2025 City Council Candidate Survey: Where Do They Stand on Biking and Transportation?

Bike COS note – Bike Colorado Springs allowed this candidate to respond without the word limitation (50 words/280 characters) and has offered this to other candidates as well.

Active Transportation Support

Active transportation has proven to be a positive asset in certain parts of town and should be encouraged, especially in densely populated areas with close connections between housing and places of employment or retail centers. It not only encourages physical activity contributing to improved health but also reduces road congestion and traffic fatalities. Using bicycles in designated lanes can help improve mobility, keep cyclists safe, and alleviate parking ordeals in urban corridors. The recent City Council decision to approve the use of non-motorized Class 1 e-bikes in all city parks and trails provides opportunities for the elderly and people with disabilities to ride along with friends and family. If elected to City Council, I am open to considering policies and infrastructure improvements to promote active transportation. It will require a deeper analysis of the city budget to ensure taxpayer dollars are prioritized to reflect the needs of our residents.

Trail Safety/Unhoused

Public safety is the primary responsibility of city government and should be prioritized in city budget. One possibility is to explore using foot or bike patrol officers to monitor our urban trail network and build trust and open channels of communication with trail users. Serving as an elected public official on D11 School Board, I have encouraged innovative solutions to solve complex problems. I look forward to bringing the same proven leadership approach to City Council, using data and facts to drive decision-making.

Homelessness is a complex issue that has devastating impact not only on the people experiencing it but also places an increased burden on community resources, thereby straining the local economy.  Solutions should address root causes such as economic hardships, substance abuse disorders, mental health issues, and providing proactive preventative support through early interventions. Working with community partners like the Springs Rescue Mission, emphasis should be placed on job training, housing assistance, life skills development, and access to rehabilitation supports. While it is important to be compassionate, public safety should always be the primary focus of city government.  


Parks Master Plan

Urban trails are useful modes of transport in certain parts of town and should be encouraged to promote quality of life in a pristine outdoor city such as Colorado Springs. Using urban trails as transportation infrastructure puts less strain on our roads, reduces traffic congestion, and alleviates parking ordeals in urban corridors. If elected to City Council, I look forward to a deeper dive into the city’s broader transportation plan and how best to incorporate urban trails as part of that mobility plan.


Vision Zero

Ensuring the safety of our residents is a critical priority. As an engineer, I depend on data, facts, and statistics to guide my decision making. My track record serving on the District 11 School Board is to engage with the community by listening respectfully, collaborating thoughtfully, and weighing all perspectives objectively before making balanced, informed decisions. I will bring the same approach to City Council and support common-sense decisions, informed by best practices and community priorities. Implementation of the Vision Zero Policy in Colorado Springs will require funding sources and I am open to studying the city budget for those opportunities.

CTAB

I am supportive of the CTAB and if elected, look forward to appointing qualified experts to serve on that board as vacancies arise. The role of CTAB is to ensure proposed transportation projects are responsive to the diverse community needs and provide a forum for active community participation/engagement. There should be diverse stakeholder representation on the board, including vehicle and active transportation experts from all areas of the city. The CTAB should ensure City Council is aware of major transportation issues and concerns, after productive community engagement to identify needs and priorities. 

COS Transportation Future

Transportation and infrastructure improvements are core essential services and must be prioritized in the annual city budget to reduce congestion, improve quality of life, and drive economic productivity. 
I am supportive of the 2C and Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) initiatives. 2C generates approximately $50 million of dedicated revenues annually for road improvements and complements road maintenance funded through PPRTA and the city’s general fund budget. Fixing potholes with quality paving materials should be prioritized along with sidewalks and pavements.

Augmenting public transit with options such as PikeRide, Scooters, and the free Downtown Shuttle programs have been effective in closing the transportation gaps in our community. Active transportation should also be encouraged in the Downtown area to alleviate parking concerns and reduce traffic congestion. The reality is Colorado Springs is far too dispersed for major public transit options to be viable and sustainable. I envision a balance of using our roads and urban trails effectively in the future to address our transportation needs.

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

I am a husband, father, long-time resident, community leader, an engineer with a Doctorate in Chemical & Petroleum Engineering and over 25 years of experience working in the oil and gas industry.
The worrisome state of K-12 public education led me to run for the Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education in 2019, and for re-election in 2023.  I’ve served as the D11 Board President for the past four years, focused on improving student outcomes and district performance. To deliver excellence in education, it required faithful dedication to a simple principle: Putting Students First. It is with a similar simple commitment that I will approach City Council: Colorado Springs First. As your representative, my decisions will be guided by the best interest of our families and the economic vitality of our city. 
Colorado Springs is at a crossroads with pivotal decisions surrounding growth, public safety, infrastructure, and economic development in the near horizon that will determine the future trajectory of our city. I will bring proven leadership skills with a commitment to common-sense solutions to the challenges facing our city. 

As a father and husband, I will prioritize safe neighborhoods and “kitchen table” issues that affect hard working families. As an engineer, my decisions will be driven objectively based on factual data. As an avid outdoor enthusiast, I will advocate for the preservation of our parks, trails, and outdoors spaces. It is the vision of building a safe, vibrant, sustainable, and economically thriving city that will be home for current families and future generations that is driving me to run for City Council.