✋ Congratulations to everyone who took part in the 50th running of the Garden of the Gods Ten Mile, 10K, and Trail Races yesterday! More than 2,000 runners challenged themselves through one of the most iconic landscapes in the world, celebrating fitness, perseverance, and community. Whether you crossed the finish line with a personal record or simply finished what you started, I'm proud of every runner who made this historic race one to remember.

Happy Pride, Colorado Springs!🌈 @pikespeakpride is about joy. It’s about community. It’s about authenticity. As an immigrant who chose America and chose the City of Colorado Springs as home, I understand what it feels like to search for a place to belong. Those experiences have deepened my belief that strong communities are built when people are treated with dignity, respect, and humanity. Thank you to the organizers, volunteers, sponsors, allies, families, community leaders, and community members who make this celebration possible. You create a space of connection, belonging, and hope.

At approximately 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 13, Engine 3 was responding to a medical call when crews reported they had been involved in a collision with a bus at the intersection of Tejon Street and Bijou Street in downtown Colorado Springs. Four Colorado Springs firefighters were aboard Engine 3 and were transported to local hospitals with injuries. Seven people, including the driver, were on the bus, and five bus occupants were transported to local hospitals for evaluation and treatment of injuries. Additional CSFD units responded to the scene to provide patient care, assist with the extrication of the bus driver, and support our firefighters. In total, 21 CSFD personnel responded. Engine 3 sustained significant damage and is considered a total loss. Our firefighters respond to emergencies every day knowing there are risks associated with serving this community. Today, our focus is on our injured firefighters and everyone else affected by this incident. We are grateful for the immediate response of our crews, our public safety partners, and the medical teams caring for those involved. The Colorado Springs Police Department Major Crash Team is investigating the collision and will provide all crash-related information. Please keep all of those involved in your thoughts as they recover.

Congratulations to the first Colorado Springs Fire Academy graduates of 2026! I am proud of these 24 men and women who have answered the call to serve as first responders. Their courage, discipline, and commitment help keep our city safe. Colorado Springs is grateful for you. Welcome to the @CSFDPIO family! 🚒

This afternoon at our 3rd annual Flag Day Ceremony in downtown Colorado Springs, I had the honor of presenting the Spirit of Colorado Springs Flag Day Award to retired Colorado Springs Police Officer and U.S. Army veteran Sgt. Olav Chaney. For 35 years, Sgt. Chaney has served and protected our community. Through his leadership of the Colorado Springs Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Team, he has balanced accountability with compassion while improving the health, safety, and well-being of our city. Flag Day is a celebration of the American flag that occurs each year on June 14, which is the anniversary of the flag’s official adoption.

Two different openings today. One important message. These are more than buildings. They are investments in people. This morning, I joined community partners for the opening of the Alice Bemis Taylor Center for Early Education. When we invest in our children, we invest in the future of our city. Later today, I had the honor of celebrating the grand opening of Aberdeen Ridge Senior Living Community. Safe, attainable housing creates stability, belonging, and the conditions for people to flourish. Thank you to the many partners, leaders, and organizations who made both of these projects possible. Together, we are building a Colorado Springs where people of every age and stage of life can thrive!

Nine years ago, in this very city, I raised my right hand and took the oath to support and defend the constitution of the United States; committing myself to the values and ideals that define this nation. Today, it was my pleasure to meet and congratulate our 11 newest U.S. citizens!

Our 5-week pothole repair surge is underway, and we’re already seeing great results! Crews repaired 6,000 potholes in the last two weeks, marking a 42% increase in our weekly average. Report potholes at ColoradoSprings.gov/PotholeW…, use the free GoCOS app, or call 719-385-ROAD.

👏 Congratulations to Major General Patrick J. Ellis on being recognized with the Artificial Intelligence Leadership in National Defense Award. This recognition reflects the innovation, excellence, and forward-thinking leadership he brings to @USArmy_FtCarson and the 4th Infantry Division every day. The Soldiers, families, civilians, and veterans of the Mountain Post strengthen our community, enrich our neighborhoods, and remind us what service and sacrifice look like. The @CityofCOS is proud to stand alongside Fort Carson, and proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor. Congratulations General Ellis!

I received some thoughtful letters from a Girl Scout Troop at @peterson_ussf. These young leaders are asking big questions and dreaming big dreams. While I can’t make all movies free or change what’s in candy, I can help ensure our parks are clean, safe, beautiful, and growing—so every family in @CityofCOS has a place to play, connect, and enjoy the outdoors.

♥️ It was this time last year that a simple cold turned into a trip to the ER, a diagnosis of double pneumonia, and two unexpected heart procedures after doctors discovered a major blockage in my main artery. I had no symptoms. If not for the pneumonia, we never would have found it. Today, I’m filled with gratitude. I am grateful first for the love and support from my wife, Abbey. I also want to say thank you again to the extraordinary doctors, nurses, technicians, and specialists at @uchealth Memorial Hospital and @commonspirit Penrose-St. Francis Health Services whose excellence, compassion, and care carried me through one of the most challenging seasons of my life. This experience gave me a renewed appreciation for every day, every opportunity to serve, and every person who makes Colorado Springs the remarkable community it is. One year later, I’m healthy, grateful, and more committed than ever to fighting for the things that matter most to you!

Our Colorado Springs community joins the family, loved ones, and fellow soldiers of Sergeant Devin A. Seibel in mourning this heartbreaking loss. Sgt. Seibel died during a training exercise on Sunday in Iraq. Sgt. Seibel answered the call to serve our nation with courage, dedication, and selflessness. We are deeply grateful for his service and sacrifice. Abbey and I are keeping Sgt. Seibel’s family, friends, and brothers and sisters in uniform, in our prayers during this difficult time. We also ask our community to keep them in your hearts and prayers in the days ahead. Colorado Springs stands alongside the men and women of Fort Carson and all who serve our country, as well as the families whose strength and sacrifice make that service possible.

Today was the official kickoff of rodeo season in @cityofcos! This summer, we’re looking forward to beloved traditions like the Western Street Breakfast on June 17, the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, and so many other events that bring our community together. The American West is woven into the story of Colorado Springs. Its spirit of courage, resilience, hard work, and adventure continues to shape who we are today. As we celebrate Colorado’s 150th anniversary and America’s 250th anniversary, it’s a fitting time to honor the people, traditions, and stories that helped build our state and our city. Here’s to a great rodeo season and a summer full of Colorado pride.

While the 2026 Point-in-Time Count from the Pikes Peak Continuum of Care represents a snapshot of a single night, this year’s results are encouraging. The decrease reflects the impact of the hard work happening every day across our community to connect people with shelter, services, housing, and support. @cityofcos remains committed to doing its part through street outreach, public safety coordination, shelter support, cold weather response, encampment management, neighborhood cleanups, and investments in long-term housing solutions. But meaningful progress is never the result of government alone. This progress belongs to a village of partners: service providers, nonprofit and faith-based organizations, outreach teams, volunteers, businesses, public safety professionals, and individuals with lived experience; all working together to address one of our community’s most complex challenges. While there is still much work ahead, these results remind us that action matters, coordinated efforts matter, and hope matters.

From my desk to your feed! May Mayor Desk Update is LIVE. 📱 Onwards and upwards, Colorado Springs. ✈️

As a father of three young children, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to find quality childcare in @CityofCOS. That's why I asked our Planning Department to identify ways we could remove barriers and make it easier for childcare providers to serve more families. This week, City Council took an important step forward by approving on first reading updates to our zoning code that would make it easier for childcare centers to operate in more parts of our city. The need is real. @epccolorado_ has approximately 47,000 children under age five but only about 18,000 licensed childcare slots. These changes won't solve the shortage overnight, but they are a practical step toward expanding access for families and creating more opportunities for providers. Making Colorado Springs the best place to live, work, and raise a family requires action. This is part of our broader strategy to support working parents, strengthen families, and help every child get a strong start in life. Thank you to City Council, our Planning Department, and the childcare advocates and providers who helped move this effort forward.

Today's announcement is a strong vote of confidence in @cityofcos and the critical role our community plays in America's space and national security missions. The decision to locate the U.S. Space Force's Infrastructure Portfolio Acquisition Executive at @peterson_ussf, combined with a new $250 million operations facility and support for 2,500 civilian jobs at Schriever Space Force Base, represents a major investment in both our nation's security and our region's economy. I have consistently said that mission readiness should come before politics. Today's announcement demonstrates that when it comes to supporting the @USSpaceForce, Colorado Springs proves every day that we are the premier place to support the nation's space mission. I am grateful to the Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink and our military leaders for their continued partnership and commitment to our region. This partnership was on full display today when I hosted a Military Installation–Developer Roundtable to strengthen partnerships between our local military installations, development community, and City staff. These conversations improve coordination and ensure we continue building a community that supports both mission readiness and responsible growth. My administration remains focused on supporting our installations, military families, and defense industry partners while positioning Colorado Springs for future opportunities that strengthen both our economy and our national security

Today, my family and I visited the United States Olympic & Paralympic Training Center for a special literacy event hosted by Second Lady Usha Vance alongside Olympic wrestling champion Adeline Gray. As a father of three young kids, I know the power of reading. Sharing books with our children sparks imagination, builds confidence, and opens doors to opportunity. Thank you to the Second Lady, Adeline Gray, and everyone who helped make today such a meaningful celebration of literacy, learning, and family.

It's a beautiful day! Congratulations to all our graduating cadets today! A reminder to everyone, please plan extra travel time today, even on your usual travel routes around town, be prepared for unexpected traffic congestion - especially before and after the graduation ceremony on the north end of town around the Air Force Academy. Be patient and be prepared for potential road closures and rolling road closures. If you see anything out of place, please call 719-444-7000.

This Memorial Day weekend, I had the honor of joining our community in remembering and honoring the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation. From the Mountain Post Warrior Memorial Ceremony at Fort Carson to the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial in Memorial Park, these moments were powerful reminders that freedom is never free. @cityofcos is proud to be a strong military community, and this weekend we paused together in gratitude, reflection, and remembrance. To our Gold Star families, veterans, active-duty service members, and all who carry the weight of sacrifice, we honor you, we remember, and we thank you. May we never take for granted the courage of those who gave everything for our country.