Manitou Springs councilwoman Nancy Fortuin has called for the resignation of fellow councilmember John Shada, citing multiple incidents with other people involving “intimidation and chilling affects.”

Responding to Fortuin’s request, the Manitou Springs City Council decided to put a discussion of Shada’s behavior on its next agenda in November. Shada could not be reached for comment about the incident or the council meeting discussion, which he did not attend.

Fortuin accused Shada of improper behavior in three incidents, one resulting in a complaint filed with the Manitou Springs Police Department. The report obtained by The Gazette claims Shada approached a person whose identity was redacted in a Manitou Springs parking lot after a meeting on Oct. 17.

Jenna Wells, executive director at Visit Manitou Springs, confirmed she was the person who filed the complaint.

The report claims Shada confronted Wells after an informal meeting earlier in the afternoon that “seemed to go well.” Wells said Shada was walking his dogs and happened by her as she was sitting in her vehicle in the Dillon Mobility Hub parking lot. She said Shada was “visibly upset” about financial issues with the city.

At one point, Wells said Shada made a “throat-slitting hand gesture.” The report said Shada also told Wells “you’re finished, you’re done, you’re finished.”

Wells did not press charges in the incident but told police in an interview she was concerned about retaliation.

Wells told The Gazette she was not yet calling for any particular action from Shada.

“I’m disheartened and expect better from our elected officials in terms of how they interact with our residents and visitors,” she said.

During the City Council meeting, Fortuin detailed two other incidents she claimed demonstrated intimidation. She said Shada “accosted” a city of Colorado Springs employee, who reported concerns about the encounter to the city of Manitou Springs.

Manitou Springs Mayor John Graham said he thought Fortuin was referring to an incident with a Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services employee several years ago, with whom Shada was “confrontational and unprovoked.”  

Graham said the incident was never discussed at council, though he did receive an emailed complaint.

In the other incident, Fortuin claimed Shada did not take immediate responsibility when his dog bit someone.

Graham said the City Council would discuss Shada’s behavior at the next regular meeting extended to Nov. 18 due to conflicts with election day. Council’s options are limited, however.

The council cannot force Shada out, nor would a censure be appropriate since the incidents discussed don’t involve the city’s rules of procedure. The strongest action available to the City Council would be calling for Shada’s resignation, he said.

“It’s frankly frustrating,” said Graham.

Fortuin praised Shada for “tireless work and deep passion for improving Manitou Springs,” but said that his behavior was concerning.

“Passion can sometimes manifest as intimidation and threats,” she said.

Shada was elected to an at-large position in 2019 and reelected in 2023. His term expires in January 2028.

Residents in Manitou Springs will be electing a new mayor and three new councilmembers this Nov. 4.

They’re also voting on ballot issue 2A, which asks voters to give the council the ability to raise the city’s excise tax from its current 5% to 14%, which opponents believe would be the highest rate in Colorado, increasing revenue by about $2.5 million.

City leaders say the rate hike is needed to make up for a $4 million budget shortfall caused by falling marijuana sales tax revenue. Two dispensaries in the city have seen falling sales since neighboring Colorado Springs voted last year to allow its own recreational dispensaries.

The proposed tax increase would directly impact at least six local businesses, including the Iron Springs Chateau, the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, Adventures Out West Ziplines, Manitou E-Bike Company, the Cliff Dwellings Museum and the Manitou Comedy Festival.

Manitou Springs School District 14 also has a bond proposal, which appears on the ballot as measure 4C.

The proposal is a $37.6 million bond that would focus on upgrades to safety and security, ADA accessibility and infrastructure throughout schools and facilities. The 25-year bond would increase property taxes on a $500,000 home by $423 per year, according to district calculations.