As mayor, one of the most serious tools entrusted to me is the power of the veto. I don’t use it lightly, and never for political theater. But it exists for a reason: to ensure that when policy decisions significantly impact the direction of our city, we have a moment to pause, reflect, and ask a critical question — is this truly in the best long-term interest of our residents?

Last Friday, I exercised my veto authority in response to Ordinance No. 25-59, which was passed by City Council the previous Tuesday. This ordinance seeks to create an open grant process, directing tax revenues from recreational marijuana away from essential city services to an undefined group of applicants. Here’s why I vetoed it:

1. It violates the spirit of the City Charter and disrupts proven budget processes.

By our City Charter, only the mayor has the authority to administer a grant process, select recipients, and sign contracts.

The council’s role is to review, recommend, and ultimately vote to approve the mayor’s budget — a collaborative process that has served our city well for 14 years. This ordinance undermines that healthy process by creating an unnecessary and unauthorized level of bureaucracy. It disregards the citizen-established strong mayor form of government and risks damaging the effectiveness of how we serve you, our residents.

2. My administration will prioritize public safety.

Public safety is not just another line item; it is our core promise to the people of Colorado Springs. Through community town halls, emails, meetings, and polling, residents have spoken clearly: invest in public safety. In a recent survey, 61% of residents said the city is underinvesting in this area. With anticipated marijuana tax revenues of $1.4 million this year, we have an opportunity to enhance critical services like police and fire. These funds can improve emergency response times, address the growing mental health crisis, and help keep our neighborhoods safe and vibrant. Diverting those funds now is both shortsighted and irresponsible.

3. We are facing a significant budget shortfall.

Like many cities across the country, Colorado Springs is experiencing a decline in tax revenues, with a projected $11.5 million budget shortfall. This reality demands fiscal discipline. Redirecting funds away from core city services, particularly at a time when departments like CSPD and CSFD might face reductions of $3 million and $2 million this year respectively, is simply not responsible. We must protect every dollar that supports the core services residents depend on, and my administration remains focused on finding real solutions alongside the City Council to responsibly manage our budget and prioritize the well-being of our community.

I didn’t use my veto power during my first two years in office, and it is never my preferred option. But when the council oversteps its authority or acts against the interests of the people we serve, I must act.

Whether this veto stands or is overridden is no longer the point. The budget process will proceed, as required by the City Charter, and my proposed budget will reflect our shared priorities: safety, quality of life, and responsible governance.

That’s the promise I made during my campaign, and it’s the one I will uphold every day I serve as your mayor.

Yemi Mobolade is the 42nd mayor of Colorado Springs.