Powers Blvd. issues

The Gazette’s recent article on Powers Boulevard highlights something that Colorado Springs drivers already know: Powers is no longer a future transportation challenge. It is a current one.

For decades, Powers Boulevard has been envisioned as a limited-access highway connecting our growing communities and serving as a vital alternative to Interstate 25. Yet despite years of studies and plans, many of the improvements needed to reduce congestion and improve safety remain unfunded. As CDOT officials acknowledged, the issue is not whether these projects are needed. The issue is finding the money to build them.

This matters because Powers is more than a commuter route. It is a critical corridor for emergency responders, military families, workers, students, and businesses. Every day, thousands of residents spend valuable time sitting in traffic at intersections that were never designed to handle today’s volume. As Colorado Springs continues to grow, those problems will only worsen.

The recently approved state 10-Year Transportation Plan demonstrates the difficult budget reality Colorado faces. The state is struggling to maintain existing roads and bridges while also funding projects needed for future growth. We cannot continue expecting better infrastructure while refusing to have honest conversations about how to pay for it.

That is why I support exploring a graduated state income tax as part of a broader effort to provide sustainable funding for transportation, education, and other critical public investments. A fair tax structure would allow Colorado to generate additional revenue from those most able to contribute while helping ensure that growing communities like Colorado Springs receive the infrastructure investments they need.

Powers Boulevard will eventually become the expressway it was always intended to be. The question is whether we are willing to elect local and state leaders who will fight for the funding necessary to make that happen.

Michael Pierson

Colorado Springs

Reckless juveniles on electric scooters

On Friday, June 5, at approximately 4:15 p.m., my senior-citizen wife was startled from behind and nearly knocked down by three juvenile females on electric scooters. My wife was on the sidewalk adjacent to our home in Wolf Ranch. Serious injury to her was just barely avoided.

I am writing this in the hope that the parents of those girls, as well as the parents of other children in Colorado Springs, will read this and have an important conversation with their children. I want to point out that pedestrians have the right of way on sidewalks in Colorado Springs. Article 19, Section 10.19.107 of the City Code of Colorado Springs says in part:

10.19.107: RIDING ON SIDEWALKS:

B. Whenever any person is operating a bicycle, electric-assisted bicycle, electric scooter, EPAMD, skateboard, roller skates, or similar device upon a sidewalk, the person shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing the pedestrian.

I have seen too many incidents of bicyclists and scooter riders traveling at “high speed” on neighborhood sidewalks, giving no warning as they overtake and pass unsuspecting pedestrians. I should point out that citations and fines, as well as financial responsibility for injuries caused by this carelessness, are real possibilities.

Please, let’s all be considerate of our neighbors as we enjoy the variety of outdoor activities available to us.

Jim Robinson

Colorado Springs

How things really work

I’m responding to Brian Fasterling’s letter about the Planning
commission approving the 300-unit apartment complex next to the
Classical Academy Elementary School.

I used to attend these meetings on both the county and city levels. I
don’t anymore after a planning commission member explained to me that these things are almost always pre-approved before the public gets their turn at a public meeting.

He explained that the developer has been working with the county/city
planners, regional building, and other required officials for years on
their projects. They are on a first-name basis.  We, the public, are
given the opportunity to speak just to make us feel good.  We leave the
hearing/meeting feeling that “at least we had our chance to speak.”  We
never know when these applications are started and are never given the
chance to speak during the beginning application process and before the
first public hearing/meeting. He ended our conversation with “This is
how things work.”

Pam Devereux

Colorado Springs

Is it time for a change?

Between 2010 and 2020 there was a major infusion of new residents into
Colorado. Most were registered “Unaffiliated”. However, since 2016, the
state has been completely controlled by Democrats. Since then, we’ve
become the third most expensive state to live in. What have they given us?
Constant grabs for more taxes, increased business and personal
regulations, green energy dictates, reduced criminal penalties, refusing
cooperation with ICE, increasing marijuana industry and use, boys in girls
sports, transgender “health care”, assisted suicide, a major abortion
industry, sanctuary cities, increased entitlement programs, massive
Medicaid growth with fraud potential, huge growth in government, and
budget deficits over the last several years.

All of these contribute to more people and businesses moving out and the cost of living going up.

Contrast Florida to Colorado. Both governors have been in office for 8
years. Florida has had massive growth, no state income tax, minimized
entitlements, is considering eliminating their property tax, is strong on
crime and illegal immigration. Colorado? One step behind California.
At the recent Democratic gubernatorial candidate debate, they argued over who hates Trump the most. Not a word of controlling spending. Just continued new programs, increasing costs and growing government. As has been said, “government is not the answer, it’s the problem”. And it’s a real
problem when run by the far left.

If you’re content for where we are, then keep voting for the same
leadership. If you want change for the better, then leadership must
change. Every state house and senate legislator and state office candidate
needs evaluating. Wether you are a Democrat or Republican or Unaffiliated, vote wisel

Ted Cox

Colorado Springs

An important election

On Monday, 8 June, every registered voter in El Paso County will be mailed a ballot for the Colorado Primary: Republicans, Democrats, and Unaffiliateds. Make no mistake – this is an important election for our state! What I don’t understand is that the average of the voted ballots that are returned is only around 35%!

My question to the other 65% is why? Why don’t the rest of you mark your ballots and send them back in? You don’t even have to put a stamp on them! There are lots of secure ballot boxes around for you to use. You don’t even have to get out of your car to use them. You can just reach out and drop it in the slot! If you can’t reach the ballot slot, some of them even have sworn election judges there to help you!

Did you mess up your ballot? Do you need a new one? There are locations where you can get a new one! Go to clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com. The top choice is “Ballot Box and VSPC (Voting Service & Polling Centers) Locations”. You will find dates, addresses, and even phone numbers there. Here is a phone number in case you have problems going online: (719) 575-VOTE (8683). An email is elections@elpasoco.com. Here is another website: www.EPCVotes.com.

So, now, what is your excuse for not voting? Do you think your one vote doesn’t count? Last time, one of the candidates won by 3 votes! And that was after recounts! Yes, it was that close! 3 votes! So don’t tell me your 1 vote doesn’t count! It does count. I want to challenge the voters in El Paso County to double that average from 35% to 70%! Is that too ambitious? Maybe. But I have always believed that if you reach high enough, you’ll at least end up higher than where you are right now! If you didn’t vote before, how about voting this time? There’s an awful lot at stake.

Billie Nigro

Colorado Springs