2023 Colorado Springs Municipal
City Council
DISTRICT 3 CANDIDATES
THE TOPICS
& QUESTIONS
click each box to read
Candidate Information
Campaign Website URL:
Email Address:
Occupation/Vocation:
Military Background:
Resident of Colorado Springs:
Political Leanings
As a candidate in the Colorado Springs nonpartisan municipal election, you are not officially associated with any specific political party. How would you describe your political leanings (socially, fiscally, etc.) and why do you define yourself in this way?
Your Experience and Vision
What experience (personal, professional, other) would you bring to your role as Colorado Springs Mayor that will benefit our city? What is your vision for being Mayor, and what do you hope to accomplish during your first year in office?
Defending Constitutional Liberties
Many Americans believe that the government at every level is not securing their Creator-given rights, but rather encroaching on them. Established freedoms, including that of speech, peaceable assembly, exercise of religion, medical autonomy, and commerce are often negatively impacted by state and federal regulations, and were greatly infringed upon by COVID mandates. As Mayor, how will you protect the residents of Colorado Springs from current and future unconstitutional government overreach?
Utilities/Infrastructure
City Council members also serve as the Board of Colorado Springs Utilities. What is your plan to (1) shield residents and businesses from accelerated rate hikes due to an expedited shift to renewable energy sources, and (2) address the future water needs of Colorado Springs as our city continues to grow in population and annex more land?
Crime and Police
Colorado Springs’ crime rates are rising, while Police Department recruitment is down. As a Councilperson, what will you do to ensure citizens are protected from crime, including improving recruitment, morale, and response time within the CSPD?
Protecting the Most Vulnerable
As a Councilperson, how will you ensure the protection of the most vulnerable in our city, including the lives of the unborn, the trafficked, and the elderly?
Business/Jobs
What specifically should the City Council do, if anything, to bring more businesses/jobs to Colorado Springs?
Affordable Housing
As more and more people move to Colorado Springs, what can be done to provide affordable housing while also retaining our city’s unique character and environment that have made it such a popular place in the United States to live?
Homelessness/Vagrancy
How can the City Council address the increase in the homeless/vagrant population in our city in ways that best serve all Colorado Springs residents?
Impact of Drug Use on Our Community
What are your views pertaining to Colorado Springs’ ban on recreational Marijuana sales within city limits? Also, with the recent decriminalization of Psilocybin-containing mushrooms and other psychedelic drugs in Colorado, and the Opioid/Fentanyl crisis, what do you believe should be done to protect our city and its residents, and especially our youth, from the negative physical, mental, emotional, social, and economic impacts of Schedule I and II drug use and abuse?
Engagement with the Faith Community
Colorado Springs has a large, diverse, and well-established religious community, consisting predominantly of those practicing some form of Christianity, and is home to hundreds of local churches and international parachurch ministries. What is your current engagement with the local faith community, and how do you plan to interact with and represent us in your role as a City Councilperson?
MICHELLE RENEE TALARICO
Candidate Information
Campaign Website URL: www.TeamTalarico.org
Email Address: MichelleT@PBCatering.com
Occupation/Vocation: Co-owner Picnic Basket Catering Collective
Resident of Colorado Springs: 41 years
Political Leanings
As a candidate in the Colorado Springs nonpartisan municipal election, you are not officially associated with any specific political party. How would you describe your political leanings (socially, fiscally, etc.) and why do you define yourself in this way?
I have owned a business here since 1989. As a business owner I lean towards less government interference in the way I run my business. as a grateful recipient of PPP monies and RRF monies during and post Covid, I am eternally thankful. We were able to keep our full staff. Personally I favor social issues that are more so middle grounded and sensible.
Your Experience and Vision
What experience (personal, professional, other) would you bring to your role as Colorado Springs Mayor that will benefit our city? What is your vision for being Mayor, and what do you hope to accomplish during your first year in office?
As a COS native; I have lived, worked, volunteered, and played here my entire life. This is home, simply put. Having experience working in a global leadership capacity for Colorado’s largest company and now running our own business with our 35 employees, I see first-hand what concerns and challenges people face. I have a responsibility to utilize my skillsets, energy, and creativity to leave COS better than I found it. At 39 years old, I have a great deal of experience, but also the energy to tackle some of our greatest challenges. I represent a fresh face on city council.
Defending Constitutional Liberties
Many Americans believe that the government at every level is not securing their Creator-given rights, but rather encroaching on them. Established freedoms, including that of speech, peaceable assembly, exercise of religion, medical autonomy, and commerce are often negatively impacted by state and federal regulations, and were greatly infringed upon by COVID mandates. As Mayor, how will you protect the residents of Colorado Springs from current and future unconstitutional government overreach?
This is a very complex topic Defending Constitutional Liberties. I do not support the radical right nor the radical left representing the majority middle class. Most Americans are reasonable hard working individuals who may complain about government overreach while driving on government funded roads and relying on infrastructure that is paid for by all. There is not a one size fits all answer for me. I do believe however in peaceful assembly and freedom of speech. I believe our local state and country government did the best they could with the rapidly unknown changes Covid presented.
Utilities/Infrastructure
City Council members also serve as the Board of Colorado Springs Utilities. What is your plan to (1) shield residents and businesses from accelerated rate hikes due to an expedited shift to renewable energy sources, and (2) address the future water needs of Colorado Springs as our city continues to grow in population and annex more land?
To learn all I can about our current and future energy and water use. I plan to go into every meeting listening, learning, digging deep into issues and voting with the best of my ability. I believe it to be paramount that we understand all there is to know about the responsible growth and planning of our city. we owe property owners and residents due process as well as owe rate payers/users fair rates.
Crime and Police
Colorado Springs’ crime rates are rising, while Police Department recruitment is down. As a Councilperson, what will you do to ensure citizens are protected from crime, including improving recruitment, morale, and response time within the CSPD?
Listen, provide proper resources to our Police department. We need to help increase awareness of the positive sides of policing not just look at the negative. we need to be able to handle our growing city and we are not properly suited to do so right now.
Protecting the Most Vulnerable
As a Councilperson, how will you ensure the protection of the most vulnerable in our city, including the lives of the unborn, the trafficked, and the elderly?
As a human being who cares , I will always fight for the vulnerable. I am Pro choice which DOES NOT MEAN I SUPPORT ABORTION. I am extremely concerned about the trafficked and the elderly and will listen to any and all issues that come before council.
Business/Jobs
What specifically should the City Council do, if anything, to bring more businesses/jobs to Colorado Springs?
Within our authority continue to support low taxes, support initiatives such as RetoolCOS, and to support responsible not excessive growth. WE need a diverse, strong economy and a strong downtown. if we are to continue to keep the younger generations staying and raising their families we must always support the arts and cultural initiates.
Affordable Housing
As more and more people move to Colorado Springs, what can be done to provide affordable housing while also retaining our city’s unique character and environment that have made it such a popular place in the United States to live?
Allow for more density with the right controls in older neighborhoods (really controversial with old, established neighborhoods like North End, Near North End, Skyway, West Side, etc.). But this is a reasonable solution because these older, larger homes, have the ability to be reasonably turned into partial apartments, particularly for relatives and friends. The trick is to require that they be owner occupied so that investors are not encouraged and neighbors have a contact if there are any problems. Restricting Short Term Rentals to be owner-occupied was thrown out by the courts recently as unconstitutional, but where this could happen is through getting government affordable housing monies to property owners who want to fix up a portion of their house.
Homelessness/Vagrancy
How can the City Council address the increase in the homeless/vagrant population in our city in ways that best serve all Colorado Springs residents?
Low barrier shelter beds. We have plenty. 500 for singles plus now for families at Salvation Army’s Montgomery Center. Occasionally during sub zero, warming shelters are necessary. Mostly never full otherwise.
Many still choose to camp cause they want to sleep with partner, dog or use drugs or alcohol through the night. Several have good tents and sleeping bags cause of the kindness of downtown churches and other advocates.
Transitional Housing and Rapid rehousing. Big need here. Particularly for families or moms with kids since Family Promise closed motels. Lots of opposition to these facilities in neighborhoods even if well supervised with good security. The best way to get people help.
Impact of Drug Use on Our Community
What are your views pertaining to Colorado Springs’ ban on recreational Marijuana sales within city limits? Also, with the recent decriminalization of Psilocybin-containing mushrooms and other psychedelic drugs in Colorado, and the Opioid/Fentanyl crisis, what do you believe should be done to protect our city and its residents, and especially our youth, from the negative physical, mental, emotional, social, and economic impacts of Schedule I and II drug use and abuse?
It is absolutely not acceptable that the Fentanyl crisis is wiping out a huge part of of populations. we must do more. I agree with the ban for recreation marijuana in our city. we don’t need it
I need to know more about the studies and possible benefits of Psilocybin before i can answer this
I am very concerned about our suicide rate in El Paso County.
Engagement with the Faith Community
Colorado Springs has a large, diverse, and well-established religious community, consisting predominantly of those practicing some form of Christianity, and is home to hundreds of local churches and international parachurch ministries. What is your current engagement with the local faith community, and how do you plan to interact with and represent us in your role as a City Councilperson?
I love our faith based communities. I believe that all forms of discriminations are unacceptable including discriminating against religious freedom. As a community leader I work with many varied religious entities.
SCOTT HILLER
Candidate Information
Campaign Website URL: www.ElectScottHiller.com
Email Address: ScottHillerForCOS@yahoo.com
Occupation/Vocation: Chief of Geosciences
Resident of Colorado Springs: 5 years
Political Leanings
As a candidate in the Colorado Springs nonpartisan municipal election, you are not officially associated with any specific political party. How would you describe your political leanings (socially, fiscally, etc.) and why do you define yourself in this way?
I believe in liberty, free market economics, and self-determination. I do not believe that it is the government’s job to meddle in markets nor pick winners and losers. I believe in and will strongly defend our civil liberties. I also think that when uncertainties arise, we should always err on the side of freedom.
Your Experience and Vision
What experience (personal, professional, other) would you bring to your role as Colorado Springs Mayor that will benefit our city? What is your vision for being Mayor, and what do you hope to accomplish during your first year in office?
I am a scientist. I look at the world around me and approach challenges from that perspective. As a Chief of Geosciences and geophysicist, I regularly use evidence and data to make consequential decisions that affect public safety as well as billions of dollars of infrastructure. Looking at what obstacles we in Colorado Springs are likely to face in the future, whether it be wildfires or water allocation issues, a data based scientific approach is something I will bring to the table. I also have no conflicts of interest. Without the need to recuse myself, you can be sure that I will actually be at the table to cast votes on behalf of the people of District 3.
Defending Constitutional Liberties
Many Americans believe that the government at every level is not securing their Creator-given rights, but rather encroaching on them. Established freedoms, including that of speech, peaceable assembly, exercise of religion, medical autonomy, and commerce are often negatively impacted by state and federal regulations, and were greatly infringed upon by COVID mandates. As Mayor, how will you protect the residents of Colorado Springs from current and future unconstitutional government overreach?
I believe in the United States Constitution. As a member of the City Council, I would never advocate for anything unconstitutional and always seek to prevent government encroachment on the civil liberties of the citizens.
Utilities/Infrastructure
City Council members also serve as the Board of Colorado Springs Utilities. What is your plan to (1) shield residents and businesses from accelerated rate hikes due to an expedited shift to renewable energy sources, and (2) address the future water needs of Colorado Springs as our city continues to grow in population and annex more land?
The components of your utility bill are very complicated. The oil and gas markets are international markets. There is not a lot the City Council of Colorado Springs can do about the price of oil, gas, or any petroleum product. That price will be affected by both international and large global events. Concurrently, the American coal industry has been going bankrupt, consolidating, and monopolizing for the last 15 years. We need to study everything that can be done, but unfortunately this is a global problem. Concerning water, I support a Water Commission that would include experts in water law, water conservation, and hydrology, as well as developers and the public in order to advance the best water policy possible.
Crime and Police
Colorado Springs’ crime rates are rising, while Police Department recruitment is down. As a Councilperson, what will you do to ensure citizens are protected from crime, including improving recruitment, morale, and response time within the CSPD?
Finding, training and retaining police officers is a national problem these days. Police departments are no different than any other business trying to find, train and retain employees. If we want a police force that provides exceptional service to our community, then we must compensate and incentivize our officers in an exceptional way. The department must be at full force. And we must do whatever we have to do to get it there. As far as paying for increased benefit packages, it is simply a matter of making the police a priority.
Protecting the Most Vulnerable
As a Councilperson, how will you ensure the protection of the most vulnerable in our city, including the lives of the unborn, the trafficked, and the elderly?
The government’s primary obligation to the citizens is public safety. Citizens should feel safe enough to live their lives, speak freely, and keep their government accountable. The City Council and whole of government should work to keep the city safe, maintain and update public spaces, and be responsive to all citizens. In this environment, all communities will have the opportunity to express themselves and live safely.
Business/Jobs
What specifically should the City Council do, if anything, to bring more businesses/jobs to Colorado Springs?
In the United States, we operate in a free market system. Businesses and people move to places that are attractive to them. Therefore, the city must maintain robust city services and infrastructure. They should also improve public safety and prioritize our parks and open space. These things (among others) will keep Colorado Springs a great place that people want to live now and into the future
Affordable Housing
As more and more people move to Colorado Springs, what can be done to provide affordable housing while also retaining our city’s unique character and environment that have made it such a popular place in the United States to live?
I do not believe that this is something the government should be involved in. It is not good for the government to get involved with fixing prices or picking winners and losers. What the government can do is create conditions for the city to thrive and develop products and services to meet market demands and, most importantly, the desires of the local taxpayers and voters. In addition, the city should not allow unbridled growth, the overcrowding of residential neighborhoods, nor create irrational zoning types in the name of “affordable housing”. These actions only reinforce high prices during economic boom times and ensure an environment of overbuilt and vacant buildings during recessions.
Homelessness/Vagrancy
How can the City Council address the increase in the homeless/vagrant population in our city in ways that best serve all Colorado Springs residents?
We can protect our vibrant neighborhoods with more strict enforcement and policing of trespassing, illegal camping, public urination/defecation, hard drug offences, and public storage laws. We can, at the same time, protect our homeless neighbors by maintaining shelters and robust services.
Impact of Drug Use on Our Community
What are your views pertaining to Colorado Springs’ ban on recreational Marijuana sales within city limits? Also, with the recent decriminalization of Psilocybin-containing mushrooms and other psychedelic drugs in Colorado, and the Opioid/Fentanyl crisis, what do you believe should be done to protect our city and its residents, and especially our youth, from the negative physical, mental, emotional, social, and economic impacts of Schedule I and II drug use and abuse?
We have a serious drug problem in this city. It must be addressed with additional focus and law enforcement. However, the problem is not marijuana. We should not be spending the city’s time and resources on marijuana when drugs like opioids, fentanyl, and methamphetamines are the real problem. Let’s hyper-focus on the drugs that are actually doing the damage to our society. The ones that are making people act like zombies and could actually kill our children.
Engagement with the Faith Community
Colorado Springs has a large, diverse, and well-established religious community, consisting predominantly of those practicing some form of Christianity, and is home to hundreds of local churches and international parachurch ministries. What is your current engagement with the local faith community, and how do you plan to interact with and represent us in your role as a City Councilperson?
The citizens in the local faith community have the same concerns about our city that we all have. How do we make sure our loved ones are safe in case of wildfire? How do we care for our homeless neighbors while maintaining a safe and sanitary society for everyone? How do we balance the need to accommodate and plan for inevitable growth while keeping unbridled growth in check? Keeping Colorado Springs magnificent now and into the future will require the input from all of us.
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Christian voting
Voting is a simple, yet significant way to do something about public policy in our country. As people of faith, we will be held accountable for our actions, as well as our lack of action. (Luke 12:48)
Biblical worldview
By diligently learning, applying, and trusting God’s truths in every area of our lives, we can begin to develop a deep comprehensive faith that will stand against the unrelenting tide of our culture’s non-biblical ideas.
Vote your values
The issues of the day change. Political parties and platforms change. God’s Word never changes. The vote of every Christian should be based on the principles of Scripture and not persuasive personalities.
Electing righteous leaders
Bad governance and our loss of freedom is the direct result of the church’s failure to disciple. When the citizenry do not seek to be obedient to God’s Law, they vote in wicked and corrupt candidates, who then trample underfoot the God-given liberties of the people.