Preliminary election results show the city of Manitou Springs has been unsuccessful in ousting a special district that controls two of the city’s downtown parking lots.

“We recognize that this was a divisive moment in the community,” said Manitou Springs Mayor Natalie Johnson.

Preliminary results from Tuesday’s election show 46 “no” votes and 30 “yes” votes on the question of dissolving the Manitou Springs Metropolitan District, according to district chair Shemi Shlomo.

The election came out of a unique legal situation. For months, Manitou Springs has been attempting to dissolve the district and take possession of the parking lots, which have 124 spaces. The city claimed a more consolidated parking scheme would help Manitou Springs manage the needs of residents and visitors. The district refused to dissolve, claiming the status quo best served the needs of downtown constituents.

Manitou Springs can see close to 15,000 tourists a day during the busy summer months, according to Visit Manitou. The city has been expanding its parking options and shuttles in recent years.

The district was formed in 1989 and manages the Smischny and Wichita parking lots. A metropolitan district is government-adjacent, typically collecting taxes to provide services. An elected board with public meetings governs the district in Manitou Springs.

The matter went to the El Paso County District Court because a municipality cannot unilaterally dissolve a metropolitan district. The court ruled that the dissolution must go to voters in the district – just fewer than 200 people who live downtown.

With the failure of the dissolution plan, the city’s proposed solutions for parking issues downtown are likely now shelved. Prior to the election, the Manitou Springs City Council voted to conditionally approve a Downtown Benefit Parking Program, which would allow residents and employees to apply for parking permits.

The program was contingent on voters approving the dissolution, which would give the town the necessary $250,000 to fund it, according to Johnson. Without taking over the district parking lots, she said a permit option for people downtown will likely take longer to enact.

“I can’t imagine that we will be in a financial position to go ahead with that,” she said.

Shlomo said he was opposed to the city making the program contingent on the election results.

“You can’t just say, ‘If you vote yes, we will help you,'” he said.

Shlomo said that the district was willing to work with the city on downtown parking plans.

“We’ve just got to accommodate everyone,” he said.

Johnson said she hoped the election would increase interest among residents in the district’s existence and governance.

“I would not be surprised if community members step up,” she said.