Local Politics
  1. Home
  2. US
  3. Colorado
  4. Colorado Springs
  5. Issues

Ethics Code Revisions

At a glance

  • What: Ordinance 26-56 amending multiple sections of Article 3 (Code of Ethics) of Chapter 1 of the City Code.
  • Where it stands: Approved on first reading on the Consent Calendar on September 22, 2026, by the 9-0 consent vote. The presenter was Associate Attorney Caitlin Moldenhauer. A second reading is still to come.

Work session discussion (September 8, 2026)

  • Introduced at the work session by Associate Attorney Caitlin Moldenhauer, who gave an overview of the proposed ordinance and the City Council actions it requires.
  • Donelson asked about serving on the board of a 501(c)(3) as a Councilmember; Moldenhauer described the intent of the code and said the change came at Council's request.
  • President Crow-Iverson asked why only 501(c)(3) organizations are covered; Moldenhauer said she is open to including all nonprofits if Council asks.
  • Casey asked what "participate" means; Moldenhauer clarified it means "direct official action".
  • Chief of Staff Wayne Williams asked whether the changes would reach spouses of covered City personnel who sit on another board or commission; Moldenhauer said the provision applies only to covered City personnel.
  • Leinweber asked whether it would violate the code if the cost of event tickets for a Councilmember and spouse together exceeds the 175 dollar limit; Moldenhauer said that falls under the reasonable cost and frequency of meals and event tickets for elected officials.

First introduction: City vehicles and family (May 11, 2026)

  • The earlier ethics ordinance (file 26-211, "Code of Ethics Ord. Updated 5-20-26") was first introduced at the 2026-05-11 - City Council Work Session by President Pro Tem Risley, who called it a serious issue that cost taxpayer dollars. Carly Hoff covered why the changes were proposed, the purpose of updating City Code, proposed changes and next steps.
  • Casey said the language limiting City-owned vehicles to elected officials should also cover staff and employees; Risley said the intent is to bar family members from driving City vehicles. Rainey Jr. asked that "personal errands" become "personal use" and Risley agreed.
  • Henjum asked whether the Mayor is driven by the security detail in the same vehicle; Chief of Staff Wayne Williams said they are separate vehicles. He summarized the City Auditor's directive to develop Administrative Regulation 206-04 and the benchmarks reviewed (Police Executive Research Forum, Denver's Executive Security Unit, the State of Colorado, Personnel Policy 56 and the Colorado Springs Utilities chief executive's contract). Henjum said the Mayor deserves a personal life alongside service; Williams said the need for protection does not end when business is not official.
  • Rainey Jr. asked about U.S. Conference of Mayors guidance on political violence (Williams will provide the report), rental versus City vehicles (rentals have unlimited miles; personal vehicles are reimbursed at the IRS rate) and a collective engagement of Administration and Council (Williams welcomed it). President Crow-Iverson said the governor's security level differs from the Mayor's and the utilities chief executive policy is part of an employment contract.
  • Source: minutes https://legistar2.granicus.com/coloradosprings/meetings/2026/5/2782_M_City_Council_Work_Session_26-05-11_Meeting_Minutes.pdf (item 8.J).

Earlier version: City vehicles, babysitting and family (July 14, 2026)

On July 14 Council took up file 26-211, an earlier ordinance amending Article 3 (Code of Ethics), sponsored by President Pro Tem Risley, whose proposed changes covered babysitting by City staff and use of City-owned vehicles. It came a day after the City Auditor's findings (Elected Official Audit Findings). The minutes provided do not show how this file relates to the later Ordinance 26-56 above.

  • Carly Hoff (Legislative Services) gave an overview. Leinweber asked for a de minimis exception for infractions under fifty dollars; Tracy Lessig (Deputy City Attorney) said the code already lets the Ethics Commission dismiss frivolous complaints and a de minimis clause would not remove review by the Independent Ethics Commission, whose call it would be. Risley said the question is whether conduct is ethical, not its dollar value; Wayne Williams (Chief of Staff) favored a de minimis provision to prevent abuse.

  • Henjum worried that spouses and families of elected officials could not ride in City vehicles, supported a de minimis provision and suggested waiting for broader code changes. Risley noted the family is not covered by City insurance; Sara Brewen later confirmed the liability policy does not cover the Mayor's wife or children and that personal business on the way to official business is not authorized. Donelson said the problem would not exist without fraud, waste and abuse but family should be able to ride to City events. Gold said she did not support the ordinance as written and Council should support the Mayor, a seven-day-a-week job.

  • Lessig read Denver's language on family members and others transported in City vehicles; Risley agreed to add it. Williams said the Administration now uses telematics to capture mileage. Natalie Lovell explained that the Fraud, Waste and Abuse Hotline sits in the Auditor's office, the Ethics Commission is independent, and a report can carry both. Rainey said Council must legislate to close the gap and supported de minimis language; Williams saw no need for it.

  • Motion by Donelson, seconded by Risley, to postpone later in the agenda before the public hearings: passed 7-2 (No: Gold, Henjum).

  • When the item returned, Henjum asked whether the de minimis request was added; Brewen said it was not. Motion by Donelson, seconded by Williams, to approve as amended on first reading: passed 7-1-1 (Aye: Casey, Crow-Iverson, Donelson, Leinweber, Rainey Jr., Risley, Williams; No: Henjum; Absent: Gold).

  • Source: City Council minutes, July 14, 2026: https://legistar2.granicus.com/coloradosprings/meetings/2026/7/2789_M_City_Council_26-07-14_Meeting_Minutes.pdf

Sources

Log

2026-09-22 - City Council

First reading approved on the Consent Calendar (9-0).

2026-09-08 - City Council Work Session

Ordinance introduced; questions on nonprofit board service, the meaning of "participate", spouses and the ticket limit.

2026-07-14 - City Council

Earlier ethics ordinance (file 26-211) on City vehicles and family: postponed within the day 7-2, then approved as amended on first reading 7-1-1.

2026-05-11 - City Council Work Session

First introduction of file 26-211 (item 8.J) by Risley and Hoff; discussion of City vehicles, family members, Mayor's security and the Administration's draft regulation.