Mayor Yemi announces leadership transitions in Municipal Court and Economic Development

Mayor Yemi Mobolade today announced two leadership transitions within the City of Colorado Springs. The changes include the retirement of longtime Municipal Court Presiding Judge HayDen William Kane II and the selection of Associate Judge Kristen Hoffecker as the next Presiding Judge, pending confirmation by the Colorado Springs City Council.

The Mayor also announced the departure of Economic Development Director Jessie Kimber. Economic Development Manager Shawna Lippert will serve as Acting Economic Development Director while the City conducts a national search for Kimber's successor.

Judge Kane will retire after more than two decades of service to the City of Colorado Springs, including serving as Presiding Judge since 2007 and as Municipal Court Administrator since 2014. Appointed as an Associate Municipal Court Judge in 2001, Kane has overseen the operations of Colorado Springs Municipal Court while leading a bench of municipal judges and helping shape the municipal judiciary across Colorado through his leadership with state and local bar associations.

"It has been the honor and privilege of my life to serve this city as Presiding Judge," said Judge Kane.

Pending confirmation by the Colorado Springs City Council, Judge Hoffecker will become the City's next Presiding Judge. She has served as an Associate Municipal Court Judge since 2016 and currently also serves as a Magistrate Judge for Colorado's Fourth Judicial District and as Municipal Judge for the Town of Calhan. Her legal career spans more than two decades in municipal, county, district and private practice, including service as a prosecutor for both the City of Colorado Springs and the Fourth Judicial District Attorney's Office.

Kimber joined the City in January 2024 after serving as vice president of defense development for the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC and previously serving as a special assistant to former Mayor John Suthers. During her tenure, she helped advance the City's economic vitality priorities and strengthened partnerships with the local business community.

"Serving the City of Colorado Springs has been one of the greatest honors of my life," said Kimber. "I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work alongside incredible public servants, our military community, and business leaders to help strengthen the place we all call home. While I am stepping away from my full-time role, my commitment to serving this community will continue through volunteer service and civic engagement. This decision comes from a desire to spend these precious, fleeting teenage years with my two daughters, knowing this season of life passes far too quickly. I leave with immense gratitude for the friendships, partnerships, and shared accomplishments of the past several years, and great optimism for Colorado Springs' future."

Lippert has served as the City's Economic Development Manager for the past four years and will lead the division while the City conducts a national search for a permanent Economic Development Director.

"These leadership transitions reflect both the strength of the extraordinary people who have faithfully served Colorado Springs and the remarkable depth of talent we have within our organization," said Mayor Yemi Mobolade. "Judge HayDen Kane has served our community with integrity, wisdom, and distinction for more than two decades. His leadership has left a lasting mark on our Municipal Court and our city, and I am deeply grateful for his service. Judge Kristen Hoffecker is a highly respected jurist and proven leader who is exceptionally well prepared to lead the court into its next chapter. I also want to thank Jessie Kimber for her dedicated service and wish her every success in the future. During her tenure, Colorado Springs secured a historic level of economic development investment, creating new opportunities for residents and businesses alike. I am grateful for her leadership and the strong foundation she helped build. I have every confidence in Shawna Lippert's experience, leadership, and commitment to ensuring continuity as we continue advancing our vision of an economically prosperous Colorado Springs."