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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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The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will force Elbert County to comply with the central planners in Denver and allow Xcel Energy to build the Power Pathway through the county. Elbert County Commissioners denied Xcel Energy’s application for approval last July.
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The PUC also overrode the El Paso County Commission’s decision to stop this project. Xcel Energy will now be allowed to build the Power Pathway through El Paso County.
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Also in Xcel Energy news this week, the energy provider is threatening to disconnect one Lakewood business owner’s electric service because she refuses to install a smart meter. Is this the future Polis has planned for all of Colorado?
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Would you be surprised to learn that the Colorado legislature is filled with radical left-wing activists who are in staff positions in the Gold Dome, but are paid by outside interest groups? The legislature is more responsive to these activist groups than to taxpayers.
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Governor Polis has issued a statement committing his full support for businesses that are being crushed by the regulatory behemoth that Governor Polis created. The governor supports business with his signature, but his actions say otherwise.
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We are continuously told that the legislature does not have enough of our money, and that the financial situation in state government is dire. Despite this, legislators have managed to find enough of your money to fund a pay raise for themselves and other statewide officers. They are rubbing their contempt for us in our faces at this point.
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Last year, the state legislature prohibited flat-rate billing of utilities for renters. This was a do-good measure to protect tenants from “hidden junk fees” because the legislature considers rental property owners evil villains. To comply with this government meddling in private affairs, many landlords are now charging tenants the actual cost of their utilities. In some cases, tenant utility bills have tripled. We’re sure we’ll see a legislative “fix” for this next year.
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A new bill was introduced into the state legislature this week that would allow the Ray Nixon Coal Plant to remain open until the end of 2032. We expect the legislature to reject this. If, for some reason, it should pass, we’re sure the PUC will reject it. There’s no price they are not willing to force you to pay for their green utopia.
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Fun fact: When taxpayer subsidies for electric vehicle purchases end, people quickly lose interest in purchasing electric vehicles.
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Copper prices are at record highs. This is encouraging thieves in Denver to steal copper from RTD rail lines.
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Attorney General Phil Weiser is known for continuously suing President Trump. But what about the other duties a state attorney general is supposed to fulfill, like resolving consumer complaints? On that, he fails miserably.
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Would you hire someone who is accused of scheming to steal $99,000 in tuition reimbursement from a previous employer? Your state government would.
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Per a court order, the illegal alien family of the man who set people on fire in Boulder was released by immigration authorities. Next, they were taken into custody again and put on a plane to Egypt, which is their country of origin. Then, the plane had to turn back around due to the order of a federal judge. Now, they have been set free in the United States pending more judicial wrangling.
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In one week, the Colorado Springs Fire Department responded to a total of 5 wildfires that appeared to be intentionally set. This is dangerous and disturbing.
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Colorado Springs Utilities will raise natural gas rates to fund federally mandated infrastructure upgrades.
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It’s spring in Colorado, and that means bears are waking up hungry. A new proposed bill in the state legislature would severely punish “negligent” behavior, such as leaving trash or pet food out that could attract bears.
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Colorado Springs City Council has accepted the donation of around 100 acres of land from the Pikeview Quarry. The Castle Concrete Company, which owns this land, donated it to the city this week.
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The Colorado Springs City Auditor has concerns about Mayor Mobolade’s use of city resources. Specifically, the auditor has concerns about the mayor’s potential misuse of his city vehicle and his security detail. The auditor recommends tightening the policy around this.
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El Paso County has been paid over $25,000 after the recent crackdown on expired tags.
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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, May 11, 9:00 a.m.
Colorado Springs City Council Work Session
107 N. Nevada, 3rd floor
Live stream link here
Agenda not yet posted
Tuesday, May 12, 9:00 a.m.
Colorado Springs City Council
107 N. Nevada, 3rd floor
Live stream link here
Agenda not yet posted
El Paso County Board of County Commissioners Meetings
Tuesday, May 5, 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, May 12, 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, May 20, 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
Wednesday, May 6, 5:30 p.m.
Pikes Peak Library District Palmer Lake Library Town Hall
42 Valley Crescent St
Information and Agenda
Monday, May 11, 10:30 a.m.
Pikes Peak Library District Ute Pass Library Town Hall
Marcroft Hall
9105 Chipita Park Rd.
Information and Agenda
Wednesday, May 13, 5:30 p.m.
Pikes Peak Library District Calhan Library Town Hall
Calhan Town Hall Facility
556 Colorado Avenue
Information and Agenda
Friday, May 22, 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 a 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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