Colorado Springs mayor to deliver State of the City address twice this week: here’s what to know, how to watch
Colorado Springs residents this year can hear Mayor Yemi Mobolade deliver the annual State of the City address ahead of the ticketed event hosted by the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Corp.
The yearly speech delivered by the mayor reflects on the last year and celebrates accomplishments, highlights areas for improvement and outlines the agenda for the year ahead. Mobolade’s 2024 address will focus on Colorado Springs’ new four-year strategic plan that serves as the long-term vision for the city’s future direction.
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Since at least 2005, the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC has hosted a ticketed State of the City event. Mobolade will deliver the address at a paid breakfast at The Broadmoor on Tuesday from 8-10 a.m. But first he will present the speech to the City Council during its public work session at City Hall the day prior, on Monday.
“This year, for the first time in a long time … people who don’t have a ticket to the chamber’s event will have a chance to hear the full speech in person,” city spokeswoman Vanessa Zink said.
The mayor wants people to have access to their city government, she said.
“Under his leadership, we are striving to be a government that is transparent, approachable and proactive. Mayor Yemi is presenting his State of the City speech to City Council, in addition to the chamber event, so that the information is more available than ever to residents,” Zink said.
The city will also broadcast both speeches.
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People can attend the council work session on Monday at City Hall, 107 N. Nevada Ave. The meeting starts at 10 a.m. Seating in council chambers is limited and first come, first served. Overflow seating will be available.
Monday’s address will be broadcast live on SpringsTV (Comcast Channel 18 and 880 HD), online at ColoradoSprings.gov/SpringsTV, and on Facebook @CityofCOS, @MayorofCOS and @COSCityCouncil.
Tuesday’s ticketed event will include the State of the City speech and Mobolade will present the Spirit of the Springs Lifetime Achievement Award. It will be broadcast live on Facebook @CityofCOS and @MayorofCOS.
Chamber members can attend the event for $125 each, and the general public for $200 each. Corporate tables of 10 are $950.
People can register for Tuesday’s address online at tinyurl.com/3w842cm4. More than 810 guests have registered for the event, according to the chamber’s webpage.
The Chamber & EDC did not specifically address The Gazette’s questions seeking their thoughts on the new State of the City format this year, nor about feedback they may have received from their members.
In a written statement, Chamber & EDC President and CEO Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer said, in part, “The State of the City addresses … will enable residents to track the progress of various projects undertaken by the city and understand any changes in priorities and initiatives. This approach will further persuade the community to engage in important public and civic initiatives affecting our region.”
Councilman Dave Donelson said the mayor’s decision to give the annual speech twice, when most or all councilmembers typically attend the ticketed event already, is “redundant” and a “waste of … taxpayer dollars.”
“I don’t see the purpose of it,” Donelson said.
Councilman Randy Helms said he supports the change this year and believes it will reach more people who wouldn’t otherwise have a chance to hear the address Tuesday.
Local media covers the annual speech and the city typically broadcasts it every year.
“It’s another way to express to our citizens what is happening in our city, and I support that,” Helms said.
Councilwoman Lynette Crow-Iverson said wanting more people to hear the address is “noble,” but was unsure Monday’s speech will reach as many people as the mayor hopes it will.
“I don’t know that’s what will come of it,” she said. “… I just don’t think that many people watch City Council. I think it’s the same people (who watch regularly) who have a specific interest.”
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A city newsletter on Aug. 30 announced a watch party will be held Monday morning so city employees can watch Mobolade’s State of the City address to the council.
“I just think it’s a questionable use of city resources, to have city employees sitting there watching the mayor address council,” Donelson said.
Zink said the “low-maintenance cross-department gathering” will be beneficial for city employees.
“The mayor’s speech is a recap of the work they’ve contributed to over the last year, and we believe it is motivating for our team members to be with one another as they hear this recap from their executive,” she said.
Helms said that was a decision for the mayor to make, not the council.
Zink said officials have not determined if the State of the City will be delivered in this format in the coming years. The city will assess and determine that after next week.
Colorado Springs mayor to deliver State of the City address twice this week: here’s what to know, how to watch
Colorado Springs residents this year can hear Mayor Yemi Mobolade deliver the annual State of the City address ahead of the ticketed event hosted by the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Corp.
The yearly speech delivered by the mayor reflects on the last year and celebrates accomplishments, highlights areas for improvement and outlines the agenda for the year ahead. Mobolade’s 2024 address will focus on Colorado Springs’ new four-year strategic plan that serves as the long-term vision for the city’s future direction.
Since at least 2005, the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC has hosted a ticketed State of the City event. Mobolade will deliver the address at a paid breakfast at The Broadmoor on Tuesday from 8-10 a.m. But first he will present the speech to the City Council during its public work session at City Hall the day prior, on Monday.
“This year, for the first time in a long time … people who don’t have a ticket to the chamber’s event will have a chance to hear the full speech in person,” city spokeswoman Vanessa Zink said.
The mayor wants people to have access to their city government, she said.
“Under his leadership, we are striving to be a government that is transparent, approachable and proactive. Mayor Yemi is presenting his State of the City speech to City Council, in addition to the chamber event, so that the information is more available than ever to residents,” Zink said.
The city will also broadcast both speeches.
People can attend the council work session on Monday at City Hall, 107 N. Nevada Ave. The meeting starts at 10 a.m. Seating in council chambers is limited and first come, first served. Overflow seating will be available.
Monday’s address will be broadcast live on SpringsTV (Comcast Channel 18 and 880 HD), online at ColoradoSprings.gov/SpringsTV, and on Facebook @CityofCOS, @MayorofCOS and @COSCityCouncil.
Tuesday’s ticketed event will include the State of the City speech and Mobolade will present the Spirit of the Springs Lifetime Achievement Award. It will be broadcast live on Facebook @CityofCOS and @MayorofCOS.
Chamber members can attend the event for $125 each, and the general public for $200 each. Corporate tables of 10 are $950.
People can register for Tuesday’s address online at tinyurl.com/3w842cm4. More than 810 guests have registered for the event, according to the chamber’s webpage.
The Chamber & EDC did not specifically address The Gazette’s questions seeking their thoughts on the new State of the City format this year, nor about feedback they may have received from their members.
In a written statement, Chamber & EDC President and CEO Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer said, in part, “The State of the City addresses … will enable residents to track the progress of various projects undertaken by the city and understand any changes in priorities and initiatives. This approach will further persuade the community to engage in important public and civic initiatives affecting our region.”
Councilman Dave Donelson said the mayor’s decision to give the annual speech twice, when most or all councilmembers typically attend the ticketed event already, is “redundant” and a “waste of … taxpayer dollars.”
“I don’t see the purpose of it,” Donelson said.
Councilman Randy Helms said he supports the change this year and believes it will reach more people who wouldn’t otherwise have a chance to hear the address Tuesday.
Local media covers the annual speech and the city typically broadcasts it every year.
“It’s another way to express to our citizens what is happening in our city, and I support that,” Helms said.
Councilwoman Lynette Crow-Iverson said wanting more people to hear the address is “noble,” but was unsure Monday’s speech will reach as many people as the mayor hopes it will.
“I don’t know that’s what will come of it,” she said. “… I just don’t think that many people watch City Council. I think it’s the same people (who watch regularly) who have a specific interest.”
A city newsletter on Aug. 30 announced a watch party will be held Monday morning so city employees can watch Mobolade’s State of the City address to the council.
“I just think it’s a questionable use of city resources, to have city employees sitting there watching the mayor address council,” Donelson said.
Zink said the “low-maintenance cross-department gathering” will be beneficial for city employees.
“The mayor’s speech is a recap of the work they’ve contributed to over the last year, and we believe it is motivating for our team members to be with one another as they hear this recap from their executive,” she said.
Helms said that was a decision for the mayor to make, not the council.
Zink said officials have not determined if the State of the City will be delivered in this format in the coming years. The city will assess and determine that after next week.
