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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.
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Downtown Colorado Springs violence is all too common. The son of this woman was allegedly stabbed by a homeless vagrant while waiting to cross a downtown street in June. The accused perpetrator had stabbed two other people over the previous two weeks. This young victim ended up losing a kidney from the random assault and is still recovering over 9 months later. The homeless industrial complex has created an atmosphere of toxic empathy that has allowed homeless people to thrive in this city. It's truly disgusting. Property is constantly damaged, and people are being violently assaulted. It is our opinion that Colorado Springs needs to be far less tolerant of vagrants.
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Also, in Downtown violence news, there was an officer-involved shooting in downtown Colorado Springs this week. One man was shot by police after reports came in of someone allegedly breaking into parked cars and threatening people with a gun. Some onlookers were stunned and commented that this was the first time they’d seen this kind of violence downtown. They must not be paying attention.
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The Colorado Springs City Council election is in the books. It appears that both incumbents who were running will retain their seats in this low-turnout election. Councilman Dave Donelson will likely continue to represent District 1. Brandy Williams will likely emerge victorious in a crowded race for District 3. You can review all the preliminary results here and on the City of Colorado Springs Election Results site. Final certification for this election will occur on Friday, April 11.
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Colorado Springs Utilities is reviewing the concept of nuclear power generation to provide electric service to customers. This comes as more is learned about how much the “green energy” fantasy mandates from the Polis administration will cost. Do you think it’s past time to embrace nuclear power?
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Also in Colorado Springs Utilities news this week, the CEO of CSU has received his second salary increase in as many years. His ratepayer-funded salary is now $550,000 per year.
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The Colorado Legislature uses taxpayer money to fund the film and entertainment industry. Now, Boulder will be the new home of the Sundance Film Festival starting in 2027. We hope those who attend enjoy the reek of marijuana in the air, which is a common feature of the People’s Republic of Boulder.
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Legalizing drugs devastated the city of Portland, Oregon. Is the Toilet City of Denver intentionally modeling the policies that devastated Portland? Is Colorado Springs far behind?
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Denver Mayor “Meth Camp” Mike Johnston has taken a break from advocating for criminals, vagrants, and illegal immigrants just long enough to notice that Downtown Denver has turned into a disaster area under his stewardship. He has now scheduled additional police officers to patrol downtown. Better late than never.
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Since the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights law was passed in 1992, to get around the TABOR law, democrats in Colorado have increased “fees” (which are simply taxes disingenuously named) by a whopping 3000%. $23.3 billion in fees was collected from taxpayers just in 2023. And every year, they cry about how much of your income they’ve left un-stolen.
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In related budget news, your elected legislature is, once again, suing to eliminate your TABOR protection. They despise anything that stands between them and their goal of taking 100% of your earnings from you.
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The Joint Budget Committee in the Colorado Legislature has made some difficult decisions to plug the $1.2 billion budget deficit that they themselves created. Medicaid funding, including funding healthcare for people here illegally, is now the biggest portion of the Colorado budget. This is unsustainable, but we’re sure they know this and want this.
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A voter-approved, 6.5% tax on firearms and ammunition has kicked in. This was sold as a way to generate funds for “school safety programs” and other helpful things, but it is ultimately a way to generate more general government revenue while attacking your right to personal defense. A lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of this tax is currently underway.
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A few years ago, $2.4 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was paid to renovate the City Auditorium. A local nonprofit, Colorado Springs Community Cultural Collective, run by arts advocate Linda Weise, was in charge of this renovation. Now, the renovation remains unfinished, people aren’t getting paid, and liens are being filed. Too bad for taxpayers. They lose again.
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It’s Spring-Cleaning Season for Colorado Springs vagrant camps. The Colorado Springs Police Department Homeless Outreach Team will be kicking off its cleanup effort this week. One advocacy group is actually upset that this cleanup effort is happening. No word on whether they will jump in and help clean.
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A recent audit has found that the Colorado Department of Labor over-collected millions in unemployment insurance funds from employers. Do you think employers will get this money back?
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Citizens in Palmer Lake are gathering signatures on a petition to recall three Palmer Lake Trustee board members. This is a reaction to board members voting to annex property to allow for the building of a Buc-ees travel center.
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Speaking of Buc-ees, one location was built in Johnstown, Colorado. This resulted in a $1 million tax collection increase. Maybe this is why bureaucrats like these kinds of developments so much.
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Did you know that, when listening to citizens speak about important legislation, lawmakers in Denver goof around on their phones and watch movies? Well, now you do.
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Another democrat lawmaker in the Colorado legislature is being investigated for mistreating her staff. Representative Regina English is accused of hurling slurs at staff and even demanding that one of her aids perform as a chauffeur for a family member. Her family member actually sexually harassed the aide during this chauffeur service. Is it any wonder we see such nonsensical and malicious legislation coming from legislators who can’t even behave like civilized adults?
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Does it feel like you're financially struggling and can't afford what you used to be able to afford? It's not your imagination. Colorado households need to spend an extra $15,000 to live like they did in 2021. How much does government intervention into every aspect of your life cost?
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Here are some facts about water and annexations like the Karman Line Annexation in the City of Colorado Springs, from the head of the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District.
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The City of Colorado Springs is adjusting its parking fee and effective hour structure for metered parking around town.
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Did you know that many retired Colorado judges are running a private court exclusively for wealthy people? It’s true. Some of these judges also give generously to politicians and political causes, even though the Colorado Code of Judicial Conduct forbids the practice. What condition is your state in when even judges ignore the rules?
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For those interested, the children’s area at the Penrose Library downtown has reopened. This section of the library was closed for two months for renovation.
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The Colorado law that allows illegal immigrants to get state driver’s licenses took effect on March 31. But remember, Governor Polis says we aren’t a sanctuary state. Do you believe your eyes, or do you believe his gaslighting?
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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.
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, April 7, 1:00 p.m.
Colorado Springs City Council – Special Session for Land Use
107 N. Nevada, 3rd floor
Live stream link here
Agenda
Tuesday, April 8, 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, April 8, 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, April 15, 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, April 16, 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
Monday, May 5, 6:00 p.m. (April 7 meeting canceled)
Law Enforcement Transparency and Advisory Committee
City Hall
107 S. Nevada Avenue, Suite 200
Also, online via Microsoft Teams
Information and Agenda
Thursday, April 10, 6:30 p.m.
Independence Institute Citizen’s Guide to Civic Involvement
Online Meeting
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 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 Mayors 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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