.png)
A Special Thanks to You - the Difference Makers
- Annexation Opposition Member
- Jun 18
- 3 min read
We would like to thank the amazing people of Colorado Springs, Unincorporated El Paso County, and the Lower Arkansas Valley who have stood by us through this journey.
We want to start by saying how humbled we are by all the support we've received. It’s been nothing short of inspiring to witness how many of you have stood with us, not just as residents of Colorado Springs, Unincorporated El Paso County, and communities beyond, but as champions of responsible, logical, smart growth.
From the very beginning, we told the City Council that if they continued to ignore the concerns of the people, we would take this decision to the people themselves. We said that twice. And, that’s exactly what we did. We took this fight beyond the council chambers and into the heart of the community. This was about you—the people of Colorado Springs and communities beyond who believe in doing things the right way, the smart way, and the responsible way.
We want to say thank you to those of you who took the time to learn about the Karman Line annexation and to hear our message. You understood the risks involved—the strain on our water resources, the threat to wildlife, the burden on our infrastructure—and you stood with us.
To those of you who braved the cold to meet us at local businesses, who stood with us in front of shopping centers, and who put out yard signs to make sure our message reached every corner of the city—thank you. Your dedication has been nothing short of inspiring.
And we want to take a moment to particularly acknowledge the amazing people from the Lower Arkansas Valley. These hardworking farmers, ranchers, and landowners have not only supported us from the start, but they’ve also educated us on the true path of water and the accurate ripple effects of drying up farmland. It’s a shame the developer was quoted recently with misinformation. We’ve learned there is much more at play than the “willing buyer and willing seller of water” and how these water sales actually occur in the Lower Ark Valley. These good people have, on numerous occasions, traveled many hours to speak out in opposition to this illogical irresponsible growth, and, gratefully, many are here today.
Over the last six months, many of you have shared with us that this process has felt like a civics lesson—an education on what happens when the majority of your representation is tone deaf. We’ve learned that it’s our duty as citizens to stay vigilant, stay informed, and to never let those in power exclude us from the process. To stand up for what’s right, and, as in this case, to stand in opposition when it’s wrong.
Our little grass roots group tried to highlight that when decisions are made without listening to the people, there’s power in coming together and making your voices heard. We hope we’ve shown how important it is to do your own research, to speak verifiable truths, and to make sure your concerns are voiced. We all have the power to create change. We cannot let the planners and decision-makers of our city leave us out of these conversations. Our voices matter, and they deserve to be heard.
We want to give a huge shoutout to the amazing people of Colorado Springs! You showed up and made your voices loud and clear in the special election, voting 82% to 18% against annexation. You could have chosen to be anywhere else or engaged in busy summer schedules, but you chose to take a moment and fill out that AGAINST bubble on your ballot and return it. You made history last night as the first citizen-led land use referendum in Colorado Springs to overturn a city council decision. Thank you for standing strong and shaping our community’s future!
Finally, thank you to those who have told us that we are fighting for the future of your children, for the preservation of our beautiful landscapes, for the integrity of our water sources, and for a city that remains grounded in common sense. You get it. This journey has been about more than just one development’s annexation—it’s about setting a precedent. It’s about standing up for the future we want in this city and not sacrificing one community for the growth of another. Let’s continue to make our voices heard, and together, we’ll ensure our growth is responsible, sustainable, and, most importantly, reflects the values of our community.
Sincerely,
Karmen Line Annexation Opposition Leadership Team
コメント