In March, Tom Bailey stepped down from his Colorado Springs City Council District 2 seat, following a successful certified recall petition by District 2 residents. He was elected less than one year ago, when he ran unopposed. Constituents cited Bailey’s support for projects like the Ford Amphitheater and the Royal Pines apartments as the basis for the action.  

A successful recall effort in Palmer Lake removed trustees Shana Ball and Kevin Dreher from their positions. The action was prompted by concerns over the proposed construction of a Buc-ee’s Travel Center near I-25 and County Line Road.  

Colorado Springs voters overwhelmingly rejected a measure to annex 1,900 acres of land for the Karman Line development in a special election last June, with 82% voting no. Yet when voted on by Colorado Springs City Council, Councilmembers Lynette Crow-Iverson, Brian Risley, David Leinweber, Yolanda Avila, Randy Helms, Michelle Talarico and Mike O’Malley voted 7-2 to approve the annexation.  

One must question the disconnect between those being elected and the will of the people.  

In addition to being costly to the taxpayer, recall and special elections distract from real issues like housing, infrastructure, homelessness and economic development. In a year when the City of Colorado Springs saw an $11 million budget shortfall, the City spent $500,000 on the Karman Line special election.  

Citizens have a right to petition and recall elected officials, and yet voters have a responsibility in advance of elections: they must do their homework. Voters need to research candidates and ask questions to better understand candidates’ positions and views. 

In the last special municipal election on June 17, 2025, the Karman Line annexation noted above, voter turnout was 24.5 percent. The municipal election on April 1, 2025, was even lower at 23.5 percent. 

Voter education and engagement can combat the recall and special election trend.  

As a nonpartisan grassroots organization, the League of Women Voters (LWV) has fought since 1920 to improve our systems of government and impact public policies by focusing on citizen education and presenting unbiased, nonpartisan information about elections and issues. 

When communities vote, they make a tangible difference—especially in local elections. When citizens go to the polls, elected officials are more accountable and responsive, there is legitimacy in the policies that shape our communities and fewer outcomes decided by a small fraction of voters.  

Every citizen’s vote matters, playing a significant role in shaping the future of the Pikes Peak region. Start planning for the next election today.  

Ensure you are registered to vote. Those with a Colorado driver’s license or ID card can register online or check registration by visiting the Secretary of State’s website, GoVoteColorado.gov or text “Colorado” “CO” or “2Vote” (28683). 

Understand the local election cycle. In 2026, there will be a primary election on June 30 and a general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Ballots will be mailed 22 days in advance of these elections by each County’s Clerk and Recorder’s Office. Early voting is encouraged.  

Unfortunately, the City of Colorado Springs holds elections on the first Tuesday of April in odd-numbered years. The next scheduled municipal election is April 6, 2027. Research shows that the City’s unusual practice of holding non-November odd-year elections disproportionately impacts Black and Hispanic voters, constituting a violation of Colorado law. 

In February, LWV and Citizens Project submitted a notification letter advising the City that the groups plan to initiate litigation if it does not take action to remedy its violation.  

If you live in Colorado Springs, your ballot will reflect which City Council District you live in, unless it’s an at-large election, and list the candidates for your District. Learn what District you live in through the City of Colorado Springs new district viewer tool found at ColoradoSprings.gov/voterinfo.  

Get to know candidates and ballot measures. Be informed to help you make decisions about who you want to represent you. You can look at candidates’ websites, attend candidate forums, review voter guides, and talk to others about the candidates. 

And if you are curious about who is financially supporting candidates, campaign finance information for Colorado Springs elections is available at Coloradosprings.gov/campaign-finance.  

When we vote, we produce better civic outcomes, building a community representative of its residents. Visit VOTE411.org for more information on voting in your area.  

Shelly Roehrs is the spokesperson for the League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region