PlanCOS kicked off its first year following approval of the Colorado Springs Comprehensive Plan update by Celebrating Unique Places. This celebration was co-hosted by PlanCOS and the Council of Neighborhoods and Organizations (CONO). The event was held July 18, 2019 at Lincoln Center. It included libations at Goat Patch Brewery, bicycle rides courtesy of PikeRide, fire truck tours, pop-up workouts by Penrose-St. Francis Health Services, and a panel discussion with residents from different parts of the city discussing how their neighborhoods provide a sense of community.

Speakers:

Moderator: Diane Loschen, CEO, Council of Neighbors and Organizations (CONO)

Panel:

Business Representatives:

LINKS:

PlanCOS

Council of Neighbors and Organizations (CONO)

Lincoln Center

PikeRide

Bike Colorado Springs

Goat Patch Brewing Co.

Smørbrød

Penrose-St. Francis Health Services

Don’t Miss an Episode

The post Peak Town Square 33: Celebrating Unique Places appeared first on Studio 809 Podcasts.

Restorative Justice, Prison Reform, Recidivism, Incarceration Rate, Ban the Box, are just some of the topics that Senator Pete Lee and Robin Roberts discuss.

Normalization of the prison experience, European prisons, Pre-release programs, and expunging records are also discussed.

The post Town Square: 30 Prison Reform Recidivism Criminal Justice System appeared first on Studio 809 Podcasts.

The Citizens Project 2019 Creating Community Breakfast, featuring speakers from community organizations and conversations examining our privilege and ways we can use it.

Idris Goodwin’s American Prom:

Springs Mag interview

Spirettes band

Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Institute

Julissa Molina Soto:

Program video by Lauren Ferrara Storytelling

YOU can contribute to Citizens Project. As a grassroots nonprofit, any and all donations help us continue our work in the fight for equity, diversity, and inclusion. You can donate on our website

Legislative Report Card

This episode of Town Square is also courtesy of Citizens Project, a local grassroots nonprofit, 501(c)3, organization dedicated to defending and promoting equality, the separation of church and state, and respect for diversity. We educate the community through our online newsletter and nonpartisan voter guides, we monitor local government and public schools to ensure that rights and freedoms are upheld, and we mobilize residents to make their voices heard. Learn more.

Listen to the Creating Community Breakfast Podcast Here:

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Legislation that was passed and not passed in Colorado’s 2019 legislative session pack the agenda in this town hall featuring Pete Lee (Senate district 11), Tony Exum, Jr. (House district 17) and Marc Snyder (House district 18). County Commissioner Longinos Gonzalez makes a brief appearance.

The post Town Square: Town Hall with Pete Lee, Tony Exum, Marc Synder – June 6 2019 appeared first on Studio 809 Podcasts.

The Omnibus election bill, dark money, voting machines, foreign money in Colorado politics, lobbyists, and more were on the agenda as Jena Griswold, Colorado Secretary of State, spoke on June 8. She was the special guest of Senator Pete Lee and House members Tony Exum and Marc Snyder at their town hall in Colorado Springs. (Episode 29, Recorded 6/8/19)

The post Town Square: Jena Griswold CO Secretary of State – June 8 2019 appeared first on Studio 809 Podcasts.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis offers his perspective on the recently concluded legislative session and his first few months in office. He also answers audience questions at this town hall co-hosted by the Colorado Springs Independent, Colorado Springs Business Journal, and Southeast Express. Subjects include: A re-insurance bill; full-day kindergarden, bills passed that will improve health care and reduce health care and insurance costs.

The post Town Square: Governor Polis Town Hall – Colorado Springs May 4 2019 appeared first on Studio 809 Podcasts.

The history of the Electoral College and advantages of a national popular vote for U.S. President and Vice President. The League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region presented this session as part of their annual meeting April 27, 2019. The presenter is Sylvia Bernstein, co-chair of Colorado National Popular Vote.

On March 15, 2019 Governor Polis signed the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact and officially added Colorado to the growing number of states committing to a National Popular Vote for the U.S. Presidency. Learn more about the National Popular Vote.

This episode of Town Square is courtesy of the League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region. The League of Women Voters has fought since 1920 to improve our systems of government and impact public policies through citizen education and advocacy. The League is a nonpartisan grassroots organization, working at the national, state and local levels. Learn more.

The post Town Square: National Popular Vote appeared first on Studio 809 Podcasts.

Learn how your property tax bill is determined from El Paso County Assessor Steve Schleiker. He explains the 2019 re-appraisal process and how it affects property owners. This town hall was held April 2, 2019 by the El Paso County Assessor’s Office and the Council of Neighbors and Organizations. Contact the Assessor’s office with your questions.

The post Town Square: Surprised by Property Value Increase? appeared first on Studio 809 Podcasts.

Everything you need to know about spending a beautiful Memorial Day weekend listening to amazing music under the sun and stars. Now in its second decade, MeadowGrass is the perfect getaway for families and music lovers. The festival features more than 20 national, regional and local artists, music workshops, yoga, kids’ activities, and camping – all in the Black Forest between Colorado Springs and Denver.

MeadowGrass Music Director Steve Harris joins Festival Director Nicole Nicoletta and Whitney Luckett, president of the Rocky Mountain Highway Music Collaborative, to dish on this year’s festival with Town Square host Dave Gardner.

MeadowGrass has been named “Best Music Festival” by readers of the Colorado Springs Independent year after year. It runs May 24-26, 2019, at the La Foret Conference & Retreat Center. The festival kicks off Friday afternoon at 1:30 and cranks it up to eleven with the All Colorado Beer festival from 4:30 – 7:00 pm.

LINKS:

Purchase Tickets

Volunteer

MeadowGrass on Facebook

Road to MeadowGrass Events

MeadowGrass Jam Session IPA Release Party – May 3, 2019

Edelweiss Summerfest 2019

Rocky Mountain Highway Music Collaborative on Facebook

Learn more about Rocky Mountain Highway Music Collaborative

The post Town Square: #25 – MeadowGrass Music Festival 2019 appeared first on Studio 809 Podcasts.

Report a pothole, avoid cone zones, watch a particular agenda item in a city council meeting, see candidates’ campaign finance filings, see where your tax dollars are going. These are just a few of the powers in your hands with the City of Colorado Springs website and COSprings app. Jay Anderson, Open Data and Citizen Engagement Administrator for the City of Colorado Springs, explains how you can use these powers to be a “civic superhero.” This public presentation was hosted March 16, 2019 by the League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region.

Scroll down to audio player. Here is Jay’s slide show:

This episode of Town Square is courtesy of the League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region. The League of Women Voters has fought since 1920 to improve our systems of government and impact public policies through citizen education and advocacy. The League is a nonpartisan grassroots organization, working at the national, state and local levels. Learn more.

LINKS:

Civic Superhero Toolbox

More Civic Superhero resources

City of Colorado Springs website

To File an Open Records Request

Bus System Info (Mountain Metro Transit)

The post Town Square: #24 – Tools for Transparency – Civic Superhero Training appeared first on Studio 809 Podcasts.