Author: Pam Zubeck
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Casting off coal costly
If Colorado slashed its reliance on coal by a third, it would say goodbye to 27,500 jobs and $1.7 billion a year in household income. If the reduction was twice that, the impact would be 46,000 jobs and $2.8 billion. Those figures are according to a 2007 Pennsylvania State University study that explored the…
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Lamborn disappointed with local GOP; will petition onto ballot
Saying he’s lost confidence in the local Republican Party, Rep. Doug Lamborn said Tuesday he will petition onto the primary ballot in the three-way fight for the GOP nomination in the 5th Congressional District.The announcement drew rebukes from challengers, who said it’s a sign of Lamborn’s weakness in the race.In a recent letter to supporters,…
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Some stormwater mailings axed
Colorado Springs hopes to save thousands in postage annually by not mailing notices telling residents who pay stormwater fees in advance that they don’t owe anything.”Why are we wasting the postage telling people they already paid?” Councilman Jerry Heimlicher asked at Monday’s informal City Council meeting.Stormwater manager Ken Sampley said it was a “tool to…
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Damaged lines from digging are down 31%
If a backhoe operator doesn’t know what’s underground, it could spell disaster for him, his crew and the people in the neighborhood. That’s because a punctured gas line could explode, causing injury or death. A severed power line could electrocute someone. And in almost every case of damaged lines – including water and wastewater pipes – services…
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Utilities buys city land for $1.2M to build fleet center
Colorado Springs got a windfall last week when city-owned Colorado Springs Utilities agreed to pay $1.22 million for 4.3 acres.That’s $283,720 per acre for land a Briargate developer gave the city in 1982 for use as an electric and fleet service center.Five acres at 7710 Durant Drive northeast of Powers Boulevard and Woodmen Road were…
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City could see windfall thanks to traffic tickets
Colorado Springs city government could have a windfall this year, thanks to more traffic enforcement and less discretion in dismissing parking tickets.In the first quarter, revenues collected by the Municipal Court jumped by $324,000 compared with the first three months of 2007.A court official predicted the rising caseload – including a 72 percent rise in…
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THE SPYGLASS: Utilities buys city land for $1.2M to build fleet center
Colorado Springs got a windfall last week when city-owned Colorado Springs Utilities agreed to pay $1.22 million for 4.3 acres.That’s $283,720 per acre for land a Briargate developer gave the city in 1982 for use as an electric and fleet service center.Five acres at 7710 Durant Drive northeast of Powers Boulevard and Woodmen Road were…
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Revenue from traffic, parking tickets increases
Colorado Springs city government could have a windfall this year, thanks to more traffic enforcement and less discretion in dismissing parking tickets.In the first quarter, revenues collected by the Municipal Court jumped by $324,000 compared with the first three months of 2007.A court official predicted the rising caseload – including a 72-percent rise in parking…
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Water works need $36M in next 5 years
Colorado Springs’ water treatment plants and holding tanks need work – $36 million worth in the next five years.The biggest problem lies with the Mesa Water Treatment Plant, which could soak up $26 million if the city revamps how its oldest water treatment plant does the job.The overview was presented Wednesday to the City Council,…
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Lamborn’s mail bill bigger than most
Rep. Douglas Lamborn, fighting for a second term, spent the most of any Colorado member of the U.S. House on taxpayer-paid constituent mailings last year.A Republican who touts fiscal restraint, Lamborn spent $135,606 – roughly $40,000 less than the other six members combined.Both of Lamborn’s challengers for the GOP nomination in the 5th Congressional District…