Why Karman Line Annexation Opposition

Flagpole Annexation 3.6 miles from Colorado Springs

Are you fed up with being silenced, feeling like your voice is drowned out and your power to change things is nonexistent? Our relentless grassroots crew pulled off the impossible— we’ve got a referendum onto the ballot to make YOUR voice heard! This is a game-changer! Colorado Springs has NEVER seen a referendum win, but now YOU can ignite history and demand to be heard! The time to strike is NOW! When your ballot lands after May 23rd, grab a pen, fill in that “AGAINST the Ordinance” bubble, and either mail it or hurl it into a ballot drop box.

We stood in the freezing cold February days to get the needed signatures; now it’s your turn to bring the heat! We need 30,000+ of you to roar NO on the Karman Line Annexation by June 17th. We’re counting on YOU to make it happen! This Special Election hands you, the proud people of Colorado Springs, the power to dictate our city’s future.

Your NO vote on June 17, 2025, for the Karman Line Annexation will blast a thunderous message to EVERY city official—mayor, council, the whole lot—that we, the people, DEMAND our voices shape these massive decisions. No more out-of-touch leaders brushing us aside! Below are our concerns with the Karman Line Annexation and why we’re encouraging you to vote ”Against the Ordinance”!

Here are Our Key Concerns:

●        Not SMART Growth: Per Smart Growth America, "Developing within existing communities—rather than building on previously undeveloped land—makes the most of the investments the Springs has already made in roads, bridges, water pipes, and other infrastructure, while strengthening local tax bases and protecting open space.” The Karman Line annexation will create an urban enclave on ranch land 3.6 miles away from the city.

●        Flagpole Annexation and Disconnected Development: The Karman Line subdivision, 3.6 miles outside current city limits and far from established housing areas, would require a flagpole annexation method similar to the Amara development proposal rejected in August 2024. Like Amara, this disconnected development undermines orderly growth, increases the risk of urban sprawl, and benefits developers at the expense of the city’s infrastructure and resources.

●        Where will Colorado Springs get the WATER?:  Colorado Springs Utilities already faces a 34,000 acre-feet water deficit to meet future city committed projects, and Karman Line would add another 1,672 acre-feet, further straining limited resources.  It is getting more difficult to gain access to water. This development further exacerbates this issue.

●        Unknown Increase in Utility Costs: Extending water, sewer, electricity, and gas services to Karman Line could cost Colorado Springs Utilities $89-$139 million, with no clear plan for mitigation of these costs, or how this will impact existing customers.  However, CSU has not completed the projected utility payments for this effort because it is not planned to start for 5 years.  How can a council know the impacts if they haven’t determined what the end user’s costs will be?

Slide presented by CSU during the first Public Hearing on January 14, 2025

●        We don’t need more of the same housing - We need Affordable Housing:  There are already 33 planned developments inside city boundaries that will give this city an additional 25,671 housing units.  There are 45 planned developments throughout El Paso County for 44,492 housing units.  Karman Line homes will start at ~$440K.  That’s not affordable.

●        Questionable Schriever Space Force Base (SFB) Housing Need: The developer claims the project addresses housing needs for Schriever Space Force Base personnel. However, Schriever reportedly has vacant on-base housing, and can build additional housing as their missions grow.  There is no evidence of unmet housing demand today or in the foreseeable future.

●        Underutilized Existing Resources: Colorado Springs already has numerous vacant homes and undeveloped home sites within city limits. Prioritizing these resources, which are already integrated into existing infrastructure, is a more sustainable approach than approving disconnected developments like Karman Line.

●        Emergency Response Concerns: The subdivision’s distance from police, fire, and medical services raises serious concerns about delayed emergency response times. Colorado Springs Police Department, in January 2025, said its current average response time for a priority one call is around 17 minutes. The average response time for a priority two call is 42 minutes.  This annexation would exacerbate these challenges to citizens of Colorado Springs.

●        Misalignment with City Vision: Approving developments that exacerbate resource shortages, including water and infrastructure, contradicts the City Council’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and prioritizing quality of life for residents. The annexation prioritizes developer interests over responsible planning and sustainable growth strategies.

●        Wildlife Concerns:  The Karman Line property is currently the nesting grounds for the state threatened Burrowing Owl.  Developments across the region are already wiping out thousands of acres of natural habitat for our wildlife.  Is this worth destroying more?

●        Failure to Meet Annexation Standards: Colorado law requires annexations to demonstrate a "community of interest" and meet the standard that at least 25% of the property perimeter is contiguous with the city. Diagrams submitted for Karman Line suggest this threshold is not met, with only an estimated 15-20% contiguity. The Municipal Annexation Act of 1965 aims to ensure centralized and efficient services, which this proposal fails to achieve.

Paid for by the Citizens to Stop Illogical Growth.