Westside Watch

04/07/2025

REMINDER: Speak up! Skyscraper Appeal 4/7/2025 1pm. Dangerous ADU Density 4/8/2025. Fisher Canyon 4/10/2025. -

A Wildland Urban Interface Coalition

04/04/2025

Speak up! Skyscraper Appeal 4/7/2025 1pm. Dangerous ADU Density 4/8/2025. Fisher Canyon 4/10/2025. -

A Wildland Urban Interface Coalition

04/04/2025

🚨 URGENT: MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD! 🚨

TWO CRUCIAL HEARINGS are happening next week:

🟥 One VeLa Appeal Hearing
🗓 Monday, April 7, 2025
🕐 1:00 PM
📍 City Council Chambers, 107 N Nevada Ave
➡️ The fight continues against a 27-story mega-complex that will block mountain views, overwhelm traffic, and ignore community voices.
Show up! Send an email: https://www.integritymatterscos.org/one-vela-skyscraper-development

🟥 Dangerous ADU Density Hearing
🗓 Tuesday, April 8, 2025
🕐 Item 10 – Right after the Mayor’s business
📍 City Council Chambers, 107 N Nevada Ave
➡️ The Council is pushing changes to allow more Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) with virtually no oversight — bringing overcrowding, fire risk, and stress on infrastructure.

👉 SHOW UP. SPEAK UP. OR EMAIL IN.
If you can’t attend, send an email to City Council telling them to vote NO. https://www.westsidewatch.org/adus-dangerous-density

The City Council results look like the Developers win again. We don’t have a City Council — we have a Developer Council.

We are getting tools to hold them accountable -- over a year in the making, our friends at Integrity Matters been developing IntegrityWatch and the Screw-O-Meter — tools that give citizens the truth on how their elected officials are voting — in seconds.

🔍 COMING SOON — sign up for to be notified: https://forms.gle/yc8adGg732JYYfpR8
Beta testing rolling out soon.
No more hiding behind 12 hour meetings no one wants to attend. It’s time to hold this Developer Council accountable.

03/25/2025

🛑 URGENT: Speak Out Against Dangerous ADU Ordinance – Tuesday 3/25! Please share as this was a very last minute change.
📅 Update: March 24, 2025
🚨 Item 11A on the 3/25 City Council Agenda
📍This ordinance will allow 134,000 single-family homes to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)—bypassing HOAs, PUDs, covenants, and without a full study of impacts.

💥 We’re calling it the Dangerous Density Ordinance.
➡️ Increases density across the city
➡️ Bypasses existing neighborhood protections
➡️ Worsens evacuation times, infrastructure stress, and safety
➡️ Minimal parking required, no short-term rental enforcement track record
➡️ “Wildland Resiliency” areas exempt—but who defines that?

🔊 What You Can Do RIGHT NOW:
📧 EMAIL: Send your name, phone number, and Item 11A to:
[email protected] CC: [email protected]
📞 CALL-IN to comment: Email [email protected] to comment on the ADU Ordinance, Item 11A.
+1 720-617-3426
Conference ID: 651 962 207 #, Press *6 to unmute.

🗣️ Public comment WAS going to be blocked, because it's a 2nd reading, but President Helms changed course.
We expect a stacked crowd of lobbyists, and “advocates” to show up and sway council to pass it.

💬 Only Councilmember Donelson is calling for a pause and proper study. Councilmember O'Malley also sounded skeptical. President Helms, Councilmember Leinweber and Councilmember Henjum expressed their belief that it is ready to be passed. Councilmember Risley was absent, but in the last hearing he wanted to put a Moratorium on the WUI and exert Home Rule which Westside Watch immediately called for. They are cleverly calling the WUI, the "Wildland Resiliency Area" which we thought was absurd -- it's the exact opposite. Learn more on our site: https://www.westsidewatch.org/adus-dangerous-density

📣 Help us demand HOME RULE and proper oversight before radically reshaping every neighborhood in Colorado Springs.

👥 Send an email. Call in. Show up.
Our neighborhoods are not experiments.

This post is paid for by ads from the Friends of Dave Donelson, www.davedonelson.org, and Committee to Elect Greg Thornton, www.greg4cos.com

03/25/2025

URGENT: Dangerous Density ADU Hearing Tues. 3/25/2025. LAST CHANCE. Send an email. Speak up! -

A Wildland Urban Interface Coalition

03/14/2025

Westside Watch Board Member John McLain sent this video of the GRIDLOCK from a small brush fire with NO EVACUATION ALERTS. We, and the evacuation experts, have argued for years that, during the Waldo Canyon Fire, where people narrowly escaped burning in their cars, the area was largely evacuated as it was Day 3 of the fire. Look at this, and imagine it's everyone home plus all the development that has been added. If they did the evacuation modeling, we would know the answer as to how long it takes to evacuate. We would know what the impact to the times of development have been and will be. We would know the chokepoints that need to be mitigated and/or manned, in advance of the chaos. As Dan Dallas, the type 1 IC who endorsed our Clearance Evacuation Time & Public Safety Ordinance the City ignored and rejected, "​

"Mass Evacuations in the Boulder area Marshall Fire were a problem. They got lucky on timing and everybody got out, but this is why advanced evacuation modeling to identify and correct egress problems as well as reporting clearance times and maps with safe spots identified, in advance, is a wise approach. People should know how long it is going to take them to get out and have maps in these chaotic fires that are all too prevalent. We have been incredibly lucky - and luck is a dangerous bet to keep playing."

​This video is from the intersection of Fillmore Rd and Mesa Rd heading west on Mesa Rd.

Here's the CET Ordinance we presented in 2021:
https://www.westsidewatch.org/the-cet-public-safety-ordinance

If you don't want 400 unit apartment complex at that location, donate to the lawsuit (we don't take a penny, but we cannot cover all the legal fees without donations, and this case will maintain the precedent we set in 2424). Tax donations to WW are deductible.
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=26LNK6SQMR5VY

Email Greg Cerbana, Government Affairs VP, and ask them to drop the lawsuit and make this area the Bighorn Sheep Research & Visitor Center as we suggested. It's a better use of the land and safer for the wildlife and neighborhoods.

03/13/2025

Westside Watch Board Member John McLain took these photos. He is also the Plaintiff in the lawsuit to stop the Arrowswest development at this same intersection and ended up on the Arrowswest property hillside.

We are also hearing I25 is gridlock. Imagine if this were a larger fire on higher winds. We must used the SCIENCE of evacuation modeling to gauge the impact of development and address the numerous chokepoints throughout the westside with times to clear an intersection for one car is12-16 minutes. It's unacceptable.

03/13/2025

We have been informed of the fire on the Arrowswest property behind Red Leg. In one of the many land use hearings we have stood with neighborhoods fighting, COS Fire Leadership argued, in a public hearing, that this area, in particular, is minimal risk due to the Waldo Canyon fire which, of course, is clearly not the case as we knew to be true at the time. This is also why we continue to demand for evacuation modeling, we could scrap the entire earth and cut down every trees, the structures are the problem fuels in dire fires -- all the matters then is evacuation egress. THIS IS WHY WE NEED EVACUATION MODELING. It's also why we filed the lawsuit to stop the Arrowswest development and suggested a better usage of a Bighorn Sheep Research & Visitors Center.

There is also a fire near the COS airport that is 3,000 acres already with mandatory evacuations.

Our thoughts are with all impacted, and, especially, our firefighters. We wish send them all the very best of thoughts.

03/11/2025

ATTENTION SPIRES, STAR RANCH, NEAL RANCH, BROADMOOR RESORT COMMUNITY AND BROADMOOR BLUFFS RESIDENTS: Pass it on so everyone is aware.

🚨 URGENT: Fisher Canyon Master Plan Hearing – March 13th! 🚨

The Fisher Canyon Master Plan will be heard at the Parks Board on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 7:30 AM. Fishers Canyon is the first item on the agenda after Call to Order and Staff Discussion, so the presentation is expected to begin around 8:00 AM, followed by public comment.

This is a critical moment to voice concerns about fire danger, safety risks, and environmental impacts. If you care about responsible development and protecting our community, now is your chance to speak up!

How to call into the meeting for citizens
a. Please dial: +1 (720) 617-3426
b. Conference ID: 117 587 487 #

How to comment during meetings for citizens
For agenda items, before the meeting, those who wish to comment should submit their name, telephone number, and the topic or agenda items for comment to:
[email protected]

📢 SIGN & SHARE the petition: https://www.change.org/p/stop-fire-and-safety-threat-of-fisher-s-canyon-project

💰 We have 7 lawsuits underway to protect your public safety and constitutional rights. While we work pro bono, there are hard costs we have to cover to spread the word, mobilize community members, and push for responsible planning. Every dollar counts! Give here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=26LNK6SQMR5VY

Thank you for being a great neighbor. Let’s stand together to protect our neighborhoods! 🏞️🔥

03/10/2025

🚨 ATTENTION WESTSIDE RESIDENTS: STOP THE DANGEROUS DENSITY ADU ORDINANCE 🚨

🔴 A critical vote is happening Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at City Council. This ordinance will increase dangerous density in wildfire-prone areas. We need your help to spread the word—our resources are limited! Share this.

🔥 KEY FACTS:
▪ Evacuation times are already non-survivable. Most of the westside faces 8.5+ hour "blue sky" evacuation times—and that's with conservative estimates.
▪ Other communities are in crisis. We recently assisted a community outside Aspen facing 17-hour evacuation times.
▪ Science, not politics, should dictate safety. We must identify and fix evacuation chokepoints before adding more density.
▪ Chief Royal has the authority to stop this. State law allows objections based on public safety. Email him today and demand action!

📢 HOW YOU CAN HELP:
✅ SEND AN EMAIL—Use our sample email or write your own. Copy us and the media for transparency.
✅ SHOW UP & SPEAK OUT—Attend in person or call in remotely to make a public comment.

📞 CALL-IN INSTRUCTIONS:
📩 Email your name, phone number, and topic to: [email protected]
📞 Call: +1 720-617-3426 (United States, Denver – Toll)
📌 Enter Conference ID: 651 962 207 #

🔗 MORE INFO & SAMPLE EMAILS: Westside Watch – ADU Ordinance: https://www.westsidewatch.org/adus-dangerous-density

📢 STAY INFORMED! Sign up for our newsletter: https://us5.campaign-archive.com/?u=c494c9847500a66132d508b5e&id=b392fa5d2a
💰 DONATE TO HELP US FIGHT BACK!

Multiple lawsuits are underway to protect public safety. While our work is pro bono, we need funds to cover essential legal costs. Every dollar helps! Give here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=26LNK6SQMR5VY

⚠ Public safety should come before reckless development. Take action NOW to stop this dangerous Density ADU ordinance!

03/10/2025

Dangerous Density ADU Hearing Tues. 3/11/2025. Send an email. Speak up! -

A Wildland Urban Interface Coalition

02/21/2025

ATTENTION SPIRES, STAR RANCH, NEAL RANCH, BROADMOOR RESORT COMMUNITY AND BROADMOOR BLUFFS RESIDENTS:

NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING TO DISCUSS FISHERS CANYON MASTER PLAN is being held on Thursday, February 27th, 2025 FROM 6PM-8PM at Cheyenne Mountain Elementary School, 5250 Farthing Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80906

A petition has been launched to educate on the concerns neighbors have with solutions suggested to protect the public safety, property values and way of life of the residents. Sign the petition and attend the neighborhood meeting to learn how you can help protect your neighborhood.

Park staff and project planners are currently refining the draft plan based upon the final survey results and will present the recommended master and management plan to the TOPS Working Committee and Parks Advisory Board on the dates below. Both meetings will be held at the Parks Administration Office at 1401Recreation Way. The final approval will be at a later date before City Council. Public comment is encouraged at all of these meetings. Citizens are also encourage to send in their concerns via email. We always recommend copying the press and us for accountability and transparency as we have seen large numbers of emails go missing which we were able to call-out to City Council -- and, then they magically appeared.

TOPS Working Committee Meetings:
March 5, 2025, 7:30 a.m.
April 2, 2025, 7:30 a.m.

Parks Advisory Board Meetings:
March 13, 2025, 7:30 a.m.
April 10, 2025, 7:30 a.m.

Here is a link to the petition: https://www.change.org/p/stop-fire-and-safety-threat-of-fisher-s-canyon-project

Here is a link to the Fishers Canyon Master Plan: https://coloradosprings.gov/system/files/2025-01/Fisher_s%20Canyon%20Master%20Plan%20250123.pdf

Please share as we have very limited budgets to help neighborhoods. Your sharing means we can spend less and dedicated the limited funds we have to lawsuits and working towards mandating evacuation modeling, reporting of times/maps and using the science of evacuation modeling to gauge the impact of development to those times. We used to believe in the science of evacuation modeling in 2010 when our last study was conducted. Technology has made it easy to do - and it's FREE, funded by DHS and used by FEMA, the Nuclear Regulatory Council, Army Corps of Engineers, MIT, and numerous cities across the nation -- but ours continues to block it. Lawsuits are being won over life-threatening evacuation times and insufficient egress as our leadership is approving variances to International Fire Code requirements for development limits on single egress road allowing absurd exceptions like indoor sprinklers as a variance. You cannot put more people in than you can get out -- it's a pretty basic concept.

Your donations are critical to us being able to do all of these things. We cannot do it without you, and no one earns a penny. It's all pro bono. Please give now: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=26LNK6SQMR5VY

We have very engaged neighborhoods with whom we work across the entire city. Be sure to sign up for our newsletters which you can do on the bottom of our website, www.westsidewatch.org. Here's a link that includes an update from 2/21: https://us5.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=c494c9847500a66132d508b5e&id=8413568c3d

THANK YOU FOR BEING A GREAT NEIGHBOR!

Help support Westside Watch by donating or sharing with your friends.