The Woodland Park City Council approved an updated fire code under a state-imposed deadline June 4, honored a retiring parks director who served 32 years, and celebrated a national open space award. The council met at 6 p.m. with all members present: Mayor George Jones, Mayor Pro-Tem Catherine Nakai, and councilmembers Seth Bryant, Jeffery Geer, Steve Smith, and Don Dezellem.
Fire Code Update
The most consequential action of the evening was the unanimous approval of Ordinance 1524, Series 2026, which updates the city’s fire code from the 2003 International Fire Code — adopted in 2010 — to the 2021 version. Planning Director Karen Schminke explained the timeline left the council no room to wait: state law requires the new code to take effect before June 30, or the city would be forced to adopt the state’s model low energy and carbon code instead. Schminke described that alternative as adding significantly to construction costs for local builders. The Northeast Teller County Fire Protection District recommended the 2021 code along with its proposed amendments, and the board of review endorsed it following a May 12 review. No public comment was offered, and the vote was 6-0.
Avenger Open Space Permit and Award
The council voted 6-0 to approve the Forest Service Avenger Open Space Special Use Permit, closing out a multi-year land transaction. The permit covers 0.70 acres of Forest Service land needed for access — a requirement tied to the conservation easement the city contracted with Palmer Land Conservancy to place on the property. Great Outdoors Colorado awarded a $523,250 land acquisition grant for the purchase in March 2024. The city bought the property for $650,000 in April of that year, and the National Environmental Policy Act analysis was completed in January 2026. A minor tweak remained in one section, but outgoing Parks and Recreation Director Cindy Keating recommended approval with authorization for the mayor to execute all necessary documents, subject to city attorney review.
That same project earned statewide recognition earlier in the evening: Colorado Lottery Proceeds Manager Adrian Varney presented Avenger Open Space with a 2026 Starburst Award. The lottery gives the honor to projects that best use lottery proceeds statewide; only 18 were chosen in 2026 from hundreds of eligible candidates. Parks Board Chair Jeff Webb noted the community raised $90,000 in donations to support the acquisition and credited partnerships with Great Outdoors Colorado, Palmer Land Conservancy, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Teller Trail Team. He called the project a “once in a generation opportunity” and credited Keating’s persistence with federal agencies as essential to its completion.
The evening also marked a formal farewell for Keating, who retired after 32 years with the city. Mayor Jones and councilmembers offered remarks from the dais.
Ceremonies, Appointments, and Consent
The council received a Western Heritage presentation from the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. Board President Laurie Carroll described the event as the second-oldest in Colorado Springs, with all proceeds since 1946 dedicated to local military families. Girls of the West Program Director Corliss Palmer introduced 2026 Girl of the West Kaylee Gripentrog, a recent Village High School graduate. The NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo runs July 14–18 at the Norris-Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs.
The council voted 6-0 to appoint Joel Smith to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board; Smith had previously served before his term expired. May 21 meeting minutes were approved unanimously with no discussion.
Sales Tax
City Manager Aaron Vassalotti presented the March 2026 sales tax report. March collections reached $721,975, a slight increase over the prior year. Year-to-date through March, the city collected $1,922,820 — a 2.7% gain, or $51,302 more than the same period in 2025. Lodging tax continued to slide, falling 28.4% for the month to $10,378. Year-to-date, lodging collections were off 21.3%, a shortfall of $8,402. Vassalotti said sales tax was expected to remain flat before summer growth.
Main Street Branding
Woodland Park Main Street Board member Tim Miller presented a new logo developed by Slate Communications following an April 27 workshop. The design draws on imagery from the city’s historic downtown buildings and incorporates a city badge, with the tagline “Base Camp for Adventure.” Main Street Program Manager Anita Riggle noted that two Department of Local Affairs representatives would visit June 17 and 18, with a free architect consultation for Main Street businesses set for June 18 at the library from 8 to 9 a.m.
Infrastructure and Other Reports
Utilities and Public Works Director Kip Wiley reported that Fairview Street paving had begun, with the Thunder Ridge project set to follow using the same contractor. Work on the Reservoir Access Road was also underway along the narrow Loy Gulch corridor, with heavy equipment mobilizing. An on-call asphalt and concrete patching contractor was set to begin June 15. City staff planned to close offices that day for the annual downtown flower planting, with volunteer shifts posted on city social media.
The Downtown Development Authority received 48 microgrant applications — eight more than budgeted — totaling $227,000 in requests. Councilmember Dezellem sounded an urgent note: the Planning Commission had canceled its last two meetings for lack of a quorum and needed applicants for open commissioner seats. Mayor Jones reported the Mayor’s Youth Council had elected officers, including a chair who will join the council dais June 18 for a Councilmember for a Day event. A master planning process for the former golf course property is set to begin this fall, with the city identifying a consultant with golf course experience.
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