To the editor: There seem to be many open questions regarding the current Ballot Question 1 to allow for a third marijuana store in Manitou Springs in the commercial zone district within 150 feet to the south of U.S. Highway 24. I, for one, do not object to a third store in Manitou and the […]
To the editor: I urge you to vote yes for a third marijuana store in Manitou Springs. Vote yes for local government transparency. Political insiders don’t want you to know how revenues from marijuana taxes are being spent. Voting yes for a third marijuana store will mean the city can no longer operate in the […]
To the editor: Manitou voters are receiving special mail-in ballots this week, asking to amend the City Municipal Code that would allow a third medical/retail marijuana store. The proposed location would be on Manitou’s west end, in the area commonly known as Higginbotham Flats, which is adjacent to Manitou’s Parks and Open Space and the […]
To the editor: Although I believe that allowing retail marijuana sales in Manitou is good policy, I am writing this letter to urge citizens to vote no on the initiative to add a third store. In 2013 and 2014, when the question of allowing retail marijuana sales was hotly debated in our community, I was […]
To the editor: I am extremely concerned about the idea of a third marijuana shop in Manitou Springs. I believe that City Council did a nice job of kicking the can down the road to the voters, but the shortened time-frame from doing so to election date has caught many people off-guard. I believe the […]
To the editor: I want to start the new year with a “thank you.” Thank you to all of the parents and community members who have expressed gratitude and shown support to our educators in Manitou Springs School District 14. Although our students have been consistently learning in-person this school year, there are great obstacles […]
To the editor: The new hotel being built next to the Day’s Inn is generating a lot of controversy. The height of the building and the way it is positioned so close to Manitou Avenue has raised numerous questions. How could this have happened? Who approved of this? Did the Urban Renewal Authority board approve […]
To the editor: I write concerning the worrisome traffic safety situation on Crystal Park Road. Specifically, I am referring to the various bends found on the stretch between Manitou Avenue and Crystal Hills Boulevard. I believe that the lack of traffic-calming measures constitutes a serious safety hazard, particularly with the absence of sidewalks and the […]
To the editor: I have very much been enjoying the new electric scooters that are now in Colorado Springs. I work two jobs, and have to commute between them. The distance is around 1.5 miles, so this is perfect for a scooter ride (their top speed is 15 mph), which eliminates the short car trips […]
Courtesy of the Manitou BeeHive When we look around the world today, we might notice heightened levels of anxiety, acts of anger, rage or shutting down, or a general sense of unrest in ourselves and those around us. How can we work to calm the effects of this dysregulation? Mindful play. Play is an essential […]
To the editor: I read with great interest and incredulity the recent Bulletin report that the City Council has unanimously approved the new fire-training facility in the very location that drew fierce local opposition. First of all, how is it possible that the price of the facility is now magically one-tenth of the previous estimate? […]
To the editor: Regarding the city of Manitou Springs’ plans to build a fire-training facility on the west end of town: The residents are overwhelmingly opposed to this project in our neighborhood. This has been stated with a petition consisting of 80-plus signatures from the area’s residents. Our narrow streets cannot accommodate any more traffic. […]
To the editor: I have great concerns about a fire-training center in the woods in our small city. 1. How often have controlled burns gotten out of “control” all across our country? Too often. 2. Why does a town of 5,000 people need its own fire training environment? Ridiculous. 3. Congestion! Residents’ and tourists’/visitors’ vehicles […]
To the editor: On Aug. 20, 2021, Karl and I watched as my father died in the hospital from COVID-19. I feel compelled to share my story. My dad believed all the lies against getting the vaccine and taking COVID seriously, and heeded the advice from others who claimed to have had adverse reactions from […]
To the editor: I’d like to let everyone know that there are now three air monitors set up on the Ruxton Corridor. Everyone can access them at: purpleair.com for the units at 145 and 626 Ruxton Avenue; and tsilink.com for the unit on Pilot Knob Avenue. Individuals will need to register on the websites to […]
To the editor: Regarding Coreen Toll’s editorial YIMBY (Yes in My Back Yard): Well, no, Ms. Toll, not in my back yard. Ms. Toll starts out by accusing those of us who have written or rewritten the Manitou Zoning Ordinance of being “racist.” What an outrageous comment! As a member of the Planning Commission years […]
Dear community members: A sincere word of thanks to all of the citizens and volunteers who came out in support of the Great American Cleanup on Saturday, April 24. I personally thank each and every one of you for your efforts and spirit of volunteerism. Thanks for doing something proactive for Mother Earth. You make […]
To the editor: The housing board is trying to force ADUs into Manitou (April 22 Community Forum). Their proposal to change the existing zoning code to add ADUs and increase population and housing density could forever keep Manitou from staying a tourist destination by ruining the natural picturesque beauty that attracts visitors. This also makes […]
Dear neighbors: The city is in the process of engaging an architect to design modifications to our Carnegie Library to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Rumor has it that the end result will more than double our current building and shrink the park with the loss of trees, greenstone walls, lawn and sledding hill. […]
Manitou Springs residents have a unique opportunity to affect a very important code process — right now! After 70 years of living with an old zoning code, the city has begun the process of updating it. During 2016, citizens requested that the category of Housing and Neighborhood be added to our municipal master plan, advocating […]
