Mayor Steve Bach opened his April Media Meeting by naming a few of the inspiring people who made Colorado Springs a great city, including Spencer Penrose, General William Palmer, Zebulon Pike, the Tutts and the Loo Family.
One of his greatest inspirations was W.S. Stratton, a carpenter by trade who used the money he earned to prospect for gold each summer. He didn’t give up easily and year after year he’d try again. He finally struck $2 Million in paydirt with the Independence Mine, which he eventually sold for $10 Million in 1899. Winfield Scott Stratton was a generous person who donated land for City Hall, the Post Office, a major park and the Courthouse which now houses the Pioneer Museum.
Mayor Bach thanked Stephannie Finley for her service as she moves from the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce to her new position at UCCS. Stephannie was instrumental in proposing the Solutions Teams among other problem solving ideas. Mayor Bach said, “We couldn’t have made it without you, Stephannie!”
Then he stressed his three areas of focus: Jobs, Transforming City Government and Building Community.
“We want to make Colorado Springs the most business and citizen friendly city in the US – a best-in-class-city,” he said.
“The majority – about 70% – of our costs are in the people who make this city operate. I’m especially proud of our Executive Leadership Team – Fire Chief Rich Brown, Police Chief Pete Carey, Steve Cox Chief of Economic Vitality & Innovation, Chief of Staff Laura Neumann and Chris Melcher City Attorney.”
He said the City has eliminated 38 positions this year and have 95 vacancies. Approximately 820 acres of parkland are being watered including those that were reseeded last year. We’ve also outsourced 100% for weed control and we’re mowing all our parks.
The Mayor said, “Our City is on the move. Council is working hard and I’m optimistic about where we’re headed. Thanks to Council Members Merv Bennett and Tim Leigh for being here today. I appreciate that City Council confirmed unanimously the fine people selected for three positions on our team.”
Laura Neumann, Chief of Staff, then announced the three new appointments:
- Helen Migchelbrink, Director of Public Works/City Engineer
- Kathleen Krager, Transportation Manager
- Kyle Campbell, Interim Director of Planning
In closing, the Mayor said, “Our key goal is to better empower City employees to do their jobs with as little red tape as possible.”
UPCOMING EVENTS:
-Mayor’s Counsel meeting will be held on April 18th at Fire Station 18 at 10am
-Mayor’s Second Town Hall Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 2nd at the Southeast YMCA from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Topics will include Great Streets, Streetscapes, CAPS program and will include public input about the budget.






