Colorado Springs

A Colorado Springs postcard with the letters COS in front of a mountain view

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Colorado Springs with Glenn Wallace.

Axios Colorado Springs

Standard

Axios Colorado Springs Partners

Colorado Springs Members

Membership

Axios Colorado Springs Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Colorado Springs Alerts

Alert

Gov.-elect Weiser taps Republican for agriculture commissioner

The choice is a rare act of bipartisan power-sharing.

Politics

Democratic Gov.-elect Phil Weiser is offering Republicans more than an olive branch.<ul><li>On Tuesday , he nominated state Senate GOP leader Cleave Simpson, a San Luis Valley farmer and rancher, as agriculture commissioner.</li></ul>

Colorado Springs data center report urges tighter rules, not a moratorium

The city should close gaps in its data center rules rather than put new projects on hold, analysts say.

News

Colorado Springs should tighten its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data center rules" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/08/19/colorado-communities-data-centers-rules" data-vars-content-id="0d8d86cd-a2b8-4db8-a190-5699ec55e3e0" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs data center report urges tighter rules, not a moratorium" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/08/19/colorado-communities-data-centers-rules" target="_self">data center rules</a> rather than halt new projects, a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new independent report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.evidence-based.org/data-centers" data-vars-content-id="0d8d86cd-a2b8-4db8-a190-5699ec55e3e0" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs data center report urges tighter rules, not a moratorium" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.evidence-based.org/data-centers" target="_blank">new independent report</a> recommends.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mayor Yemi Mobolade" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/08/17/data-center-colorado-springs-regulations" data-vars-content-id="0d8d86cd-a2b8-4db8-a190-5699ec55e3e0" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs data center report urges tighter rules, not a moratorium" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/08/17/data-center-colorado-springs-regulations" target="_self">Mayor Yemi Mobolade</a> requested the study to chart a middle path through a contentious debate that&#x27;s upending the city, as evidenced by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the turmoil" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/09/18/data-center-project-taurus-vote-delay" data-vars-content-id="0d8d86cd-a2b8-4db8-a190-5699ec55e3e0" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs data center report urges tighter rules, not a moratorium" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/09/18/data-center-project-taurus-vote-delay" target="_self">the turmoil</a> surrounding <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Project Taurus" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/09/22/project-taurus-data-center-raeden-colorado-springs" data-vars-content-id="0d8d86cd-a2b8-4db8-a190-5699ec55e3e0" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs data center report urges tighter rules, not a moratorium" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/09/22/project-taurus-data-center-raeden-colorado-springs" target="_self">Project Taurus</a>.

10 things to do this weekend in Colorado Springs

It's mid-November, but the holiday season arrives this weekend in Colorado Springs.

Things to Do

It&#x27;s mid-November, but the holiday season arrives early in Colorado Springs.What to know: Festivities kick off this weekend, alongside plenty of other things to do.

Skate in the Park returns Nov. 13

Skate in the Park is returning for its 15th season of holiday cheer and slippery surfaces.

Killin wins hotly contested 5th District race 

Killin, an Army veteran, followed the Democratic playbook.

Election

In a historic upset, Democrat Jessica Killin unseated Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank in Colorado&#x27;s 5th Congressional District seat, flipping a longtime GOP stronghold.Why it matters: Killin&#x27;s victory marks the first time a Democrat will represent El Paso County in Congress.

Colorado Springs mayor on the cost of staying independent

Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade has no party line to toe in the 2026 election.

Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade has no party line to toe in this election — and no party to watch his back.Why it matters: Political independence gives Mobolade freedom from political loyalties, but little protection from partisan attacks.

3 races to watch in Colorado Springs in the 2026 election

Republicans have more than seats on the line in El Paso County this election.

Republicans have more than seats on the line in El Paso County this election — they&#x27;re fighting to preserve a congressional stronghold and a half-century lock on the county commission.Why it matters: The local races in Tuesday&#x27;s election could help Democrats shift control of the U.S. House, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reach a supermajority" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dlcc.org/news/press/target-race-launch-dlcc-announces-slate-of-targets-in-colorado/" data-vars-content-id="d8a2c0a8-388f-489d-8251-f6eb6272dbe4" data-vars-headline="3 races to watch in Colorado Springs in the 2026 election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dlcc.org/news/press/target-race-launch-dlcc-announces-slate-of-targets-in-colorado/" target="_blank">reach a supermajority</a> at the Colorado Capitol and get a voice in county government.

Michael Allen confronts Trump in bid for Colorado attorney general

Colorado's attorney general contest is expected to be one of the closest statewide races.

President Trump is a fight Democrat Jena Griswold&#x27;s eager to pick and political baggage Republican Michael Allen is trying to shed.Why it matters: Colorado&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="attorney general contest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/10/15/attorney-general-race-jena-griswold-michael-allen-voting-guide" data-vars-content-id="38fb16ba-49b1-49a5-b8a0-a1b9a701c49f" data-vars-headline="Michael Allen confronts Trump in bid for Colorado attorney general" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/10/15/attorney-general-race-jena-griswold-michael-allen-voting-guide" target="_self">attorney general contest</a> — expected to be one of the closest statewide races — will determine who directs the state&#x27;s legal resistance to the Trump administration and how aggressively.

Mayor opposes Amendment 87 on 2026 ballot

The first-term independent mayor is aligning himself with conservatives and low-tax advocates.

Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade is siding with conservatives about Amendment 87 on the 2026 ballot.Why it matters: The first-term independent mayor opposes a ballot measure that could bring billions to state and local governments, including Colorado Springs, in favor of keeping taxes flat.

1-minute voter guide: Crank and Killin battle for the 5th Congressional District 

Democrat Jessica Killin is challenging more than Republican Rep. Jeff Crank's record.

Democrat Jessica Killin is challenging more than Republican Rep. Jeff Crank&#x27;s record — she&#x27;s trying to break a half-century Republican lock on Colorado&#x27;s 5th Congressional District.Why it matters: The Colorado Springs-centered race offers Democrats a potential pickup in the fight for House control, with sharp divisions over household costs, the war in Iran and data centers.

GOP candidates try to blame state Dems for affordability crisis

Five weeks before ballots go to Colorado voters, the political blame game is taking a turn.

Five weeks before ballots go out to Colorado voters, the political blame game is taking a turn.The intrigue: For Democrats, President Trump is the source of nearly all economic problems.

El Paso County primary election turnout mediocre

The ballot featured competitive Democratic and Republican races for statewide and local offices.

El Paso County&#x27;s registered voter turnout in the recent primary election did not impress.Why it matters: The ballot <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="featured" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/23/colorado-voter-guide-what-to-know-about-the-candidates-and-top-races" data-vars-content-id="72a889a0-a9c9-4724-8381-b471c3290d22" data-vars-headline="El Paso County primary election turnout mediocre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/23/colorado-voter-guide-what-to-know-about-the-candidates-and-top-races" target="_self">featured</a> competitive Democratic and Republican races for statewide and local offices. In some cases, the contests essentially determined the winner because the districts skew toward one party.

Colorado Springs' elections discriminate, groups say

The case is about how far the state can go in regulating local election timing for constitutionally protected home-rule cities.

Even before this year&#x27;s midterm election is over, Colorado voting rights groups are targeting Colorado Springs&#x27; 2027 municipal election.Why it matters: The Springs faces the first legal test of Colorado&#x27;s new Voting Rights Act, with advocates alleging the city&#x27;s odd-year April elections disproportionately suppress Black and Hispanic voter turnout.<ul><li>The lawsuit could force the city to move its municipal elections to November — and set a precedent for how Colorado&#x27;s 2025 voting rights law is used against local election systems.</li></ul>Driving the news: A coalition of voting rights groups, led by Common Cause Colorado and the League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region, recently <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sued the city" data-vars-click-url="https://www.commoncause.org/colorado/press/voting-rights-groups-sue-colorado-springs-over-covra-violation/" data-vars-content-id="85cfb774-b4f4-439a-a8fd-963840537795" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs&#x27; elections discriminate, groups say" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.commoncause.org/colorado/press/voting-rights-groups-sue-colorado-springs-over-covra-violation/" target="_blank">sued the city</a> over the timing of its elections, alleging it violates election practices that create a &quot;material disparity&quot; in voter participation among protected classes.By the numbers: The plaintiffs cite data from the city&#x27;s last six local elections, from 2017 through 2025, showing average turnout at:<ul><li>18.1% of Black registered voters</li><li>17.8% of Hispanic registered voters</li><li>34% of white registered voters</li></ul>Zoom in: The lawsuit says the racial gap shrinks in November even-year elections. In those elections, the voting rights organizations say average turnout was:<ul><li>61.2% among Black registered voters</li><li>63.6% among Hispanic registered voters</li><li>79.1% among white registered voters</li></ul>The suit argues that moving city elections to November would reduce the disparity and create a more representative electorate because off-cycle elections are easier to miss, less visible and less connected to voting habits built around the November elections.The other side: Springs officials say the lawsuit attacks the city&#x27;s home-rule authority and ignores the benefits of keeping municipal races separate from national politics.<ul><li>Mayor Yemi Mobolade said the current system helps local issues stand on their own instead of being drowned out by presidential, congressional and statewide races.</li><li>Wayne Williams, Mobolade&#x27;s chief of staff and a former Colorado secretary of state, argued that lower turnout may be tied to the nonpartisan nature of municipal elections, where voters cannot rely on party labels.</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;I find it extremely troubling when people claim that the very election system that elected Colorado Springs&#x27; first Black mayor is somehow inherently exclusionary,&quot; Mobolade <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="told" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/26/colorado-springs-voting-rights-groups-suing-city/" data-vars-content-id="85cfb774-b4f4-439a-a8fd-963840537795" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs&#x27; elections discriminate, groups say" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/26/colorado-springs-voting-rights-groups-suing-city/" target="_blank">told</a> KRCC.Between the lines: This isn&#x27;t the first legal fight about Colorado Springs&#x27; election calendar.<ul><li>The League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region and Citizens Project lost a case in court because it lacked standing to challenge the timing of the city&#x27;s election under the federal Voting Rights Act.</li></ul>The bottom line: The case isn&#x27;t just about Colorado Springs. It&#x27;s about how far the state can go in regulating local elections for constitutionally protected home-rule cities.

Colorado Springs election results: November races set in key districts

Here's a look at the results from local races, based on preliminary vote counts.

El Paso County District Attorney Michael Allen <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cruised to victory" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/07/01/michael-allen-wins-colorado-gop-attorney-general-race" data-vars-content-id="a5e5e8f5-1edf-40c6-9252-26e130a1f8ad" data-vars-headline="Colorado Springs election results: November races set in key districts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/07/01/michael-allen-wins-colorado-gop-attorney-general-race" target="_self">cruised to victory</a> in the Republican primary for attorney general, but two Colorado Springs candidates for governor appeared to falter.State of play: Here&#x27;s a look at local results based on preliminary vote counts.

Election 🗳️

Laubacher heads to Congress with race uncalled

How Colorado voted on ballot measures

Colorado voters embrace tax-the-rich Amendment 87

Killin wins hotly contested 5th District race

5 takeaways from Colorado's blue tsunami election