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Here are some of the stories we are following this week. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for up-to-the-minute news.
This week’s newsletter is sponsored by Armi and Joni Hall. Thank you to the Halls for their support of our mission!
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One Colorado Springs Utilities official states that, if approved, the Project Taurus data center would use more electricity than the city’s current largest user of electricity. Officials would not release information on who the current largest user is, which is curious. Why wouldn’t they tell us? Is it Colorado Springs Utilities by chance? Whatever decision City Council makes about this project, both sides have stated that they will go to court if the decision does not go their way.
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Colorado Springs Utilities is facing criticism over a possible conflict of interest regarding the proposed Project Taurus data center. The same lobbying firm is representing both the city and the Project Taurus developers. This firm also employs former Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers. Interesting.
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Protesters opposed to the Project Taurus data center project staged a demonstration, showing what they state the noise from the data center would be like for surrounding homes. Representatives for the company proposing the data center stated that this demonstration was ridiculous, and that noise levels would be nothing like what these protesters claim.
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Leftist dark money is flowing to Colorado residents looking for a side gig. Shadowy groups are paying money to people who are willing to push leftist messaging over social media as well as face-to-face. Where do you think these leftist dark money groups get their endless supply of cash to push political messaging?
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Here’s a fun math exercise. Over the last two years, Medicaid enrollment in Colorado dropped by around 30%. Also in that same time, spending on Medicaid in Colorado rose by over $2 billion. How much fraud and waste do you think $2 billion in taxpayer dollars can support?
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As we have reported over the past few weeks, numerous school districts around the state will be asking voters for more money this November. Curiously, many of the districts asking for taxpayers to pay more are seeing steady declines in student enrollment. Many of them are also seeing steady increases in administrative personnel jobs. Is it the job of taxpayer-funded schools to support administrators?
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Proposition NN will also be on your November ballot. This proposition would alter TABOR forever, supposedly, as proponents claim, to fund education in Colorado. However, given the decline in public school enrollment, combined with the growth in public school administrators, this tax increase, like the ones detailed above, clearly makes no sense.
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Also coming on your November ballot is a vote for the Polis choo-choo train. Governor Polis has often imitated the policies of Governor Gavin Newsom in California. The California rail program, which has cost around $15 billion so far, goes absolutely nowhere. We expect much the same out of the Polis project. Will you vote to give Governor Polis his dream of a choo-choo train?
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Amendment 87 will appear on your November ballot. This amendment would end the current flat income tax in Colorado and institute a progressive income tax. There is no tax bracket adjustment policy in this amendment, which means the powers that be could change brackets at will over time. They have this type of tax system in New Jersey, which serves as a cautionary tale for Colorado.
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Speaking of the November election, Secretary of State Jena Griswold is running to be the Attorney General of Colorado, even though she has failed frequently and miserably at being Secretary of State. A new site has been launched entitled The Truth About Jena. This site documents all her failures and scandals while in her current role and provides insight into just what a disaster Jena would be as Attorney General. Please make sure to inform all your friends about this website so that they can also learn the truth about Jena.
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The housing market in the Pikes Peak Region has cooled quite a bit in recent months. The once lucrative seller’s market is being impacted by higher interest rates and more choices available for picky buyers.
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State and local officials got together in Colorado Springs this week to discuss a solution for the never-ending vagrancy problem in the state. All previous solutions led to throwing more taxpayer money at the problem while the problem grows and grows, so expect the same from this latest effort. The right people are getting paid.
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Vacancy rates for businesses have risen slightly in Downtown Colorado Springs over the last year. Some popular restaurants have closed, but some other businesses have moved in as well. When was the last time you spent any time downtown?
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If you have received a speeding ticket from a speed camera in Colorado Springs recently, you may have been charged double what the fine really was. CSPD is blaming a software update for doubled speeding fines on over 2,000 speeding tickets assessed by speed cameras in the city.
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In Denver, plans were formally implemented in one neighborhood for a 400-bed vagrant shelter. The last people to find out about it were the neighbors living in the neighborhood. Additionally, a second 20-family shelter is planned for this same neighborhood.
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Aurora police have identified 6 individuals who were involved in last month’s teen takeover of a shopping center. Overall, it is estimated that 1,000 teens were involved in this incident. Aurora police are searching for more suspects to arrest.
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Do you want to know where to go to sign petitions for potential ballot measures in Colorado Springs, such as noise abatement and flock camera proposed ordinances? Here's the link with information. The Colorado Springs municipal election will be held in April of 2027.
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One Castle Rock City Councilmember is being accused of offering favors and even land to stop residents from pursuing a recall effort against him. His scheme didn’t work, if you were wondering.
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Pueblo City Council voted this week to reject the Leonardo da Vinci Museum request for more taxpayer money. It’s nice to see taxpayers win one for a change.
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If you would like to help support us in our mission as government watchdogs by becoming a Newsletter Sponsor, we are offering two sponsorships for each weekly newsletter, at the nominal cost of $100 each. Funds raised from these sponsorship opportunities will help us to keep looking out for taxpayers.
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You can also support Springs Taxpayers United when you shop. Springs Taxpayers United is now enrolled with the King Soopers Community Rewards Program. You can link your SooperCard to us by logging into your account and designating Springs Taxpayers United (SW470) as the recipient of the community reward for your King Soopers card. Thanks for your support!
Here are some upcoming meetings in the area. We hope you can attend one or more! If there are other public meetings you’d like to see announced here, please drop us a line. We are happy to include them in an upcoming newsletter. These might be government-related, candidate, or elected official meetings. Thanks!
Colorado Springs City Council Meetings
Monday, September 21, 9:00 a.m.
Colorado Springs City Council Work Session
107 N. Nevada, 3rd floor
Live stream link here
Agenda
Monday, September 21, 9:00 a.m.
Colorado Springs City Council – Closed Executive Session
107 N. Nevada, 3rd floor
Live stream link here
Agenda
Tuesday, September 22, 9:00 a.m.
Colorado Springs City Council
107 N. Nevada, 3rd floor
Live stream link here
Agenda
El Paso County Board of County Commissioners Meetings
Tuesday, September 22, 9:00 a.m.
El Paso County Board of County Commissioners
Centennial Hall
200 S. Cascade
Live stream link here
Agenda not yet posted
Tuesday, September 29, 9:00 a.m.
El Paso County Board of County Commissioners
Centennial Hall
200 S. Cascade
Live stream link here
Agenda not yet posted
Colorado Springs Utilities Board of Directors
Wednesday, October 14, 1:00 p.m.
Utilities Board of Directors
Blue River Board Room
Plaza of the Rockies, South Tower, 5th Floor
Live stream link here
Agenda not yet posted
Miscellaneous Meetings of Interest
Friday, September 25, 9:00 a.m.
Front Range Passenger Rail Board of Directors Meeting
Online Meeting - Registration Required
Information and Agenda
View the full Colorado Springs City Council meeting schedule here to see upcoming meetings.
View the full Board of El Paso County Commissioners meeting schedule here to see upcoming meetings.
View the full Colorado Springs Utilities Board meeting schedule here to see upcoming meetings. Please also follow CSU on social media at their Facebook Page and on Twitter.
Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Since most of the City and County board and commission meetings are not televised or recorded, we are trying to remedy that. We now have a camera and tripod for volunteers to check out for future meetings.
If you have a tip about a story in the Pikes Peak region that you aren’t seeing reported, let us know. We will see what we can find out.
How to Contact City and County Officials:
City Hall
107 N. Nevada Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
(719) 385-5986
Contact City Council
Mayor's Office
30 S Nevada Avenue, Suite 601
Colorado Springs, CO 80901
(719) 385-5900
Contact the Mayor's Office
County Commissioners
200 South Cascade Avenue, Suite 100
Colorado Springs, CO 80903-2202
Phone: (719) 520-7276
https://www.elpasoco.com/contact-us/
Thank you!
Rebecca
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