Summary

City Council meeting summary

Colorado SpringsMay 26, 20264 min read

At a glance

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Council approved multiple land-use and planning measures (including the Elevate Downtown plan and a partial vacation of East Boulder Street), adopted housing and utilities actions (HOME-ARP amendment; CSU regional water IGA), advanced childcare zoning changes on first reading, and declined a proposed building-code change for single-stairway buildings.

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TransportationEducationCommerceHousingUtilities

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What this means

The council voted to approve plans and agreements that affect downtown development, a school-site street vacation with conditions, and how some federal housing funds (HOME-ARP) will be used to help people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. An intergovernmental water agreement gives Colorado Springs Utilities authority to proceed with regional water service arrangements. A zoning change to make commercial childcare rules clearer passed its first reading, while a proposed change to allow single-exit stair designs did not move forward. These decisions affect where development can occur, how certain housing and water resources are managed, and local rules for childcare and school campus changes.

Key decisions

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Adopted Intergovernmental Agreement allowing Colorado Springs Utilities to enter regional water service agreements with the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District (Resolution 51-26) — passed 8-0-0-1 (Councilmember Casey recused).
Approved Ordinance No. 26-06 vacating East Boulder Street (approx. 0.92 acres) with three conditions requiring public egress/coordination and return of ownership if disposed — passed 6-2-0-1 (one recusal).
Adopted amendment to the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan for submission to HUD to fund eligible homeless-response activities (Resolution 52-26) — passed 9-0-0-0.
Approved the Elevate Downtown Neighborhood Plan and associated Plan of Development, updating the 2016 downtown plan — passed 8-1-0-0.
Approved multiple consent items expanding Cheyenne Mountain State Park via TOPS acquisitions and related supplemental appropriations (Resolutions/Ordinances on the Consent Calendar, including Resolutions 44-26 and 45-26; supplemental appropriations approved on first reading).
Advanced the Unified Development Code amendments on permitted locations and standards for adult/child day care centers on first reading (CODE-25-00-06) — passed 8-1-0-0.
Declined to move forward with the proposed Pikes Peak Regional Building Code amendment related to single exits and stairways; item failed for lack of a motion.
Set hearing dates / found petitions in substantial compliance for annexations (Kettle Creek Addition No. 1 and PTAA Addition No. 1) and recorded associated resolutions (e.g., Resolution 49-26 and Resolution 53-26).
Adopted several Colorado Springs Utilities consent items addressing augmentation service with Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station, abandonment of certain Sugar Loaf Reservoir water rights, and agreements on aquatic nuisance species mitigation (consent calendar approvals).

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Meeting information

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City Council

May 26, 2026, 12:00 AMCouncil Chambersscheduled

The meeting will begin at the conclusion of the Work Session Meeting

Agenda

How to Watch the Meeting
Coloradosprings.gov/springstv | Facebook Live: Colorado Springs City Council Facebook Page @coscity Council | SPRINGS TV - Comcast Channel 18 / 880 (HD) - Stratus IQ Channel 76 / 99 (Streaming)
How to Comment on Agenda Items
Before the meeting, you may email general comments for items not on the agenda or comments regarding agenda items to: allcouncil@coloradosprings.gov
Estimated agenda item times are provided for planning purposes and do not constitute notice of a specific time for any item. Items may take more or less time than estimated. City Council may amend the order of items.
Call to Order and Roll Call
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Changes to Agenda/Postponements
Consent Calendar
These items will be acted upon as a whole, unless a specific item is called for discussion by a Councilmember or a citizen wishing to address the City Council. (Any items called up for separate consideration shall be acted upon following the Mayor's Business.)
Second Presentation:
Ordinance No. 26-19 amending the zoning map of the City of Colorado Springs pertaining to 9.04 acres located off Marksheffel Road southeast of the intersection of Space Village Avenue and Marksheffel Road from MX-M/AP-O/APZ-1 (Mixed-use Medium Scale with Airport and Accident Potential Zone Subzone-1 Overlays) to PK/AP-O/APZ-1 (Public Park with Airport and Accident Potential Subzone-1 Overlays). (Quasi-Judicial) (Second Reading and Public Hearing) Located in Council District 4 Presenter: Chris Sullivan, Senior Planner, Planning Department Kevin Walker, Director, Planning Department
Ordinance No. 26-20 amending multiple sections of Article 5 (Administration and Enforcement) of Chapter 7 (Unified Development Code) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, as related to procedural process (Legislative) Located in Council Districts Citywide Presenter: Daniel Sexton, LUR/DRE Planning Manager, City Planning Department Kevin Walker, Planning Director, City Planning Department
First Presentation:
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 12, 2026 Presenter: Sarah B. Johnson, City Clerk
A Resolution Authorizing the Acquisition of Approximately Forty (40) Acres (West CMSP Parcel 1) as an Addition to the Cheyenne Mountain State Park through the Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) Program Presenter: Kim King, Acting Director, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department Lonna Thelen, Design and Development Manager, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department David Deitemeyer, Senior Program Administrator, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department
Ordinance No. 26-21 Requesting a Supplemental Appropriation to the Trails, Open Space and Parks Fund up to $162,000 to Complete the Acquisition of Approximately 40 Acres of Property Identified as the Parcel 1 West CMSP Extension for the Purpose of Public Open Space and Trails Presenter: Kim King, Acting Director, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department Lonna Thelen, Design and Development Manager, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department David Deitemeyer, Senior Program Administrator, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department
A Resolution Authorizing the Acquisition of Approximately Forty (40) Acres (West CMSP Parcel 2), as an Addition to the Cheyenne Mountain State Park Through the Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) Program Presenter: Kim King, Acting Director, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department Lonna Thelen, Design and Development Manager, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department David Deitemeyer, Senior Program Administrator, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department
Ordinance No. 26-22 Requesting a Supplemental Appropriation to the Trails, Open Space and Parks Fund up to $162,000 to Complete the Acquisition of Approximately 40 Acres of Property Identified as the Parcel 2 West CSMP Extension for the Purpose of Public Open Space and Trails Presenter: Kim King, Acting Director, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department Lonna Thelen, Design and Development Manager, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department David Deitemeyer, Senior Program Administrator, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department
A Resolution Authorizing Colorado Springs Utilities to Enter Into a Special Contract for Augmentation Service between Colorado Springs Utilities and Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station Presenter: Travas Deal, Chief Executive officer, Colorado Springs Utilities Jenny Bishop, P.E., Resource Planner IV, Water Resources Planning, SPP, Colorado Springs Utilities
A Resolution Authorizing Colorado Springs Utilities to Take All Actions Necessary to Abandon Certain Water Rights Associated with the Sugar Loaf Reservoir Presenter: Travas Deal, Chief Executive Officer, Colorado Springs Utilities Jenny Bishop, P.E., Resource Planner IV, Water Resources Planning, Colorado Springs Utilities
A Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado, on behalf of its Enterprise Colorado Springs Utilities, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and other Parties Regarding Mitigation of Aquatic Nuisance Species at Twin Lakes and Turquoise Lake Presenter: Travas Deal, Chief Executive Officer, Colorado Springs Utilities Lisa Walters, Watershed Planning, Colorado Springs Utilities
A Resolution finding a petition for annexation of the area known as Kettle Creek Addition No. 1 Annexation consisting of 19.88 acres to be in substantial compliance with Section 31-12-107(1), C.R.S. and setting a hearing date of July 14, 2026, for the Colorado Springs City Council to consider the annexation of the area. (Legislative) Presenter: Chris Sullivan, Senior Planner, City Planning Department Kevin Walker, Planning Director, City Planning Department
Recognitions
A Resolution Recognizing May 2026 as Preservation Month Presenter: Nancy Henjum, Councilmember District 5
City Council Appointments to Boards, Commissions, and Committees Presenter: Lynette Crow-Iverson, Council President and Councilmember At-Large
Mayor's Business
Items Called Off Consent Calendar
Utilities Business
A Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado, on behalf of its Enterprise Colorado Springs Utilities and the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District Presenter: Travas Deal, Chief Executive Officer, Colorado Springs Utilities Jenny Bishop, P.E., Resource Planner IV, Water Resources Planning, Colorado Springs Utilities
Unfinished Business
Reconsideration of Ordinance No. 26-06 vacating the public right-of-way known as East Boulder Street consisting of approximately 0.92 acres located between N. Nevada Ave. and N. Weber St. (Legislative) (Reconsideration of 2nd Reading) This application was initially in association with the School District 11 Palmer High School zone change and land use plan which had their first reading setting a hearing date on February 24, 2026 and were approved at a public hearing on March 10, 2026. Located in Council District 3 Presenter: Ryan Tefertiller, Planning Manager, City Planning Department Kevin Walker, Planning Director, City Planning Department
New Business
A Resolution approving an amendment to the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan for submittal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Presenter: Aimee Cox, Chief Housing and Homelessness Response Officer, Housing and Homelessness Response Department
A Resolution finding a petition for annexation of the area known as PTAA Addition No. 1 Annexation consisting of 14.12 acres to be in substantial compliance with Section 31-12-107(1), C.R.S. and setting a hearing date of July 14, 2026, for the Colorado Springs City Council to consider the annexation of the area. (Legislative) Presenter: Chris Sullivan, Senior Planner, City Planning Department Kevin Walker, Planning Director, City Planning Department
An Ordinance Amending Section 1404 (Code Adopted by Reference) of Part 14 (Building Codes) of Article 4 (Development Standards and Incentives) of Chapter 7 (Unified Development Code) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, pertaining to the adoption of the Pikes Peak Regional Building Code standards for Single Exits and Stairways. (Legislative) Located in Council Districts Citywide Presenter: Roger Lovell, Building Official, Pikes Peak Regional Building Department Daniel Sexton, LUR/DRE Planning Manager, City Planning Department Kevin Walker, Planning Director, City Planning Department
Ordinance No. 26-23 amending Article 3 Use Regulations, Article 4 Development Standards and Incentives, and Article 6 Definitions and Rules of Constructions of Chapter 7 (the "Unified Development Code") of the Code of the City Of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, as related to permitted locations and standards for each Adult or Child Day Care Centers. (Legislative) Presenter: Allison Stocker, Senior Planner, City Planning Department Kevin Walker, Planning Director, City Planning Department
Approval of the Elevate Downtown Neighborhood Plan, an update to the 2016 Experience Downtown Land Use Master Plan. (Legislative) Located in Council District 3 Presenter: Ryan Tefertiller, Urban Planning Manager, City Planning Department Kevin Walker, Planning Director, City Planning Department
A Resolution for approval of The Elevate Downtown Plan of Development, an update to the 2016 Experience Downtown Plan of Development. (Legislative) Located in Council District 3 Presenter: Ryan Tefertiller, Urban Planning Manager, City Planning Department Kevin Walker, Planning Director, City Planning Department
An Ordinance Amending Multiple Sections Of Article 3 (Code Of Ethics) Of Chapter 1 (Administration, Personnel And Finance) Of The Code Of The City Of Colorado Springs 2001, As Amended, Pertaining To The Code Of Ethics Presenter: Brian Risley, President Pro Tem, Councilmember At Large Carly Hoff, Senior Legislative Analyst
Public Hearing
Added Item Agenda
One Hour of Citizen Discussion for Items not on Today's Agenda per City Council Rules
Executive Session
Adjourn
Approval of the Consent Agenda
Ordinance No. 26-23 amending Article 3 Use Regulations, Article 4 Development Standards and Incentives, and Article 6 Definitions and Rules of Constructions of Chapter 7 (the "Unified Development Code") of the Code of the City Of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, as related to permitted locations and standards for each Adult or Child Day Care Centers. (Legislative) Presenter: Allison Stocker, Senior Planner, City Planning Department Kevin Walker, Planning Director, City Planning Department
Ordinance No. 26-23 amending Article 3 Use Regulations, Article 4 Development Standards and Incentives, and Article 6 Definitions and Rules of Constructions of Chapter 7 (the "Unified Development Code") of the Code of the City Of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, as related to permitted locations and standards for each Adult or Child Day Care Centers. (Legislative) Presenter: Allison Stocker, Senior Planner, City Planning Department Kevin Walker, Planning Director, City Planning Department
Ordinance No. 26-23 amending Article 3 Use Regulations, Article 4 Development Standards and Incentives, and Article 6 Definitions and Rules of Constructions of Chapter 7 (the "Unified Development Code") of the Code of the City Of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, as related to permitted locations and standards for each Adult or Child Day Care Centers. (Legislative) Presenter: Allison Stocker, Senior Planner, City Planning Department Kevin Walker, Planning Director, City Planning Department

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