In a bold and symbolic move, Mayor Yemi Mobolade stepped onto the stage at The Broadmoor ballroom wearing a green Notre Dame football jersey over his dress shirt and tie, declaring it “halftime” in his administration. His third State of the City address, delivered Thursday morning, offered a candid assessment of Colorado Springs’ fiscal challenges and a hopeful roadmap for the future.

Budget Shortfall and Economic Headwinds

Mobolade opened with sobering news: a $31 million revenue shortfall driven by inflation, high interest rates, and reduced consumer spending. The city’s general fund, heavily reliant on sales and use taxes, has taken a hit.

To mitigate the deficit, the city has:
– Cut approximately 1% of its workforce
– Implemented employee furloughs
– Closed the Meadows Park Community Center
– Warned of further cuts in the next fiscal cycle

Despite these setbacks, Mobolade emphasized resilience, pointing to strong tourism and employment figures.

Tourism and Economic Development

Colorado Springs welcomed a record 25.5 million visitors in 2024, generating $3.1 billion in spending—the highest in city history. The local unemployment rate stands at 3.9%, outperforming state and national averages.

Since taking office, Mobolade has signed 16 economic development agreements projected to:
– Create 2,700 new jobs
– Generate $1.1 billion in capital investment
– Add $69 million in new city revenue

Ten of those agreements were with small businesses, which Mobolade called “the soul” of the local economy.

Public Safety Improvements

Mobolade devoted the longest segment of his speech to public safety, stating, “A safe city is a great city, and a great city is a safe city.”

Key accomplishments include:
– Hiring over 250 officers since June 2023
– Surpassing 800 sworn officers for the first time
– Reducing homicides by 20%, motor vehicle theft by 41%, and overall property crime by 16%
– Staffing the 911 call center at its highest level since 2018
– Expanding the Fire Department’s whole blood program, credited with saving over 80 lives

Housing, Homelessness, and Cleanup

The city’s Homeless Outreach Program cleared 1,100 encampments and served 3,000 individuals. However, homelessness remains a growing concern, with El Paso County’s unhoused population rising 52% from 2024 to 2025.

Mobolade also praised the city’s 2025 cleanup effort, which removed 9 million pounds of trash from public spaces.

Infrastructure and Pothole Response

Responding to citizen complaints, Mobolade expanded pothole repair crews by hiring 12 new members. The city repaired over 94,000 potholes last year and launched an upgraded GoCOS app to streamline public reporting.

He also credited emergency crews for swiftly repairing North Cheyenne Cañon Road after June flooding, preserving access for residents and summer visitors.

Looking Ahead

Mobolade closed with a call for unity and optimism, urging residents to “keep showing up” and “keep believing in Colorado Springs.” As he enters the second half of his term, the mayor faces the challenge of maintaining momentum while navigating economic uncertainty.