Colorado Springs City Council Dist 5 Choose 1
Colorado Springs voters from District 5 will be electing one city council member to represent their District via all-mail ballot. Ballots will be mailed beginning Friday, March 7, 2025 and must be received back by Tuesday, April 1st, 2025 at 7pm for the vote to be counted.The city of Colorado Springs uses a strong mayor and city council system. In this form of municipal government, the city council serves as the city s primary legislative body while the mayor serves as the city s chief executive.
Biographical Information
Submitted Biography
I'm Chris Burns, a retired Colorado Springs Police Officer and retired Colorado Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel, and I am running to represent the 5th District on the Colorado Springs City Council. My candidacy is rooted in a lifelong commitment to service—whether through my career in law enforcement, my military service, or my volunteer efforts. Now, at this stage in my life, I have the time, experience, and dedication to serve our community full-time. I am ready to bring practical, experience-driven leadership to the City Council.
Website / Sitio web
http://ElectChrisBurns.com
What are your top priorities for the office and how would you integrate them in your first 100 days?
My top three priorities are public safety, housing affordability and infrastructure development. Obviously, these are long-term and continuing goals which I will seek balanced approaches. But the first 100 days… I’ll be willing to learn, be willing to listen, be present.
What will you do to support a vibrant economy?
Supporting a vibrant economy requires empowering local businesses, investing in infrastructure, and promoting growth. I will advocate for lower cost higher education and skilled trades training, and reducing housing costs which will help small businesses thrive. Prioritizing modern infrastructure, such as transportation and high-speed internet, will enhance connectivity and productivity. Workforce development through job training programs and apprenticeships will equip workers with skills for emerging industries. Additionally, promoting tourism and transparent governance will attract investment and engage the community. By implementing these strategies, we can create a dynamic economy that benefits all residents.
How will you address the housing affordability crisis and the needs of the unhoused?
Addressing the housing affordability crisis requires a comprehensive approach. I will advocate for increased investment in affordable housing projects and partnerships with non-profit organizations to expand shelter services. Offering financial assistance to low-income working families will help prevent displacement. Additionally, supporting transitional housing programs and mental health/drug treatment services will provide an opportunity for the unhoused to transition to permanent housing. By collaborating with community organizations and prioritizing reasonable housing policies, we can ensure that citizens have access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.
What factors will guide your financial and budgeting decisions?
My financial and budgeting decisions will be guided by transparency, community needs, and long-term sustainability. I will prioritize investments that support essential services, such as public safety, affordable housing, and infrastructure. Engaging with residents and stakeholders will ensure budget allocations reflect community priorities. Fiscal responsibility will be a cornerstone, balancing short-term needs with long-term future stability. I will also direct resources to underserved communities and programs that promote social and economic equality. This approach will foster trust and ensure responsible stewardship of public funds.
Why do you want to serve now?
I'm a retired CSPD Police Officer, and retired Colorado Army National Guard Army Officer with extensive organizational experience. I am running now because I have led a life of service both in the jobs I’ve had, and the volunteer programs I’ve participated in, and will devote myself to civic causes in line with my experience. I am in a stage of life where I have the time and resources to devote to a full-time endeavor like the Colorado Springs City Council.
What changes, if any, would you like to see concerning how the city is run?
As Colorado Springs crosses over a half a million in population, it is time to compensate City Council members for what is effectively a full-time job which takes professional level skills to navigate. This is a small price to pay to ensure effective governance into the future.
Biographical Information
Submitted Biography
www.nancyforcos.org/about-nancy
Website / Sitio web
http://www.nancyforcos.org
Campaign Video / Video de campaña
What are your top priorities for the office and how would you integrate them in your first 100 days?
As a currently serving City Councilmember seeking re-election, I am not really focusing on my “first 100 days” but rather upon continuing with the priorities and projects that are part of my ongoing efforts. After four years, I have an extensive record, and I am proud to run on it. My priorities are:
• Community engagement and responsive communication
• Balanced and responsible growth (to include affordable/attainable housing and utilities management)
• Strong neighborhoods (to include adequate infrastructure)
• Parks and open space
• Public safety.
As space is limited here, for a comprehensive view of my values, my accomplishments, and my plans for my next four years on Council, please visit the Issues page of my website: nancyforcos.com
What will you do to support a vibrant economy?
I will work with Council, City Administration, our local Chamber and EDC, SBDC and others to find the right balance between appropriate incentives to homegrown and non-local businesses and value-added benefits to current residents. I oppose extravagant tax abatement plans that compromise local resources for which there may not be a decent return to Colorado Springs taxpayers. I also will continue to champion the exploration of approaches to a vibrant economy that are not entirely dependent upon growth. We would be well served to embrace the values of circular economies with the aim of meeting the needs of all people within the means of the living planet. We need to build on a social foundation, to ensure that no one is left falling short on life’s essentials, and an ecological ceiling, to ensure that humanity does not collectively overshoot the planetary boundaries that protect Earth's life-supporting systems.
How will you address the housing affordability crisis and the needs of the unhoused?
The affordability crisis is an important but only one aspect of the needs of the unhoused. As to what City Council can do related to affordability, I have a pragmatic and balanced approach to growth, supporting the building of ALL types of housing. To meet the needs of the unhoused we need to lean into 4 of the priorities in the city’s 2025 Homelessness Response Action Plan: Street Outreach and Shelter, Homelessness Prevention, Employment, Housing and Supportive Services. The reality of homelessness is such a complex reality. It is imperative that we move people from shelter to services that will result in housing. We must approach the challenge in a way that embraces both public safety and compassionate response. There is no single solution or that will address the complexity of this challenge. I am and will continue to put significant energy into ensuring we are using a data driven approach that is focused and supports alignment and collaboration with all parts of the system.
What factors will guide your financial and budgeting decisions?
Approving the overall budget is one of the most significant powers of City Council. We must by charter have a balanced budget. That will always be the first most critical factor guiding my decisions. I also will be extremely cautious regarding when to dip into the reserves. Our CFO and the City’s budgeting department follows the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) guidance that local governments maintain reserves equal to two months of operating revenue or, put another way, equal to 16.7 percent of annual revenue. I support this practice. Finally, our budget should be a reflection of the City’s strategic priorities and I will be looking for that distribution of dollars.
Why do you want to serve now?
I have learned so much during my first four years and have developed strong relationships with neighbors and community groups, as well as key City departments. I am eager to leverage that knowledge in service of District 5 and the city. I am especially effective at addressing the concerns of constituents and connecting them with the appropriate staff member who can help. One aspect of Council service that is under-appreciated by most people, and that is that City Council also serves as the Board of Directors for our four-service, public utility company – a complex, almost 2-billion-dollar enterprise. Getting up to speed on the various aspects of what CSU does was the steepest learning curve I experienced in my first couple of years, and I am highly motivated to continue my work there. I am especially eager to continue to help shape annexation policies and growth from the perspective of utilities resources (water, especially) and infrastructure maintenance and construction.
What changes, if any, would you like to see concerning how the city is run?
As we move into the “adolescent” years of a Council-Mayor a.k.a. “Strong Mayor” form of government, I believe we need to spend resources and energy to strengthen the City Council side of the equation. Council should be paid a fair and living wage for their service to the city and we could benefit from some more support staff in Legislative Services, who work directly for City Council. For example, we could benefit greatly from an analyst who researches some of the important votes we make, such approval of the financial service plans for Metropolitan districts which are quasi-governmental entities with taxing authority that are used to finance necessary public infrastructure and services that the City cannot otherwise provide.
Biographical Information
Submitted Biography
Cass R. Melin is a proud disabled veteran of the United States Air Force, and a passionate advocate for government accountability and transparency. With nearly a decade of experience as a government contract specialist, Cass has seen firsthand the need for responsible leadership that prioritizes the people over bureaucracy. As a longtime resident of Colorado Springs for 13 years and a loving husband and father who understands the importance of strong communities built on trust, opportunity, and security, Cass is deeply committed to keeping the community safe, thriving, and prosperous for families and future generations. As a student at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS), studying philosophy and political science, he brings a fresh, thoughtful perspective to governance—one that values critical thinking, ethical leadership, and the power of informed decision-making. His top priorities include restoring accountability to government, ensuring transparency for the people,
Website / Sitio web
http://cassmelin.com
What are your top priorities for the office and how would you integrate them in your first 100 days?
My top priorities would be addressing public safety, the need for affordable housing, and our homeless population. For public safety, I would like to expand police training, recruiting and retention, and implement body cameras. To address affordable housing, I would like to see the expansion of community driven form based zoning and streamline the permitting process for property owners. In helping our homeless population, I would like to follow the examples of other successful cities and focus on designated camping spaces coupled with housing first initiatives.
What will you do to support a vibrant economy?
To support a vibrant economy I would like to expand permanent job incentives to include small businesses as well as implement flexible zoning for livework development across the city.
How will you address the housing affordability crisis and the needs of the unhoused?
The housing affordability can be addressed by focusing on increasing missing middle housing. I would support utilizing form-based zoning coupled with streamlined permitting that meets the community approved style. For our homeless population, I would support including additional options for first responders to take individuals to receive mental evaluation and help. This in junction with designated camping spaces and housing first initiatives.
What factors will guide your financial and budgeting decisions?
The main factor that will guide my financial and budgeting decisions will be long term success and improvements of the city. As a federal contract specialist I saw the need for quality over lowest price technically acceptable.
Why do you want to serve now?
I want to serve now because I believe that it is time we are governed not by the passions of desires and emotions but by the reasons of logic to provide the best environment to pursue the best life possible.
What changes, if any, would you like to see concerning how the city is run?
I think government officials sometimes lose sight that government is created by the people for the people and its a bottom up rule, not a top down. I would like to see more community involvement of identifying issues and finding solutions.
Biographical Information
What are your top priorities for the office and how would you integrate them in your first 100 days?
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What will you do to support a vibrant economy?
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How will you address the housing affordability crisis and the needs of the unhoused?
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What factors will guide your financial and budgeting decisions?
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Why do you want to serve now?
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What changes, if any, would you like to see concerning how the city is run?
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