🚨 URGENT: Stop the One VeLa Skyscraper – Speak Up Now! 🚨
📢 Downtown Review Board Hearing – Your Voice Matters!
🗓 Tuesday, February 4, 2025
🕘 9:00 AM, Item 8B
📍 2880 International Circle, 2nd Floor, Hearing Room (There will be a sign up to comment sheet in the meeting.)
📞 Call-In Option: Dial 1-720-617-3426, enter Conference ID: 906 373 4#
To comment remotely by phone, email Ryan Tefertiller, Ryan.Tefertiller@coloradospings.gov noting you plan to comment on Item 8B, the luxury skyscraper One VeLa Development
They Thought They Could Approve This Quietly —We Said NO!
🚨 To force this issue before City Council—where elected representatives must answer to YOU—you must take action. The more voices that speak out, the harder it is for them to ignore us!
👉 What You Can Do:
✅ Show up in person at the hearing
✅ Call in and speak (press *6 to unmute when called)
✅ Send an email (takes seconds—see sample and ways to donate for the lawsuit on Integrity Matters website or below!)
💡 Even if you can’t attend, sending an email ensures you are on record as opposed to this project.
📩 Email Ryan.Tefertiller@coloradosprings.gov (Case Planner)
📩 CC: Integrity Matters (for transparency and accountability) and local press (they want to hear from you!)
Sample Email
To: Ryan.Tefertiller@coloradosprings.gov, allcouncil@coloradosprings.gov
CC: integritymatterscos@gmail.com, chelsea.brentzel@krdo.com, breeanna.jent@gazette.com, brennen.kauffman@gazette.com, talkshow@aol.com, news@kktv.com, news@krcc.org, achalfin@krcc.org, news@koaa.com, news@cpr.org, news@krdo.com, news@fox21news.com, lwatson@kktv.com, kktv-news@graymedia.com, newsroom@coloradosun.com, newsroom@denverpost.com
Subject: Vote NO on the One VeLa Development & Allow Public Input
Dear Mr. Tefertiller and Members of the Colorado Springs City Council,
I am writing to formally object to the One VeLa development and to urge the Downtown Review Board and City Council to vote NO on this project. The City’s refusal to allow public discussion regarding the impacts of high-rise developments, despite a petition signed by 6,755 citizens demonstrates a failure to represent the will of the people.
Key Concerns
Public Voice Ignored
The City Council’s refusal to allow a public discussion or vote on reasonable building height restrictions contradicts democratic principles. The voices of thousands of residents have been ignored.
Environmental and Infrastructure Impacts
High-rise developments near the mountains trap pollution, increase traffic congestion, and contribute to the urban heat island effect, worsening air quality in an already ozone-polluted city.
Gentrification and Loss of Historic Character
The One VeLa development will displace affordable housing, drive up costs, and push out long-time residents. Skyscrapers of this scale will erode the historic and cultural character of Colorado Springs.
Conflicts of Interest and Lack of Ethical Oversight
The campaign contributions from the developer to City Council members raises ethical concerns and undermines public trust Specifically:
- Councilmember Lynette Crow-Iverson: $10,000
- Councilmember Brian Risley: $10,000
- Councilmember Dave Leinweber: $10,000
- Councilmember Nancy Henjum: $2,000
- Councilmember Mike O'Malley: $2,000
This totals $34,000 of financial influence from the O’Neil Group represented on the dais. According to City Code:
1.3.114: CONFLICTS OF INTEREST - APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY: An appearance of impropriety is created when a covered person will or may take a direct official action that, although not constituting a conflict of interest, will or may create a reasonable perception that the covered person's ability to carry out his or her official duties with integrity, impartiality and competency is impaired, even the "appearance of a conflict of interest" requires recusal.
Therefore, Councilmembers Risley, Leinweber, Lynette Crow-Iverson, Henjum and O'Malley should recuse themselves from voting on the One VeLa development to ensure public trust and uphold ethical standards.
Request for Due Process and Public Hearing
I ask that the Downtown Review Board and City Council vote NO on the One VeLa development and provide a formal public hearing with elected representatives, City Council, before any final approvals. The people of Colorado Springs deserve transparency and an opportunity to voice their concerns before such a transformative decision is made.
I urge the Downtown Review Board and City Council to:
- Vote NO on the One VeLa development.
- Pause all approvals related to this and any skyscraper development until comprehensive public input has been gathered.
- Commit to a ballot measure allowing residents to vote on future building height limits.
The citizens of Colorado Springs deserve a say in shaping the future of our city. I look forward to your response and to a commitment to transparency and public engagement.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Email]