DISTRICT 2 – NORTH (BRIARGATE/NORTHGATE/WOLF RANCH)

Your Name *
Dave Geislinger

What Office are you running for *
City Council District 2

On average, how often do you ride a bike? *
I no longer like riding in cold and rain, but if the weather is nice I ride for pleasure and to and from work/Church as often as 2-4 times a week.

On average, how often do you walk for recreation or transportation? *
Depending on time and weather I will usually bike or walk for transportation within two miles round trip or so.  I walk/hike for recreation with my wife.

On average, how often do you take public transportation? *
Rarely (though I use the employee shuttle system at my job at the hospital)

How is bicycling, walking, or public transportation important to you? *
It is cheaper, healthier, and more “fun” than driving and parking.  Though I am more sensitive to the cold as I have gotten older, biking, in particular, keeps me young.

Roadway Safety

What actions would you take to support improving infrastructure designed to protect or otherwise make vulnerable road users (bike riders & pedestrians) safer? *
Trails need to be maintained and linked to desired destinations so that bikers/pedestrians don’t have to use the roads.  If road dieting is needed to address neighborhood concerns for safety, that needs to be the justification offered for constructing bike lanes.    

How would you support a citywide program or strategy (such as Vision Zero) to improve roadway safety with the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries? *
I will continue to focus on this as I have as Council liaison to the Citizens Transportation Advisory Board for last four years, and as reflected in my support for red light cameras, increased funding for traffic enforcement and support of road dieting where necessary.

Transportation

Will you support increased funding for infrastructure for walking, biking, and transit? *
Yes, though this will likely need to be done through approval of development plans that further enhance the connectivity in our trails system, and in funding of our Parks Department until there is sufficient use of our trails for walking and biking .

How will you support policies that increase opportunities for Colorado Springs residents to bike, walk, take transit? *
In addition to maintaining and increasing connectivity of our trails, we need to establish a circulator shuttle in the core of our City (downtown, Old Colorado City, etc.) to increase access and reduce congestion, parking and traffic. 

City Plans

What are your highest priorities related to the BikeCOS! master plan? *
True connectivity, where bicycling can become a choice of convenience for people to get to work, school, stores, restaurants and recreation, and allow connection with public transportation as ‘the last mile’ between bus stops and destination.

How will you support ConnectCOS and the adoption of the Intermodal Mobility Plan? *
These plans are well-designed, visionary and integrated.  “All” that is left is to implement them, not only in form but in vision, keeping the imagination, inventiveness and insight in mind as we develop on the outskirts of the City, and redevelop in our core.  

How do you intend to support and implement the Strong Connections vision in PlanCOS? *
As I have said throughout, we must keep the trails well-maintained so that they are desirable and usable, and connect to the destinations that people desire (work, school, shopping, recreation, transit stops) so that biking and walking is a transport of choice and convenience.

PlanCOS Speaks to land use in the Unique Places chapter; what role do you see land use playing in creating inviting places throughout our city? *
We will be more inclined to walk/bike to a public transit stop, grocery store, coffee shop or bar that is within a mile or two of my house than if it is further away.  Land use planning need to allow development and redevelopment of such ‘local’ destinations.

Other Comments

Is there anything else you would like Bike Colorado Springs to know about your positions or candidacy?

My record on these, and all other, matters speaks for itself and I commit to continue to represent District 2 as I have over the last four years.  I ask for your support, and ask that you spread the word.  Please contact me at dave4cos.com if you have any questions.   Thank you

Your Name *
David Noblitt

What Office are you running for *
City Council District 2

On average, how often do you ride a bike? *
Not as much as I like, I’m running for office. I own 2, road/mountain. We ride more when we travel than when at home.

On average, how often do you walk for recreation or transportation? *
2-3 days a week.

On average, how often do you take public transportation? *
None, does not reach my district

How is bicycling, walking, or public transportation important to you? *
Cycling and hiking/walking are an integral part of our lifestyle.

Roadway Safety

What actions would you take to support improving infrastructure designed to protect or otherwise make vulnerable road users (bike riders & pedestrians) safer? *
I’m honestly a huge believer of off road bike/walking paths; think Summit County, because I do. I used to race when I moved here, supported the 86 Worlds as a volunteer. Our streets are horrible, access sucked then, not much better now.

How would you support a citywide program or strategy (such as Vision Zero) to improve roadway safety with the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries? *
If you eliminate the potential by significantly reducing the profile by separation, safety goes way up. There will be areas where its not feasible, but overall, I would prefer that over the contact with cages.

Transportation

Will you support increased funding for infrastructure for walking, biking, and transit? *
We have an overall funding issue and the fight will be between fundamentals and wants. My frustration is that while we keep softening the cost for developers, the multi model transportation, including bike paths, are still missing. That should change.

How will you support policies that increase opportunities for Colorado Springs residents to bike, walk, take transit? *
We are a very sparse community that has a very heavily subsidized transit system that is inept; It barely makes it into district 2. Again, we are giving away millions to developers, and yet have funding needs. Help me stop the bleeding to support what the citizens want…

City Plans

What are your highest priorities related to the BikeCOS! master plan? *
To hold developers responsible for the plans that are already on the books. If you look at most of the sprawl in the north and eastern portion of my district, you will not find much adherence out side of Wolf Ranch. They have hop scotched their annexation by miles w/o connections

How will you support ConnectCOS and the adoption of the Intermodal Mobility Plan? *
See above.

How do you intend to support and implement the Strong Connections vision in PlanCOS? *
See above x2.

PlanCOS Speaks to land use in the Unique Places chapter; what role do you see land use playing in creating inviting places throughout our city? *
PlanCOS speaks to a whole bunch of things that are being ignored. That is one of my issues. Responsible growth. Are we really going to do this right, or are we just going to race ahead in rooftops in the pursuit of rapid development?

Other Comments

Is there anything else you would like Bike Colorado Springs to know about your positions or candidacy?
I have a poster of the 86 World Championships in my basement and I have the bikes hanging in the garage (call me on it!) . Find that in the other candidates for this spot. I’m for real, we need to look at the big picture, but this is part of it, and I’m a fan!

DISTRICT 3 – WEST/SOUTH WEST (OCC/BROADMOOR/DOWNTOWN)

Your Name *
Richard Skorman

What Office are you running for *
City Council District 3

On average, how often do you ride a bike? *
Not any more.  At 68 and with some physical issues, I can’t.  Used to ride a lot.  In fact, I even led a Youth Hostel trip in the Canadian Rockies

On average, how often do you walk for recreation or transportation? *
Everyday.  Before COVID, both.  Now just recreation.  My doggie demands it.

On average, how often do you take public transportation? *
Never

How is bicycling, walking, or public transportation important to you? *
Yes very.  I have spent 1000’s of hours of my adult life saving land from development.  I was also a Founder of TOPS, and worked for the TPL, protecting land around the State.  Right now, I am leading an effort to increase TOPS, so that we can build out our trail system

Roadway Safety

What actions would you take to support improving infrastructure designed to protect or otherwise make vulnerable road users (bike riders & pedestrians) safer? *
Better bike lane designation and protection, and more enforcement for negligent drivers. And as we build out our Greenway System, make sure that we have connections, overpasses and underpasses to keep pedestrians and bike riders out of harms way.

How would you support a citywide program or strategy (such as Vision Zero) to improve roadway safety with the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries? *
Again, it’s about enforcement, signage, separation.  I am also a fan of road dieting where appropriate and other traffic reduction techniques in use today.

Transportation

Will you support increased funding for infrastructure for walking, biking, and transit? *
Yes, I have and I will.  I want to bring back the free Downtown Circulator, have it connect to Old Colorado City and Manitou, as well as up to UCCS and down to South Nevada. I am a fan of investing in van service instead of fixed route, large busses, like Portland.

How will you support policies that increase opportunities for Colorado Springs residents to bike, walk, take transit? *
Yes, yes and yes.  Then we have to continue to facilitate Front Range Passenger Rail.  Closing Drake will help.  And the Amtrak connection from Pueblo to the Southwest Unlimited.

City Plans

What are your highest priorities related to the BikeCOS! master plan? *
As stated above, creating a Greenway system that is really connected, through our 23 tributaries to Fountain Creek and by well-place bicycle lanes. I am Chair of Fountain Creek District, that plans to extend the Front Range Trail down to Pueblo.  Should go north as well.

How will you support ConnectCOS and the adoption of the Intermodal Mobility Plan? *
Yes.  And this should be part of our Regional Transportation Masterplan, in the works for this next year.

How do you intend to support and implement the Strong Connections vision in PlanCOS? *
Increase TOPS tax in November, if we get rid of 30 word limit this April. Create a Greenway Foundation with Lyda Hill and be aggressive for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in the extension of the PPRTA in 2022 – a significant source of funding.

PlanCOS Speaks to land use in the Unique Places chapter; what role do you see land use playing in creating inviting places throughout our city? *
One the main keys will be through re-doing our zoning rules.  Other will be through the development process in what we exact and being more flexible with land dedication to require more trail and vertical park connections in combination with the above.

Other Comments

Is there anything else you would like Bike Colorado Springs to know about your positions or candidacy?
Appreciate your mission and questions.  One of the main reasons I wanted to serve another four years are the issues you have addressed in your questions.

District 4 – South East

Your Name *
Regina English

What Office are you running for *
City Council District 4

On average, how often do you ride a bike? *
I ride my bike frequently in the summer time.

On average, how often do you walk for recreation or transportation? *
I take walks a few times a week

On average, how often do you take public transportation? *
I do not take public transportation currently but have in the past

How is bicycling, walking, or public transportation important to you? *
All of these areas are important to me because it is important to community. Bicycling and walking are essential to staying healthy and keeping the body moving. Public transportation is essential for many of our neighbors to travel and for this reason it is important to me.

Roadway Safety

What actions would you take to support improving infrastructure designed to protect or otherwise make vulnerable road users (bike riders & pedestrians) safer? *
I would make sure that the city is allocating funding to our most alienated and un kept roads, bridges and crosswalks because this can prevent fatalities when roads are safer. Updating our infrastructure also adds vitality to our community’s.

How would you support a citywide program or strategy (such as Vision Zero) to improve roadway safety with the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries? *
Anyway that I can help save lives, I am onboard to amplify the voice and do the work necessary to keep community safe. Creating policy to make drivers more responsible and working with local traffic planners, community and engineers will help come up with the best decisions.

Transportation

Will you support increased funding for infrastructure for walking, biking, and transit? *
Yes I will support increased funding because all means of transportation are important and in order to come up with the most robust system for everyone to travel safely throughout our community it will take funding and innovative thinking for the best solution.

How will you support policies that increase opportunities for Colorado Springs residents to bike, walk, take transit? *
I will support this by listening and understanding all perspectives in order to support the best policy possible for the people which will also include the people being a part of the decision making process.

City Plans

What are your highest priorities related to the BikeCOS! master plan? *
My highest priority will be the safety of the people and how we can share this space in the most safe and efficient way to make biking throughout our city a pleasant way to travel.

How will you support ConnectCOS and the adoption of the Intermodal Mobility Plan? *
Making decisions that will be sustainable for the city is key to responsible and safe growth. I support access and community driven decisions that will add to the expertise from those that are tasked to come up with the best plan for our city.

How do you intend to support and implement the Strong Connections vision in PlanCOS? *
PlanCOS is a start and some momentum is better than no momentum and I believe that we can continue to build and shape the areas of attention in the planning stages to achieve and maximize the results that we would like to achieve as a city.

PlanCOS Speaks to land use in the Unique Places chapter; what role do you see land use playing in creating inviting places throughout our city? *
We must make sure that we are having thoughtful conversations involving community and make meaningful decisions on how we implement land use and my role would be to support the wants and needs of community to make our city a better place.

Other Comments

Is there anything else you would like Bike Colorado Springs to know about your positions or candidacy?
I am here to represent and be a voice of consistency, collaboration, community, inclusivity and transparency. I believe that in all that we do it will affect everyone and being intentional around making decisions with more community involvement is the best way to move forward.

DISTRICT 5 – CENTRAL (OLD NORTH END, PALMER PARK, EAST TO POWERS BLVD)

Your Name *
Nancy Henjum

What Office are you running for *
City Council District 5

On average, how often do you ride a bike? *
As OFTEN as possible – at least 300 days per year

On average, how often do you walk for recreation or transportation? *
Every day

On average, how often do you take public transportation? *
In Colorado Springs, rarely due to where I live and where I need to go.  When traveling in other cities, almost exclusively if available.

How is bicycling, walking, or public transportation important to you? *
All are extremely important to me.  VITAL to health of people, planet, economy.

Roadway Safety

What actions would you take to support improving infrastructure designed to protect or otherwise make vulnerable road users (bike riders & pedestrians) safer? *
Elevate and prioritize the work of Colorado Springs Bike Master Plan – ensure that this work is coordinated with Connect COS and other plans and work efforts that are already addressing safety issues for vulnerable road users.

How would you support a citywide program or strategy (such as Vision Zero) to improve roadway safety with the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries? *
With gusto! Given that something like Vision Zero is a belief system (culture shift), I would be extremely thoughtful and strategic about how to approach such a significant shift in a City that leans more toward the value of individual freedom than collective responsibility.

Transportation

Will you support increased funding for infrastructure for walking, biking, and transit? *
YES. We need to have a bigger conversation about how we will fund a world class transit system and necessary infrastructure.

How will you support policies that increase opportunities for Colorado Springs residents to bike, walk, take transit? *
Listening, convening conversations, using experts who have the data, the stories, to elevate this issue. We are Olympic City USA – how can we use that brand to continue to support multi-modal transportation? I will be supportive always – because of my own practices & beliefs.

City Plans

What are your highest priorities related to the BikeCOS! master plan? *
Without knowing in detail what has already been accomplished in a plan written in 2017 and what still needs to be done, nor knowing how well this plan is integrated with ConnectCOS – I would want prioritize coordination of the two plans and continue to achieve the goals set out.

How will you support ConnectCOS and the adoption of the Intermodal Mobility Plan? *
Advocate’s voice for multimodal transportation. Would advocate for participation and engagement from every possible stakeholder as well as collaboration to minimize “siloed” planning and thinking – serving a larger vision. Everyone part of the planning to plan for everyone.

How do you intend to support and implement the Strong Connections vision in PlanCOS? *
Again – I don’t want to reinvent any wheels. A tremendous amount of planning and work has been done. I see Council’s role as prioritizing, elevating, educating, advocating and making sure that collaboration is happening across functions. the COS plans need to be integrated!

PlanCOS Speaks to land use in the Unique Places chapter; what role do you see land use playing in creating inviting places throughout our city? *
Land use should the fundamental question we start with when we think about creating inviting places. What is the history? What makes this “place” unique? What is the story we want to tell? How does it advance our collective thriving? What is our relationship to the land?

Other Comments

Is there anything else you would like Bike Colorado Springs to know about your positions or candidacy?
I have been riding my bike in Colorado Springs – as a kid for 4 years on the Air Force Academy and for the past 30 years of my life. There are very few things that make me happier than riding my bike in the Pikes Peak region. I am the best candidate for District 5!