Title
A Resolution submitting to the eligible electors of the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the Special Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, a ballot question in response to a referendum of Ordinance No. 25-16 passed on January 28, 2025, annexing to the City of Colorado Springs that area known as Karman Line Additional No. 6, the annexation consisting of 1,876.24 acres and located northwest of the Bradley Road and Curtis Road intersection, providing for the form of the ballot title and text, providing for certain matters with respect to the election, and providing the effective date of this Resolution
Presenter:
Sarah Johnson, City Clerk
Kevin Walker, Planning and Community Development Director
Body
Summary:
The attached resolution and the associated election referral is required by City Charter § 12-60 when City Council does not repeal an ordinance subject to referendum.
Background:
On January 28, 2025, City Council approved Ordinance No. 25-16 (the “Ordinance”), annexing to the City of Colorado Springs (“City”) that area known as Karman Line Addition No. 6, the annexation consisting of 1,876.24 acres and located northwest of the Bradley Road and Curtis Road intersection.
On January 31, 2025, a statement of intent to circulate a petition for a referendum of the Ordinance was submitted to the City Clerk by electors designated as the Petition Committee. On February 3, 2025, the City’s Initiative Review Committee (“IRC”) indicated the referendum item could proceed to the City’s Title Board.
The title of the Ordinance as presented to City Council on January 28, 2025 incorrectly listed the acreage to be annexed as 1,760.74 acres, but the attached legal descriptions indicated the correct area to be annexed as 1,876.24 acres, and the Petition Committee and Title Board agreed that an accurate referendum question should correctly refer to the acreage approved by City Council. The City’s Title Board met on February 3, 2025, and determined that, with respect to the Petition Committee’s proposed referendum of the Ordinance, the requirements of § 5.1.407 of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, (“City Code”) appeared to be satisfied and designated and fixed a title for the petition for the proposed referendum.
The petition was thereafter circulated and submitted to the City Clerk on February 26, 2025. On March 21, 2025, the City Clerk certified that a sufficient number of valid signatures had been submitted pursuant to § 12-30(c)(2) of the Charter of the City of Colorado Springs (“City Charter”).
The City Council is now required to reconsider the Ordinance, and if the same be not entirely repealed, set a ballot title and submit the Ordinance to a vote of the electors of the City pursuant to City Charter § 12-60(a)(3).
Previous Council Action:
City Council approved Ordinance No. 25-16 on January 28, 2025.
Financial Implications:
A special municipal election will cost the City approximately $500,000.00.
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
N/A
Stakeholder Process:
Process required by the City Charter.
Alternatives:
There are no alternatives pursuant to City Charter. If the ordinance subject to referendum is not entirely repealed, it must be submitted to a vote of the electors.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Should City Council not repeal Ordinance No. 25-16, thereby requiring this matter be submitted to a vote of the electors, the following motion is suggested for the resolution:
Having received a referendum and reconsidered Ordinance No. 25-16, concerning annexing that area known as Karman Line Addition No. 6 consisting of 1,876.24 acres located northwest of the Bradley Road and Curtis Road intersection, and having not repealed the ordinance, pursuant to City Charter § 12-60, move adoption of a resolution submitting the ordinance to a vote of the electors of the City at a special municipal election to be held on June 17, 2025.
Summary of Ordinance Language
N/A