[spb_accordion widget_title=”Click on the questions to see the candidates’ answers. Only one candidate from District 2 responded to our questions.” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”] [spb_accordion_tab title=”What is the biggest environmental concern facing Colorado Springs and why?”] [spb_text_block pb_margin_bottom=”no” pb_border_bottom=”no” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”]

What is the biggest environmental concern facing Colorado Springs and why?

Bagley: Water will continue to be the environmental concern.  Since our major source of water is the Colorado River, which also serves states having severe drought, water rights may shift to the lower states.  Its important residents make permanent changes to lower their water usage.
[/spb_text_block] [/spb_accordion_tab] [spb_accordion_tab title=”Would you support an increase in the parks budget and how should we begin to address the 180 million dollars in parks capital needs?”] [spb_text_block pb_margin_bottom=”no” pb_border_bottom=”no” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”]

General Fund support for parks, trails and open space continues to lag behind 2008 levels, even though the overall general fund is now significantly higher. Would you support an increase in the parks budget and how should we begin to address the 180 million dollars in parks capital needs?

Bagley: If we create an environment to attract and sustain new jobs to our community and stimulate the local economy, the resulting revenue should provide funds to sustain our parks.  I would support increasing the parks budget.  Other possible funding includes SCIP Bonds, excess TABOR funds (ballot question), or reallocate budget.
[/spb_text_block] [/spb_accordion_tab] [spb_accordion_tab title=”Do you believe trails and open spaces are economic drivers for our community and what would you do to support the goals of the new master plan?”] [spb_text_block pb_margin_bottom=”no” pb_border_bottom=”no” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”]

Colorado Springs is home to America’s Mountain and one of the world’s greatest parks, Garden of the Gods. Our new parks master plan plans for anticipated population growth and doubles our urban trail system while adding 20,000 acres of open space.  Do you believe trails and open spaces are economic drivers for our community and what would you do to support the goals of the new master plan?

Bagley: Trails and open spaces are a key factor in creating an environment to attract and sustain new jobs and stimulate the local economy to generate revenue.  Within budget constrains I strongly support the goals of the new master plan.
[/spb_text_block] [/spb_accordion_tab] [spb_accordion_tab title=”What do you think Colorado Springs should do to become more bicycle and pedestrian friendly and what role would you play in that?”] [spb_text_block pb_margin_bottom=”no” pb_border_bottom=”no” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”]

Many communities along the Front Range are realizing notable economic, health, and environmental benefits through the retrofit of their transportation networks to better accommodate walking and biking for everyday trips. For us to realize these benefits what do you think Colorado Springs should do to become more bicycle and pedestrian friendly and what role would you play in that?

Bagley: City departments should create unified master plans ensuring our city is more bicyclist and pedestrian friendly.  City departments must coordinate when building and maintaining our roads.  New roads should include safe ADA compliant sidewalks, and bike lanes.
[/spb_text_block] [/spb_accordion_tab] [spb_accordion_tab title=”What would you do as a council member to help the community maintain its silver Bicycle Friendly City designation?”] [spb_text_block pb_margin_bottom=”no” pb_border_bottom=”no” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”]

Many of our peer communities along the Front Range have achieved notable distinction through the League of American Cyclists’ Bicycle Friendly Program. Specifically, Denver is currently silver and is pursuing gold this year. Fort Collins is platinum and going for diamond in 2016. Boulder is currently platinum.  Colorado Springs is silver and was informed last year that we risk losing that designation and becoming a bronze-level community.  What would you do as Mayor / council member to help the community maintain its silver designation?

Bagley: We must avoid losing our Silver designation and even strive for Gold.  I will work together with the Mayor to prioritize bike infrastructure with funding, and promote unified master plans for bike and road infrastructure and our Mountain Metro transit system.
[/spb_text_block] [/spb_accordion_tab] [/spb_accordion] [spb_text_block title=”A Note on our City Council e-Forum…” pb_margin_bottom=”no” pb_border_bottom=”no” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”]
The Trails and Open Space Coalition in partnership with Catamount Institute, Livewell Colorado Springs, Colorado College Sustainability Department and Pikes Peak Sierra Club provided Mayoral and City Council Candidates a list of questions on topics important to the Conservation and Healthy Living Community.
Candidates were asked to respond in 50 words or less. Not all candidates chose to participate, but all were contacted and provided with the questions.
As a 501c3 non-profit, TOSC is not allowed to endorse candidates. These candidates’ answers are your opportunity to become better educated and decide if your values and their priorities share common ground.
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We selected some questions to feature that we felt would be of interest to our members. You can read all the questions and the full answers by downloading a pdf document at the following link: District 2 Council Candidate answers.
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