|
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.
-
We at Springs Taxpayers United are always appreciative of our subscribers and the support that they give us. To show our appreciation and generate support for us in return, we have created an opportunity just for you. If you register your King Soopers Card and designate Springs Taxpayers United (organization number SW470) to receive Community Rewards, and send us a screenshot, you will be entered to win a $100 gift card to Skirted Heifer/Bambinos Pizza! This will cost you nothing, and it won’t impact your King Soopers fuel points. Just email your screenshot to us here, and you will be entered to win. Entries will be accepted through April 15th. We’ll announce the lucky winner on April 16th!
-
Former Colorado City Council President Randy Helms has withdrawn his application for the vacated District 2 seat, stating that “politics and divisiveness” had taken over the process to fill this vacant seat.
-
A total of 25 people applied to become the District 2 representative in Colorado Springs. There are a total of six finalists. These finalists will present their case to the Council at a special meeting on April 6, where the new District 2 councilmember will be chosen. The public is welcome to give comments, too.
-
Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade is seeking a second term as mayor. Do you think he has a lock on a second term?
-
Speaking of Mayor Mobolade, one of the hoaxers who was found guilty of staging a racist cross burning before Mobolade’s election was sentenced to almost 4 years for his participation in this crime. He was already serving a life sentence for other crimes.
-
The urban campers in Colorado Springs want better service from the Homeless Outreach Team. Some customers are reporting unfriendly interactions with the HOT team.
-
For the last ten years, Colorado Springs residents have paid a special tax that collects funds specifically to fix the roads. Why, then, do we frequently see news reports about potholes on Colorado Springs roads? And, with last winter being extremely mild, did the city take advantage of this and fill potholes when they could?
-
The Horizon Power Plant, being built by Colorado Springs Utilities southeast of the Colorado Springs Airport, will cost at least $650 million and is slated to be completed in 2028. But before it’s finished, it may need to be moved somewhere else altogether. You read that correctly. It has been determined that plumes from the plant would increase the risk to aircraft in the area. Remember, you are the one who will pay for all this, whether you want to or not.
-
Colorado Springs Utilities has joined a group of power providers in an effort to enhance reliability and also keep costs low. This group is made up of power companies in 17 different states.
-
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston is spending so much money on vagrants that he has spent $20 million more than he had previously reported to auditors. Nobody knows where this additional $20 million went, because they don’t keep careful track of the spending. When they show you what they are, believe them.
-
The Denver City Council has reluctantly approved a surveillance camera contract for the city. Axon will replace Flock as the provider of choice. You may recall that Flock had the potential to work with ICE in apprehending illegal immigrants, and Denver wants to protect them at all costs.
-
Douglas County has approved the construction of a huge sports complex in the county. Officials state that revenue generated from users of the complex will reimburse the county for the initial construction costs. Residents have their doubts.
-
A bill has been introduced in the state legislature that would allow Colorado Springs Utilities and other utility providers in the state to delay the shuttering of coal-fired power generation plants. The aggressive timelines in the Polis plan to eliminate reliable, affordable power generation are simply unworkable.
-
The Colorado legislative session is in full swing now, and that can only mean one thing. Legislators blame TABOR for insufficient funds to pay for a never-ending list of pet projects and things government should not be involved in. Legislators truly believe it is our fault for not paying them more.
-
Colorado banned plastic grocery bags in 2024. But that was just the beginning. Now, the legislature is considering a bill to ban plastic forks and other common restaurant items. Some fast-food restaurants could be fined up to $1000 if they include a napkin or sauce packets in your order without you specifically asking for these items. The insane micromanaging of your life never ends, folks.
-
A former aide to Secretary of State Jena Griswold is coming forward with accusations of bullying and retaliation from Griswold. Is anyone really surprised? The powers that be in Colorado politics are allowing this information out now. Is it because they think her behavior could damage them, and they want to be rid of her?
-
The Colorado Medicaid program is spiraling out of control. Currently, nearly 1 out of every 4 Colorado citizens has their medical care paid for by taxpayers. State legislators who created this mess are now grappling with how to mitigate the damage to the state budget.
-
A former Teacher of the Year candidate in Colorado is being sent to prison for having a sexual relationship with a student. Colorado seems to have a really big problem with perverted teachers. Just last February, the Colorado Senate killed a bill that would have created a tracking system to keep these problem teachers from moving to a new district after being fired for misconduct with students.
-
In crime tsunami news this week, police in Denver were pursuing a driver in a stolen car. The criminal sped through a neighborhood and crashed into a residence, causing a fire. The driver fled the scene and is likely driving another stolen vehicle right now. Meanwhile, the homeowner is stuck with the repair costs. This is what happens when you have a legislature that feels sorry for criminals and doesn’t want them punished.
-
Prepare yourself for a slew of new housing laws in Colorado that are meant to solve the housing “crisis.” One of these laws will circumvent the typical public hearing process on zoning changes and allow construction to begin without the messy public input.
-
The Colorado legislature is attempting to micromanage how farmers keep rodents under control. A bill being heard this session would restrict the types of pest control products agricultural producers can use.
-
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 6, 9:00 a.m.
Colorado Springs City Council Special Meeting to Appoint District 2 Council Member
107 N. Nevada, 3rd floor
Live stream link here
Agenda not yet posted
Monday, April 13, 9:00 a.m.
Colorado Springs City Council Work Session
107 N. Nevada, 3rd floor
Live stream link here
Agenda not yet posted
Tuesday, April 14, 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, April 7, 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 14, 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 22, 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, April 6, 6:00 p.m.
Law Enforcement Transparency and Advisory Committee
Online via Microsoft Teams
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
| 
