For more than 60 years, Steve Schuck has helped shape @cityofcos, and at the 2026 State of the City address, I had the honor of presenting him with the 2026 Mayor’s Spirit of Colorado Springs Lifetime Achievement Award! 👏 From building neighborhoods to opening doors of opportunity for thousands of students, Steve’s impact on our community extends far beyond business. His legacy is one of generosity, service and a lifelong commitment to making Colorado Springs a better place for all. Congratulations, Steve, and thank you for all you have done for our city! Read more here: coloradosprings.gov/LAASteve…

As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close today, I want to take a moment to celebrate our Hispanic and Latino neighbors and the many ways they enrich @CityofCOS. From small business owners and educators, to artists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders, the Hispanic and Latino community continues to help shape the heart and future of our city. Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths. To our Hispanic and Latino neighbors: thank you for all you do to make this a great city. Together, WE are Colorado Springs!

No. 1 in the nation! 🏆🎉 @cityofCOS has been named the No. 1 city in America for small businesses in Bluevine’s 2026 national study, ranking first among 100 metro areas! As a former small business owner, this recognition is especially meaningful to me. I know firsthand the courage, grit, and determination it takes to turn an idea into a business. This honor belongs to our entrepreneurs. The dreamers, risk-takers, and hardworking small business owners who create jobs, strengthen our neighborhoods, and invest in the future of our city. I'm proud of what we've built together, and my administration remains committed to cutting red tape, removing barriers, and making Colorado Springs a place where businesses can start, grow, and thrive. To our small business community: THANK YOU! This is your win, and we're celebrating YOU! Onward and upward, Colorado Springs!

Congratulations to the 21 finalists for the 2026 Mayor’s Young Leader Awards! 👏 One of the great joys of serving as mayor is getting to see the incredible people who are helping shape the future of @CityofCOS. These young leaders are doing exactly that. They are serving their neighbors, building businesses, strengthening our schools, creating, innovating, leading, and making a meaningful difference in our community. This year, we are proud to recognize finalists across seven categories: Community Impact: Sponsored by USAA Alie Ehrensaft — Inside Out Youth Services Craig Carle — Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC Skyler Nelson — Bailey Military Support Creative Industry: Sponsored by VENU Jonathan Toman — Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region Kai Gaynor — Concrete Couch / Freelance Artist and Community Arts Advocate Matthew Beem — MBeem10, LLC Economic Impact: Sponsored by First Western Bank Max Cupp — Exponential Impact Lindsay Brown — Swinerton Gilberto Santiago — Haselden Construction Education: Sponsored Pikes Peak State College Caleb Ulliman — Colorado Springs School of Technology / D11 Laith Al-Shawaf — University of Colorado Colorado Springs Bree Shellito — Wings Credit Union Military Leaders: Sponsored by Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center Gabriela Wodka — United States Space Force Andrew T. Cabral — United States Space Force Zeta Breon — United States Space Force Sports, Health & Wellness: Sponsored by Diversus Health Shauna Jackson — Sweetgrass Advocacy and School District 11 Indian Education Program Davis Tutt — Colorado Springs Sports Corporation Emily Brady — National Alliance on Mental Illness Colorado Springs Technology & Sustainability: Sponsored by Slalom Steven Aljest — D.A.R.T. Denis Tudor — Swisspod Logan Ruths — ORRS.ai Leadership is about using your gifts, your influence, and your opportunities to make life better for others. I am proud of these finalists for answering that call and helping build a stronger Colorado Springs. Join us as we celebrate all 21 finalists and announce this year’s winners! Wednesday, Nov. 4 6:30 p.m. The Pinery at the Hill Tickets are on sale now. Come celebrate these remarkable young leaders and the next generation helping move Colorado Springs onward and upward! 🎟️ ColoradoSprings.gov/MYLA

This is what economic vitality looks like: investment in our community, good-paying jobs for our residents, and another company choosing to grow right here in @cityofcos! I’m excited to welcome Accu-Precision’s expansion to Southeast Colorado Springs, near Peak Innovation Park. This advanced manufacturing project represents a $68 million+ investment in our community and 120+ new jobs in the years ahead. This is also a win for our growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing ecosystem, and a reminder that economic development is ultimately about creating opportunity for people and families. Thank you to our City Economic Development team, the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC @CSCEDC, and everyone who worked together to help bring this investment to Colorado Springs. We are building an economy where businesses can grow, talent can thrive, and opportunity reaches every part of our city. Onward and upward! Image 2 is a rendering of the company's new building.

One thing golf has taught me is that growth takes patience, discipline, resilience, and the willingness to keep trying. That’s why I’m excited that First Tee – Southern Colorado broke ground on its new Youth Development Center at Valley Hi Golf Course this previous Friday. This is about much more than golf. It’s about creating a year-round place where young people can build confidence, leadership skills, and relationships with mentors who believe in them. There is no greater investment we can make than investing in our kids. Thank you to @ftsoco, our Valley Hi team, and our Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services team for continuing to invest in the next generation of Colorado Springs. ⛳

This week, I’m joining Colorado Springs business, civic, and elected leaders in Huntsville, Alabama, for a community discovery trip focused on learning from one another, strengthening relationships, and exploring opportunities that can benefit both of our communities. Colorado Springs and @huntsvillecity both play critical roles in our nation’s defense, and the threats facing our country are bigger than any competition between two cities. This trip is an opportunity to strengthen relationships, learn from one another, and identify ways our communities can work together to support our national security mission, our warfighters, and the growing aerospace and defense industries in both regions. @CityofCOS remains one of America’s most important national security communities, and we will continue competing for investment, jobs, missions, and opportunities. But competition and collaboration are not mutually exclusive. With more than 70 aerospace and defense companies operating in both Colorado Springs and Huntsville, working together from a position of strength can create new opportunities for our local companies and workforce while strengthening the industries and capabilities our nation depends on. We can compete where we should, collaborate where we can, and always put the mission first. That is good economic development; and more importantly, it is good for America.

Today, I presented the proposed 2027 City Budget, a balanced and responsible plan focused on the fundamentals of local government and the services you rely on every day. It means supporting our police officers and firefighters with the people, equipment, and technology they need. It means investing in our @cityofcos workforce. And it means doing everything we can to maintain roads, parks, trails, and public facilities, including a new citywide crew dedicated exclusively to pothole repair. Our financial picture is improving, but costs remain high. So fiscal stewardship continues to matter. We have a responsibility to take care of what we have today while protecting our financial foundation for tomorrow. The proposed budget now goes to @COSCityCouncil for review and consideration, and I want YOU to be a part of the conversation. You’re invited to attend the upcoming budget hearing on Oct. 26 at 5:30 p.m. Learn more at ColoradoSprings.gov/Budget.

Applications are now open for the 2027 Mayor’s Fellowship! @CityofCOS needs leaders who are ready to learn, serve, and help shape the future of our community. The Mayor’s Fellowship gives civic-minded leaders an opportunity to deepen their understanding of local government, connect with leaders across our community, and grow their capacity to make a difference. The 2027 Fellowship will meet monthly from January through October, with a capstone and graduation in November. Applications are open through Oct. 31 Learn more and apply: ColoradoSprings.gov/MayorsFe…

Tonight, I proudly signed my name to a pledge to Reclaim Civility in @cityofcos. By signing this document, I am making a public commitment for how I will show up, especially when disagreement is hard. And it is an ask to hold me accountable to that commitment. Civility does not mean avoiding disagreement or surrendering our convictions. It means having the discipline to disagree without dishonoring one another and to remember that the person across from us is still our neighbor. Strong disagreement and strong community can coexist. In fact, that is part of our American history and our American way. Civility will not be reclaimed by a document alone, but by how we speak, how we listen, and how we treat one another when the conversation gets hard. Let’s choose curiosity over contempt, relationship over ridicule, and always remember: We are neighbors.

After 40 years of extraordinary service to the @CSFDPIO, Fire Chief Randy Royal has announced he will retire on March 9, 2027. He has led with courage, humility, and a deep commitment to mission first, people always. His impact will be felt for generations. From advancing emergency medical care to leading through some of our community’s most difficult moments, to embracing innovation that has made our city safer, Randy has dedicated his career to protecting others and preparing CSFD for the future. I have had the privilege of knowing Randy not only as an exceptional Fire Chief, but also as a friend and a man of deep character, faith, humility, and genuine care for others. I am deeply grateful for his leadership, his friendship, and four decades of unwavering service to Colorado Springs. We have plenty of time between now and March to celebrate his remarkable career. For today, please join me in simply saying: Thank you, Chief Royal.

Over the weekend, @cityofcos celebrated the grand opening of GiGi’s Playhouse Colorado Springs, a space for individuals with Down syndrome and their families to access meaningful opportunities, and lifelong learning. GiGi’s will provide free, purposeful programming from infancy through adulthood, including literacy and math tutoring, career development, fitness and wellness, cooking programs, and opportunities to build friendships and community. This Playhouse is the result of years of work by local parents, volunteers, donors, and community partners who believe every person deserves the opportunity to discover their gifts and thrive. Congratulations to everyone who helped open these doors. To every family who walks through them: Welcome home. You are valued. You belong.

Last night, I had the honor of awarding Nicole Magic of the Police Foundation of Colorado Springs with the Spirit of Colorado Springs Inspiration Award. Since 2009, Nicole has championed the people who protect Colorado Springs. She created the Police Foundation of Colorado Springs and helped build an organization that connects community support with the needs of Colorado Springs Police Department officers, employees and their families. Under her leadership, the Foundation has raised more than $2.3 million in support of the Colorado Springs Police Department. Those resources have helped provide trauma kits and ballistic vests, supported professional development and scholarships for children of CSPD employees, and strengthened the department’s K9 unit, victim advocacy and wellness efforts. For 17 years, Magic has also helped lead the effort behind the annual Medal of Valor Dinner, ensuring members of law enforcement who demonstrate extraordinary courage and service receive community recognition. As part of last night’s event, nineteen officers received Medals of Valor for their actions in five separate incidents. The award recognizes extraordinary heroism in extremely dangerous situations where an officer faces an imminent risk of serious bodily injury. Seven officers received Distinguished Service Awards. These awards recognize officers who displayed courage while carrying out their duties despite an imminent risk of serious bodily injury. In a first for CSPD, K9 Roam & Co. received the Police Canine Medal of Courage, a new meritorious service award. Roam is the first CSPD service animal to receive the honor. The award recognizes a police canine that sustains serious injury while performing official duties and makes a significant contribution to a law enforcement operation or the safety of others. @CSPDPIO @PoliceFndofCOS

8 million+ subscribers. And it all happens right here in @cityofcos! I recently stopped by YouTube creator Matthew Beem’s studio to see how his team turns big ideas into content watched by millions around the world. Why should you care? Because when creators, entrepreneurs, and businesses choose to build and grow here, they create jobs, invest locally, and contribute to a stronger Colorado Springs economy. What an incredible example of creativity, dedication to your craft, and dreaming BIG! Proud to have the Beem Team call COS home! 🙌

What a joy to spend time with the residents and staff at Winslow Court Assisted Living. One of the greatest privileges of serving as mayor is getting to meet the people who make @CityofCOS such a special place to call home. I’m grateful for the warm welcome, the conversations, the smiles, and especially for the dedicated staff who serve our seniors with such care. Onward and upward! ❤️

September desk update is here, @CityofCOS! 👮 31 new @CSPDPIO police officers 🥾 7 miles of new trails at Blodgett Open Space 🏈 The @TheUFL is coming to Olympic City USA! Here’s your September Mayor’s Desk Update. ⬇️

Professional football is coming to Colorado Springs! 🏈🏔️ Today, @TheUFL announced it’s bringing a team to the City of Colorado Springs ahead of the Spring 2027 season. Bringing professional football to downtown Colorado Springs is a vote of confidence in our city and in what we have built downtown. A UFL team will put Colorado Springs in front of a national audience, bring fans to Weidner Field, home of @SwitchbacksFC, and give southern Colorado a professional football team to call its own. We are proud to welcome the UFL to the foot of Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain, and we look forward to seeing our community make this team its own. @VisitCOS @DowntownCS

It was an honor to join firefighters, families, and loved ones from across the United States and Canada for the 40th annual IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial here in Colorado Springs. This gathering reminds us that behind every name on the Wall of Honor is a story of courage, service, sacrifice, and love. To the families of the fallen: we see you, we stand with you, and we honor the sacrifice of your loved ones. And to every firefighter who continues to answer the call to serve and protect our communities: thank you. Fallen, but never forgotten. May we always keep their legacy alive. @IAFFofficial @CSFDPIO