Who were all the mayors of Colorado Springs?

By Linda Navarro linda.navarro@gazettedev.gazette.com June 8, 2026 | updated 6 days ago

William Wagner, first mayor of Colorado Springs. PPLD Special Collections

During this Colorado 150 anniversary year, Gazette readers have been curious about Colorado Springs’ earliest history and all the people who have served as mayor since the 1800s until today.

It evolved over time and as the city grew. Starting in 1872-1875 the leaders were five trustees with one serving as president, all appointed by the El Paso County commissioner.

The first appointed mayor, around 1876-1887, was Maj. William Wagner. He came from Philadelphia and was the trusted choice of city founder Gen. William Jackson Palmer after they had served together in the 15th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry. Aldermen were N.S. Culver, J.D. Rogers, C.T. Barton and W.B. Brown

Later, during the early years, members of the City Council were elected and their responsibility was choosing one as mayor.

Charles Thomas was a popularly elected mayor in 1917-1919 but between 1921 and 1979 there was a council/city manager form of government, with the mayor appointed. The city manager had the executive duties and the mayor was called mayor and president of council.

Everything changed in 1979, when Robert M. “Bob” Isaac was popularly elected, serving until 1997. In 1997, “Mayor Bob” stepped aside to choose Vice Mayor Leon Young as the first Black mayor. That 1997 election year brought another first when Mary Lou Makepeace became the first — and only — woman elected mayor, serving until term limited in 2003. She was followed by another first, Lionel Rivera, the first Hispanic mayor.

Voters abolished the city-manager government in 2010, opting instead for a strong-mayor form of leadership, beginning with Mayor Steve Bach. The strong-mayor form of city government has the mayor as chief executive officer.

Buildings, power plants, events and more carry the names of the city’s mayors. The Robert M. Isaac Municipal Court Building is on Kiowa Street downtown and named for the mayor who had previously been Municipal Court judge. Strickler Tunnel at the South Slope reservoirs is named for the 1888 mayor. Birdsall Municipal Power Plant on North Nevada Avenue is named for multiple-year, early-day Mayor George Birdsall. Leon Young is remembered with the Leon Young Service Center, Leon Young Pavilion and Leon Young Sports Complex in the Hillside and Southeast areas. Eugene McCleary was saluted by businesses with art in an industrial roundabout off I-25 and Garden of the Gods Road.

The city’s official list of mayors with c. before a date is the historic Latin for circa or “during that time.” During recent years mayors are elected but city charter delays inauguration for weeks that same year to allow for certification of the election and changeover of power:

Colorado Springs Mayors:

Maj. William Wagner, c. 1876-1877

Matt France, c. 1878-1879 and 1881

D.W. Robbins, c. 1882

J.F. Humphrey, c. 1883-1884

G.S. Barnes, c. 1885

F.E. Dow, c. 1886-1887

William M. Strickler, c. 1888 and 1893-1894

J.W. Stillman, c. 1889-1890

Ira G. Sprague, c. 1891-1892

J.C. Plumb, c. 1895-1896

M.B.Irvine, c. 1897-1898