Friends, today was an important step for City of Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs City Council on a 7-1 vote referred a Taypayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) retention initiative to this November's ballot that will allow us to take the first steps to expanding the training facilities and training programming for our Colorado Springs Police Department. As a mayoral candidate, the top concern I heard from residents was public safety. Responding to the concerns of residents, my final campaign ad was a promise to overcome the shortage of police officers that has challenged City of Colorado Springs and to ensure our officers receive modern training that fully prepares them for the challenges facing our world. Today’s victory is a first step to fulfilling that promise and creating a safer Colorado Springs. It moves us towards our goal of a fully staffed police department and a better work/life balance for our first responders who put their lives on the line and ensure we prevent the burnout ...