[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6138449,"mediaKeyId","5585840-23ad07d1c078057fa48997106b53dec3","parentId",5585840,"title","City staff brief council on proposed Contrarian Airport metro districts and special improvement districts","audioSeconds",1491,"startMs",3776000,"endMs",5267000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5585840-23ad07d1c078057fa48997106b53dec3&start=3776&end=5267","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5585840-23ad07d1c078057fa48997106b53dec3/thumbnail_3776000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6138449/Colorado-Springs-City/El-Paso-County/Colorado/City-staff-brief-council-on-proposed-Contrarian-Airport-metro-districts-and-special-improvement-districts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138449-894904f0454f92b430f2446a4b66d75e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775347427&Signature=lKl-XZnQtwXKmTjbVQELn2VG35MewamqCYpeoy3ziiKzW6lFnZjrscZedsmFRxgTsC6w7G7gyQKUpluUCXO46omL1d48Pa3vITBkf1y4kUnb3~5CfkwdnQR3wjwGB1WgoB3WXe6sk-iZy5Lh5LUEWCrmsDqyPCR-enZcDvHW6-gZ3~pbPqz-wkkLqbDDwzN56lYwCn0P0zV0O2CR4rofsS75ipySkZ902bjhPQXErajaPhyAPm6Ihgta5UykBog0I9LPf9X79jUXpY0iRLIEPB6PXhzLk~fKa~4we-fEzL9SLD34ezHg-qyK38cRhgnEanCEtlgXnNU067JixXRwOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Colorado Springs CO","date","2025-08-11T00:00:00Z","article","City Planning Director Kevin Walker presented a consolidated service plan for six proposed Contrarian Airport Metropolitan Districts to the City Council on Aug. 11, describing the project area, projected infrastructure costs and a request to permit the districts to use special improvement district (SID) assessment‑lien financing in addition to traditional metro‑district bond issuance.

Walker said the total project area is about 320 acres northwest of the airport near Mark Sheffel Road and Peterson Space Force Base. The applicant proposes six initial metro districts under a consolidated model service plan, and Walker described an issuance limitation request of $400,000,000 and a first‑year operating budget of about $100,000. Engineering estimates in the packet list about $245,000,000 for public improvements (roads, stormwater, utilities), with additional soft costs and issuance assumed to bring total projected issuance to roughly $360,000,000 over multiple phases.

Why it matters: metro districts create localized, developer‑led financing and service delivery for new neighborhoods and commercial areas. The presentation noted limits in the model service plan: a maximum mill levy of 50 mills for district bonds, maintenance mill levies proposed at 10 mills for commercial/industrial and 20 mills for residential, and the applicant’s plan that SIDs would be structured as assessment‑lien bonds against land value. City staff emphasized a policy point: under the proposed language SIDs would be paid off or cleared before a parcel transfers to an end user; in other words, an individual homeowner would not inherit the assessment lien when they purchase a completed lot.

Special improvement district details: Walker described SIDs as a financing tool that uses the land as collateral and permits borrowing against a percentage of land value (he referenced roughly 60% as a ballpark used in practice). The city’s model service plan and staff review flagged that while SIDs are not new in Colorado, they have not been commonly used in recent local service plans; the applicant’s request prompted staff to propose additional model‑plan language clarifying that the assessment lien must be satisfied prior to sale to end users. Several council members asked for a follow‑up meeting or deeper briefing to understand how SIDs work in practice and how developers will retire the assessment lien if parcels are not sold quickly.

Council questions and process: Council members asked about the service‑area mapping (Walker explained the 320 acres can be apportioned in different combinations of district boundaries), how many residential units were anticipated (Walker said the plan shows nearly 2,000 residential units but that final counts are still being worked), and whether the model service plan needs changes to integrate SIDs (staff said current model language can be updated and that staff will return to council with a formal hearing on district formation at the next regular council meeting). Walker said the city’s model service plan — used since about 2006 — provides guardrails and that staff would incorporate the applicant’s clarifying language into the model plan to protect future homeowners.

Next steps: the applicant will seek formation at the council’s next regular meeting; staff will continue reviewing the service plan attachments, and the council indicated interest in an offline briefing to discuss mechanics and consumer protections for SIDs prior to formal approval.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Colorado Springs City Council Work Session on 2025-08-11","oneSentenceSummary","City Planning Director Kevin Walker presented a consolidated service plan on Aug. 11 to form six Contrarian Airport metro districts for about 320 acres northwest of the airport, and explained a request to use special improvement (assessment‑lien) financing that staff says must be retired before sale to end users.","taxTitle","Colorado Springs City, El Paso County, Colorado","taxId",5791,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6138452,"Front Range Passenger Rail officials outline corridor plan, schedule and funding tools",1082,2026000,3108000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5585840-23ad07d1c078057fa48997106b53dec3&start=2026&end=3108","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5585840-23ad07d1c078057fa48997106b53dec3/thumbnail_2026000.jpg","/articles/6138452/Colorado-Springs-City/El-Paso-County/Colorado/Front-Range-Passenger-Rail-officials-outline-corridor-plan-schedule-and-funding-tools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138452-0f6f5f5cdf7404615916998b6e5f301f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775347427&Signature=VeZSf03Rp25ekJ1tGWQ-JzsME87SXh0KeGyH0xhDqwP6xfb3T4HllylzxTIRJIBP7WwUbFa5CpDT8wr9h3YnXxva2Axgu66z4uc1H6ApKyHJWprveKXkGYuuMl8ZKoYR8iDA-hauzkVU6QYsqIepW7e7AZRGo1BToR-KCjA4vDQhMXwYQF0zFUwh6MvijnTU5s1ZA633Vje4Xoy5Y4dnRnZP5AaXl5ntA5AUHdGfxr~sRKL8-djPx6L4tClmkyjEIamoLduJcRLBQM0JAj1xHIydY0Cz-blFgjqw2yxDMEBFQiOmUoS~7t0adM0hiCM8uUxIqqWLhV8rfWcZkGYy1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chrissy Bridal, interim general manager of the Front Range Passenger Rail District, told Colorado Springs City Council on Aug. 11 that the district is finalizing a service plan that would introduce inner‑city passenger rail running between Fort Collins and Pueblo, with nine primary stations, a target maximum speed of 79 mph, and an initial travel time estimate of about 1 hour 45 minutes between Colorado Springs and Denver.

Bridal described a phased approach: a starter or demonstration service (initially planned between Denver and Fort Collins) that could launch as a proof of concept by 2029, followed by expanded corridor service over time. \"Not every town can have a station, but every town can benefit,\" Bridal said, adding the project aims to interoperate on existing freight tracks, add parallel track in some places and work with host railroads on operational modeling through a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) service development plan.

Why it matters: the district argues that passenger rail could reduce congestion on I‑25, support regional economic development and visitor spending, and improve connectivity to medical centers and higher‑education campuses. Bridal also highlighted potential job creation from construction and operation, and said federal programs available under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) include an 80/20 match for NEPA environmental clearance work under a core identification and development program.

Project details and timeline: Bridal said the district’s 24‑member board (created through state legislation referenced in the presentation) named primary station markets and is finalizing a service and phasing plan that may include four to ten daily round trips depending on ridership and financing. The district is working with the FRA and host railroads to complete operational modeling and environmental work; Bridal said the Service Development Plan lays out route options, station markets, infrastructure needs and signaling and safety upgrades required for passenger operations. Colorado Springs staff and the district have evaluated America the Beautiful Park as a preferred station site in city planning work, Bridal said. The district is evaluating funding and voter authorization options: after environmental and planning work, the district expects to bring a ballot initiative to voters in those counties that fall inside the district boundaries.

Council concerns and clarifications: council members asked about the relation to long‑distance Amtrak routes (the Southwest Chief will continue to operate separately), whether neighboring states are participating (New Mexico has a non‑voting appointee to the board but is not yet a funding partner), and station siting in Colorado Springs including options near America the Beautiful Park and other downtown sites. Questions also addressed practical considerations: parking and first/last‑mile access for riders, how freight owners (BNSF and Union Pacific/Midland‑to‑regional lines) would be engaged, fare and ridership modeling (preliminary financial modeling has been completed), and potential operating partners (Amtrak or a private operator could operate service under contract).

Next steps: Bridal said the district is finishing service planning, progressing environmental clearance, conducting public engagement and preliminary financial modeling, and will seek further coordination with local boards and stakeholders. The presentation emphasized the district’s legislative authority to plan, finance and operate passenger rail and noted new state fee‑based seed funding enacted in 2024 to help incubate passenger rail in Colorado. Councilmembers thanked Bridal and asked the district to continue coordinating with local planning and transit partners.","Chrissy Bridal, interim general manager of the Front Range Passenger Rail District, briefed council on the district’s vision to run inner‑city passenger trains between Fort Collins and Pueblo, preliminary service plans, an environmental funding match opportunity, station planning for Colorado Springs and a starter demonstration service by 2029.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6138457,"PikeRide tells council nonprofit bike-share expands access, seeks steady funding",1824,197000,2021000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5585840-23ad07d1c078057fa48997106b53dec3&start=197&end=2021","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5585840-23ad07d1c078057fa48997106b53dec3/thumbnail_197000.jpg","/articles/6138457/Colorado-Springs-City/El-Paso-County/Colorado/PikeRide-tells-council-nonprofit-bike-share-expands-access-seeks-steady-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138457-a03d1ec68e73ce7caec53fa00f0017fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775347427&Signature=URWY4k0TrLkVHs0pZLkYSzlVDCrL2Arhz2SZ-C578lrsTspLXki9TnREIvbDO8NTD46XKvPKAsmVa0rrfxIqGmYDUcGKioC6TBkpWqCbCtnmXLStUQr838ned56UQg9UBFw0oOkGxTnskny3W1nWk69ldSDKk8VSI8xTLCbGVnlghVtYgUvIUuqWBAlxB9VSX-DsAvfgDVXIhzKc8cBKGqPl5PUGth1WushAfyr~lmLG8Tb7Cx7d90vmu5i7DMz51PhngwwwgKQdpgcpkTr1MTnB9qbG3g66Pavk9y9JoNAc8tsNX3NVE1FyJWEdlkrKPXCthaaLzh9xNfFj4vzBMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","PikeRide board chair Ruth Black and Executive Director Tara McCarthy told the Colorado Springs City Council on Aug. 11 that PikeRide is a nonprofit bike-share program operating about 300 bikes and close to 98 station docks across Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs, and that it needs more stable, ongoing funding to expand service and preserve affordability.

The nonprofit said 2024 ridership included roughly 4,300 unique riders, with 31% from outside the region, and that its affordability programs provided annual memberships for $20 (regular annual is $165) and a leased e-bike program funded in part by the Colorado Energy Office. \"A bicycle is an equalizer,\" Ruth Black said. \"This is someone who, because of PikeRide, kept a job and avoided homelessness.\" Tara McCarthy said PikeRide’s low-income participants — 111 people in 2024 — accounted for nearly 15% of system miles despite representing about 2% of riders.

Why it matters: council members and staff pressed PikeRide on funding and operations because the program affects mobility for low-income residents, visitor access to downtown and tourist sites, and possible partnerships with other city programs. The presentation framed PikeRide as both a transportation utility and a social service connector: council members asked how the system prevents sidewalk clutter, how funding is structured, and whether PikeRide could serve other city programs such as Work COS.

PikeRide representatives said the system uses docked stations (riders are asked to return bikes to stations; convenience fees apply for ad-hoc returns) and GPS monitoring to avoid sidewalk obstruction. The board and staff described the current budget composition as roughly 19% fare revenue, 32% municipal support (parking enterprise from Colorado Springs plus support from Manitou Springs), 16% partnerships (Colorado College and others), 28% grants, and 5% individual donations. Current annual budget was described as “just under half a million dollars.” Municipal support from parking enterprise was described in the meeting as about $130,000 for the current year, with Manitou Springs providing additional funds.

PikeRide described affordability and social impacts: 80% of affordability participants report using the service to access employment; 93% use it to reach medical care; staff said the program helped 40 people maintain or obtain stable housing in 2024, and that many riders report improved well-being. The organization highlighted partnerships with Colorado College, the Independence Center, Springs Rescue Mission and other social-service providers, and noted marketing and tourism impacts (staff said riders came from all 50 states plus D.C. and 17 foreign countries in 2024, based on payment zip-code data).

Council questions and follow-up: Councilman Donaldson asked about sidewalk clutter and station rules; PikeRide confirmed stations are the primary operating model and that active fleet monitoring and retrieval are used. Donaldson and others asked about LARP funding; PikeRide said it applied for but did not receive LARP funding in 2025 and that when funded previously it received $35,000 in 2024 (prior years closer to $50,000–$75,000). Council members sought clarity on fleet and station counts (PikeRide: ~300 bikes, ~98 stations) and on expansion plans (increase to 500+ bikes, adding adaptive e-bikes and cargo e-bikes, and service-area expansions east and south).

The presentation included funding options PikeRide suggested exploring, such as fees layered on for ride-hailing trips or other local fee mechanisms, and urged council to consider stable, recurring revenue rather than year-to-year grants. Several council members praised the program’s community impact and said staff and council would continue talking about funding and partnership opportunities.

Ending: PikeRide asked the council to consider longer-term, predictable revenue sources while the nonprofit continues pursuing grants and sponsorships. Council members thanked the presenters and indicated follow-up conversations and data requests would continue as the city plans transportation and social-service partnerships.","PikeRide board chair Ruth Black and Executive Director Tara McCarthy told the City Council on Aug. 11 that the nonprofit bike-share operates 300 bikes, provides deep affordability programs and partners with local agencies, and is seeking long-term funding beyond grants and one-time municipal support.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6138445,"Council briefed on Bradley Ridge affordable housing bonds; 336 units, childcare and veteran set‑asides described",1256,5164000,6420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5585840-23ad07d1c078057fa48997106b53dec3&start=5164&end=6420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5585840-23ad07d1c078057fa48997106b53dec3/thumbnail_5164000.jpg","/articles/6138445/Colorado-Springs-City/El-Paso-County/Colorado/Council-briefed-on-Bradley-Ridge-affordable-housing-bonds-336-units-childcare-and-veteran-setasides-described","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138445-1d380b90605d26a7249c171317ad7f67/orig.mp4?Expires=1775347427&Signature=C1mcGoUVSItHARoKJlLMhwW5uT531BupnY5Ap4y3KP3byuMYEZd~lcPnTeoDVnRWyyi5scaUEtGHWmc4ENQtdsreLzLURqTmU1ge~6d1YITkQSOcKA0ZaJcRLuMNlLqcI-jCOJan-rYZ-45MtweOEqIjSfJHEtwxrrftwvJNG8ZzyaMI5eK0G77PAuARo9a-vonnEoyLpl1xLeadWo-IB0aWaOLPdG69U2EnOCBca9Zmrmn9CL~KOqgFa-vvLRu21VSiM0mP6~xc~VLKNuyMNVfwab07ws9pDUuL~opo4dDAIGH3Bk7RkUKdJwZRrT55rXJt0bhnGMoSt6Y9hmSeKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Amy Cox, chief housing and homelessness response officer for the City of Colorado Springs, told council on Aug. 11 that the city is preparing to introduce an ordinance to authorize multifamily housing revenue private activity bonds for the Bradley Ridge Apartments, a 336‑unit Low‑Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) project in Southeast Colorado Springs.

Cox said the ordinance introduction is the final municipal step after an inducement resolution the council approved May 13; the project has completed due diligence items required by the city’s private activity bond process, including a market study, commitment to purchase the bonds and sufficient debt and equity to close. The ordinance described a bond cap not to exceed $76,832,222.72 and a total project cost presented in the meeting packet of about $157 million.

Why it matters: Bradley Ridge will add 336 apartments in two‑, three‑ and four‑bedroom configurations, rents projected 24% to 32% below area market rates, an on‑site Early Connections Learning Centers childcare facility with 60–65 slots prioritized for residents, and an anticipated 20 units set aside for veterans. The city emphasized that the project targets lower‑income households and provides added community benefits (childcare, family‑sized units) that align with the city’s housing priorities.

Funding and allocation: Cox described the private activity bond allocation for Bradley Ridge as a combination of the city’s annual allocation, plus $5,000,000 from a statewide competitive balance allocation and $7,000,000 assigned from the Colorado Springs Housing Authority through a prior carry‑forward resolution. Cox said the project is ready to proceed to ordinance readings (first reading at the council’s next regular meeting, final reading Sept. 9), with financial closing expected in December and construction completion estimated in January 2028.

Council questions and context: Council members noted the project’s family focus, the unusually high number of four‑bedroom units (84), and the childcare component. Katie Sunderland, housing solutions manager, said developers previously delivered similar family‑sized units at Interquest Ridge and that four‑bedroom units leased quickly there. Council discussion placed the project in the context of larger housing shortfalls (staff referenced an estimated local gap of roughly 28,000 units from the housing needs assessment) and emphasized the need to scale production and reduce development timelines and costs.

Next steps: staff will present ordinance readings as scheduled; council members and staff discussed continuing efforts to encourage affordable‑housing production, streamline approvals and pursue additional funding sources.","Amy Cox, the city’s chief housing officer, presented an ordinance introduction authorizing up to $76.83 million in multifamily housing revenue private activity bonds for the Bradley Ridge Apartments, a 336‑unit LIHTC project near South Powers and Bradley Road that includes on‑site childcare and 20 veteran‑priority units.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City staff brief council on proposed Contrarian Airport metro districts and special improvement districts

Front Range Passenger Rail officials outline corridor plan, schedule and funding tools

PikeRide tells council nonprofit bike-share expands access, seeks steady funding

Council briefed on Bradley Ridge affordable housing bonds; 336 units, childcare and veteran set‑asides described