During Wednesday’s tenth annual Mayor’s Young Leader Awards, Mayor Yemi Mobolade recognized seven individuals for making extraordinary efforts in their field while having a positive impact in the Colorado Springs community. Sgt Daryl Griffin, Matthew Minneman, Connie Ryan, Matt Radcliffe, Ashley Cornelius, Latisha Quintana, and Brianna Goodwin received awards. The award ceremony launched in 2015 to celebrate the outstanding achievements of young professionals age 40 and under, the 2023 winners were selected from 30 finalists.

Applications are open now for the Survive and Thrive: Accelerate COS – Small Business Loan Fund program. Exponential Impact (XI), in partnership with the City of Colorado Springs will provide loans, along with mentorship and learning opportunities through the Survive and Thrive program. This program offers a unique opportunity for small businesses in our community to gain access to capital, education, and mentoring to help them grow their businesses. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West will open three Disaster Loan Outreach Centers to meet the needs of businesses and individuals who were affected by severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes that occurred June 8 – 23. SBA customer service representatives will be on hand to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the process and help each individual complete their application.

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services announced the arrival of two new Trackchairs to assist visitors with mobility challenges in exploring the trails and open spaces in Colorado Springs. This program, a part of the Therapeutic Recreation and Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) programs, will remove barriers and allow visitors to explore designated trails not suitable for regular wheelchairs. 

The Planning Department accepted two awards from the American Planning Association (APA) Colorado Awards for the RetoolCOS project, which resulted in the adoption of a new and modernized Unified Development Code earlier this year. Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services received two awards from the Colorado Parks and Recreation Association. Former City Council Member Stephannie Finley-Fortune posthumously received the “2023 Community Champion Award”, which recognizes an individual who truly is a dedicated supporter and voice for the parks in our community. The PRCS Department also received an award for the renovation of Panorama Park, which was completed last year. 

On Tuesday, the Colorado Springs City Council passed a resolution opposing Proposition HH, An Undue Limitation on Municipal Budgets and local control of Property Tax Relief.

The Colorado Springs Airport (COS) is pleased to announce that Southwest Airlines will introduce daily service to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), starting June 4, 2024. This eagerly anticipated route will greatly enhance travelers' accessibility to the Washington D.C.-area, offering convenience and enhanced connectivity.

Mayor Yemi shares his passion for our right to vote and the importance of the upcoming election. He also talks about the recent loss of one our city’s firefighters, great economic development news, and some recognition for our city employees!

COS is thrilled to announce the upcoming convenience of nonstop flights to three destinations: San Antonio (SAT), San Diego (SAN), and Houston (HOU) on Southwest Airlines. These nonstop routes will be available for select dates in November, December, and January, with the added exciting news that the Houston (HOU) service will extend beyond January to continue accommodating passenger demand. Holiday travelers can also take advantage of discounted parking this season.