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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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We have reached the point where the overhead imposed by state government is so costly that earning $100k per year makes you lower middle class in Colorado. A massive, sprawling bureaucracy costs citizens a substantial portion of their productive working lives. The politicians in Colorado don’t work for you. They work for themselves.
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On that subject, the legislature passed a $46.8 billion budget for 2026. Do you think there is any bloat, waste, and fraud that could be trimmed from this before they scheme ways to take more from you?
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Another proposed piece of legislation being discussed in the legislature would allow law enforcement to fine you if a speed camera catches you going 6 miles per hour over the speed limit. Let there be no doubt that they see these cameras as nothing other than an easy way to pick your pocket.
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Governor Polis is warning of significant wildfire risk this summer. The lack of winter snowpack could make June and July challenging months in the state.
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Xcel Energy is expanding locations where potential weather-related power shutoffs are possible. Xcel now knows that it can use this tool rather than upgrading its infrastructure. It would be smart for us all to prepare for blackouts now, as they become routine.
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Governor Polis is reportedly backing a measure that would allow Colorado Springs Utilities to keep operating the Ray Nixon Power Plant. Is Polis realizing that his green energy fantasy is completely impractical?
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The Colorado Senate voted to leave the Ray Nixon Coal Plant open until the end of 2032. Next, the bill heads to the House for a vote. Colorado Springs Utilities says it must keep the coal plant running for now, pointing to a lack of affordable and reliable alternatives.
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The legislature wants to change the Front Range Rail taxing district boundaries to exclude more politically conservative communities. These communities may reject the proposed 0.5% tax increase vote in November, so the powers that be would rather not hear from them.
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The Colorado Department of Transportation has entered into an agreement with the Front Range Passenger Rail District that would allow taxpayer money to be used to promote a yes vote on the coming tax increase for the passenger rail. They want to use your tax dollars to convince people to let them take more of your tax dollars.
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The effort to kill TABOR once and for all has passed another hurdle in the legislature. If both the House and Senate pass this, it will go to voters in November. Revenue from this bill is supposed to go toward schools, but very little of the taxpayer funds taken would actually go to “the children”.
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The legislature is planning to add $40 million more in fees to medical insurers so they can use that revenue to bolster their failing Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise in Colorado. The more the plans fail, the more the planners plan.
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There is now a ban on dog and cat sales at pet stores in Colorado. Where will the animal rights advocates set their sights next?
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The legislature is attempting to gamble taxpayer money on a high-return investment and use that money to pay for daycare for lower-income people. They can’t lose if they use your money.
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The legislature also passed a bill that fixed problems with a plastics regulation bill that had passed and been signed by Governor Polis one month earlier. They are so excited to regulate everything in sight that they make critical errors on bills that need to be fixed with subsequent bills. This irresponsible and reckless governing is why businesses are fleeing the state, and Colorado’s economy is in the tank.
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Speaking of businesses fleeing Colorado, Re/Max real estate has been purchased, and Colorado is the last place the new owners want their headquarters. The real estate giant will now be headquartered in Miami, Florida.
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Your legislators and other state officers are getting a pay increase this year. They get a pay increase, and you get pushed down the economic class ladder.
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A regulatory reform bill is headed to the desk of the governor. This bill would require state agencies to review their rules every 5 years to identify redundancies and waste. This is only a ceremonial effort, and doesn’t equate to real regulatory reform.
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A bill to modify penalties for murder with extreme indifference passed the Colorado House, but only by one vote. They sure do look out for criminals under the Gold Dome.
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A senate committee rejected the radical animal rights activists that Governor Polis wanted to appoint to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission.
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Pueblo is considering a tax initiative to help save the Pueblo Zoo. Advocates for this tax are saying the zoo could close if they don’t find more funding.
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The Pueblo Police Chief responded to social media comments indicating that the police aren’t jailing repeat offenders with mental issues. The Chief points out that they can only work within the crime-friendly system set out by our radical legislature.
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Colorado Springs has annexed a segment of Bradley Road east of town. Now they have more miles of road to poorly maintain.
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Businesses on South Tejon Street in Colorado Springs are wondering why they have been ignored while North Tejon Street gets renovated. This is a good question.
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An official at the Colorado Springs Fire Department would like to see stiffer penalties assessed for violating burn bans in Colorado Springs. This seems appropriate considering the current conditions.
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The Colorado Springs Police Department is promoting its usage of drones to help apprehend criminals.
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Mayor Yemi Mobolade agreed to let the Ford Amphitheater exceed city noise limits for the 2026 concert season, likely influenced by the tax revenue the venue generates for Colorado Springs.
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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 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
Tuesday, May 19, 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
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 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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