March 2020 Press Releases

Press Release 03/31/2020

Contact: (Alex Trefry)      

Position: (Public Information Officer)

RE: (Water Leak Repair)

The City of Manitou Springs has detected a water leak near 209 Elk Path Road. The City will be performing maintenance on this leak on Wednesday, April1, 2020 at 8:00 AM. This work is expected to take approximately 2 full days and is expected to conclude on Friday, April 3, 2020. Elk Path Road will have a partial closure.

All efforts will be made to keep this work as brief as possible.

Customers and visitors may experience some minor traffic disruption near this area due to the closure of a section of Elk Path Road during this repair.

Thank you for your patience!

Alex Trefry

Public Information Officer

City of Manitou Springs, CO

719-306-2884

atrefry@comsgov.com

Press Release 03/26/2020

Contact: (Alex Trefry)

Position: (Public Information Officer)

RE: (Government Functions During COVID-19)

As a City, we want to guarantee our residents that throughout the duration of Governor Jared Polis stay-at-home order, the City of Manitou Springs will continue to do its essential Government functions. Provided below is a detailed description of what each department is providing to the public, as well as contact information for each department.

Administration

The City’s administration department is continuing to direct the City to follow all of Governor Polis’ guidelines, as well as reassure that the City is providing the necessary services to the public.

Phone: 719-685-2579

Email: administration@comsgov.com

City Clerk

The City clerk is continuing to manage the City’s official documents and records. Additionally, the city clerk is continuing to make the City’s documents accessible and transparent for the public.

Phone: 719-685-2554

Email:cityclerk@comsgov.com

Finance

The finance department is continuing their financial reporting and bookkeeping. Additionally, they are processing water payments. Please note that no water is being shut-off, and no late fees are being given for water bills.

Phone: 719-685-2579

Email:rdavis@comsgov.com

Fire 

The Fire Department is continuing to care for and protect our community. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, they are only responding to emergencies, and taking the proper safety precautions when doing so.

Phone: 719-685-1444

Email: rperkins@comsgov.com

Municipal Court

To slow the COVID-19 outbreak, the City has postponed Municipal Court until April 21^st, 2020.

Phone: 719-685-2544

Email: cityclerk@comsgov.com

Parking

In order to better accommodate our local restaurants take-out, curbside, and/or delivery options, the City has made all parking in Downtown Manitou Springs free-of-charge. For more information please visit: https://www.manitouspringsgov.com/482/NewsPress-Releases

Phone: 719-213-4803

Planning

The planning department is continuing to answer questions, give permits, and accepting plan submittals.

Phone:719-685-4398

Email:planningdept@comsgov.com

Police

As with the fire department, the City’s police department is continuing to serve and protect our community. The City’s police presence has not, and will not, change due to the COVID-19 emergency. Additionally, the Manitou Springs Police Department is enforcing Governor Polis’ stay-at-home order to ensure the safety and continued health of the community.

Emergency – 911

Non-emergency – 719-390-5555

MSPD Front Desk – 719-685-5407

          Email: bkelemen@comsgov.com

Parking Services – 719-213-4803

Animal Control – 719-302-8798

          Email: ale@HSPPR.org

Pool & Fitness Center

The City has closed its Pool and Fitness Center until April 30^th, following the guidelines recommended by the National Parks and Recreation, as well as the State’s order.

Phone: 719-499-6309

Email:tpauley@comsgov.com

Public Works

The City’s Public Works department is maintaining sanitary public restroom, open from 7am-7:30pm, at Soda Springs, City Hall (outside), and Schreiver. The Skate Park, Barr Trail, and Wichita bathrooms are closed. Additionally, the department is cleaning all Mineral Springs fountains twice a day, doing emergency snow removal, maintaining its wastewater facilities, and performing emergency maintenance work.

Please note that because of the Governor’s order, public works has closed all playgrounds, tennis courts, and basketball courts in order to protect our community.

Phone:719-685-2558

Email:jeffjones@comsgov.com

IMPORTANT:

CivicReady

Tomorrow, the City is launching CivicReady, an automatic notification system to provide residents with immediate and pertinent information regarding COVID-19, and eventually all aspects of government in the future. Please visit https://www.manitouspringsgov.com/332/_Alerts-Notifications to sign up for CivicReady.

Thank you for your understanding. Stay safe, stay healthy, and help your community.

Alex Trefry

Public Information Officer

719-306-2884

atrefry@comsgov.com

Press Release 03/26/2020

Contact: (Michelle Anthony)

Position: (Senior Planner)

RE: (Home Renovations)

ANNOUNCEMENT: 

Planning to do renovations or perform modifications to your home during this time of social distancing?

The Manitou Springs Planning Department is still operating despite the recent closure of City Hall and the Stay at Home Order issued by Colorado Governor Jared Polis. We want our residents to know that, although we are not open to the public currently, we are able to serve you remotely.

If you need a permit or to ask if a permit is required, to submit plans, or have a planning question, the best way to get ahold of one of the City Planners is via email (planningdept@comsgov.com). Since we are not working in the office, we are not readily accessible by telephone. However, if you leave a voice message, it will be forwarded to our email. Please leave a callback number and, most importantly, an email address at which we can reach you and to send information/applications/permits.  

Plans and Applications can be submitted not only via email, but through the Planning Department web page (http://www.manitouspringsgov.com/227/_Planning-Department), as well. All applications and forms can also be found on the web page.

Please reach out to us if you have any questions regarding permitting, codes, or planning related processes. The Planning Staff looks forward to hearing from you. Thank You for working with us during these difficult times!

Stay Well!

Christine Ames-Lowenberg, Planning Director

Michelle Anthony, AICP Senior Planner

Dylan Becker, Planner 1

City of Manitou Springs, CO

719-685-4398 office

planningdept@comsgov.com

PRESS RELEASE 03/24/2020

Contact: (Alex Trefry)      

Position: (Public Information Officer)

RE: (Stage 1 Fire Restrictions)

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Because of current and expected conditions, and because first responders are beginning to be taxed by the recent COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, I am ordering Stage 1 Fire Restrictions for the City of Manitou Springs effective immediately.  This order is consistent with actions that have or will be occurring with our regional partners, including El Paso County, and highlights the need for fire safety and caution during this time when resources from every sector of public safety are laser focused on preparation and response to the global pandemic.  This order is effective immediately and includes the following restrictions:

1.  Open Burning Ban, defined as the prohibited use of any outside fire, including campfires and warming fires.
   
   This current ban excludes fires in permanently constructed fire rings within the city’s RV and Camping Parks; and charcoal grills, and wood burning fireplaces, (chiminia) or fire pits with proper fitting screen covers and with a minimum of 15’ separation from structures or other combustible material at private residences.  None of these exclusions permit a total fuel area greater than 3 feet in diameter, and all must have a flame height of less than 2 feet.

2. Outdoor Smoking Ban, defined as the prohibited use of any tobacco product or similar material in cigarettes, cigars, or pipes outdoors.  This excludes smoking in enclosed buildings or structures, and along Manitou Avenue.  Discarding of a lighted cigarette, cigar or pipe tobacco products is strictly prohibited.  

These restrictions do not apply to gas-fueled grills used out-of-doors, or to fires within liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves.  Additionally, compliant fireplaces and wood-burning stoves within private residences are not included. 

As always, restrictions will be adjusted accordingly as fire danger and predicted weather conditions change. 

John K. Forsett

Fire Chief

City of Manitou Springs

PRESS RELEASE 03/24/2020

Contact: (Alex Trefry)      

Position: (Public Information Officer)

RE: (Sewer Work on Capitol Hill Ave.)

ANNOUNCEMENT:

The City of Manitou Springs has completed digging a trench for new sewer pipe on Capitol Hill Ave. New pipe will be installed, back-filled with aggregate, compacted, and then buried in dirt. The road will become driveable, but not paved until a later, to be determined, date. The estimated time of completion is today, 3/24/20 at 7pm, which will result in a reopening of Capitol Hill Ave. to residents and emergency vehicles.

Thank you for your patience,

Alex Trefry

City of Manitou Springs, CO

Public Information Officer

(719)-306-2884 

atrefry@comsgov.com

Free Parking Update 3/22/20

FREE PARKING AT MANITOU SPRINGS UNTIL APRIL 30^TH, 2020! (Exceptions: Barr Trail Lot and 400 blocks of Ruxton and Winter paid parking & 100-300 blocks of Ruxton Residential Parking Only!)

As the coronavirus event continues, parking in downtown Manitou Springs is now free, for a while (No refunds on fees in lots or on-street prior to this announcement).

The City of Manitou Springs and the Metro District has instituted free parking effective Sunday, March 22, for much of the parking system — with some exceptions (Barr Trail Parking Lot and 400 block on Euston and Winter. 100-300 blocks of Ruxton Residential Parking only).

The move comes as several downtown businesses have changed how they operate in response to the outbreak, and as health officials encourage “social distancing” — keeping away from other people — to slow the spread of the virus. That includes encouraging people to work from home.

SP Plus current plan is to forgo collecting hourly fees at on-street parking areas and public lots. This includes the Wichita and Smischny lots which are owned by the Metro District. Residential Permit Parking (RPP) areas will still be enforced at this time. Also, the Barr Trail Lot, 400 blocks of Euston and Winter will remain paid parking and 100-300 blocks of Ruxton Avenue will be residential parking only to assist with traffic control.

The decision to not charge hourly off-street and on-street parking customers is directly aimed at helping stop COVID-19 by eliminating cashier and kiosk interactions with customers.

Manitou Springs parking operator, SP Plus, is still expected to have staff on site to address basic operational, safety and maintenance needs, and the city is asking visitors and residents to continue to follow parking restrictions and signs on-street and in lots.

While there’s an abundance of free parking now, those who opt to park at the Barr Trail Parking Lot, Euston or Winter, the city is still enforcing meter regulations and charging appropriate fees in these areas.

As a reminder:

We care about you!

DO THE FIVE

Help stop coronavirus

HANDS Wash them often

ELBOW Cough into it

FACE Don’t touch it

FEET Stay more than 6ft apart

FEEL sick? Stay home

Manitou Mineral Springs Update 3/21/20

Manitou’s name came from Native Americans to describe the spring water which is believed to come from the "breath of the Great Spirit Manitou". It is believed that this Spirit created the bubbles, or "effervescence", in the spring water. The springs were considered sacred grounds and drank and soaked in the mineral water to replenish and heal themselves.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐮 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃-𝟏𝟗 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭.

The Public Works department will be cleaning the fountains twice a day and you can help us by doing “THE FIVE” everywhere and every day:

We care about you!

DO THE FIVE (+1), HELP STOP COVID-19

𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧
𝐄𝐋𝐁𝐎𝐖 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐭
𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐭
𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐓 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝟔 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭
𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐋 𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐤? 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞
𝐃𝐎𝐍’𝐓 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬

Thank you,
The Mineral Springs Foundation and the City of Manitou Springs

SNOW REMOVAL UPDATES 3/19/20

As a City out number one priority is the safety of our citizens and employees. During the City’s state of emergency, our Public Works department will continue to remove snow from the roads, and maintain safe driving conditions for the residents of Manitou to the best of its abilities. We will plow and sand Manitou Avenue in its entirety, El Paso Avenue, Crystal Hills Blvd, Crystal Park Road, Pawnee Avenue, and the on and off ramps for US 24 at the East and West ends of Manitou Avenue. 

All other side streets will be serviced according to manning and conditions. Emergency calls for assistance due to water outages, sewer breaks or roadway damage will be responded to accordingly as staffing permits.

Jeffery A. Jones 

Public Works Director

PRESS RELEASE 03/18/2020

Contact: (Alex Trefry)      

Position: (Public Information Officer)

RE: (Closure of Incline and Shuttle to Incline)

MEDIA RELEASE

The City’s number one priority is to protect its community, visitors, and employees. The City of Manitou Springs will close access to the Incline and the Metro shuttle to the Incline until further notice.

To reduce the transmission of COVID-19, the City will close the Incline as there are not suitable sanitization options available to those who visit the Incline. Additionally, the first responders who address emergencies on the incline are put into a high risk situation.

Due to the closure of the Incline, the Metro shuttle that visits the Incline will also be closed until further notice.

The Incline is an attraction that averages 1,000 visitors a day, and due to the current state of emergency, the City of Manitou Springs has found it in the best interest of the public, to close the Incline and the shuttle to the Incline until further notice.

 “While we were reluctant to close the incline, we had far more grave reservations regarding 

public health”

-Mayor John Graham

Alex Trefry

Public Information Officer

719-306-2884

atrefry@comsgov.com

Link to Official Release

PRESS RELEASE 03/17/2020

Contact: (Alex Trefry)      

Position: (Public Information Officer)

RE: (Emergency Sewer Dig on Capitol Hill Ave.)

ANNOUNCEMENT:

The City of Manitou Springs will be performing work on a new sewer main at 145 Capitol Hill Avenue on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at 9:00 AM. This work is expected to take approximately 2 full days and is expected to conclude on Thursday, March 19, 2020, with no water or sewer service disruption expected for immediately surrounding properties.

All efforts will be made to keep this work as brief as possible and will send out another notification once the installation has been completed.

Customers and visitors may experience some minor traffic disruption near this area due to the closure of a section of Capitol Hill Avenue during this repair. A detour route will be posted with directional signage near the repair site.

Thank you for your patience!

Jeff Jones

Public Works Director

City of Manitou Springs, CO

719-685-2558 office

719-492-2359 cell

jeffjones@comsgov.com

PRESS RELEASE 03/16/2020

Release Date: (Mon., Mar. 16, 2020)

Contact: (Alex Trefry)      

Position: (Public Information Officer)

RE: (City Hall Closure)

IMPORTANT!

CITY HALL IS CLOSED

TO PROTECT COMMUNITY HEALTH AND REDUCE THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 IN OUR REGION, THE CITY OF MANITOU SPRINGS WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SERVICES THROUGH PHONE, ELECTRONIC AND MAIL METHODS.

www.MANITOUSPRINGSGOV.com FULL DETAILS FOR ALL SERVICES

*******CITY COURT HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL APRIL 21, 2020********

HOW TO REACH A DEPARTMENT:

UTILITY BILLS MAY BE PAID:

ONLINE @ Xpressbillpay.com

OR

DROPBOX AT CITY HALL

OR

MAIL TO: 606 MANITOU AVENUE

MANITOU SPRINGS, CO 80829

PARKING TICKETS MAY BE PAID:

ONLINE @ www.PARKMANITOU.COM/CITATIONS/

THE CITY OF MANITOU SPRINGS IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING CITY OPERATIONS REMAIN IN PLACE DURING THIS TIME. EMPLOYEES WILL REMAIN WORKING TO ENSURE CONTINUITY OF SERVICES.

Declaration of a Local Disaster Emergency 

Release Date: 3/15/2020

ANNOUNCEMENT

Denise Howell, the City Administrator of The City of Manitou Springs has signed a Declaration of Declaration of Local Disaster Emergency. The City is encouraging its citizens to continue their daily lives as usual, with an increase of cleanliness and heightened awareness regarding COVID-19. More information will be released soon.

Alex Trefry

Public Information Officer

City of Manitou Springs, CO

719-306-2884 (cell)

atrefry@comsgov.com

PRESS RELEASE 03/09/2020

Release Date: (Mon., Mar. 9, 2020)

Contact: (Jeff Jones)      

Phone: (Public Works Director)

RE: (Water Main Work at 515 Ruxton Avenue) 

ANNOUNCEMENT

The City of Manitou Springs will be performing work on a water main at 515 Ruxton Avenue (Cog Railway) on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at 10:00 AM. This work is expected to take approximately 2 hours, with water service disruption expected for immediately surrounding properties above the intersection of Ruxton Avenue and Vermont Avenue.

All efforts will be made to keep this work as brief as possible and the City will send out another notification once the repair has been completed.

Customers and visitors may experience some minor traffic disruption near this area due to the partial closure of Ruxton Avenue during this repair. A detour route will be posted with directional signage near the repair site.

Thank you for your patience!

Jeff Jones

Public Works Director

City of Manitou Springs, CO

719-685-2558 office

719-492-2359 cell

jeffjones@comsgov.com