Colorado Springs City Council

The Colorado Springs City Council set September 17 as the final hearing date for Project Taurus, a proposed data center to move into the old Intel building. Significant opposition remains concerning the plan, which requires up to 50 megawatts of power and 200,000 gallons of water daily. Controversy is mounting over the council's proposal to limit public comment during the hearing to only 120 speakers.

The Colorado Springs City Council announced it will hold a special meeting in September due to appeals regarding Project Taurus. These appeals relate to a Planning Commission decision made on July 23, which determined that a submitted development plan met legal requirements.

The Colorado Springs City Council approved funding for increased security along the South Nevada Avenue corridor, passing a $700,000 contract measure on its second reading. Of this funding, $450,000 comes from the city's retail marijuana tax. Local business owners anticipate benefits and advocate for more investment in mental health services.

Colorado Springs City Council approved a $700,000 security contract for the south Nevada corridor, with $450,000 funded by the city's 5% retail marijuana special sales tax. Cannabis Depot, a dispensary in an 'offense hotspot,' will benefit from increased security, and business representatives emphasized the initiative's role in improving safety and addressing mental health challenges in the area.

Colorado Springs City Council voted to advance a plan to enhance security along South Nevada Avenue from Mill Street to Cheyenne Road. The $758,000 contract with the Colorado Springs Urban Renewal Authority will be partially funded by recreational marijuana tax revenue, allocated to public safety, mental health services, and PTSD programs for veterans. A second council vote is scheduled for early August.

The Southeast Strong Neighborhood Plan was unanimously approved by the Colorado Springs City Council after years of community input and collaboration. The plan, developed with input from residents, organizations, and youth, aims to address priorities like neighborhood development, economic opportunities, and quality of life improvements in southeast Colorado Springs.

Colorado Springs City Council approved a policy banning the mayor and council members from using city-owned vehicles for personal use, overriding a prior mayor's policy that allowed reimbursement for such use. The decision followed an audit revealing a mayor's wife drove a city vehicle for 150 miles over two months and the mayor admitted to using a city car for a personal trip. The new policy also prohibits city-funded security from accompanying officials on non-safety-related personal errands.

Three at-large Colorado Springs City Council members held a second town hall at Library 21C to gather constituent feedback. A community member raised concerns about water expansion, while discussions on the proposed Project Taurus data center were limited to official hearings.

Colorado Springs Utilities is proposing new billing options for solar customers, which would raise monthly electric bills by about $30. The utility claims the changes are necessary to cover peak demand costs, but some solar owners argue the higher rates undermine the financial benefits of solar investments. Current solar customers will retain their existing rates until 2032, with a city council hearing scheduled for August and a final vote in September.