City of Colorado Springs News

Leaf drof-off locations Nov. 23 - 24

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Residents can help maintain the crucial operations of our City?s stormwater drainage system by properly disposing of fall leaves. Citizens are reminded to not sweep leaves and other yard debris into the street or drainage areas. Doing so is a violation of City Code and can result in fines. This year, two alternatives are being provided by the City for citizens to recycle leaves and organic debris.

1. Drop off at the City Transit Depository (1845 S. Hancock Expressway)

Saturday, November 21

8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

2. Drop off at one of the street sweeper staging locations

City trucks will be staged at different locations throughout the month to collect the leaves picked up by street sweepers. Residents can also drop off their leaves to these trucks. Exact locations will be announced weekly. Check www.SpringsGov.com for updates each Friday for the street sweeper staging locations for the following week. These locations are subject to change due to inclement weather and trucks may be gone for short periods of time to dump the leaves when the truck beds are full. Citizens may call Streets Dispatch at 385-5934 for information.

Monday, November 23 and Tuesday, November 24:

Corner of Clarkson Drive and Patrician Way (North side of Wasson Park, which is at the corner of Circle Drive and Constitution Avenue) (Map)

If leaves are brought in plastic bags, the bags will need to be emptied and taken with the resident. Hazardous materials, plastics, branches and other items are not allowed. Leaves will be taken to the City Street Division?s recycle yard and turned into compost, which will be available to citizens in the spring.

Rocky Top Resources at 1755 East Las Vegas Street also takes leaves for recycling (residential only) on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Recycling is free with a canned good donation for Care and Share.

Composting is a good option for leaves and yard debris because according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) it is a form of recycling that prevents filling our landfills, helps prevent pollution, enriches soils and reduces the production of methane gas.

New Office Hours for City Clerk's Office effective November 16, 2009

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

NOTICE

City Clerk's Office - New Office Hours

EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 16, 2009

OFFICE HOURS

MONDAY CLOSED

TUESDAY 8:00 a.m. TO 5:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY 8:00 a.m. TO 5:00 p.m.

THURSDAY 8:00 a.m. TO 5:00 p.m.

FRIDAY CLOSED

Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum closed Thanksgiving Week

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

As a result of 2009 budget and staff reductions, the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum will be closed the week of Thanksgiving (November 24 through November 28.)

Normal hours through 2009 are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays, and admission is free. The Starsmore Center for Local History, the museum?s research facility, is open by appointment from 12 to 4 p.m.

For more information about the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, call (719) 385-5990 or visit SpringsGov.com.

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Stabbing Arrest

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Saturday, November 14, 2009 12:00 PM [RELEASE AT WILL]:

On Friday, November 13, 2009, officers were dispatched to 1123 Server Drive in reference to a medical call to assist the Colorado Springs Fire Department. When officers arrived, they discovered a 72 year old male suffering from two stab wounds to the chest. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of life threatening injuries. The suspect, a 49 year old female identified as Janet Hilton, was taken into custody and transported to the Sand Creek Division for further investigation. Detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene to assist in the investigation.

Janet Hilton, age 49, has been arrested and charged with Attempted 1^st Degree Murder. She has been booked into the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center.

No further information will be released at this time, as this is an active investigation.

Note to Media: Please do not call or contact Detectives or Supervisors from the Violent Crimes/Homicide Unit for further details in this case. All updates will come from the Public Affairs Office.

Photo of Janet Hilton

"Puffer" Detail aimed at reducing Motor Vehicle Thefts

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Friday, November 13, 2009 10:45 AM [RELEASE AT WILL]:

The Colorado Springs Police Department "Puffer" detail is designed to eliminate the temptation of motor vehicle thefts of cars left running or when the keys are left in the car. In December 2008 CSPD handed out 311 warning packets during Puffer Week. All of these were distributed during the early morning hours when it's as easy as spotting the exhaust coming from a vehicle; hence the term "puffer". That's what the bad guys do, and it's easy to see these vehicles all over town. When Officers or Detectives place the warnings on drivers' windshields, the hope is to emphasize that their car could easily have been taken in the same time it took to place the warning on the car. Additionally, it is ILLEGAL in Colorado Springs to leave an unattended vehicle running per City Ordinance 10.11.103: UNATTENDED MOTOR VEHICLE: Although the CSPD does not currently cite drivers, it's important to convey that they could be charged.

During the cold season from November 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009, 405 automobiles were stolen in Colorado Springs. A total of 134 were stolen with the use of the vehicle keys, or nearly 33% of the total Motor Vehicle Thefts. Of those, 33 were cars left running and unattended while warming up (even when locked) or when the vehicle was parked in front of a convenience store, ATM, or a similar business. The other 53 vehicles were stolen because the keys were left in the vehicle, often in those "clever" places like under a mat, above the visor, or simply in the center console or glove box.

So far this year, total Motor Vehicle Thefts are down nearly 13% overall. Over the past few years the CSPD has experienced a decline of approximately 30% in auto thefts involving vehicles left running during cold weather. Although it is difficult to measure, much of this success may be attributed to increased awareness through a vigilant public education program, and other initiatives such as the Watch Your Car Program and the VIN Etching Program.

The puffer detail efforts are funded by the CATPA (Colorado Automobile Theft Prevention Authority) grant and the efforts will continue this winter by the Southern Colorado Reduced Auto Theft Task Force.

For further information about this and other motor vehicle theft city-wide efforts, please contact Detective Owen Scott at (719) 444-7234 or Lt. Jane Anderson (719) 444-7522.

Keep your car safe, and follow a simple rule: Lock and Pocket your Keys!!

Leaf drop-off locations Nov. 16 - 19

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

1. Drop off at the City Transit Depository (1845 S. Hancock Expressway)

Saturdays, Nov. 14 and 21

8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

2. Drop off at one of the street sweeper staging locations

Monday, Nov. 16 and Tuesday, Nov. 17

Corner of Cache Le Poudre Street and Sheridan Avenue (map)

Wednesday, November 18 and Thursday, November 19

Corner of Brady Boulevard and Chelton Road (map)

If leaves are brought in plastic bags, the bags will need to be emptied and taken with the resident. Hazardous materials, plastics, branches and other items are not allowed. Leaves will be taken to the City Street Division's recycle yard and turned into compost, which will be available to citizens in the spring.

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Attempted Murder Suspect Located

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 11:00 PM [RELEASE AT WILL]:

*Update*

Shortly after releasing the following information in a previous news release, Jesse Lee Kaizen was arrested without incident by Colorado Springs Police Officers. He has been booked into the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center on the charge of Attempted Murder in the First Degree, and is being held without bond. Kaizen is the father of the victim in this case. The victim?s mother, Amanda Simms, 23, was also arrested in this case earlier on November 11^th, 2009. She was booked into the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center on the charge of Attempted First Degree Murder, and is being held without bond.

The Colorado Springs Police Department is asking for the public?s help in locating a suspect wanted for Attempted First Degree Murder.

In July of 2009, a 9 month old female was admitted to Memorial Hospital with extensive injuries. The child survived the injuries, but the suspicious nature of the injuries was brought to the attention of the Colorado Springs Police Department. Detectives began an investigation into the cause of the injuries, and after a four month investigation, Detectives with the Crimes Against Children Unit have obtained an arrest warrant charging a suspect with Attempted First Degree Murder in this case.

The suspect in this case is Jesse Lee Kaizen (aka Jesse Lee Carabajal, Jesse Carabajal Kaizen), a white male, 23 years old, 5?11?, 150 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Kaizen may be driving a primer grey 1977 Ford F150 pickup truck with a possible Colorado license plate of 189UBR. Kaizen may be staying with friends in the Colorado Springs area, and he may be armed. Kaizen may be dangerous, and members of the public should not attempt to contact Kaizen directly, but should call police if he is located.

Anyone with information on Kaizen?s location is asked to call the Colorado Springs Police Department at (719) 444-7000, or Crime Stoppers at (719) 634-STOP if they would like to remain anonymous.

Note to Media: Due to the sensitive nature of this ongoing investigation, further details are not available at this time. Members of the media should not attempt to contact Detectives or Supervisors of the Violent Crimes/Crimes Against Children Unit for information on this case. Any further information will come from the Public Affairs Section.

Attempt to Locate Attempted Murder Suspect

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Tuesday, November 11, 2009 9:00 PM [RELEASE AT WILL]:

The Colorado Springs Police Department is asking for the public?s help in locating a suspect wanted for Attempted First Degree Murder.

Anyone with information on Kaizen?s location is asked to call the Colorado Springs Police Department at (719) 444-7000, or Crime Stoppers at (719) 634-STOP if they would like to remain anonymous.

Photo of Jesse Lee Kaizen

CSPD Airport K-9 Unit

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 10:30 AM [RELEASE AT WILL]:

In 2005, the Colorado Springs Police Department in conjunction with the Colorado Springs Airport and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) developed an Airport K-9 Unit pilot program to enhance local law enforcement?s capability to detect suspected explosive devices at the airport. With the approval of a cooperative agreement in 2005 between the airport and the TSA, the TSA provides the airport with a partial reimbursement for the cost of the team through the National Explosives Detection Canine Training Program (NEDCTP). In 2005, three officers were sent to TSA?s 10 week Explosive Detection Canine Handler course at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. The officers were teamed up with canines and had to pass a demanding certification process to meet program requirements. Since the initial certification, three fully trained and certified Explosive Detection Canine Teams have been assigned to the Colorado Springs Airport. These very effective, mobile teams can quickly locate and identify dangerous materials that may present a threat to the transportation system. Just as important, they can quickly rule out the presence of dangerous materials in unattended packages, structures or vehicles, allowing the free and efficient flow of transportation with minimal disruption. The CSPD teams also respond when requested to Bomb Threats/Incidents in the Southern Colorado Region.

The teams train and work with multiple EOD K-9 teams throughout the Front Range, to include Denver Police Department and the US Armed Forces at Peterson Air Force Base and the US Air Force Academy. The three K-9 Officers on the team work within a unit of 23 CSPD personnel that are assigned to and funded by the airport.

These handlers and their K-9?s are available for interviews, demonstrations, and other related feature stories. For more information, please contact Sgt. Matt Harrell at 719.550.1978.

K-9 Teams and History:

Officer Mike Anderson:

Colorado Springs Police Department since 1992 (18 years).

Explosive Detection K-9 Handler since January 2005.

K-9 Cezar:

Male German Shepherd Born in Germany October 2002

Lackland Air Force Base TSA Basic Training 2004

Colorado Springs Police Department since March 2005

Officer Wayne Strader:

Colorado Springs Police Department since 2001 (8 years)

Explosive Detection K-9 Handler since March 2005.

K-9 Rex:

Male German Shepherd Born in Germany February 2002

Lackland Air Force Base TSA Basic Training 2004

Colorado Springs Police Department since May 2005

Officer Clint Schumm:

- Colorado Springs Police Department since 1996 (13 years)

- Explosive Detection K-9 Handler since December 2007

K-9 Grisa:

Male German Shepherd Born in Germany November 2005

Lackland Air Force Base TSA Basic Training 2006

Colorado Springs Police Department since December 2007

City Fleet runs largest alternative fuels program in its history

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The City of Colorado Springs Fleet Management Division continues to find creative ways to save money and the environment. The City of Colorado Springs and Colorado Springs Utilities have collaborated to run the largest alternative fuel program in the City?s history, while saving $330,000 between the two agencies through reduced fuel costs in 2009.

The City was recognized in 2007 for running the largest municipal Biodiesel program in the nation and this year?s program has just eclipsed that record at more than 760,000 gallons of B20 Biodiesel used year-to-date. In addition, the City?s use of E-85 has tripled over the last three years.

?Combined, these programs have reduced emissions in the Pikes Peak region by more than 4,000,000 pounds of carbon dioxide this year, while saving taxpayer and ratepayer dollars, a win-win for our community?, said Nick Kittle, Fleet Finance and Sustainability Manager for the City of Colorado Springs.

The City of Colorado Springs Fleet Management Division was named the number 6 Alternative-Fueled Fleet in the nation by Sustainlane, a top 25 Green Fleet in North America and has been named one of the 100 Best Fleets in North America for the past five years in a row.

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Leaf drop-off locations Nov. 9 - 12

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Leaf drop-off locations for composting

1. Drop off at the City Transit Depository (1845 S. Hancock Expressway)

Saturdays, Nov. 7, 14 and 21

8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

2. Drop off at one of the street sweeper staging locations

Monday, Nov. 9; Tuesday, Nov. 10; and Thurs., November 12 (Wed. is a City Holiday):

Corner of Clarkson Drive and Patrician Way (North side of Wasson Park, which is at the corner of Circle Drive and Constitution Avenue) (map)

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CSPD seeking assistance in Shooting Investigation

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Wednesday, November 4, 2009 4:35PM [RELEASE AT WILL]:

Detectives from the Violent Crimes/Homicide Unit are seeking assistance in locating the suspect believed to be responsible for the Halloween shooting at 501 S. Tejon Street on November 1, 2009 at around 12:48AM. Bob Maiava, Age 29, who remains at a local hospital in serious condition, was shot by an unidentified male who fired into a crowd of people that had just left SODO Nightclub at 527 S Tejon St. The suspect and an associate may have been involved in a disturbance with the victim?s group at SODO prior to the shooting.

The shooter is described as a Black male, medium to dark complexion, approximately 6? to 6?3?, 21-29 years old with a lean to muscular build with a short ?dread-locks? style haircut. He was wearing a white colored T-shirt at the time of the shooting, but was wearing a dark colored button-down shirt while at club. The attached composite drawing of the shooter was created from interviews conducted with numerous witnesses.

The associate with the shooter is described as a black male, approximately 6? tall and shorter than shooter, 21-29 years old with a stocky build and an ?afro? style hair cut.

A possible vehicle that may be associated with the suspect(s) is a red 4 door car.

Investigators are additionally interested in speaking with any person that patronized establishments in the area during the evening of the shooting, particularly the SODO nightclub.

If anyone has information regarding this crime, please contact Detective Mike Happ at (719) 444-7673, the Colorado Springs Police Department at 444-7000, or you may remain anonymous and could earn a cash reward by contacting the Pike Peak Area Crime Stoppers at 634-STOP (7867).

Note to Media: Please do not call or contact Detectives or Supervisors from the Violent Crimes/Homicide Unit for further information concerning this release. Updates will come from the Public Affairs Section when available.

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Robbery Suspect Captured

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Friday, October 30, 2009 12:05 PM [RELEASE AT WILL]:

On October 30, 2009 at 9:54AM, patrol officers from the Gold Hills Division responded to the Wells Fargo Bank at 90 S. Cascade Avenue on the report of a Robbery in progress. A description of the suspect was provided to responding officers, along with information that the suspect had fled through the front doors of the business with some cash from the bank. No weapon was produced or threatened by the suspect during the course of the robbery, and there were 8 employees and 3 customers in the bank at the time of the incident.

Officers arrived at 9:59AM, and found a male party that fit the description of the suspect in front of the business. He was taken into custody without incident, and it was later determined that this 47 year old male was in fact the suspect in the robbery. In addition to fully fitting the description given, an undisclosed amount of cash was recovered from the male.

He will be taken to the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center where he will be booked for Robbery. The name and photo of the suspect will not be released at this time, as additional investigation is still on-going.

No injuries were reported during the crime.

Note to Media: Please do not contact members of the Violent Crimes/Robbery Unit for information concerning this investigation. Any further information about this incident will be released by the Public Affairs Unit, when available. Additionally, any identified individuals that have been charged with a crime, and the circumstances surrounding their arrests are allegations, and those persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Go Green with Leaves

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

City hosts residential leaf drop-off locations for composting

The Stormwater Enterprise and City Street Division are combining efforts to perform stormwater cleanup and provide leaf recycling options to the community. Beginning Nov. 2, street sweepers will be working City roads in a grid pattern to eliminate excess leaf build up in streets and prevent the clogging of stormwater inlets, which can cause flooding and adversely impact water quality. This proactive effort helps prevent more costly emergency maintenance if drains get clogged.

1. Drop off at the City Transit Depository

1845 S. Hancock Expressway (Map)

Saturdays, Nov. 7, 14 and 21

8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

2. Drop off at one of the street sweeper staging locations

City trucks will be staged at different locations around the city throughout the month of November to collect the leaves picked up by City street sweepers. Residents can also drop off their leaves to these trucks.

Exact locations will be announced weekly. Check www.SpringsGov.com for updates each Friday for the street sweeper staging locations for the following week. These locations are subject to change due to inclement weather and trucks may be gone for short periods of time to dump the leaves when the truck beds are full. Citizens may call Streets Dispatch at 385-5934 for information.

On Monday, November 2 - Wednesday, November 4, City trucks will be at these two locations from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Corner of Wood Ave. and Washington St. (Map)

Corner of Royer St. and Fontanero St. (Map)

Rocky Top Resources at 1755 East Las Vegas Street also takes leaves for recycling (residential only) on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Recyling is free with a canned good donation for Care and Share.

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Mike Anderson to retire

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Will join local consulting firm after 25 years serving City

City of Colorado Springs Assistant City Manager Mike Anderson announced his plans to retire from the City. After a 25-year career with the City organization, he will be joining Summit Economics as a partner in December.

As an Assistant City Manager, Anderson has provided leadership, direction and operational oversight of a number of City departments including: finance; public communications; economic development; human resources; parks, recreation and cultural services; fleet management; transit services; and most municipal enterprises. Anderson was also appointed by City Council as Interim City Manager in 2007 while the City searched for a new City Manager.

"Mike has been invaluable," said City Manager Penny Culbreth-Graft. "His financial skills are outstanding, his institutional memory is excellent, and he is highly-regarded by City Council and citizens in every walk of life in Colorado Springs. I will truly miss him."

Prior to joining the City of Colorado Springs in 1984, Anderson served as regional economist/demographer for the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments.

"I have had the privilege of serving the citizens of Colorado Springs for nearly half my life," said Anderson. "I've also had the honor to serve with some of the finest, most dedicated professionals found in public service. The community underestimates the value of its City workforce and the personal and professional sacrifices they make each day to make Colorado Springs such a wonderful place for its citizens."

Upon his retirement at the end of the year, Anderson will be joining Summit Economics as a partner. Based in Colorado Springs, Summit Economics provides research and consulting services in applied economics and business strategy development. Its clients include global corporations, small businesses, local governments, educational institutions and non-profit organizations. Several prominent area economists comprise the principals of Summit including Dave Bamberger, Tom Binnings and Paul Rochette.

"I am very excited about this opportunity to further pursue my first calling with some of the brightest economic minds in Colorado," Anderson said.

Anderson added that "Despite my retirement from the City, I intend to stay civically engaged in community issues and will always be a supporter of the City organization and its mission."

Contractor chosen to complete interior finish of USOC headquarters

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The City of Colorado Springs today announced it completed a competitive procurement process and selected GE Johnson Construction Company to complete the $2.7 million interior finish of the downtown building at 27 N. Tejon St. that will become headquarters for the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).

The evaluation committee, including representatives from the City and USOC, determined the GE Johnson proposal was the best value. A total of 12 companies submitted proposals. GE Johnson is based in Colorado Springs.

Improvements to the top five floors of the building will begin immediately. The project is scheduled for completion in March 2010 to enable occupancy by the USOC by March 31, 2010. The basement and first floor are being retained by LandCo Equity Partners, LLC (LandCo).

COPs used to finance USOC project

The $21.749 million total acquisition and improvement costs were financed using certificates of participation (COP), a financing instrument that allows a public entity to lease facilities until debt is retired.

A total of $32.48 million of COPs were sold on October 13 for the USOC projects. Of that total, $21.749 was used for the new USOC Headquarters Building at 27 S. Tejon St. with $9.5 million to be used for athlete dormitories and other facilities at the Olympic Training Center. The balance was used for issuance expenses and the purchase of insurance for the COPs.

Proceeds also help fund NGB and OTC improvements

The sale of the COPs allows the City to help fund a portion of the planned $16.0 million of Olympic Training Center (OTC) improvements. In addition to the $9.5 million of COP proceeds, a challenge grant of $1.5 million provided by the El Pomar Foundation, and a $500,000 contribution by the State Economic Development Commission, fund raising is ongoing to meet a $1.5 million requirement by the middle of November. An additional $3 million is scheduled to be raised by the community by September 2011, also to fund the OTC improvements.

USOC Headquarters contractor chosen

In addition, a former Colorado Springs Utilities Gas Department building adjacent to America the Beautiful Park has been converted for use by National Governing Bodies (NGBs), including USA Karate, Weightlifting, Judo, Taekwondo and Badminton. Occupancy of that building is scheduled for December 31, 2009.

Delay in issuing COPs helps secure more favorable terms

The Colorado Springs Public Facilities Authority originally planned to issue COPs in November 2008 for the USOC project. That became impossible because of the collapse of the municipal bond market in October of that year. Municipal bond market conditions have improved immensely since the fall of 2008 with interest rates having dropped to near 40-year lows early last week. The Colorado Springs Public Facilities authority was fortunate to have been able to take advantage of that remarkable dip in interest rates last week when it sold its $31.37 million of COPs. That, combined with the Authority's ability to obtain insurance for the COPs, pushed down the average interest rate on the COPs to just 4.62 percent. The first year lease-purchase payment, to be borne by the City, will be $1.539 million which is appreciably below the $1.8 million anticipated when the USOC deal was first inked in April of 2008. That 2010 payment is also about $661,000 below the $2.2 million included in the Preliminary 2010 City Budget. The savings over the 30-year life of the COPs will be over $9 million.

Complex agreement ensures USOC's continued presence

The issuance of the COPs is one step in a complex, multi-party agreement in which the City's Public Facilities Authority (PFA) issued COPs and purchased the Headquarters Building from LandCo.

The PFA will now lease the top five floors to the USOC for $1 a year.

Investment in the USOC projects preserves an estimated 3,500 jobs in Colorado Springs and approximately $4 million annually in sales tax revenue that supports general fund operations.

Community sustainability challenge issued

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Several local agencies, including the City of Colorado Springs, the Sierra Club, Catamount Institute, Downtown Partnership Sustainability Committee, Earthseeds, Conservation Hardware Store, and the South Chapter of the US Green Building Council & Colorado AIA, are challenging the Colorado Springs community to use small changes to make a big difference. The partners are asking the community to participate in a Local Action Challenge set up by Sustainlane, a company that ranks green practices in the 50 largest cities.

The Sustainlane Local Action Challenge asks people to upload their photos showing them making a difference in one of 10 challenge areas. Contest goals include picking up trash at a park, swapping a plastic bottle for a reusable one, or engaging in water conservation in your house, amongst other things. Colorado Springs will receive points for the challenges being completed as these pictures are uploaded to Sustainlane?s website (www.sustainlane.com). In 2008, Colorado Springs was ranked 43rd for sustainability practices by Sustainlane and the agencies issuing today?s challenge hope we can move up the ranks considerably this year by a strong showing in the Local Action Challenge.

"The partnership's hope is that by winning this challenge we will show that our community has come a long way since that 2008 ranking came out," said Nick Kittle, Fleet Finance and Sustainability Manager for the City of Colorado Springs.

?We also hope to demonstrate that sustainability can be fun, easy and beneficial to the region, and that all actions add up for the benefit of our community," said Eric Cefus of Catamount Institute.

The contest ends on November 30 and people who upload entries are automatically entered to win prizes from Sustainlane. If you would like to get involved, and help Colorado Springs move the needle, please visit Sustainlane?s website and click on the Local Action Challenge.

MONDAY	CLOSED
TUESDAY	8:00 a.m. TO 5:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY	8:00 a.m. TO 5:00 p.m.
THURSDAY	8:00 a.m. TO 5:00 p.m.
FRIDAY	CLOSED