Colorado Springs City Council Regular Meeting - August 11, 2026

The City Council of Colorado Springs met on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers at City Hall. All nine council members were present. The meeting included a consent calendar, a community recognition, board appointments, several postponed items, a supplemental appropriation for security services, and public comments on a range of topics.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the July 28, 2026, City Council meeting minutes.
• Passed a resolution declaring intent to issue revenue bonds to finance residential facilities for low- and middle-income families.
• Adopted rules and procedures for the Fire Board of Appeals, effective August 11, 2026.
• Approved a service plan for the Kettle Creek Metropolitan District, later considered separately (see below).
• Authorized the CEO of Colorado Springs Utilities to enter into a regional wastewater treatment agreement with the Garden Valley Water and Sanitation District.
• Set public hearing dates for two rezoning ordinances, later considered separately (see below).
• Referred annexation petitions for Peacock Ranch South, Sellers Addition, and Huber Road Addition to City Administration for review. All consent items not called off were approved unanimously by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Danielle Proitz, a nurse, advocated for unhoused residents, describing inadequate restroom access at Springs Rescue Mission and urging the city to intervene to resolve health and safety issues.
• AJ Nine Hester presented video documentation of homeless encampments, expressed doubt about official homelessness statistics, and called for greater accountability and cleanups.
• Taylor Gray raised concerns about water quality, alleged radioactive contamination, and proposed data centers (Project Taurus), urging council to reject such projects and uphold zoning standards.
• Caleb Miller asked the council to raise the COPE matching fund and called for the Colorado Springs Utilities CEO to resign over a recent $700,000 raise; he also urged council to act with compassion and consistency with faith.
• Allie Smith opposed new data centers and bottling plants, citing damage to historic neighborhoods, excessive water use, and loss of open space; she urged council to decline Project Taurus and implement a moratorium.

Recognition & Appointments

• Honored At-Large resident Allen Beauchamp for his volunteer leadership in cycling advocacy, trails and open space, and community engagement. Multiple speakers praised his dedication, including representatives from Trails and Open Space Coalition, Stormwater Enterprise, Richard Petritz Foundation, and Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services. Council members offered additional remarks.
• Reappointed Jack DeMolley to the Lodgers and Automobile Rental Tax (LART) Citizens Advisory Committee. The motion passed 9-0.

Mayor's Business

• The Mayor thanked the Parks Department for Colorado Day events, noting a new Guinness World Record for donuts dunked at Pikes Peak, and mentioned ongoing collaboration with the Pikes Peak Library District and a nonprofit group supporting Meadows Park Community Center.

Items Called Off Consent Calendar

• Kettle Creek Metropolitan District (4B.D): The item was postponed to August 25 because the annexation plat had not yet been recorded. Motion passed 9-0.
• 5325 Mark Dabling Boulevard Rezone (4B.F): Councilman Donaldson pulled the item from consent and objected to voting on the first reading without a presentation. The council voted 8-1 to advance the ordinance and set a public hearing for August 25; Donaldson voted no.
• Buckingham Drive Rezone (4B.G): Councilman Donaldson similarly raised process concerns for this rezone of multiple properties. The council voted 7-2 to advance the ordinance and set the hearing for August 25.

Utilities Business

• Two ordinances amending the City Code regarding claims management and workers' compensation claims management were postponed for two weeks at Councilman Donaldson's request. He noted a scheduling error that put the items before the council immediately after a work session. Both motions passed 8-1.

Unfinished Business

• Supplemental Appropriation for South Nevada Security (9.A): An ordinance appropriating $458,000 from the Retail Marijuana Tax Fund to fund a contract with the Colorado Springs Urban Renewal Authority for security services in the South Nevada corridor. Jariah Walker, Urban Renewal Authority Executive Director, was present. Councilman Donaldson voted yes as a temporary measure, citing police staffing limitations; Councilman Henjam voted yes but suggested involving marijuana retailers in LART-style oversight; Councilman Gold voted no, preferring to allocate funds to housing and expressing concern about displacement of homeless individuals. The ordinance passed 7-2.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar approved with the exception of items called off.
• Allen Beauchamp recognized.
• Jack DeMolley reappointed to LART (9-0).
• Kettle Creek item continued to August 25 (9-0).
• Mark Dabling rezone advanced on first reading with hearing set for August 25 (8-1).
• Buckingham rezone advanced on first reading with hearing set for August 25 (7-2).
• Utilities claims management items postponed for two weeks (8-1 each).
• South Nevada security funding approved (7-2).
• Public comments received on homelessness, water, land use, and ethics.