City Testimonials: "I hope that you have received 500 calls saying THANK YOU for the new playground at Bonforte Park! It is a terrific neighborhood park and we so appreciate the improvements. I walk by every day and see so many children and parents enjoying themselves." -Citizen Comment "The crew from Engine 15A were professional, knowledgeable, courteous, and extremely helpful, not only did this group of professionals represent the Fire Department in a positive light, they also speak to a city government that is responsive and courteous to the public."- Citizen Comment "We've found with projects we're doing, the City seems to be as proactive as they possibly can be." -Real Estate CEO "Grateful for the progress made by CSPD to curb shoplifting." -Business Loss Prevention Manager "Not only was my concern addressed in a professional and timely manner, but Finance Planning & Analysis Manager Leslie Hickey took the time to let me know that changes were on the way. This is the direct opposite of some folks' perception of local government." -Citizen Comment "Thank you very much for fixing the potholes on the round about for Squirrel Tail and Brainard as well as the divot by the water outlet on Squirrel Tail towards Musgrave. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" -Citizen Comment "Accounts Payable Supervisor Patti McFarland was true to her word, she called me back within days to give a status report. Then she called again to update me. Then, she called today to let me know she had been able to contact the unreachable tow company, received an invoice, and would be reimbursing the portion the business manager agreed to pay! I know that it was a sustained effort because I tried for several months and got nowhere. I can't express my overwhelming gratitude to Patti and your office for their work in this matter. We run a service-based business and try to learn from other organizations whenever we can. I will bring up this instance at our weekly meeting as an example of good service to be commended and followed.Thanks to you and Patti for the surprisingly positive experience I had with your office." -Local Small Business Owner "Thanks to Traffic Technician Pete Doyle, his community attitude to work with the residents is commendable. Thank you once again." -Citizen Comment "Streets Operations Manager Bard Lower has provided me superb customer service, above and beyond what could reasonably be expected. I know that this has been a priority for your administration, and I felt it important to let you know that it is working. Mr. Lower and his associates deserve kudos for their proactive, thorough handling of this five-year-old snow plowing issue and I am grateful to you as well for making the City more responsive to citizen requests." -Citizen Comment "As a new resident of Colorado Springs, it’s apparent that the City really does excel in taking care of its residents and treats its citizens more like neighbors and friends than just customers on a long “to-do” list. Thank you for all your exceptional service." -Citizen Comment

Spirit of the Springs Presented to Charter Friends

April 18, 2012 By

Colorado Springs charter school leaders swept the 2012 Charter School Awards, announced recently by the Colorado League of Charter Schools.  The winners were honored during the 18th Annual Colorado Charter Schools Conference Feb. 24 in Broomfield.

Three of the five “Charter Friend” Award winners work at Colorado Springs charter schools. Mayor Steve Bach presented each local award winner with a Spirit of the Springs “Celebration” Award.

  • Colin T. Mullaney, executive director of Cheyenne Mountain Charter Academy and The Vanguard School, was named Charter School Leader of the Year.
  • Charter School Teacher of Year Award went to Teresa Brown, 3rd and 4th grade teacher at the Academy for Advanced and Creative Learning in Colorado Springs School District 11.
  • Eileen Johnston with James Irwin Charter Schools was given the Charter School Award for Operational Excellence.
Charter Friend Award Winners Receive Spirit of the Springs "Celebration" Award

Charter Friend Award Winners Receive Spirit of the Springs "Celebration" Award. (L to R) Colin T. Mullaney, Mayor Steve Bach, Eileen Johnston, Donna Nelson from the City of Colorado Springs, Councilman Tim Leigh, and Teresa Brown.

The Charter School Policy Award, given annually to a charter friendly elected official, was renamed the Keith King Award for Public Policy in honor of charter school advocate, supporter and leader Colorado Springs Senator Keith King.

Charter Schools are public schools that do not accept tuition and are contracted by school districts (“chartered”) to use alternative and innovative methods to provide excellent education.  They are free from most restrictions made by school districts or curriculum, methodology, or administration, yet are required to demonstrate academic excellence through State outcome measurements.  Currently there are 19 charter schools in the City of Colorado Springs, and 170 charter schools throughout the State of Colorado.

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Japan-US Cherry Blossom Centennial Celebration

April 18, 2012 By
Mayor Steve Bach and Counsel General Ono of Japan at Denver at the Japan-US Cherry Blossom Centennial Celebration

Mayor Steve Bach and Consul General Ono of Japan at Denver with Mrs. Ono

The City of Colorado Springs was gifted a Cherry Blossom Tree from Japan.  Part of the nation-wide celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Gift of Cherry Blossom Trees from Japan to the US in 1912, the mayor and consul general planted a tree.  This was a timely celebration as Colorado Springs celebrated our 50th anniversary as Sister Cities with the City of Fujiyoshida, Japan.

Mayor Steve Bach and Consul General Ono of Japan at Denver officiated the ceremony and planted a Cherry Blossom Tree at the Torii and Japanese Garden across from Acacia Park.

Musical entertainment was provided by the Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale and the Colorado Springs Conservatory.

Participating in the ceremony were:

  • The City of Colorado Springs
  • Colorado Springs Diversity Forum
  • Japan-America Society of Southern Colorado
  • Colorado Sister Cities International
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Mayor and Suzi Bach Walk in St. Patricks Day Parade

March 16, 2012 By

                   

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Laura Benjamin

Communications Specialist

(719) 385-5484

NEWS RELEASE

March 16, 2012                                                                                          

MAYOR AND SUZI BACH TO WALK IN ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

            Mayor Bach and his wife, Suzi Bach, will walk in the Colorado Springs St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 17, 2012 with the Mayor’s 100 Teens. The list of 2011-2012 Mayor’s 100 Teens is at http://www.springsgov.com/units/parksrec/Sports/Mayors100Teens11-12.pdf

The Parade begins at noon at the corner of Tejon and St. Vrain Street. The Grand Marshall of the 2012 parade is Coach Troy Calhoun, head coach of the USAFA Football team. For more information about the parade, visit http://www.csstpats.com/

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Kyrgystan Sister City Teachers Met Mayor Bach

March 12, 2012 By

English teachers from Colorado Springs’ Sister City Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, met with Mayor Bach as part of their trip to study and observe Colorado Springs schools, from elementary to the university level.

 These young educators would like to establish a virtual classroom experience between schools in Kyrgyzstan and Colorado Springs, in addition to being “pen pals” via SKYPE.

 

“We’re proud to be a Sister City with you,” the Mayor said. Then he asked more about their schools, districts and relationships with nearby cities. They have four school districts in their capitol city of 800,000 people.

 

 

Colorado Springs and Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan have been Sister Cities since 1994. This visit was funded by the Open World Leadership Center in Washington D.C. and the teachers stayed with Colorado Springs host families to experience our culture and daily life firsthand.

Mayor Bach offered gifts of pens for each with the words “America the Beautiful” and “Pikes Peak” inscribed. He received a gift from their country in return. Their goal is “to enhance understanding and capabilities for cooperation between the United States and countries of Eurasia by developing a network of leaders in the region who have gained significant, firsthand exposure to America’s democratic, accountable government and its free-market system.”

When ask if they’d been shopping, the teachers grinned and said, “Most definitely!”

Sister Cities are formed to develop friendly and meaningful exchanges involving citizens and organizations in both communities engaging in projects of mutual interest.  Colorado Springs has six Sister Cities: Bankstown, Australia; Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; Fujiyoshida, Japan; Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Nuevo Casas Grandes, Mexico; Smolensk, Ukraine.

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Mayor Supports Arts and Culture in Colorado Springs

March 7, 2012 By

Arts and Culture in Colorado Springs never had it so good! A whole host of enthusiasts gathered at CodeBaby March 6, 2012 to celebrate the Peak Arts Fund by COPPeR, the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region.

Mayor Bach and his wife Suzi thanked COPPeR executive director, Christina McGrath (pictured below) for her efforts in helping the entire community become a better place for everyone to live, visit and do business. He referred to her as “friendly quicksand”, meaning he sees her all around town – always with a smile on her face!

COPPeR is a nonprofit organization connecting residents and visitors with arts and culture to enrich the Pikes Peak Region. The Peak Arts Fund provides funding for local arts programs.

Mayor Bach is quite a fan of the arts and is partial to watercolors. He remembers purchasing his first watercolor print from the Fine Arts Center. He said, “I support the arts – it’s one of the success stories of Colorado Springs. The arts help create the soul of a city.”

Seed money for the Peak Arts Fund came from the Pikes Peak Community Foundation, Inasmuch Foundation, Bee Vradenburg Foundation, Kirkpatrick Family Fund and the Ellyas Family Estate. These founders ensured that 100 percent of every dollar donated goes directly to participating arts nonprofits.

Fifteen nonprofits across the region were selected to receive funding in the inaugural year, to include: Colorado Springs Conservatory, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, Colorado Springs Philharmonic, and the Cottonwood Center for the Arts.

The emcee for the evening was Jim Jackson, founder of the Millibo Art Theatre. Hosts and partners included CodeBaby, Nor’Wood, Bristol Brewing Company, Nosh, Art & Style Baking. Creative partners who helped get Peak Arts Fund rolling were CoPilot Creative and Long Named Girl Design. Mango fan Django played their signature Gypsy Jazz and acoustic guitar swing while potter Mark Wong and other arts organizations displayed their work. Sally Hybl and Amy Sue Hardy entertained with lilting vocals.

 

ABOVE: Travis Blaney, Brigitte Reydams and Laura Neumann with Marc Reydams

BELOW: Young performers outside the entrance to CodeBaby, location of the event

“You know, it’s really true that the arts belong to all of us, and we’re all excited by how the Peak Arts Fund will support so many organizations that do so much for our community all year long,” said Christina. “When we began the work to create Peak Arts Fund, those of us at COPPeR who work in the arts every day already knew the important role the arts play in shaping a business climate that attracts young professionals and embraces innovation.”

Other speakers at the event included Michael Hannigan, executive director of Pikes Peak Community Foundation; Dave Csintyan, interim CEO of the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC who is Peak Arts Fund inaugural campaign chair; Chris Jenkins, president of Nor’Wood Development Group and co-chair of the Peak Arts Fund committee; Brian Hofflander, a bass player in Mango fan Django; and Mark Wong, a potter.

Christina closed by saying, “You support Peak Arts Fund and our arts organizations will grow stronger. Then our entire community becomes a better place for everyone to live, visit and do business!”

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