Title
A Resolution Approving the City of Kranj, Slovenia as a Sister City of the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
Britt Haley, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Donna Nelson, Spirit of the Springs Program Coordinator
Presenter:
Britt Haley, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Donna Nelson, Spirit of the Springs Program Coordinator
Body
Summary:
The City of Colorado Springs and the City of Kranj, Slovenia are pursuing a Sister City relationship. The main pillars of cooperation between the two cities will be 1) Sports, 2) Tourism and 3) Business.
Sports - Potential joint activities in the field of sports by strengthening sport disciplines in both cities and by creating joint projects as well as promoting Colorado Springs internationally as an ideal location for young professionals to start their career in sports.
Tourism - Potential activities include joint international marketing campaigns promoting Colorado Springs as a top US city, medical and Olympic training destination, and hosting annual conferences and events to attract Olympic-minded audiences from around the world.
Business - Potential activities in the field of economy with an exchange of best practices, carrying out partnerships, and other international projects from various areas.
Background:
Colorado Springs currently has seven sister cities: Canterbury Bankstown, Australia; Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; Fujiyoshida, Japan; Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Nuevo Casas Grandes, Mexico; Ancient Olympia, Greece, and Smolensk, Russia (dormant). Colorado Springs Sister Cities International (CSSCI) is the official Sister City organization for the City of Colorado Springs. All sister cities activities are coordinated through CSSCI with assistance from representatives the Mayor’s Office. Sister Cities has been under the Spirit of the Springs staff since 2014 in order to support this initiative and help sustain and enhance all of our Sister City relationships.
Kranj is the third-largest city in Slovenia, with a population of 37,941. The center of the City Municipality of Kranj and of the traditional region of Upper Carniola (northwestern Slovenia) is a mainly industrial city with significant electronics and rubber industries. Kranj is an industrial city with major industrial companies operating in there including Goodyear (under their subsidiary Goodyear Dunlop Sava). Kranj is known for its sports facilities, including soccer, tennis and basketball, as well as the biggest aquatic center in the country, which hosted the 2003 Men's European Water Polo Championship. Kranj also boasts being a destination for winter Olympic games training.
Colorado Springs is home to the United States Olympic Committee, many National Governing Bodies of Olympic and Paralympic Sport, and the world’s finest high altitude Olympic Training Center. Colorado Springs has been voted the most desirable place to live in the U.S. and has emerging sports, cybersecurity, and space economies.
Previous Council Action:
Young Champion Ambassador program completed 21 April 2022 with Gimnazija Franceta Preserna High School.
Financial Implications:
None anticipated.
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
N/A
Stakeholder Process:
The proposal has the support of Colorado Springs Sister Cities International and Mayor John Suthers.
Alternatives:
N/A
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Adopt the resolution approving the Sister City relationship between the City of Kranj, Slovenia and the City of Colorado Springs, CO, U.S.A.
Summary of Ordinance Language
N/A