Author: Brooke Nevins
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Question of sales tax increase to fix roads to go before Fountain voters
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Fountain voters will soon have a say in whether a tax increase should help fund an increasing need for road maintenance and expansion projects. The Fountain City Council on Tuesday unanimously voted to bring before voters the question of membership in the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority, which collects a 1% sales tax that pays…
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Colorado Springs police chooses independent firm to audit use of force, deescalation tactics
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The Colorado Springs Police Department announced Monday its selection of an independent consultant to audit its use of force and deescalation tactics, a next step toward implementing a series of reforms backed by a city law enforcement advisory commission. The Police Executive Research Forum, a policing policy and research organization based in Washington, D.C., will…
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El Paso County Redistricting Commission finalizes new commission districts; not all pleased
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In the culmination of a monthslong contention among competing racial, military and geographic communities of interest, the El Paso County Redistricting Commission has selected a final map outlining new commissioner districts. The redistricting commission, consisting of the five members of the El Paso County Board of Commissioners, said it selected the map from three finalists,…
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Lamborn, Colorado Springs school districts to host roundtable on fentanyl effects, legislation
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U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn and several Colorado Springs school district administrators are scheduled to host a roundtable discussion Tuesday on fentanyl’s effects on youth and recent legislative efforts to combat the drug in schools. Suicide deaths in El Paso County hit all-time high, follow U.S. trend Lamborn will also speak on the Protecting Kids Against…
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Will El Paso County’s final redistricting map address claims of minority ‘voter dilution’ and ‘racial exclusion’?
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While some El Paso County commissioners and residents have clashed in recent weeks over the definition of proper racial minority representation, a coalition of local chapters of national civil rights groups recently stepped into the redistricting process with claims of racial discrimination that one commissioner calls “insulting.” In a letter penned July 31 to the…
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Last chance for feedback scheduled as county redistricting process nears end
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Residents will have a final opportunity to address the El Paso County Redistricting Commission, tasked with redrawing commissioner districts for the first time since 2017, and offer input on proposed maps this week. El Paso County Sheriff’s Office sued by man alleging deputies ignored assault threats by ‘psychotic’ cellmate The commission has convened for nine…
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El Paso County Commissioners greenlight Fountain’s push for sales tax increase to fix roads
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Fountain is now a step closer to asking voters to increase their sales taxes in November to help tackle a backlog of road projects with a price tag of over $50 million. The El Paso County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a request by the city of Fountain to join the Pikes Peak Regional…
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Free college? Colorado will cover tuition for community college students pursuing careers in understaffed industries
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Students interested in pursuing a career in some of Colorado’s most critically understaffed industries could receive free tuition starting this fall. Through the Career Advance Colorado workforce initiative, announced by Gov. Jared Polis earlier this week, the state will cover the tuition, book fees and other program expenses of Coloradans enrolling in construction, early childhood…
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Redistricting dilemma: County commission explores ways to consolidate ‘communities of interest’, including southeast Colorado Springs (copy)
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In response to heavy public support for racial and ethnic minority-populated areas holding greater weight when redrawing commissioner district boundaries, the El Paso County Redistricting Commission has presented new maps as it nears the end of its public input process. Over the course of their last two meetings, held in Districts 4 and 3 on…
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New El Paso County Commissioner districts could open door to Democratic seat
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In a contested battle to redraw the lines for El Paso County Commissioner districts, officials are homing in on a potentially left-leaning district, laying the foundation for the first Democratic commissioner in 50 years. While residents and the El Paso County Redistricting Commission continue to grapple with prioritizing competing needs of racial minorities and military…
