A lot has happened in a short amount of time. A recall effort led to a resignation. We saw public demonstrations like “No Kings Day.” And now City Council is being asked to select a replacement from more than two dozen applicants to serve until April 2027. 

That’s a lot of noise. A lot of emotion. And a lot of pressure. But it also presents a simple question: What kind of city do we want to be when we disagree? 

Colorado Springs is a city that people choose. Thousands of people move here every year, not just for Pikes Peak or the outdoors, but because of something deeper: a belief that this is still a place where people can work through differences and build something good together. We should not lose that. 

Disagreement is healthy. It means people care. But when disagreement turns into division, or when complex issues get reduced to slogans and social media posts, we stop making progress.  

I hear the frustration. There is mistrust. Some feel unheard. That matters. But we also need to be careful not to let emotion replace judgment. If we want better outcomes, we need to be willing to listen, not just to respond, but to understand. And we need to keep moving forward. Standing still is not an option. 

As I look at the decision in front of us, selecting a new Councilmember, I want to be clear about how I will approach it. I’m not looking for the person with the loudest voice or the strongest online following. Advocacy alone is not leadership. I’m looking for someone who can lead. That means experience, the ability to understand complex issues, weigh tradeoffs, and make decisions that serve the whole city, not just one group. And it means civility; the ability to listen, to engage respectfully, and to work with others, especially when there is disagreement. 

We have strong opinions in this community. That is not going to change. But leadership requires more than strong opinions. It requires judgment, humility, and a willingness to serve something bigger than yourself. 

This moment will pass. The headlines will move on. What will remain is the kind of culture we choose to build. We can feed the noise. Or we can choose something better; thoughtful engagement, critical thinking, and a little more grace for one another. 

We do not have to agree on everything. But we do have to decide how we treat each other when we do not. Because long after this moment fades, that choice will define who we are as a city. 

David Leinweber is an At Large Colorado Springs City Councilmember.