City Hall  
107 N. Nevada Avenue  
Colorado Springs, CO  
80903  
City of Colorado Springs  
Meeting Minutes  
Council Work Session  
City Council meetings are broadcast live on Channel 18. In  
accordance with the ADA, anyone requiring an auxiliary aid to  
participate in this meeting should make the request as soon as  
possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.  
Monday, April 22, 2024  
10:00 AM  
Council Chambers  
How to Watch the Meeting  
Coloradosprings.gov/springstv | Facebook Live: Colorado Springs City Council  
Facebook Page @coscity Council | SPRINGS TV - Comcast Channel 18 / 880 (HD)  
- Stratus IQ Channel 76 / 99 (Streaming)  
Estimated agenda item times are provided for planning purposes and do not constitute notice  
of a specific time for any item. Items may take more or less time than estimated. City Council  
may amend the order of items.  
1. Call to Order and Roll Call  
President Helms called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM and introduced  
Caitlin Moldenhauer, Attorney, City Attorney’s Office.  
8 -  
Present  
Councilmember Yolanda Avila, President Pro Tem Lynette Crow-Iverson,  
Councilmember Dave Donelson, President Randy Helms, Councilmember Nancy  
Henjum, Councilmember David Leinweber, Councilmember Brian Risley, and  
Councilmember Michelle Talarico  
1 - Councilmember Mike O'Malley  
Excused  
2. Changes to Agenda  
There were no Changes to Agenda.  
3. Regular Meeting Comments  
Councilmember Henjum requested item 12.C be listed as a legislative  
item, not quasi-judicial, and requested the Amara annexation agreement  
and Concept Plan be included in the Agenda packet and be available to  
the public. Sarah B. Johnson, City Clerk, stated she will contact the  
Planning Department regarding these requests.  
4. Review of Previous Meeting Minutes  
24-191  
4.A.  
City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes April 8, 2024  
Presenter:  
Sarah B. Johnson, City Clerk  
Attachments: 4-8-24 City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes Final  
Councilmember Avila requested clarification regarding when a  
Councilmember is marked absent. Sarah B. Johnson, City Clerk, stated if  
a Councilmember leaves the meeting, returns at a later time, and is not  
present when a vote is taken, they are marked absent for that vote.  
The minutes of the April 8, 2024 Work Session were approved by  
Consensus of City Council.  
5. Executive Session  
5A. Open  
There was no Open Executive Session.  
There was no Closed Executive Session.  
5B. Closed  
6. Presentations for General Information  
24-068  
6.A.  
Visit COS - 2023 year-end Lodgers and Auto Rental Tax (LART)  
contract update to City Council  
Presenter:  
Doug Price, President and CEO, Visit COS  
Attachments: VCOS - LART 2023_Q4_VCOS KPI written and Presentation 4-22-24  
Doug Price, President and CEO, VisitCOS, presented the third and fourth  
quarter 2023 Key Performance Indicator (KPI) report which reflected  
results through December 2023. He gave an overview of Lodging and Auto  
Rental Tax (LART), Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR), group sales  
marketing, communications, partnership, and visitor services.  
Councilmember Leinweber asked if the rain events which occurred in May  
and June 2023 caused a decrease in tourism during those months. Mr.  
Price confirmed it did have an impact, but the LART revenue still did better  
than expected.  
Councilmember Leinweber requested additional research regarding  
website traffic and how VisitCOS can promote businesses more. Mr. Price  
agreed to provide that information.  
Councilmember Leinweber asked if Olympians have been moving out of  
the City. Mr. Price stated the National Governing Bodies of sports located  
in Colorado Springs have not left, training has always been diverse, and  
the Olympic Training Center is very full.  
Councilmember Leinweber asked if VisitCOS has a strategic plan  
concerning the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Visitor’s  
Center. Mr. Price confirmed they do and identified how they are working  
with the state of Colorado to ensure the impact of the Visitor’s Center is a  
positive one for tourism.  
Councilmember Leinweber asked how they will ensure that Colorado  
Springs has enough resources for the Space Symposium. Mr. Price stated  
they have been working with the Space Foundation regarding the opening  
of the new Discovery Center, and the overflow hotels for the Space  
Symposium.  
President Helms identified several of the way the USAFA promotes  
tourism in the City.  
Councilmember Henjum asked what the profile of the ideal visitor is that  
VisitCOS is trying to attract. Mr. Price stated it is families.  
Councilmember Henjum asked what facets of Colorado Springs attracts  
people other than outdoor recreation. Mr. Price stated it is to visit friends  
and family.  
Councilmember Henjum asked if they survey visitors regarding their  
experience in the City. Mr. Price confirms they do through an outsourced  
organization and based on research they realized the need for more  
accessibility and that the City has a sixty percent repeat visit factor.  
Councilmember Leinweber asked how capacity is being addressed. Mr.  
Price stated one of the ways is timed entry into the attractions.  
24-067  
6.B.  
Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC - 2023 year-end Lodgers and  
Auto Rental Tax (LART) contract update to City Council  
Presenter:  
Dani Barger, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Communications &  
Sales  
Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC  
Attachments: Colorado Springs Chamber + EDC LART KPIs Dec 2023  
Dani Barger, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Communications, and  
Sales, Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC, presented the 2023  
year-end Lodgers and Auto Rental Tax (LART) contract update. She  
provided an overview of LART, their perception study, demographics of  
target audiences, characteristics of Colorado Springs, industries  
associated with Colorado Springs, most helpful relocation tools, reasons  
why Colorado Springs has not been considered, and perceived  
strengths/weaknesses of Colorado Springs’ business climate. She  
identified their goals/objectives, earned media, digital advertising, online  
presence, blogs, ongoing outreach, billboards, light pole banners,  
Broadmoor in-room collateral, booth handouts, lapel pins, stickers, and  
ongoing outreach.  
Councilmember Donelson requested additional information regarding the  
differences between the perception of internal talent and external talent  
survey. Ms. Barger stated they can be attributed to the Club Q tragedy,  
perceptions of the City's political climate, reputation of being only focused  
on the military, and conservative nature, but it is very subjective.  
Councilmember Donelson asked how many people completed the survey.  
Ms. Barger stated 515 people within the state and 1,500 people from  
outside the state.  
Councilmember Donelson requested a breakdown of the demographics of  
the in-state participants in the survey. Ms. Barger stated she will provide  
that information.  
Councilmember Donelson asked what the age range of the participants  
were. Ms. Barger stated 18-34.  
Councilmember Donelson asked how the mathematics work for  
determining the results of the industries associated with Colorado Springs.  
Ms. Barger stated it was done by a “Check All That Apply” study conducted  
by New Mark.  
Councilmember Leinweber asked why tourism was not included on the  
survey. Ms. Barger stated tourism is not what their economic development  
team is focusing on.  
Councilmember Henjum asked what the participants mean by “tax climate”.  
Ms. Barger stated she will provide that information.  
Councilmember Leinweber asked how retention correlates with tourism.  
Ms. Barger stated the Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC is tasked with  
using the LART dollars to support their mission which is about economic  
development and business tourism.  
7. Staff and Appointee Reports  
24-190  
7.A.  
Agenda Planner Review  
Presenter:  
Sarah B. Johnson, City Clerk  
Attachments: Agenda Planner Review 4-22-24  
There were no comments on this item.  
8. Items for Introduction  
There were no Items for Introduction.  
There were no Items Under Study.  
9. Items Under Study  
10. Councilmember Reports and Open Discussion  
Councilmember Leinweber stated the Great American Clean Up Day is  
scheduled for Saturday, April 27, 2024.  
Councilmember Talarico stated she is excited to be attending her first  
meeting with the Civil Service Commission on Monday, April 29, 2024.  
Councilmember Avila stated the Santa Fe, NM Lodgers and Automobile  
Rental Tax (LART) is at seven percent, she attended the Forge Evolution  
luncheon which was very inspirational, and encouraged Councilmembers to  
attend their event next year.  
President Helms stated he attended an event on April 15, 2024 to  
recognize April as Military Child Month.  
11. Adjourn  
There being no further business to come before City Council, President  
Helms adjourned the meeting at 11:36 AM.  
Sarah B. Johnson, City Clerk