Enough is enough.

Colorado Springs families are struggling with rising costs everywhere — housing, groceries, insurance, and utilities.

Yet under the leadership of Dave Donelson, Chair of the Colorado Springs Utilities Board and a Colorado Springs City Councilman, utility leadership pushed forward a compensation package that would raise the Utilities CEO’s salary to $700,000, include a $150,000 raise, and provide a guaranteed six-month severance package.

At the same time, Colorado Springs residents were hit with years of utility rate increases.

A publicly owned utility should not be acting like a corporate executive compensation machine while forcing ratepayers to pay more every year.

Elitism has no place in public service.

This petition supports a citizen-led effort to explore the lawful recall of Dave Donelson.

$700,000 for the CEO. Higher Bills for Everyone Else.

According to reporting by KOAA News5, the compensation proposal advanced by Donelson  would increase CEO compensation from roughly $550,000 to $700,000 by 2027 while also providing guaranteed severance protections.

Residents were told by Donelson this package was necessary to remain “competitive.”

But Colorado Springs families are not receiving $150,000 raises.

Working people are not receiving guaranteed severance packages.

Small businesses cannot simply force captive customers to absorb every new expense.

Yet that is exactly what Utilities leadership has done to ratepayers.

This is not private-sector corporate America.

This is a publicly owned utility funded by the people of Colorado Springs.

Residents deserve leaders focused on affordability and stewardship — not executive enrichment.

Then Came the Rate Hikes.

Under Dave Donelson’s leadership as Utilities Board Chair, Colorado Springs Utilities approved sweeping utility increases that will cost residents hundreds more each year.

2024 Rate Increase

Approved November 2023

Electric: +8%
Natural Gas: +6%
Water and Wastewater increases
Estimated annual household impact: approximately $238

2025–2029 Multi-Year Rate Plan

Approved November 2024

Electric: +6.5% annually
Water: +6.5% annually
Natural Gas: +4% annually
Wastewater: +9% annually
Estimated 2025 household impact alone: approximately $231

Combined, these increases amount to nearly $500 more per year for the average household — with additional increases already planned in future years.

Residents are paying more and more while utility executives seek bigger compensation packages at the top.

Enough is enough.

Why Residents Are Calling for Accountability

Dave Donelson is not just the Utilities Board Chair.

He is also an elected Colorado Springs City Councilman accountable to the public.

Colorado Springs Utilities belongs to the people of Colorado Springs. Its leadership should reflect:

Fiscal restraint
Transparency
Accountability
Respect for ratepayers
Sensitivity to the financial realities facing working families
Instead, many residents believe Utilities leadership has become disconnected from the people it serves.

The recall process exists for moments when elected officials appear out of touch with the public’s priorities and financial realities.

This petition is not the recall itself.

It is a citizen-led effort to formally explore whether recall is warranted.

What This Petition Supports

By signing, you support:

• A public review of the executive compensation package advanced under Dave Donelson’s leadership.
• Greater transparency surrounding utility executive pay and severance agreements.
• A full accounting of utility rate increases approved during Donelson’s tenure as Board Chair.
• Stronger accountability and oversight for future executive compensation and rate-setting decisions.
• A lawful, community-led exploration of recalling Dave Donelson as Colorado Springs Utilities Board Chair and Colorado Springs City Councilman.
• Colorado Springs residents deserve public servants who understand the financial pressure facing ordinary families.
• Not leaders who approve elite compensation packages while asking residents to pay higher utility bills year after year.

If you believe public officials should put ratepayers before executive compensation, sign this petition to support an exploratory community effort to hold Dave Donelson accountable.