The City of Manitou Springs is planning on rezoning 56 City-owned parcels of land, according to a March 4 news release. These parcels will be designated as Open Space (OS), Public Facility (PF), or Park (P). This City-initiated rezoning effort aims to update and clarify the Official Zoning Map, ensuring that each parcel is appropriately […]
As long as Tymm Hoffman has a voice, a keyboard or a pen, diversity and inclusion will remain part of his mission living in Colorado Springs. He will keep writing and posting on Facebook and showing up at every District 20 and District 49 school board meeting because, as he says, being a parent is […]
Election Day is April 1st — this is a mail only election and ballots must be received by 7pm on Election Day! Last day to return by mail is 3/25, or find a secure drop box anytime, and make sure your voice is heard. If you don’t receive your ballot you may request a replacement […]
Despite high winds and a chill in the air, protesters turned out in front of Colorado Springs City Hall to voice discontent with the Trump administration, in particular Trump’s handling of Ukraine – on Feb. 28, a White House discussion ended with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance berating Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy […]
Colorado Springs residents protested proposed cuts to Medicaid Friday afternoon. The protest took place outside U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank’s (R-CO) district office in the Catalyst Campus in downtown Colorado Springs, a building owned by Crank supporter and co-owner of the Colorado Springs Independent, Kevin O’Neil. “We wanted to meet with our representative to voice our […]
Councilors John Shada, Julie Wolfe, and Judith Chandler again remained seated during the Pledge of Allegiance, in response to political decisions made by President Donald Trump and what Shada called the “general situation” in Washington D.C. The Manitou Springs City Council then approved a proclamation “To Recognize Manitou Springs’ Commitment to Valuing Diversity, Equity, and […]
“These people have done absolutely nothing wrong,” Colorado Senator Michael Bennet said on the Senate floor in Washington, D.C., days after President Donald Trump issued yet another executive order, this time calling for “large-scale reductions in force” at federal government agencies. At least 2,000 Forest Service staff were fired during the cull that followed – […]
Mayor John Graham addressed council and residents prior to the beginning of the Feb. 18 city council meeting. “I suspect at least one of my colleagues on City Council will refrain from participating in the Pledge of Allegiance tonight in light of recent actions in the federal government,” he said. “I can understand her angst […]
Colorado Springs City Council has paved the way for Class 1 e-bikes – the kind that require continuous pedaling even as the rider gets a boost from a small electric motor – to be allowed on the city’s trails, including those funded by the Trails and Open Spaces program. But Council went about it the […]
During a special meeting of the Manitou Springs City Council on Feb. 11, the council voted unanimously to approve a resolution to apply to dissolve the Manitou Springs Metropolitan District, which owns and operates the Wichita and Smischny parking lots. Councilors Judith Chandler and Michelle Whetherhult were not present for the meeting. “For over a […]
Thousands of Coloradans gathered at the state Capitol in Denver on Wednesday, Feb. 5, to protest Republican President Donald Trump and his administration’s actions on immigration and LGBTQ+ rights, as well as the weakening of various federal government institutions. Protestors filled the building’s steps, front lawn and the block of Lincoln Street between 14th Avenue […]
Council approves first reading of equipment lease purchase agreement The Manitou Springs City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance approving a $708,732 lease purchase agreement with Clayton Holdings, LLC. The agreement will provide a variety of new equipment for the Manitou Springs Police Department, including five new radios, a Polaris UTV, a new […]
This piece originally appeared in the Colorado Times Recorder. This weekend approximately two hundred people gathered at Acacia Park in Colorado Springs for the “Protect Trans Siblings” rally and march. The event coincided with marches across the country in response to President Donald Trump’s executive orders targeting transgender people’s access to health care and ability […]
A handful of months ago, the Pikes Peak Bulletin partnered with Rocky Mountain PBS and the El Pomar Foundation to host a screening of “Undivide Us,” a film dealing with the toxic political polarization of our era. The premise of the film is that most people want to find common ground and we would all […]
This piece originally appeared in the Colorado Times Recorder. Conservatives from across Colorado participated in a “fun-fundraiser” for The Peak News Educational Foundation’s “Journalistic Ethics and Media Vocational Training Program” at the Pinery in Colorado Springs on Thursday night [Jan. 30]. The crowd was a diverse mix of current and former elected officials – congressmen, […]
This piece originally appeared in the Colorado Times Recorder. Colorado Rep. Junie Joseph (D-Boulder) and Rep. Naquetta Ricks (D-Aurora) held a press conference in response to President Donald Trump’s inauguration and planned actions on immigration. “The issue we are addressing today is one of urgent importance, especially in the face of dangerous rhetoric and harmful […]
Friends, although January is already coming to a close, I wish you a happy and prosperous new year! January is often considered a month of preparation. It provides a fresh start to set intentions, plan goals, and lay the groundwork for the months ahead. In the spirit of preparation, I want to share how Colorado […]
The trees in Manitou Springs are doing well, but more are needed, according to the Urban Tree Canopy Assessment presented by Parks and Recreation Director Gillian Rossi at this week’s City Council work session. “The city’s parks and streetscapes are on the right track,” said Rossi. We found a good diversity of species, a good […]
Rich Block, the president of Indiana-based Paragon Realty, urged Manitou Springs City Council to reconsider the Manitou Springs Land Use Development Code (LUDC) after the Manitou Springs Planning Commission voted 4-3 to deny a density variance for the proposed development at the site of the former La Fun Motel. “Our request is to work with […]
