Title
An Ordinance amending Chapter 7 (Unified Development Code (UDC)) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, pertaining to public art.
(Legislative)
Related Files: N/A
Located in All Council District
Presenter:
Daniel Sexton, DRE Planning Manager, Planning Department
Michael Montgomery, Deputy City Council Administrator
Kevin Walker, Planning Director, Planning Department
Body
Summary:
Owner: City of Colorado Springs
Initiating Agency: Planning Department
Location: City-wide
The City of Colorado Springs’ Public Art Ordinance is part of the City’s on-going efforts to recognize the value and significance of artwork throughout the community and region. City Council has determined, following a thorough review and stakeholder engagement process, that the oversight and management of the City’s public art collection is an executive and administrative function of the City rather than a legislative function overseen by City Council. In doing so, the Public Art Commission of the Pikes Peak Region’s (known as “Public Art Commission” or “PAC”) role in evaluating, advocating, stimulating, and facilitating matters of public art and culture will be restructured. This Amendment to UDC Text application proposes changes to existing regulatory provisions of the UDC pertaining to the review and establishment of artwork proposed with land development applications. The proposed Public Art ordinance as drafted is in alignment with the recently adopted ordinance dissolving the PAC and represents an opportunity for the City to restructure through executive action the re-establishment of the PAC with a more active role. Lastly, the proposed Public Art ordinance allows the City re-envision its established and emerging neighborhoods with vibrant and place-making works of art.
Background:
In 1982, City Council created the Art Commission of the Pikes Peak Region with the passage of Resolution 229-82. Over the years, the Public Art Commission’s governance was subsequently refined by City Council. Most recently, the Public Art Commission’s role focused on evaluating, advocating, stimulating, and facilitating matters pertaining to public art and culture. On March 25, 2025, City Council initially adopted an ordinance dissolving the Public Art Commission. In 2020, City Council adopted Public Art COS which was the City’s first public art master plan. Public Art COS was envisioned to build a robust, impactful and more widely accessible public art program funded and staffed by the City of Colorado Springs while leveraging private-public partnerships, collaborating with City departments and engaging local talent. Through the City’s UDC, the role of the Public Art Commission and embracing works of art through the land development process were prioritized.
The proposed Public Art ordinance adds and adjusts language in multiple sections of the UDC related to artwork. Under the proposed Public Art ordinance, the convention for changes is indicated by the following rules: added language is BOLD and language to be removed from city code is indicated by a STRIKETHROUGH.
What is new:
1. Works of art have been reframed as community amenities that are publicly accessible and visible;
2. Review criteria for artwork have been proposed which focuses on:
a. The public art must be constructed of and installed using materials that are reasonably be expected to last, under average weather conditions, for a period not less than ten (10) years;
b. The location and placement of the public art must not create a safety concern or obstruct traffic or pedestrian access in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City Code, the City of Colorado Springs Engineering Criteria Manual, or similar laws; and
c. The public art must be publicly visible to those within the right-of-way nearest to the façade for which the articulation substitution is being made.
Through the proposed revisions to the UDC, artwork will continue to be recognized for its value and significance in our community and region.
Please see the attached City Planning Commission Staff Report for a complete analysis of the proposed application.
Review Criteria:
The subject Amendment to UDC Text application was initiated by the City of Colorado Springs Planning Department at the request of the City Administration and City Council after the implementation date (06/05/2023) of the City’s Unified Development Code. Per UDC Section 7.5.702 Amendment to UDC Text, this section establishes standards and provide a mechanism for the City to review and decide on an application to amend the text of this UDC.
An application for an Amendment to UDC Text shall be subject to the following criteria for approval:
1. The Colorado Springs Comprehensive Plan and other plans adopted by City Council.
2. The current conditions and character of current structures and uses in each zone district.
3. The most desirable use of land in each zone district.
4. The conservation of sensitive environmental features.
5. Promotion of responsible development and growth.
After evaluation of the UDC Text Amendment application for the Public Art Ordinance, City Planning staff finds that the application meets the approval criteria as set forth under City Code Section 7.5.702.D Approval Considerations.
Previous Council Action:
City Council previous took action on the affected provisions of the Unified Development Code through the adoption of the UDC in 2023 (Ordinance No. 23-03).
Financial Implications:
Enter N/A if not applicable.
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
City Planning Commission, at their regularly scheduled meeting on May 14, 2025, recommended adoption of the ordinance amending Chapter 7 (Unified Development Code (UDC)) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, as related to public art. City Planning Commission voted 8-0-2 (Commission Chair Slattery and Commissioner Rickett absent) to approve with modifications the UDC Text Amendment application.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motions:
Should the City Council wish to approve the UDC Text Amendment application, the following motion is suggested:
Adopt an Ordinance amending Chapter 7 (Unified Development Code) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, pertaining to public art.
Should the City Council wish to deny the UDC Text Amendment application, the following motion is suggested.
Deny an Ordinance amending Chapter 7 (Unified Development Code) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, pertaining to public art.
Summary of Ordinance Language
An Ordinance amending Chapter 7 (Unified Development Code) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, pertaining to public art.