Colorado Springs City Council Regular Meeting – September 8, 2026

The City Council met on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 1:02 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting lasted until 3:54 PM and covered a wide range of items including consent calendar approvals, recognitions, utilities code amendments, zoning changes for the Banning Lewis Ranch master plan, and public comments. Key decisions included approving a Day of Remembrance resolution for September 11, 2026, unanimously supporting Suicide Prevention Month, passing a light industrial rezone for Buckingham Drive (8–2), and postponing the dissolution of the Old Colorado City Downtown Development Authority to September 22. All Banning Lewis Ranch Village B2 and Village C zoning and development actions passed unanimously.

Recognitions

• Resolution Honoring September 11, 2026 as a Day of Remembrance (Item 5.A): Councilmember Ken Casey read the resolution noting the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Councilmember Dave Donelson shared personal reflections. Adopted 9–0.
• Joint Proclamation Recognizing September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Month (Item 5.B): Councilmember David Leinweber and Mayor Yemi Mobolade read the proclamation. Several community partners spoke. Councilmember Nancy Henjum promoted the Race Against Suicide on September 20. Proclamation adopted unanimously.
• City Council Appointments to Boards, Commissions, and Committees (Item 5.C): Reappointed Jim Godfrey to the Audit Committee and elevated John Wint from alternate to full member of the Historic Preservation Board. Approved 9–0.

Consent Calendar

• Approved final passage of Ordinance 26-39 (Briargate Center BID Board vacancies), Ordinance 26-46 (Claims Management amendments), and Ordinance 26-47 (Workers’ Compensation amendments).
• Approved minutes from the September 24, 2026 special meeting and the August 25, 2026 regular meeting (the latter was later called off and amended).
• Approved first reading of Ordinance 26-49 (Utilities System Refunding Revenue Bonds up to $225,000,000), Ordinance 26-50 (Utilities System Improvement Revenue Bonds – Series 2026A up to $330,000,000 and Series 2026B up to $140,000,000), and Resolution 73-26 (supporting the COS Creek Plan Feasibility Study with GOCO).
• All consent items passed 9–0 after Councilmember Williams requested Item 4B.B be pulled for separate consideration.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kyle McGuffey (14-year-old student) spoke in opposition to Project Taurus (data center), alleging discrepancies in CSU’s statements on power contracts and a whistleblower complaint about withheld text messages. Urged council to investigate before a September 17 hearing.
• Caleb Miller criticized the city’s approach to homelessness, stating that over 400 churches in Colorado Springs could each house four people to solve the issue, and questioned the city’s use of prayer while not fully addressing homelessness.
• Steve Lightfoot claimed that Stephen King killed John Lennon and made various allegations about media and government conspiracies.

Discussion Items

• Mayor’s Business (Item 6): Chief of Staff Wayne Williams announced events for 9/11, the Colorado Springs Airport being nominated for best small airport, CDOT safety improvements at Flying Horse, ADA settlement compliance, the Park System Master Plan for public comment, the Mayor’s Cup raising $40,000 for youth homelessness, and upcoming swearing-in and groundbreaking ceremonies.
• Item 7 – Items Called Off Consent Calendar: Councilmember Williams requested amendment to the August 25, 2026 minutes regarding the OCC DDA board. The minutes were approved as amended 9–0.
• Utilities Business – Ordinance on Liens (Item 8.A): Patrick Malone presented a change to expand lien authority from water/wastewater to include electric and gas for unpaid utility bills. Stated the average residential disconnect is $580; liens are intended for large commercial customers (two currently applicable). Renee Congdon provided legal background. Councilmember Donelson noted it protects smaller ratepayers. Approved on first reading 9–0.
• Unfinished Business – Buckingham Rezone (Item 9.A): Ordinance 26-38 to rezone 7.79 acres at Buckingham Drive from Business Park to Light Industrial (with data centers restricted). Passed 8–2; Councilmembers Donelson and Gold voted no, citing preference for business park zoning.
• Unfinished Business – OCC DDA Dissolution (Item 9.B): Emily Evans introduced the second reading. Council voted 6–3 to allow public comment (Donelson, Gold, Henjum, Leinweber, Rainey, Williams in favor; Casey, Crow-Iverson, Risley opposed). After hearing Adam Stepan (OCC DDA Chair) describe plans for a 5-mill ballot question in November 2027 and automatic dissolution if it fails, Councilmember Williams moved to postpone to September 22, 2026 to allow additional public comment. Motion passed 9–0.
• New Business – Dissolve Council Engagement Program (Item 10.A): Blongshia Lindsay presented Resolution to repeal Resolution 30-14. Councilmember Gold noted the former chair was unable to attend. Adopted 9–0.
• New Business – Business License Code Scrubs (Items 10.B, 10.C, 10.D): Lee McRae presented three ordinances repealing and reordaining Articles 1, 3, and 4 of Chapter 2 (Business Licensing, Liquor Regulation and Taxation). Approved on first reading 9–0 each.
• Public Hearing – Use Variance for Coffee Shop (Item 11.A): Ryan Tefertiller presented a use variance for a coffee shop at 16 E. Platte Avenue (R-5 zone). Applicant Mike Maylin (Woodmen Valley Chapel) stated the coffee shop would serve public and church community, expected opening early spring 2027. Councilmember Leinweber disclosed membership but no financial benefit. Approved 9–0.
• Public Hearing – Banning Lewis Ranch Village B2 (Items 11.B–11.G): Tamara Baxter and Don Ryan presented a series of zoning, concept plan, and right-of-way vacation actions for 511 acres north of Tamlin Road. Includes up to 2,547 homes, 15+ acres parks, 25-acre school site, 9.2-acre commercial MX-M zone. No public comment. All six items approved 9–0.
• Public Hearing – Banning Lewis Ranch Village C (Items 11.H–11.Q): Tamara Baxter and Don Ryan presented a land use plan, two zone map amendments (R-Flex Medium and MX-M), six development standards adjustments (density 3-16 du/ac, minimum lot 1,000 sf, encroachments, setbacks, porches), and a right-of-way vacation for 658 acres. Includes 2,558 homes, two school sites, fire station, 60+ acres parks and trails, 35-acre community park. No public comment. All ten items approved 9–0.

Key Outcomes

• Resolutions and Proclamations: Day of Remembrance and Suicide Prevention Month adopted unanimously.
• Appointments: Audit Committee and Historic Preservation Board appointments approved 9–0.
• Consent Calendar: Final passage of three ordinances and approval of minutes (with one item pulled and amended).
• Utilities Liens Ordinance (Item 8.A): First reading approved 9–0; expands lien authority to electric and gas.
• Buckingham Rezone (Item 9.A): Ordinance 26-38 finally passed 8–2.
• OCC DDA Dissolution (Item 9.B): Postponed to September 22, 2026 by unanimous vote.
• Council Engagement Program (Item 10.A): Dissolved by resolution 9–0.
• Business License Code Changes (Items 10.B–10.D): First readings approved 9–0 each.
• Use Variance for Coffee Shop (Item 11.A): Approved 9–0.
• Banning Lewis Ranch Village B2 (Items 11.B–11.G): All seven actions approved 9–0.
• Banning Lewis Ranch Village C (Items 11.H–11.Q): All ten actions approved 9–0.
• Public Comments: Three citizens spoke; no council action taken.