COLORADO SPRINGS – Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers delivered his fourth State of the City address at the Broadmoor on Friday.
Suthers’ spoke of the city’s success in job creation as more organizations and businesses relocate to the area providing 24,000 jobs since 2015. He also noted that along with the growth in opportunities comes the need for more housing, a market that is among the best in the country and still among the most affordable.
However, not everyone who moves to Colorado Springs prospers for a range of reasons. The mayor said the camping ban within 100 feet of waterways was necessary for public help. Its a move advocates for the homeless have strongly criticized. He said the city will continue to work with Springs Rescue Mission and the Salvation Army to address the needs of this portion of the population.
When addressing the ballot initiatives going before Colorado voters this fall, Suthers voiced his support for Initiative 167: ‘Fix Our Damn Roads’ as “a better deal”. RELATED: News5 Election Coverage
He also asked the room to show their appreciation for Colorado Springs Police Officer Cem Duzel as he recovers from a gunshot wound to the head suffered during a call in August. RELATED: News5 Election Coverage
There is one public servant who cannot be with us today. Officer Cem Duzel is recovering after being shot in the head while responding to a call on Aug 2nd. Let’s show him our appreciation for him & the sacrifice he has made for our city. #stateofCOS18 @cspdpio pic.twitter.com/eRI1HhjnXa
— Colorado Springs Mayor (@COSpringsMayor) September 21, 2018
At the conclusion of his address, Mayor Suthers gave the ‘Spirit of the Springs’ award to Chuck Murphy, a Colorado Spring native, and owner of Murphy Constructors. Murphy is well-known for work to renovate historic buildings in Colorado Springs.
