Manitou meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Manitou Springs City Council weighs ticket tax ballot measure; no decisions yet

The Manitou Springs City Council met several times over the past two weeks to discuss a potential November ballot measure, a sign permit, and the 2027 budget, but no final decisions have been published. The most consequential item under consideration is a resolution that would ask voters to increase the city's excise tax on ticket sales and admission fees by up to 4.03%.

Ticket tax ballot measure and other council business

At its August 18 meeting, the council considered Resolution No. 1826, which would place a measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot to raise the excise tax on ticket sales and admission fees by up to 4.03%. The council also reviewed Resolution No. 1726, an intergovernmental agreement with El Paso County for a coordinated election, and discussed authorizing the purchase of wildfire mitigation and emergency response equipment. Other items included a Colorado Springs Utilities waterline cathodic protection project plan for fall 2026 and a change to the Manitou Arts, Culture, and Heritage Board, moving Lisette Casey from alternate to regular member. No votes were reported.

Earlier, on August 11, the council held a work session and special meeting to discuss the Fountain Creek Watershed District's in-lieu fee program, a sign permit for a Highway 24 "Manitou Springs" sign, and direction on a potential ballot measure for the November 2026 election. The special session also included a budget meeting agenda.

On August 15, the council held a budget work session for the 2027 budget. That session was for discussion only; no decisions were made.

Planning Commission hears variance requests

The City Planning Commission met August 12 and considered three variance requests:

• VAR 2609: a variance to allow artificial turf in a landscaped area at 306 Canon Avenue.
• VAR 2605 and VAR 2606: setback and lot coverage variances at 2 Grand Avenue.
• VAR 2607 and VAR 2608: maximum lot coverage variances at 411 Pawnee.

The commission also approved minutes from its May 13 meeting. No decisions were reported.

Housing Advisory Board meeting canceled

The Housing Advisory Board's August 19 regular meeting was canceled. The agenda contained only standard procedural items, and no business was conducted.

Coming up

• **Park and Recreation Advisory Board** – August 24, special remote meeting via Zoom. The board will vote on supplemental funding for relocating the interior fence as part of the Pickleball/Tennis Court Resurfacing Project and discuss a project scope adjustment.
• **Open Space Advisory Committee** – August 24. The committee will review the 2027 draft budget, hear a presentation on wildfire resilience, get updates on Black Canyon Open Space trail work and a CPW Non-Motorized Trails Grant, and review an engineering cost estimate from Kimley-Horn.
• **Joint work session** – August 27. The Open Space Advisory Committee, Mobility and Parking Board, and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will meet to refine objectives for a new map of parks, trails, and parking information for visitors. This is a work session only; no decisions will be made.

All recent meeting minutes have not yet been published, so the outcomes of the council and commission discussions are not yet available. The official agendas and minutes are the authoritative source for details.

Manitou Springs Council Eyes Cog Railway Settlement, Budget Amendment; Recent Meeting Outcomes Pending

Manitou Springs officials are weighing a potential settlement in the Cog Railway lawsuit and a Fiscal Year 2026 budget amendment, but residents should note that minutes from the city's most recent meetings have not yet been published — meaning final outcomes on several key items remain unconfirmed.

City Council — Cog Railway Litigation

On July 28, 2026, the City Council met to consider possible settlement terms for ongoing litigation involving the Cog Railway, identified as El Paso County District Court Case No. 2025CV30766. The agenda included an executive session to consult with the city attorney for legal advice on the case. Because minutes are not yet available, it is not confirmed whether the council took action on a settlement or what terms, if any, were discussed publicly.

A follow-up meeting scheduled for August 4, 2026, includes a settlement agreement item with the Manitou and Pikes Peak Railroad Company, suggesting the matter may be moving toward resolution. That same meeting will hold a public hearing on Ordinance No. 0726 to amend the Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Budget.

City Council — July 21 Meeting

The July 21, 2026, council agenda listed several consequential items, including:

• Approval of Contract Amendment #5 with JR Engineering for the Ruxton Avenue Improvements Project
• Approval of the Updated Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Manitou Springs and CRANE
• Consideration of appointing Sean Warner to the City Planning Commission
• Approval of Audited 2025 Financials
• Second Reading and Public Hearing of Ordinance No. 0626 on Automated Vehicle Identification Systems

All items were listed on the agenda, but with no minutes published, the council's actual votes and decisions cannot be confirmed at this time.

Arts, Culture, and Heritage Board

The Manitou Arts, Culture, and Heritage (MACH) Board met July 23, 2026, with plans to recommend two membership changes to City Council: Lisette Casey's change from Alternate to Regular Member, and Rose Lyda's application for membership. The board also intended to review a proposed timeline for the 2026-2027 grant season and begin updating its guidelines. Farewells were planned for departing members Wren Almitra and Marcus Medina. Outcomes are not yet confirmed.

Open Space Advisory Committee

On July 27, 2026, the Open Space Advisory Committee discussed updates on the Black Canyon Open Space, including engineering and environmental impact assessments. The agenda also covered volunteer trail workday updates, progress on the CPW Non-Motorized Trails Grant, and trail map planning. No minutes have been published.

Coming Up

Three meetings are scheduled in the coming week:

• **August 3, 2026 — Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (remote):** Items include the Schryver Park basketball court drainage and resurfacing proposal, the Fields Park Tennis/Pickleball Court Resurfacing Project, a potential partnership with Pikes Peak Pickleball Alliance, an HCM 30% schematic design proposal for Overlook Park (Higginbotham Flats), and an update on the Mabel Willie Playground Improvement Project.

• **August 4, 2026 — City Council:** Public hearing on Ordinance No. 0726 to amend the FY 2026 budget, a settlement agreement with the Manitou and Pikes Peak Railroad Company, Planned Sign Program Permit PSP 2601 for the Hwy 24 'Manitou Springs' Sign, Resolution No. 1626 regarding Highway 24 signage design plans, and Task Order No. 1 with Stantec for the Local Impact Accelerator (LIA) Code.

• **August 5, 2026 — Historic Preservation Commission:** Reviews of new construction at 112 South Path (MCAC 2613) and an accessory structure at 809 Midland (MCAC 2614), a Chapter 17 code revision discussion, an update on creek wall repair at 218 Ruxton, and a task assignment for public outreach efforts.

Residents seeking confirmed outcomes from the July meetings should watch for published minutes on the city's official website.

Manitou Springs meetings: Council weighs railway lawsuit session, Ruxton Avenue contract on deck

City Council eyes railway lawsuit, professional services contracts

The Manitou Springs City Council met twice in the past two weeks, though minutes have not yet been published for either session, so no confirmed decisions can be reported.

On July 7, the council's agenda included a first reading of Ordinance No. 0626 concerning Automated Vehicle Identification Systems, two on-call professional services contracts — one with WSB LLC and one with Stantec — and the reappointment of Alan Delwiche to the Urban Renewal Authority Board. The council also scheduled an executive session for legal advice on the case Manitou and Pikes Peak Railway Company v. City of Manitou Springs.

On July 14, the council's agenda was limited to routine business — call to order, roll call, and approval of the agenda — plus a potential executive session to confer with the city attorney regarding the same railway lawsuit, identified as Case No. 2025CV30766. No other substantive actions were listed.

Parks board reviews budget and court resurfacing

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met July 6 to discuss the 2026 budget and identify priorities for a draft 2027 budget. The agenda also included review of an HCM 30% schematic design proposal for Overlook Park/Higginbotham Flats, plus discussion of resurfacing projects for shuffleboard, pickleball, and tennis courts. Public comments were limited to three minutes per speaker. Minutes have not been published.

Planning Commission holds routine meeting

The City Planning Commission met July 8 with a standard agenda: approval of minutes, unfinished business, public comments on non-agenda items, new business, and updates. No specific projects, contracts, or ordinance proposals were listed. Minutes are not yet available.

Housing Advisory Board discusses zoning and ADU grants

The Housing Advisory Board met July 15 to hear a guest presentation on the DOLA ADU Grant Program and to discuss mixed-use zoning designations and affordable housing finance models previously identified. The agenda also included public comment on non-agenda items and reports from City Council and staff liaisons. No formal decisions were noted. Minutes have not been published.

Coming up

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for July 21 and carries the most consequential agenda of the cycle. Items slated for consideration include:

• Approval of Contract Amendment #5 with JR Engineering for the Ruxton Avenue Improvements Project
• Approval of an updated Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Manitou Springs and CRANE
• Consideration of appointing Sean Warner to the City Planning Commission
• Approval of audited 2025 financial statements
• Second reading and public hearing of Ordinance No. 0626 on Automated Vehicle Identification Systems

Residents interested in the Ruxton Avenue project, city finances, or the automated vehicle identification ordinance may want to attend. All recent meeting minutes remain unpublished; this roundup reflects agendas only, and confirmed outcomes will depend on those minutes.