Colorado Springs struggles to fill civic boards
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Colorado Springs has at least 12 vacancies across city boards and commissions, even as civic engagement has surged elsewhere.
Why it matters: While thousands of protesters lined Nevada Avenue on March 28 for a No Kings demonstration, and more than 1,700 people recently signed the recall petition for District 2 Councilmember Tom Bailey, that energy isn't translating to the places where residents can directly shape city decisions.
The big picture: The disconnect is visible beyond a single committee.
- Vacancies include the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments, the city's historic preservation board, civil service commission and the powerful planning commission.
- The Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority also has three open spots.
Zoom in: Among the city boards with empty seats is the Law Enforcement Transparency and Advisory Committee (LETAC), which the city council voted unanimously to disband on Tuesday.
Flashback: LETAC had more than 800 potential applicants for its 11 seats at its creation in 2020, but the committee was plagued by vacancies, and what the eight remaining members called a general ineffectiveness.
Zoom out: Colorado Springs has 24 community boards, with more regional and county opportunities.
- Some roles, like the planning commission, demand expertise and must be nominated by city council.
- Others are open to most residents with interest and the ability to regularly attend meetings.
Friction point: Time, access and awareness can be barriers to participation.
- The city previously ran a civic engagement program, but interest from city hall and the public has declined, according to organizer and former planning commissioner Eric Phillips.
- "People need that experience, to see how the system works," he said.
What they're saying: Local community action groups like Citizens Project and Hey Neighbor told Axios the problem isn't a lack of care.
- "People care deeply about their neighborhoods, but they're not always sure how to plug in or whether they're 'qualified' to do so," Hey Neighbor Executive Director Kelly Bull told Axios.
More information about each board, and application links are available here.