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Colorado Springs voters will weigh in on recreational marijuana sales — again — in April
"Councilmember Dave Donelson, who led the repeal effort, said that voters must have been “confused” by the competing ballot issues."
Ballot Question 300: Recreational Marijuana
Listen to my full interview with KOAA on the decision to reintroduce recreational marijuana on the ballot in April 2025, after voters approved to legalize it recreationally in November 2024.
PPLD Ultimatum
On Friday, Dec. 13, I issued a formal request and a deadline to the Board of Trustees to renew the lease for Rockrimmon Library for another year. I expect them to resign if the board chose not to renew.
“If you choose not to renew the lease, I respectfully request your resignation from the Pikes Peak Library Board of Trustees so that City Council and El Paso County Commissioners may appoint new Board Members that do not close libraries. Closing libraries is inadequate performance of your duties as a Board Member.”
“If you choose not to renew the lease, I respectfully request your resignation from the Pikes Peak Library Board of Trustees so that City Council and El Paso County Commissioners may appoint new Board Members that do not close libraries. Closing libraries is inadequate performance of your duties as a Board Member.”
Letter to the Editor
4 December 2023
If a cashier at the supermarket gave you back the change you were due, and then stated she gave you your change in order to "provide relief" from high prices, what would you think? You'd probably laugh it off as a joke. She gave you the change because it would be theft if she didn't - not for any other reason.
Currently, in our City's version of this story, our Mayor and other city officials are claiming that they are providing "relief" for doing something they are required to do by law: "returning" over collected property taxes. This is misleading. This is why citizens don't believe what their government tells them.
In a recent social media post, the Mayor states, "To provide relief [from increased property taxes] the City is expecting to give back over $6 million to residents in 2024 by capping local property tax rate." What the Mayor and City are actually doing is trying to not OVER collect property taxes from our citizens. It is pure spin for someone to say they have provided relief to you by not taking something from you - which they have no right to - and, by law, would have to return to you.
The Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) limits the amount of property tax revenue the City can keep. If the mill levy (tax rate) wasn't capped the City would exceed the TABOR limit by approximately 6.2 million. It would then have to refund the money to the citizens. To avoid this, the Mayor and City are reducing the 2024 mill levy. If you want to give credit to someone or something for providing $6.2 million in tax relief - give the credit to TABOR!
If a cashier at the supermarket gave you back the change you were due, and then stated she gave you your change in order to "provide relief" from high prices, what would you think? You'd probably laugh it off as a joke. She gave you the change because it would be theft if she didn't - not for any other reason.
Currently, in our City's version of this story, our Mayor and other city officials are claiming that they are providing "relief" for doing something they are required to do by law: "returning" over collected property taxes. This is misleading. This is why citizens don't believe what their government tells them.
In a recent social media post, the Mayor states, "To provide relief [from increased property taxes] the City is expecting to give back over $6 million to residents in 2024 by capping local property tax rate." What the Mayor and City are actually doing is trying to not OVER collect property taxes from our citizens. It is pure spin for someone to say they have provided relief to you by not taking something from you - which they have no right to - and, by law, would have to return to you.
The Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) limits the amount of property tax revenue the City can keep. If the mill levy (tax rate) wasn't capped the City would exceed the TABOR limit by approximately 6.2 million. It would then have to refund the money to the citizens. To avoid this, the Mayor and City are reducing the 2024 mill levy. If you want to give credit to someone or something for providing $6.2 million in tax relief - give the credit to TABOR!
Mayor's Budget Cuts Go Against City's Commitment to Public Safety
While our Mayor was willing to withhold taxpayer TABOR refunds for a police training facility, he is not willing to adequately fund CSPD training academy recruits in the 2024 class. In pursuit of a 3.4% cut in operational spending across the City, he is sacrificing the safety of our citizens.
Fighting for Transparency on City Council
I faced obstruction from our Colorado Springs Mayor when I asked for details on current City spending. This is concerning, as City Council members should have access to information required for them to vote in the best interest of their constituents.
Ballot Issue 2A: Training Facility Has No Funding or Plan
I detail my opposition to 2A, deciding if City Council can retain $4.75M of taxpayers' TABOR refunds for use on a police training facility.
City Council Meeting: Mayor's Office Withholds 2A Poll Data
Our Mayor's office continues to deny my request for Ballot Issue 2A poll data. The Mayor has quoted this poll on several occasions, but will not share the promised results or even who conducted the poll.
Guest Post: Controversial Water Ordinance
A water ordinance passed by City Council originated from a threat by Norwood Development Group to change the city’s charter to restrict annexations. I disagree with the rush to pass this ordinance. Colorado Springs is not about to run out of water, and population growth does not equate to water shortage.
Concerns Over Format and Content in Mayor's 'Listening Tour'
Our Mayor's 'Listening Tour' discussion topics are pre-determined and controlled, and the mayor hears outcomes of small group discussion from a facilitator - not the citizens themselves. This is not a path to progress.
Colorado Springs District 1 City Council Campaign
I've stayed true to my commitment to constituents and the wellbeing of our City since the beginning of my campaign in 2021.
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