This year saw significant progress in Colorado Springs, marked by achievements spanning across all five of the City’s priority areas: public safety, infrastructure, housing solutions, economic vitality and community activation. Efforts focused on improving the lives of residents through enhanced communication, public safety advancements, infrastructure upgrades, and a commitment to mental well-being. Here are twelve “Gold Medal Moments” and initiatives that made this a standout year for Colorado Springs – Olympic City USA.
Innovation and excellence in public safety
The Fire and Police departments deployed new technology to enhance the level of service to the community.
- In May, the Fire Department, in partnership with UCHealth, became the first department in the state to carry lifesaving whole blood. Since then, 51 patients have received blood during traumatic injuries and 44 have survived.
- The Police Department launched a pilot program called “drone as a first responder” that aims to help determine the appropriate level of response and support by providing a first look at a situation. The Fire Department also took to the sky, creating a 24/7 drone program that had its first full year of operation in 2024. Their goal was not only to provide eyes in the sky but help with decision making for firefighter and citizen safety during fires, high angle rescues and traffic accidents.
- The Police Department launched a new Real-Time Crime Center, a specialized unit that supports officers and detectives responding to calls for service and other investigations by providing them with real-time information. By utilizing department records, law enforcement databases, and other integrated technologies, it creates increased access to immediate information to increase officer safety, community member safety, and investigative efficiency.
- Among the numerous 2024 awards City staff received for excellence in public safety in 2024, Fire Chief Randy Royal was named the International Fire Chief of the Year out of more than 20,000 fire chiefs. Police Detectives Kristin Genta, Vito DelCore and Addison Morgan, all received the 2024 U.S. Attorney’s Award of Excellence.
Building a city of great neighbors
The City’s 1,000 Neighborhood Gatherings initiative successfully engaged 55,000 residents across all 77 city neighborhoods over 133 days this summer. Part of the broader Pikes Peak Rising mental health campaign, the effort brought together neighbors in creative ways to address loneliness and social isolation. Highlights included Colorado Springs being named the No. 1 Most Neighborly City in America and inspiring other cities, such as Springfield, Missouri, to replicate the initiative. Feedback revealed that 96% of hosts felt more connected to their neighborhoods, and nearly half felt better equipped to address mental health issues.
To build on the success of the campaign, the City is encouraging residents to finish the year strong with “100 Holiday Gatherings.” This effort is meant to continue to build connections with neighbors during the holiday season, which studies show can be a season of increased loneliness. Residents can register their holiday gatherings at ColoradoSprings.gov/100HolidayGatherings.
Connecting Colorado Springs: Bridges to progress
This year saw significant strides in connecting our city through key infrastructure improvements, with a focus on bridges.
- Circle Drive Bridges: The City is replacing four of the ten longest bridges in Colorado Springs. To celebrate a major milestone in the 3-year project, the Harrison High School marching band led the way across one of the newly completed spans, the Eastbound bridge, this November.
- Voyager Parkway Bridge: This new bridge, over the future Powers Boulevard extension, recently opened, and will help improve east-west connectivity.
- El Paso Street Bridge: The bridge over Platte Avenue, damaged six years ago, was removed, paving the way for future improvements at this intersection.
- Fillmore Bridges: Vital maintenance was completed on the Fillmore Bridges, ensuring their continued safety and reliability.
Beyond these major projects, the City also tackled numerous smaller bridge repairs and maintenance efforts citywide. These bridges are vital connections that keep our community moving, providing safe and efficient access for all.
Smoother roads ahead for Colorado Springs
The 2C paving program continued throughout the city in 2024, making roads smoother and safer in places like Vickers Drive, Austin Bluffs Parkway, and Pikes Peak Avenue. 2C also moved into more neighborhoods in 2024, bringing new asphalt and a smooth ride directly to people's homes.
Thanks to Colorado Springs voters, 2C ended the year on a high note, with residents renewing the program for 10 more years starting in 2026. Almost 74% of voters said "yes" to smoother roads citywide.
A park for everyone: Colorado Springs expands accessibility
The Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department along with the Office of Accessibility continued to make strides in creating accessible outdoor spaces. Dogs, and their owners, can unleash some fun at the fully accessible Antlers Dog Park located in downtown Colorado Springs. The dog park includes accessible parking and pathways as well as synthetic turf, providing a “paw-fect” place for people of all abilities to enjoy time with their best friend.
Oak Meadows Playground in southwest Colorado Springs was transformed into a brand-new fully accessible play space, ensuring that kids of all abilities can play and connect.
The City also partnered with El Paso County Parks and Community Services to improve trails in Bear Creek Cañon Park to offer more diverse and accessible terrain, perfect for the City’s Track Chair Program and El Paso County’s Trailability Program. These outdoor spaces ensure everyone can enjoy the beauty of nature, connect with their community and experience the joy of outdoor activities together.
Colorado Springs Airport soars
A record number of passengers traveled through the Colorado Springs Airport (COS) as the City continues to expand air service and nonstop flight options, including for the first time, international travel.
So far in 2024, COS welcomed more than 2.2 million travelers through its terminal, an increase of almost 6 percent from the previous year. This fall, Southwest Airlines announced plans to start seasonal service to Cancun, Mexico, on June 7, 2025, which marks the first international destination from COS. Denver International Airport (DIA) is the only other airport in Colorado that offers international air service.
Looking ahead, COS has exciting developments on the horizon. Allegiant Airlines will begin new service in February 2025 to Pheonix/Mesa, Ariz.; Santa Ana/Orange County, Calif.; and St. Petersburg/Tampa, Fla. And in June, American Airlines has said they plan to resume nonstop service to Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
Support for small businesses and unlocking economic opportunity
The City expanded its services to help unlock economic potential in the community, particularly in support of small businesses.
- Business support: The City hired a small business development administrator, established local business walks to get direct feedback, and launched COS Business Navigator, an online guide with resources for business owners. This new website complements existing resources, like Permit Partner.
- Workforce development: A new workforce administrator is collaborating with school districts and workforce partners to address job market gaps and fill vacant positions.
- Peak Innovation Park: Located at the Colorado Springs Airport, this business park houses Amazon and numerous defense companies. Its projected to contribute $1.9 billion to the local economy in 2025.
- Economic development agreements: Eight Economic Development Agreements were approved by City Council in 2024, representing a $650 million investment in the community. This is projected to generate $24 million in net new City revenue, create 883 new jobs, and retain 228 existing jobs.
Connecting to more residents in Colorado Springs
This year, the City of Colorado Springs took significant steps to enhance communication and engagement with residents, making it easier than ever to connect with the City and each other.
- Reaching residents where they are: The City introduced non-emergency texting services to keep residents informed about important messages and upcoming events, delivering information directly to their fingertips. The City also relaunched COS Weekly, the City’s external newsletter for residents.
- Making information easier to find online: The City’s new AI chatbot provided personalized assistance to nearly 20,000 residents, making it easier to find information and navigate the City website. This new tool acts as a virtual guide, answering questions and directing users to the resources they need.
- Responding to community needs: Through the GoCOS app and webpage, the City resolved more than 36,000 requests from residents, answering questions and providing efficient city services. This platform empowers residents to report issues, track their progress, and connect with City staff.
Pikes Peak Rising launches to help addresses mental health crisis
One of Mayor Yemi’s priorities is to find upstream solutions to help address the mental health crisis. Earlier this year, the City launched Pikes Peak Rising, a mental health initiative championed by Mayor Yemi’s wife Abbey and a collaboration of 40 partners. The effort provides easier access to mental health resources, including the State’s first public web portal for mental health resources.
An action plan to address homelessness
In November, the City launched the 2025-2030 Homelessness Response Action Plan, a long-term plan that reflects the community's priorities and outlines 60 key strategies to address homelessness in Colorado Springs. The plan prioritizes six key focus areas: enforcement and cleanup, street outreach and shelter, homelessness prevention, employment, housing and supportive services and collaborate and public communications. The plan’s priorities guide a comprehensive strategy focused on both immediate needs and long-term solutions.
Colorado Springs’ award-winning lifestyle
In 2025, Colorado Springs continued to earn national recognition and land on various “Best of” lists for its exceptional quality of life. This included being ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 Most Desirable City and No. 3 Best Place to Live overall, while U.S. Neighbor.com ranks it as the No. 1 Most Neighborly City.
City staff and programs individually won more than two dozen awards in 2024, including the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services team receiving the Starburst People's Choice Award for excellence for Panorama Park.
Olympic City USA shines bright in Paris
The spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games was alive this summer in Olympic City USA. The community hosted several events to highlight the local spirit and support Team USA athletes competing in Paris. Colorado Springs indeed proved that the “road to greatness runs through Colorado Springs.” Based on the number of athletes who lived and trained in Colorado Springs, if it was a country, Olympic City USA would have finished third in the Paris 2024 Olympic medal count with 66 total medals, and ninth in the Paralympic medal count with 57 total medals.
The City also congratulates the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC for winning its first USL Championship. This is the team’s fourth year playing downtown at Weidner Field, one of five City for Champions projects.
In 2025, Colorado Springs is preparing to host numerous Olympic and Paralympic sporting events, including the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships, USA Weightlifting National Championships, U.S. Senior Open Championship (golf), U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame Induction, Department of Defense Warrior Games, USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships, and the USA Cycling Masters and Para-Cycling Track National Championships.