[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6138451,"mediaKeyId","5585817-f54463c75a9592be09566c69fcc63e69","parentId",5585817,"title","Council staff propose UDC update to permit battery-charged electric and alarmed security fencing for commercial/industrial uses","audioSeconds",482,"startMs",7838000,"endMs",8320000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5585817-f54463c75a9592be09566c69fcc63e69&start=7838&end=8320","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5585817-f54463c75a9592be09566c69fcc63e69/thumbnail_7838000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6138451/Colorado-Springs-City/El-Paso-County/Colorado/Council-staff-propose-UDC-update-to-permit-battery-charged-electric-and-alarmed-security-fencing-for-commercialindustrial-uses","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138451-42e136d3458a3e27166e4bcd032311a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183339&Signature=ab5xa3d76DQAzaCuyH4iRvjY83-gDra9LZ9omAL1hHxYDcfN1tZrc8U7YZ-dYfXE2Wb-fjPx6PogGiEw~w40stjUoK4W2h9EfdjWKbFFpIPmSNQbgwSNPqjum1T9JavxNr3ZpM~bQ3TucuJI0qxJLjLYCsbZ~Sb6-wmN~xcw2MWUzo1Lzx16gQGN6aJnpq2CF~oFnFFtKMPe6gMd8AjB17qp5PawYdY5mLN3ppI629bTSvA4JdNA-2mE3ezTDnXeAQRsCut4XyxhnxFe58KMvAXEcfeY4M8HfgAmiszsAfuDJpqbzNdcSeFZcDHBXPTzpLmfu7yt3f3Dm4FMcD55aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Colorado Springs CO","date","2025-07-21T00:00:00Z","article","City planning staff presented a Unified Development Code amendment Monday to permit battery-charged electric fences and alarmed security-detection fencing systems for commercial and industrial uses while setting safety and siting conditions.
Johnny Malpika, comprehensive planning special projects staff, said the UDC update responds to state legislation (referenced in materials as \"house legislation 25 10 60\") and industry requests after a prior UDC revision made the status of battery-charged electric fences unclear. Malpika said the proposed change reintroduces express allowance for battery-charged electric fencing and security detection fencing systems when they are associated with commercial or industrial uses only.
Key regulatory details: The proposed code would permit a battery-charged electric fence (an energizer driven by a battery up to 12 volts DC) or a security detection fencing system where the electrified fence is installed internal to a non-electrified perimeter fence. The non-electrified perimeter fence must be at least 5 feet high. The electrified component may not exceed a specified height (10 feet or 2 feet higher than the perimeter fence, whichever applies), must maintain a minimum separation (4 inches) from the perimeter fence, and must be marked with warning signage every 30 feet. The proposed permit route is either a minor modification to a development plan or a building permit depending on triggers in the code.
Why it matters: The amendment clarifies whether certain security fences are permitted and sets safety and siting requirements that staff said are consistent with state guidance and surrounding jurisdictions. Staff also noted the rules exclude residential property and are limited to industrial and commercial contexts.
Council disposition: A council member suggested placing the amendment on the consent agenda; staff indicated they were comfortable doing so if there were no further questions. No formal council action was taken at the work session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Colorado Springs Cit Council Work Session on 2025-07-21","oneSentenceSummary","Planning staff proposed a Unified Development Code amendment, aligned with recent state legislation, to allow battery-charged electric fences and security-detection fencing systems for commercial and industrial properties with safety controls, warning signage and perimeter fencing.","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},6138456,"Council hears proposal to remove CPA as required credential for city auditor",1730,6234000,7964000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5585817-f54463c75a9592be09566c69fcc63e69&start=6234&end=7964","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5585817-f54463c75a9592be09566c69fcc63e69/thumbnail_6234000.jpg","/articles/6138456/Colorado-Springs-City/El-Paso-County/Colorado/Council-hears-proposal-to-remove-CPA-as-required-credential-for-city-auditor","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138456-cbc4cc09a3063d4e98bc9fe954287065/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183339&Signature=PpK1k~sz6RTSS-GVcWxaxwCwSVLtsCDiMzCIpyuHNXkP5uZn9amyPnOX46t8OG2ZCShOiRID3rqSB7Cq9eEwdot1bIjW7C1vJcWu6dMtY0sXIyeApenjEDgJe1n-XceVLi4h6IY3L9LRr7opaFZHE0yhLuM1iMDYPP5dhG4R9l3WRMD-XnJcvO6TVfPFzZkOubfuoCM1PJIaLe6dH1NMgATifB1jqLMqMKK6rBE2lgN4owIrED7EMDnl9bpbS0ZtxKSWby5MRzQ9LwSOOXKorCObctpSxLVMIs~Emq2JFGWRETxRzQD234PfIdpKq0oGpAH21kvYSptqsQf7RnRo~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City human resources presented an ordinance amendment Monday to remove a Colorado certified public accountant (CPA) license from the minimum qualifications for the city auditor position, making the CPA a preferred rather than required credential.
Myra Romero, the city’s chief human resources and risk officer, told the council that the CPA credential is primarily designed for external auditors who issue financial statements under Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS). She said internal auditors operate under the Institute for Internal Auditors (IIA) Global Internal Audit Standards, which do not require CPA licensure, and HR recommends moving the CPA to a preferred qualification without changing pay.
Natalie Lovell, the appointed city auditor, spoke in favor of the change and described the modern internal-audit role as strategic, focused on governance, risk and internal controls. Lovell said the city’s internal auditing function is not responsible for issuing the city’s external financial statements and that keeping the CPA as a required minimum could disqualify candidates with operational, policy or public-administration backgrounds. She said the auditor’s office employs roughly 16 staff and that her two managers hold CPAs.
Council reaction: Several council members said Lovell’s interview and early performance impressed them and expressed willingness to support the change; Councilman Donaldson said he had received a written objection from a former city auditor and asked for more time to review whether removing the requirement is in the city’s best interest. The ordinance was discussed at work session and scheduled to return for council consideration in two weeks.
Why it matters: The change would alter the minimum hiring criteria for a high-level city executive position with oversight responsibilities for audits, compliance and governance. HR and the auditor argued the change aligns qualifications with contemporary internal-audit standards; some council members asked staff to confirm how many current auditor-office positions require CPAs and whether the pay band remains appropriate.
Next steps: The ordinance will return to council for formal action at the next meeting; staff committed to provide additional benchmarking data on staff CPAs and position-level qualification requirements before the vote.","City HR recommended removing the Colorado CPA requirement from the city auditor job classification and instead listing it as preferred; the appointed city auditor argued the role aligns with IIA internal-audit standards rather than GAAS and several council members said they will consider the change ahead of a vote in two weeks.",{"_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},6138461,"VisitCOS outlines 2025–28 destination roadmap and resident survey results backing possible lodging-tax increase",2866,3494000,6360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5585817-f54463c75a9592be09566c69fcc63e69&start=3494&end=6360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5585817-f54463c75a9592be09566c69fcc63e69/thumbnail_3494000.jpg","/articles/6138461/Colorado-Springs-City/El-Paso-County/Colorado/VisitCOS-outlines-202528-destination-roadmap-and-resident-survey-results-backing-possible-lodging-tax-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138461-2728fb5c681ce3e3ee605f876bf8a68a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183339&Signature=ab15aSRSL7DlQ9VoxvSmwUFxn2mY9ChZ5WZ304ZPCV27Ysh5qlvaAJSH8j7kdDR8YcsB60hGLhHmYs7j8KZRNOqF42gmmOyEDTX~FRLRFG8Y9remvsNslxdsKpSXLg5Z2IsOPxUFwake1B9Fp-kS1IFwI8NeOG0bEkq38KWmI4mKIQILVGvygX~xSc-F~w7r-1137QJwD2k1DcfOe9xRZRMsxS7CO063glnoAb01dMZ~6A1xHRCM0HwvgX1Oudz9WyIIUzmLm3JZIw-jMGdZsjcx8fqQF0aicWkDDasmHEckPBaHLB-peZmzQ5I8zP7DBnHzkQWCWhk0OUh~Kvg3-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Visit Colorado Springs (VisitCOS) presented its 2025–2028 destination master plan roadmap and a resident sentiment study that the tourism agency said supports pursuing additional promotional funding.
Doug Price, president and CEO of VisitCOS, said VisitCOS updated its 10-year destination master plan to focus on three \"imperatives\": secure additional promotional funding, grow off‑peak overnight visitation (November–March) and increase length of stay. Amy Long, Chief Development Officer, said VisitCOS identified eight areas where it will lead (funding strategy, winter and off-peak growth, stewardship, packaging, visitor center work, centers of excellence, coordinated planning and CTO collaboration).
Resident survey and focus groups: VisitCOS commissioned Signal Research to survey 400 likely voters in 2024 and then ran four focus groups. Results included: 60% of respondents agreed the positive impacts of tourism outweigh negatives; 78% said tourism enhances economic opportunity; 65% supported visitors paying a tourism tax to cover infrastructure and outdoor recreation impacts. In focus groups, after framing LART comparisons and explaining that the current 2% lodging tax is low nationally, roughly three-quarters of participants said they were likely to vote yes on an increase. Doug Price said the message that \"tourism drives Colorado Springs forward\" resonated strongly in testing.
Economic context: VisitCOS cited the Longwoods 2024 study reporting approximately 25.5 million visitors and $3.1 billion in visitor spending across the region in 2024, and an increase in average length of stay from 2.2 to 2.7 nights year-over-year.
Planned initiatives and next steps: VisitCOS said the Hosmer Visitor Center is tentatively scheduled to open in 2026 and that the agency will launch a first winter leisure campaign and a Pikes Peak Neighborhoods promotional project funded in part by a CTO grant. VisitCOS said it will work with the city's Lark Committee, mayor’s office and tourism-sector partners on shared strategy and timing for any ballot measure; several council members asked for closer coordination and for VisitCOS to report back with competitive comparisons and return-on-investment modeling.
Council reaction: Council members generally supported the tourism strategy as a revenue-growth path and urged the city and VisitCOS to align on timing and messaging before any ballot initiative; Councilman Lin Weber urged expedited voter outreach, while others cautioned the city may not yet be ready and asked for deeper collaboration across city departments.
Ending: VisitCOS said it will continue coordination with the city and partners and deliver follow-up materials on competitive positioning and projected revenue impacts before any ballot decision.","Visit Colorado Springs presented a three-year strategic roadmap, resident sentiment research and economic figures showing 25.5 million visitors and a $3.1 billion regional impact in 2024; staff said public support data could underpin a future lodging-tax (LART) ballot measure but urged closer city partnership and planning before a vote.",{"_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},6138466,"Careers in Construction program tells council it has placed thousands of local students in trades",1245,2457000,3702000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5585817-f54463c75a9592be09566c69fcc63e69&start=2457&end=3702","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5585817-f54463c75a9592be09566c69fcc63e69/thumbnail_2457000.jpg","/articles/6138466/Colorado-Springs-City/El-Paso-County/Colorado/Careers-in-Construction-program-tells-council-it-has-placed-thousands-of-local-students-in-trades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138466-85c4e5320996fd3e2e5c6ca94b6afd7a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183339&Signature=iCPrqPIdDgtqpwYucu-3jWxSnnDaQa3IKiYNP9CtHdGPO65e6cIdzwC0osB4B38sSM9Q4t8kh5o-YCmty1pih2T4L-eqvgkoM0nTdS6xa0IKU6fHjQoVqtzFW2xi-bNbIccnCThh9ROdqi-uUqpJntCX2935y9OGXHo8~-ikl6L1zIpXkoAVf2y7z6dpftMvceThUOVZj~nmBVcS7y6RAtxxTKu82LrzV8TTIFC3NuLl7fnrLC9bWMofHC6q82yghtnS8uWlcBGrEUDG~gK6Frzalh4jIZ42bMCkH6JxfTWVoVPJRqLchg68gM-rLFofjyT2UqqK-s0fZ9A~ITRN2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Careers in Construction Colorado (CICC) updated the City Council on Monday on a statewide vocational program that places high-school students into construction careers through classroom instruction, certifications and employer connections.
Glenn Hard, director of recruitment and retention for CICC, said the nonprofit grew from a single high-school program in 2015 to partnerships in roughly 91 high schools statewide and six chapter trade-association partners. He said the program emphasizes \"educate, empower, and employ\" through industry-aligned curriculum, job-site tours, internships and navigator staff who maintain long-term relationships with students and employers.
Renee Zantz, representing CICC and industry partners, said statewide the program has enrolled more than 15,000 students since inception, produced almost 10,000 industry-recognized certificates and issued about 6,000 OSHA-10 certifications; statewide CICC reports more than 2,000 students have gained employment through the program. Locally, CICC said 1,332 students enrolled in the Pikes Peak region last school year and 1,166 local students found work in construction.
Funding and model: CICC described a mixed funding model: about 50% from grants and individuals, 25% from government, and 25% from industry; local contributions from a region-wide Building Futures Fund (permitting-based donations) have raised about $940,000. Renee Zantz said CICC’s local budget is roughly $2.2 million and estimated a per-student cost of about $700, making the program \"very scalable.\"
Why it matters: Council members said they view the program as a way to expand workforce pathways and help residents move toward stable employment and housing. Council members asked whether CICC tracks retention in the industry beyond the first job; presenters said they are improving longitudinal tracking and that navigators and targeted surveys have increased response rates for post-graduation outcomes.
Implementation notes: CICC described navigators who visit schools multiple times per semester, teacher stipends, industry-paid curriculum and the chapter/satellite school model to reach districts without nearby trade associations. The nonprofit also partners with programs serving justice-involved and homeless youth.
Ending: Council members praised the program and invited further collaboration, including possible school tours and additional engagement with city workforce and economic development staff.","Careers in Construction Colorado (CICC) briefed council on statewide expansion of a high-school construction vocational program that has placed over 2,000 students in construction jobs and reached more than 15,000 students since 2015; local chapters report 1,332 enrolled students last year and industry-backed funding.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6138470,"Salvation Army urges city help as Family Hope Center faces $800K–$1M shortfall",2428,138000,2566000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5585817-f54463c75a9592be09566c69fcc63e69&start=138&end=2566","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5585817-f54463c75a9592be09566c69fcc63e69/thumbnail_138000.jpg","/articles/6138470/Colorado-Springs-City/El-Paso-County/Colorado/Salvation-Army-urges-city-help-as-Family-Hope-Center-faces-800K1M-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138470-46f0053eafa07931cd02aba38c59397d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183339&Signature=Udg0SBeQEhllpPPunSjWoxLJTb9VAyzVwEAH37xDtVqF8Nrkdomvp8SHFFPOBB34BPMkKReszaeCR4NTdVEE2RVMTFk4iJl~MjFmFyeLy~HjbQrXVLiq6QOXW6--fr-IYWMmKOwzf6dSp1zxFTmOWQXcP23z6Qarw9a~U4AoOMpilvVYst1O0Rl~Gzqwiv--04yaS0Jl3qRfeqEjF9BcluF7lTtgGGJHdmP1oGH1r25x3Nh3S9r1yKnV3iSILT06Y-MbaKIoeO4daMHXctK9M6j2dDRIakPfySQ9LIzjkpttLbFsO-sa-3DGIGSbFPPSMeuABEP-yv3Px8fqJbGytA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Salvation Army told the Colorado Springs City Council on Monday that its Family Hope Center, the region’s only low-barrier emergency family shelter, faces a funding shortfall that could force reductions in services.
Major Steve Ball, county coordinator for the Salvation Army in El Paso County, told the council the shortfall has grown over several years and \"without additional resources will necessitate reductions in our services,\" singling out the Family Hope Center as at risk.
The Family Hope Center can shelter up to 31 families and operates as a 90-day program with case management. Sandra Haley, lead case manager at the Family Hope Center, said the program served 277 families in 2024 — 434 adults and 528 children — and logged more than 33,000 bed nights and 34,000 meals from June 31, 2024, to July 1, 2025. Haley said the center reported a 64% success rate for 2024 exits to housing (176 families) and an average successful exit rate of 83% since she joined in February.
Why it matters: Council members and city homelessness staff framed the center as a core local safety-net service for families with children. Amy Cox, the city’s Chief Housing and Homelessness Response Officer, told council staff are working with the Salvation Army on possible contributions but said federal pass-through grants are delayed and cannot fully close the gap.
What the Salvation Army requested and what the city said it can offer: The Salvation Army said its projected gap for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 is between $800,000 and $1,000,000. Major Ball and Sandra Haley asked the council to help identify supplemental resources. Cox said the city is evaluating a roughly $200,000 contribution from available pots (general fund and some federal pass-throughs such as CDBG) but that federal grant agreements (HUD and other awards) have been delayed, and the city’s potential $200,000 would not cover the full gap.
Funding context and timeline: Major Ball said the shelter was a roughly $1.5 million project in 2024 and that the organization historically relied on a mix of donations, in-kind support and grants; he said about 61% of recent support is donations and in-kind contributions. Ball and Cox explained that federal and state grant funding that surged during the pandemic has declined or been delayed, and the Salvation Army has an internal budget deadline of July 31 to set its next fiscal-year plan. Cox said the city’s general fund contributions have held near previous levels (about $150,000 annually in recent years) while federal awards have been delayed this year.
Council response and next steps: Several council members urged prompt action. Councilman Donaldson suggested the city consider an additional $200,000 from the general fund and asked county leaders to contribute; other council members pressed for a coordinated regional meeting and for the council and mayor’s office to work with the Salvation Army to identify funding. Cox offered to coordinate internally and meet with Major Ball; she stressed the limitation that some federal grants are not yet under contract and therefore not available until agreements are issued.
Discussion vs. decision: The council did not take a formal vote. City staff said they are exploring a $200,000 contribution; the Salvation Army remains short by hundreds of thousands of dollars. Council members asked staff to return with options during the city’s budget process timeline.
Ending note: Major Ball asked the council to \"help us identify supplemental resources,\" and Haley and other Salvation Army staff stressed the center’s role in reuniting families and helping parents secure steady employment while providing child care and supportive services.
","The Salvation Army told the City Council its Family Hope Center — a 31-room low-barrier family shelter — faces an $800,000–$1 million budget gap for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 and asked the city to identify supplemental resources while staff and city homelessness officials said they are exploring partial support.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council staff propose UDC update to permit battery-charged electric and alarmed security fencing for commercial/industrial uses

Council hears proposal to remove CPA as required credential for city auditor

VisitCOS outlines 2025–28 destination roadmap and resident survey results backing possible lodging-tax increase

Careers in Construction program tells council it has placed thousands of local students in trades

Salvation Army urges city help as Family Hope Center faces $800K–$1M shortfall