We’re entering the FINAL round in the fight against the One VeLa skyscraper – a 27-story, 315-foot luxury apartment tower approved with a taxpayer-financed parking garage.
Believe it or not, this was nearly approved behind closed doors by a single city planner under Colorado Springs’ new code. No vote. No public hearing. No transparency.
If the public hadn't raised its voice, this would’ve been the first skyscraper in our city's history approved administratively—by ONE unelected official. Let that sink in.
But thanks to YOU, it went before the Downtown Review Board (DRB) hearing. And now, we have one last shot:
👉 This appeal is the ONLY public hearing before our elected officials – and the final opportunity to stop this project before it's too late.
📢 WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW:
✅ 1. ATTEND THE HEARING
This is it. Pack the room. Show them that residents care about the future of Colorado Springs. A city-altering decision like this deserves a public vote—not rubber-stamping.
📍 Appeal Hearing Date/Time: 4/7/2025, 1PM (Special hearing for this Appeal)
📍 Location: City Council Chambers, 107 N. Nevada Ave
✅ 2. EMAIL CITY COUNCIL – DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY
Tell them: “I oppose One VeLa and demand a public vote on building height limits. The people—not developers—should shape the skyline of Colorado Springs.”
📬 Email. Sample email provided here and below: https://www.integritymatterscos.org/one-vela-skyscraper-development
We’re not anti-growth—we’re pro-democracy. Our skyline, infrastructure, and neighborhoods shouldn’t be sold off without public consent. Let the voters decide on height limits.
📣 Share this petition. Bring your neighbors to the hearing. Flood inboxes. We CAN stop this—but only if we show up and speak out, together.
Let’s remind City Council who they work for: THE PEOPLE.
SAMPLE EMAIL:
To: allcouncil@coloradosprings.gov
cc: Chelsea@downtowncs.com 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, kktv-news@graymedia.com, newsroom@coloradosun.com, newsroom@denverpost.com
Subject: Please Vote NO on the One VeLa Skyscraper – Preserve Our Views and Community Character
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully urge you to vote NO on the proposed One VeLa skyscraper project.
This development would drastically alter the character of our city and set a dangerous precedent for excessive building heights that block our treasured views of Pikes Peak. Our skyline is part of what makes Colorado Springs unique, and towering structures like this threaten the aesthetic, environmental, and cultural integrity of our community.
Here are my key concerns:
- Loss of mountain views that define our city and are a source of pride for residents and attraction for visitors.
- Shadows cast over nearby neighborhoods and public spaces, negatively impacting quality of life.
- Heat island effects and pollution associated with dense vertical construction.
- Negative impact on surrounding property values and neighborhood cohesion.
Most importantly, the will of the people has been ignored. Nearly 7,000 citizens citywide have signed petitions opposing this project, and there has been a refusal to allow the public a meaningful voice in this process.
Please stand with your constituents and protect our city from overdevelopment.
Protect the iconic view of America’s Mountain. As Katharine Lee Bates wrote after summiting Pikes Peak:
“O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain…
for purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain!”
Let us not pave over the poetry of our land with concrete and steel.
Vote NO on One VeLa.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address or Zip Code, Optional]
[Your Email, Optional]