Colorado Springs City Council Regular Meeting – September 8, 2026

The Colorado Springs City Council met on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered a consent calendar, recognitions, utilities business, unfinished business, new business, multiple public hearings, and one hour of citizen discussion. Key actions included approval of a day of remembrance for September 11, a suicide prevention proclamation, amendments to utilities lien authority, rezoning for industrial and residential developments, dissolution of the Civic Engagement Program, and postponement of the Old Colorado City Downtown Development Authority dissolution to allow public comment.

Consent Calendar

• 4A.A. – Ordinance No. 26-39: Second reading to fill vacancies on the Briargate Center Business Improvement District Board of Directors. Approved without discussion.
• 4A.B. – Ordinance No. 26-46: Amending claims management code for Colorado Springs Utilities (liens). Approved.
• 4A.C. – Ordinance No. 26-47: Amending workers’ compensation claims management. Approved.
• 4B.A. – Minutes: Special City Council Meeting Minutes of September 24, 2026. Approved.
• 4B.B. – Minutes: Regular Meeting Minutes of August 25, 2026. Pulled for amendment by Councilmember Williams (correction regarding Old Colorado City DDA board existence). Amended and approved unanimously.
• 4B.C. – Ordinance No. 26-363: Authorizing up to $225,000,000 in Utilities System Refunding Revenue Bonds (Series 2026C/2027A/2027B). Approved.
• 4B.D. – Ordinance No. 26-365: Authorizing up to $330,000,000 (Series 2026A tax-exempt) and $140,000,000 (Series 2026B taxable) in Utilities System Improvement Revenue Bonds. Approved.
• 4B.E. – Resolution 26-312: Supporting an agreement between Stormwater Enterprise and Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund for the COS Creek Plan Feasibility Study. Approved.

Recognitions & Proclamations

• 5.A. – Resolution 26-354: Honored September 11, 2026 as a Day of Remembrance (25th anniversary). Councilmember Donaldson shared personal reflections. Unanimously adopted (9-0).
• 5.B. – Joint Proclamation 26-379: Recognized September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Month. Councilmember Leinweber and Mayor Mobolade spoke. Community advocates Nicole Johnston (Changeline, transitioning to Black Hills Energy), David Galvon (Soul Shop Movement), and Cass Walton (Suicide Prevention Partnership) addressed council. Statistics noted: 82% of suicides are men; 988 crisis line available. Unanimously adopted.
• 5.C. – Appointments: Reappointed Jim Godfrey to the Audit Committee and elevated John Wint from alternate to full member of the Historic Preservation Board. Both approved 9-0.

Mayor's Business

• Mayor Mobolade announced upcoming 9/11 remembrance events, USA Today nomination of Colorado Springs Airport as best small airport, CDOT left-turn safety improvements, early completion of ADA settlement requirements (five years ahead of schedule), release of the Park System Master Plan for public comment, the Mayor's Cup raising $40,000 for youth homelessness, and a reception for new Presiding Judge Christian Hoffaker.

Items Called Off Consent Calendar

• 4B.B. (Minutes): Amended as noted above. Unanimous.

Utilities Business

• 8.A. – Ordinance 26-366: Amended Section 113 to allow liens for unpaid electric and gas services (previously only water/wastewater). Presenters Patrick Malone and Renee Congdon explained that this does not change collection practices; only one lien was placed in eight years ($90,000 for water). Average residential disconnect amount is $580; only two commercial customers currently would be affected. The change protects ratepayers by making the utility a secured creditor in bankruptcies. Passed 9-0.

Unfinished Business

• 9.A. – Ordinance 26-38 (Buckingham Drive Rezone): Rezoned 7.79 acres at 4290-4340 Buckingham Drive from BP/cr (Business Park) to LI/cr (Light Industrial) with an additional restriction on data centers (added by amendment on August 25). Councilmember Henjam voted no on final passage, citing preference for BP zoning. Passed 7-2.
• 9.B. – Ordinance 26-48 (Old Colorado City DDA Dissolution): Second reading. Councilmember Henjam moved to allow public comment (seconded by Leinweber); motion passed 6-3. The chair of the OCC DDA board (name not provided) spoke, outlining a plan to place a 5-mill levy on the ballot in November 2027 (or possibly April), with a commitment to dissolve if the levy fails. The board passed a resolution agreeing to dissolve and return any TIF funds. Councilmember Williams then moved to postpone the item for two weeks to allow proper public notice; motion passed 9-0. Item continued to September 22, 2026.

New Business

• 10.A. – Resolution 26-351: Repealed Resolution 30-14, dissolving the Colorado Springs City Council Engagement Program. Councilmember Gold noted a citizen volunteer (Mr. Phillips) was unable to attend to speak. Passed 9-0.
• 10.B. – Ordinance 26-281: Repealed and reordained Article 1 of Chapter 2 (General Business License Provisions). Passed 9-0.
• 10.C. – Ordinance 26-282: Repealed and reordained Article 3 (Sales of Goods and Services). Passed 9-0.
• 10.D. – Ordinance 26-283: Repealed and reordained Article 4 (Sexually Oriented Businesses, renamed Adult Use Businesses). Passed 9-0.

Public Hearings

• 11.A. – Use Variance UVAR-26-0004: Allowed a coffee shop (restaurant use) at 16 E. Platte Avenue (0.91 acres, R-5 zone). Staff Ryan Tefertiller presented; applicant Mike Malin (CFO, Woodmen Valley Chapel) spoke. Councilmember Leinweber recused himself as a church member but participated. Variance runs with the land; coffee shop expected to open early spring 2027. Passed 9-0.
• 11.B. through 11.G. – Banning Lewis Ranch Village B2: Multiple related applications covering 511 acres north of Dublin Boulevard and east of Banning Lewis Parkway. Included a master plan major modification, PDZ and MX-M zone changes, concept plans, and a right-of-way vacation. Applicant Don Ryan (LAI Design Group) and Tyler Jones (Oakwood Homes) presented. Proposed up to 2,547 homes (single-family and duplex) with densities of 3.5–7.99 du/ac in PDZ area, a 9.2-acre commercial corner, 25-acre school site, 15+ acres of parks (surplus over requirement), and a combined 35-acre community park with Village C. Home prices targeted at $265,000 for duplexes with $85/month metro district fees. Traffic improvements noted (Banning Lewis Parkway connection, Mark Shuffle/Dublin intersection). All six motions (11B through 11G) passed 9-0.
• 11.H. through 11.Q. – Banning Lewis Ranch Village C: Applications for 658 acres south of Dublin Boulevard, east of Banning Lewis Parkway. Included a land use plan, two zone changes (R-Flex Medium and MX-M), six development standards adjustments, and a right-of-way vacation. Proposed up to 2,558 homes, over 60 acres of parks/trails, two school sites (25-acre PK-8 and 45-acre high school), a 5.8-acre fire station site, and a 35-acre community park (combined with B2). Density adjustment from 5-16 du/ac to 3-16 du/ac to allow flexibility; minimum lot size reduced from 1,500 to 1,000 sq ft for duplexes. Other adjustments for setbacks and porch encroachments. All 10 motions (11H through 11Q) passed 9-0.

Citizen Discussion (One Hour)

• Kyle McGuffey (age 14): Raised concerns about Project Taurus (Raiden data center) and alleged discrepancies in Colorado Springs Utilities' statements about power capacity. Referenced a whistleblower complaint regarding withheld texts (over 300) related to a CORA request. Called for investigation before a September 17 hearing.
• Caleb Miller: Criticized the city's approach to homelessness, noting that over 400 churches could each house four people to solve the issue. Also criticized the CEO of CSU receiving a $700,000 raise while the COPE matching fund remains underfunded. Challenged the sincerity of opening meetings with prayer.
• Steve Lightfoot: Presented conspiracy theories about Stephen King killing John Lennon, and made comments about 9/11 and US foreign policy.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: All consent calendar items (with one amendment), recognitions and proclamations, utilities lien expansion, Buckingham rezone, business license code updates, use variance for coffee shop, and all Banning Lewis Ranch Village B2 and Village C applications (unanimous except Buckingham 7-2).
• Postponed: Old Colorado City DDA dissolution to September 22, 2026 (9-0).
• Dissolved: Colorado Springs City Council Engagement Program (9-0).
• Next Steps: The OCC DDA board plans a mill levy election (likely November 2027) with a commitment to dissolve if it fails. The Banning Lewis Ranch developments will proceed with detailed subdivision plats and agreements for park maintenance. The Project Taurus concerns were raised but no council action taken.