 passed 5-4. Item 10E (correcting district boundaries by removing erroneously included properties) passed 8-1.

11A-C: PTAA Annexation Addition No. 1 (Charter School)

• A redo of previously approved annexation (14.12 acres) because the city had to be included as a petitioner due to a property exchange for right-of-way. Items included a resolution of findings, annexation ordinance, and ratification of previously approved zoning (MX-M/AP-O). Staff reported unanimous support at Planning Commission and previous council votes. The applicant noted that a separate plat for Huber Road is in review. All three items passed 8-0 (Councilmember Risley recused).

11D-G: Kettle Creek Annexation (19.88 acres, Residential)

• Proposed annexation of an enclave northeast of Kettle Creek Road and Old Ranch Road, with zoning to R-Flex Medium/SS-O/AF-O for single-family attached and detached homes (5-16 units/acre). Traffic concerns were raised about a narrow bridge on Old Ranch Road. Staff noted that a PPRTA project will widen the road (three lanes with center turn lane) and a left-turn lane into the site is required. Colorado Springs Utilities confirmed adequate capacity and a positive fiscal impact within 10 years. Public comments included traffic and pedestrian safety concerns. All four items passed 9-0.

11H-I: Briargate/Voyager Multifamily Rezoning (7.93 acres)

• Proposed rezoning from Business Park (with high-rise overlay, 68 ft max) to MX-M (50 ft max) for up to 236 apartment units. The site is adjacent to The Classical Academy (TCA) and near residential enclaves. Opponents cited traffic congestion on Springcrest Road (the only access to the school and neighborhoods), compatibility concerns, and safety. Proponents highlighted housing need (27,000 unit shortage, 12,000 rental deficit) and that the site generates 1,224 fewer daily trips than the existing zoning for office use. The transcript ends during public comment; no vote was recorded in the provided material. The hearing remained ongoing at the conclusion of the transcript.

Key Outcomes

• Ethics Ordinance: Passed 7-1 on first reading (amended to allow family transport to official events and clarify vehicle operation by employees/valets).
• Urban Forest Recodification: Approved 8-0 for both ordinances.
• OCC DDA Dissolution: Postponed to August 25, 2026 (5-4).
• OCC DDA Boundary Correction: Passed 8-1.
• PTAA Annexation: All three items passed 8-0.
• Kettle Creek Annexation: All four items passed 9-0.
• Briargate/Voyager Rezoning: Hearing in progress; no vote recorded in transcript.