Mayor Yemi highlights key 2025 accomplishments and outlines 2026 priorities for a safer, stronger Colorado Springs

As the City closes out 2025, Mayor Yemi Mobolade today reflected at a press briefing on key outcomes delivered over the past year and shared a forward-looking set of priorities for 2026 focused on public safety, economic momentum, and balanced growth. Mayor Yemi emphasized that progress has been driven by collaboration among residents, City employees, nonprofits, businesses, military partners, and regional stakeholders working toward shared community goals.

"Colorado Springs is flourishing, and we are flourishing together," Mayor Yemi said. "This year brought real challenges, but through strong partnerships, disciplined leadership, and a shared commitment to the well-being of this city, we made meaningful progress that residents can feel in their daily lives."

In his year-end remarks, Mayor Yemi highlighted ten specific key wins in 2025:

1. Historic public safety staffing gains:The Colorado Springs Police Department briefly surpassed 800 sworn officers and is continuing its progress toward full strength; the 911 Call Center reached its highest staffing levels since 2018, improving Priority 1 response times from 15 minutes down to 11.5 minutes.
2. Opening of Fire Station 24: A new, fully staffed station began serving a fast-growing area, improving emergency response times in its district by nearly three minutes in its first three months.
3. Stronger enforcement and lower crime: Traffic enforcement increased 28%, while robbery (-8%), burglary (-19%), murder (-38%), and motor vehicle theft (-42%) declined.
4. Safety technology expansion: The City advanced tools like the Real Time Crime Center and Drone as a First Responder and began bringing speed safety cameras online to support traffic safety.
5. Infrastructure improvements: Crews repaved 187 lane-miles and repaired more than 74,000 potholes, while advancing major projects like the Circle Bridges and the new Colorado Springs Senior Center, a 23,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility that serves Colorado Springs' growing senior population.
6. Airport milestone: The Colorado Springs Airport launched the City's first direct international flight, expanding travel options and supporting local jobs and tourism.
7. Economic growth and investment: New and ongoing agreements, including last week's Swire Coca-Cola, USA announcement of a $475 million manufacturing facility, advanced job creation and private investment, driven by major projects announced at Peak Innovation Park.
8. More attainable housing: About 1,700 affordable housing units serving families, seniors, and young adults opened or are underway, including nearly 1,000 affordable units under construction right now, expanding attainable housing options.
9. Expanding winter shelter capacity and transportation support: The City helped raise $860,000 to expand winter shelter capacity and launched a free-fare pilot program with Mountain Metro Transit to support transportation to warming spaces during extreme cold.
10. Mental health progress: Suicide rates fell 18% across El Paso County and 60% among young people, reflecting expanded prevention and community support.

Looking ahead, Mayor Yemi outlined three major priorities for 2026:

1. The City will launch the Keep It Clean and Safe (KICAS) program, an initiative intended to provide proactive, on-the-ground support for businesses and commercial areas facing impacts related to homelessness, building on the Downtown Clean & Safe pilot.
2. The City will continue to advance Peak Innovation Park as a cornerstone for job creation and business investment, with additional announcements expected in the months ahead.
3. The City will remain committed to a balanced approach to growth, investing in infrastructure and family-friendly neighborhoods while pursuing housing solutions and economic development in a way that strengthens communities over the long term.

Mayor Yemi also noted that 2026 will mark two historic anniversaries - the United States' 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the State of Colorado's 150th anniversary of its entrance into the Union - and encouraged residents to engage in this milestone moment of reflection and community pride.