A plain-English primer on who has power, how decisions flow from agenda to law, and how residents fit in.
Last updated June 28, 2026 · Source: City Charter, Municipal Code, Legistar
The basics — who runs the city
Colorado Springs uses a strong-mayor form of government. That means the Mayor is the chief executive — like a governor for the city — while the City Council is the legislative body that passes laws, approves budgets, and provides oversight.
The power split in one sentence
The Mayor proposes the budget, appoints department heads, and runs day-to-day operations. The Council passes ordinances, approves spending, and can override the Mayor’s veto with a two-thirds vote (6 of 9).
The Mayor
Yemi Mobolade (independent) took office in June 2023. The mayor serves a four-year term with a two-term limit. The mayor does not vote on Council matters but can veto ordinances. The Council can override a veto with 6 of 9 votes.
The mayor appoints the City Manager, who handles day-to-day operations, and all department heads. These appointments do not require Council confirmation under the current charter.
City Council
Nine members: six district seats elected by geographic area and three at-large seats elected citywide. All serve four-year terms with a two-term limit. Terms are staggered so roughly half the Council is up for election every two years.
Council President: Lynette Crow-Iverson (At-Large) — runs meetings, sets the agenda, assigns items to committees.
President Pro Tem: Brian Risley (At-Large) — presides when the President is absent.
The President is elected by the Council from among its own members, typically at the start of each two-year cycle.
City Manager & staff
The City Manager is appointed by the Mayor and runs day-to-day city operations — police, fire, parks, utilities, public works, planning. Department heads report to the City Manager, who reports to the Mayor. The Council does not hire or fire department heads directly but controls funding through the budget.
City Attorney
The City Attorney advises both the Mayor and Council on legal matters. Under the current charter, the City Attorney is appointed by the Mayor.
How a decision becomes law
The path from idea to binding vote. Most items go through this flow; emergencies can skip steps.
1
Item is drafted
A councilmember, the Mayor, or city staff writes a proposed ordinance or resolution. Ordinances change city law; resolutions express Council’s position or approve one-time actions.
2
Agenda is published
The agenda posts on Legistar roughly one week before the meeting. This is when the public first sees what’s coming up and can read the staff reports and attachments.
3
Public comment windowPublic input
Between the agenda posting and the meeting, residents can submit written comments or sign up to speak. Comments close roughly 24 hours before the meeting. This is the single most effective point of influence for a resident.
4
First reading (ordinances only)
Ordinances require two readings at two separate meetings. The first reading introduces the item; Council can discuss and amend it but does not take a final vote. Resolutions skip this step — they pass in one vote.
5
Second reading & final vote
At the next regular meeting (typically two weeks later), Council holds the second reading and votes. A simple majority (5 of 9) passes most items. Charter amendments require a supermajority (6 of 9).
6
Mayor signs or vetoes
The Mayor has 10 calendar days to sign or veto an ordinance. If the Mayor does nothing, it becomes law automatically. A veto sends the item back to Council, which can override with 6 of 9 votes.
7
Law takes effect
Most ordinances take effect 30 days after passage unless declared an emergency (which requires a supermajority). The City Clerk publishes the final text.
Consent calendar — the fast track
Routine items (contracts, proclamations, reappointments) are bundled on the consent calendar and passed in a single vote with no individual discussion. Any councilmember can “pull” an item off consent for separate debate. If nobody pulls it, it passes with the bundle. On June 9, most items passed this way.
Meeting schedule
Council typically meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 9:00 AM in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 107 N Nevada Ave. Meetings can be cancelled (as happened June 22–23) or rescheduled. Work sessions and special meetings are called as needed.
Regular meetings: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 9:00 AM
Location: City Hall, Council Chamber · 107 N Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Livestream: Available via Legistar and the city’s YouTube channel
Next meeting: Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 9:00 AM
Committees
Council may refer items to standing or ad-hoc committees for detailed review before the full body votes. Unlike larger cities (Oakland, Denver) where powerful committees meet weekly, Colorado Springs committees tend to be lighter-weight — much of the substantive debate happens at the full Council meeting itself.
The Council President assigns items to committees and appoints committee chairs. Committee recommendations are advisory; the full Council takes the binding vote.
The budget
The Mayor submits a proposed budget each fall. Council holds public hearings and can amend line items, but cannot increase the total spending beyond what the Mayor proposes without the Mayor’s consent. Once approved, the budget funds all city departments and services for the fiscal year (January–December in Colorado Springs).
This power dynamic matters: the Mayor sets the spending ceiling, and Council decides how to divide the money within it. If Council and the Mayor disagree, the Mayor can veto budget amendments, and Council needs 6 of 9 votes to override.
Voting math
Simple majority
5 of 9 — passes most ordinances, resolutions, and motions
Supermajority
6 of 9 — required to override a mayoral veto, amend the charter, or pass emergency ordinances
Quorum
5 of 9 — minimum members present to conduct business
Tie vote
The motion fails. The Mayor does not break ties — the Mayor has no vote on Council.
Abstention
Reduces the denominator only if due to a declared conflict of interest; otherwise counts as present but not voting
Boards & commissions
The city has dozens of advisory boards and commissions. Members are appointed by the Mayor and/or Council. These bodies hold public hearings and make recommendations, but the final decision on most policy issues rests with Council or the Mayor.
Key Legistar bodies
City Council
Body 138 — 9 members. The legislative body. Meets 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 9:00 AM.
Planning Commission
Body 185 — 9 members. Reviews zoning, subdivision, and development proposals before they reach Council. Contact: Solange Baquero Meza. The most important advisory body for land-use decisions.
Historic Preservation Board
Body 201 — 7 members. Reviews landmark designations, demolition permits in historic areas, and Certificates of Appropriateness for changes to designated properties.
Downtown Review Board
Body 189 — Reviews development projects in the downtown overlay zone. Key for D3 (downtown) residents.
Liquor & Beer Licensing Authority
Body 197 — Reviews and approves liquor license applications citywide.
Colorado Springs Utilities
Unlike most Colorado cities, Colorado Springs owns its own four-service utility: electric, gas, water, and wastewater. Colorado Springs Utilities is a city enterprise, governed by the Utilities Board, whose members are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by Council. Utilities sets its own rates (subject to Council review) and manages its own capital budget.
This is a big deal: the city controls its own power grid, water supply, and wastewater treatment — decisions that in most cities are made by private companies or regional authorities.
TABOR & fiscal constraints
Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) requires voter approval for any tax increase and limits how fast government revenue can grow. This applies to Colorado Springs. The practical effect: the city cannot raise taxes or issue debt without a public vote, which shapes every budget conversation. Many city services are funded by enterprise fees (utilities, stormwater) rather than taxes, partly to work within TABOR constraints.
Glossary
Ordinance
A city law. Requires two readings at two separate meetings. The Mayor can veto; Council can override with 6 of 9.
Resolution
A formal Council statement or one-time action (e.g., approving a contract, declaring a proclamation). Passes in one vote, no veto.
Consent calendar
A bundle of routine items passed in one vote with no discussion unless a member pulls an item off for separate debate.
First reading
The first of two required hearings for an ordinance. Council discusses and may amend but does not take a final vote.
Second reading
The final hearing and binding vote on an ordinance.
Motion & second
To vote on any item, a councilmember must move it (propose it for a vote) and another must second it (agree it’s worth voting on). Without a second, the motion dies.
Quorum
The minimum number of members (5 of 9) required to conduct business.
Veto
The Mayor’s power to reject an ordinance. Council can override with a supermajority (6 of 9).
Legistar
The city’s online system for publishing agendas, minutes, legislation, and voting records. The primary source of truth for what Council does.
TABOR
Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights — requires voter approval for any tax increase and limits revenue growth.
Enterprise fund
A self-funding city operation (like Utilities or Stormwater) that runs on user fees rather than tax revenue, partly to operate outside TABOR limits.
UDC
Unified Development Code — the city’s master zoning and land-use rulebook.
Strong mayor
A form of city government where the mayor is the chief executive with veto power, budget authority, and appointment power — as opposed to a council-manager system where the city manager runs operations.
At-large
Elected by the entire city, not a specific geographic district. COS has 3 at-large Council seats.
District
A geographic area of the city represented by one councilmember. COS has 6 districts.