120: Water Conservation: Where We’re At and How to Be Part of the Change
Learn about water resource limitations and challenges for Colorado and Colorado Springs.
Councilman Bill Murray Does a Little Magic
Is the city of Colorado Springs’ Public Works trying to pull a fast one regarding Constitution Ave.?
90 Conserving Water at Home
A dry winter, long-term drought, and record low levels in major Colorado River reservoirs have all of us wondering what we can do to minimize our water consumption.
89 Our Water System and Meeting Future Demand
How will Colorado Springs meet its water needs for the next 50 years?
Executive Compensation in the City of Colorado Springs
Is Colorado Springs afraid of top rated talent for positions in the city that will make the necessary changes?
Gone Dark
Colorado Springs Utilities’ new fiber network is sparking questions about transparency, bidding practices and the model chosen.
What’s Going On with Colorado Springs Utilities?
Is it time for an independent utilities board with the necessary experience to manage CSU?
Should we be on the look-out for the Ides of March?
Is there any way to cure the Malaise in Colorado Springs?
87 Convert Your CO2 Emissions into Energy Savings and Pollution Reduction for Families in Need
Learn how to calculate the carbon footprint of some of your common activities and convert that it into work that reduces overall carbon emissions.
Starting New Issues
Will the citizens ever be told the truth?
Issues Facing Colorado Springs in 2022
When will the chickens come home to roost?
Storms and preparedness; New Years resolutions and more
Are people who take outdoor recreation seriously better prepared and have reasonable expectations of their government than those who don’t?
A Whole Host of Subjects
Can Colorado Springs handle these issues?
78 New El Paso County Master Plan
Get a tour of the new El Paso County Master Plan recently adopted by the county commissioners.
Councilman Bill Murray gets thrown under the bus March 29 2021
Is Colorado Springs abusing Metro Districts?
70 Colorado Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap
Will Toor shares a summary of State projects, activities, and initiatives, and the Colorado Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Pollution Reduction Roadmap.
Election Season is in Full Bloom for Colorado Springs city council. March O8 2021
Should citizens be concerned about the candidates running for city council?
Councilman Bill Murray grills Mike Seeger Mar 04 2021
No holds barred questions for council candidates
Councilman Bill Murray grills Dave Donelson Mar 01 2021
A “No Holds Barred” Q&A
What does it cost to run Colorado Springs? Feb 22 2021
Has Colorado Springs’ economic situation improved?
68 Northern Water’s Regional Water Efficiency Program
Frank Kinder, Water Efficiency Program Manager for Northern Water, updates us on the conservation work of this regional water provider.
Questions for Prospective City Council Candidates Feb 01 2021
Are you ready to be a Colorado Springs city councilman?
Elections 2021 Utilities Development Retool Colorado Springs Jan 18 2021
Beating “The development doesn’t pay for itself” drum until someone really listens.
Colorado Springs Ever Changing Economy Nov 30 2020
Will Colorado Springs ever have the right economic mix?
64 New Energy Plan
Christian Nelson and Michael Avanzi of Colorado Springs Utilities share the future of energy production in our community.
63 The New Energy Market
What’s happening and what can we expect in terms of how we get electricity to power our homes, business and industry? How clean can it be, and what it will cost?
Ripped from the Headlines Aug 24 2020
Can’t Imagine so much going on in Colorado Springs A police station has tested positive for Covid-19. Are the police officers wearing their masks? Has mask wearing been extended statewide? A Covid-19 testing facility in Colorado Springs. Did they screw up the tests? Denver is contemplating providing Broadband. Why not Colorado Springs? Your thoughts. The…
Peak Environment: 57 The PFAS Story in El Paso County Colorado
You can’t escape toxic PFAS chemicals. They are everywhere. Get an update on what we know and what’s being done about water contamination by PFAS
Peak Environment: 51 The Dark Side of Renewable Energy
The future looks bright for renewable energy, according to Joe Jenkins, Principal at Environmental Compliance Systems LLC, but there is a dark side.
Peak Environment: 45 PFAS Water Contamination Panel – Peak Environment Podfest
Is your water safe to drink? Is your soil safe to grow veggies? These questions are front of mind for many residents of the Pikes Peak region. For years, firefighting exercises at air bases in Colorado Springs used chemicals that we now know have contaminated area groundwater and are bad for our health. Find out what we know, and what’s being done about it, from an expert panel convened at the Peak Environment Podfest.
Council Matters 47: What do Brexit, the Impeachment inquiry and Colorado Springs have in common?
Being a council member and other musings Is there a common thread between Brexit, Impeachment, and Colorado Springs? Possibly more than you thought. Data Driven Information: Is it reliable? Downtown Colorado Springs needs $120M worth of infrastructure work by Colorado Springs Utilities. Why isn’t it being done? Why isn’t it being done? Learn who the…
Peak Environment: 41 Podcasting to Save the Planet
Learn what’s going on at the podcasting hub of the Pikes Peak region, the Studio 809 podcast collective. Over a dozen podcasts originating in the area can be found at studio809podcasts.com. Studio 809 founder Dave Gardner fills us in specifically on the environmentally focused podcasts originating in the “basement studio” – Peak Environment, the GrowthBusters podcast about sustainable living and The Overpopulation Podcast.
Peak Environment: 39 Creek Week 2019
What is about 40 times as heavy as a hippopotamus, 180 times as heavy as a grand piano, and 42 times as heavy as a car? Listen to this week’s episode to find out. You can pitch in to have clean, healthy waterways in the Pikes Peak Region, starting September 28, in the 2019 Creek…
Peak Environment: 38 Shave Your Utility Bill – Energy Resource Center
It’s one of the best-kept secrets in town! There is a service that can evaluate your home’s energy-efficiency and potentially trim your utility bill by 25%. Energy Resource Center is a non-profit that focuses on providing the service at no cost to families that most need the help.
Peak Environment: 37 How Should Colorado Springs Generate Its Electricity?
Coal, gas, solar, wind? How should each of these factor into our utility’s future energy plans? CSU is beginning to develop a new Electric Integrated Resource Plan (EIRP), and the utility wants your help. Michael Avanzi, Energy Planning Manager for the utility, provides an overview of the process, and Jim Riggins, president of Southeastern Colorado Renewable Energy Society, provides an engineer’s perspective on why renewable energy is not just the wisest, most responsible generation resource, but is also now the most economical.
Council Matters: Improving City Governance – June 24 2019
Better pay? Larger staff? Separate utilities board? How can Colorado Springs City Council be improved?
Peak Environment: #21 PFAS Contamination in Our Water
The chemicals used in firefighting foam, Teflon, stain-resistant carpet, outdoor sports apparel, and even the lining of your movie theater’s popcorn bags, are everywhere. Since they were first developed in the 1950s, they’ve become so widely used that traces of them have been found in the most remote regions of the globe, and in the…
Peak Environment: #20 Moving Colorado Springs Beyond Coal
Singer/Songwriter and climate/energy activist Lindsay Facknitz joins host Ellen Johnson-Fay to share how and why she added activism to the busy life of a mother of two young children. From January 2019 through August of 2020 Colorado Springs Utilities is developing a new Electric Integrated Resource Plan. Lindsay wants to mobilize citizens to let our…
Peak Environment: #19 – Open Mic at Green Drinks Feb 2019
Local food and farmers, composting, permaculture, renewable energy and recycling are among the topics of conversation and announcements as we try something different – “Open Mic” at a Green Cities monthly Green Drinks event. At every Green Drinks attendees get the chance to introduce themselves and make announcements about important local environmental issues and events.…
Town Square: Candidates Debate Environment, Energy, Open Spaces
Candidates for Colorado Springs City Council debated environmental issues March 7 at Colorado College. Hosted by the Colorado College Collaborative for Community Engagement, the Trails and Open Space Coalition, the Colorado Springs Independent and The Colorado Springs Business Journal. (Episode 18, Recorded 3/7/19)
Council Matters: Springs 2018 in Review – Dec 17 2018
It was never a dull moment in 2018 for the City of Colorado Springs. Co-hosts (and city councilors) Bill Murray and Tom Strand discuss a new CEO, new governance committees, renewed commitment to renewables, and developments related to closing the coal-fired Martin Drake power plant at Utilities. Also on the docket: the new regulation of…
Council Matters: 3 Important Employees – Nov 26 2018
Just three important city employees out of about 4,000 report directly to Colorado Springs City Council. Councilors (and co-hosts) Bill Murray and Tom Strand discuss the 3 positions: city auditor, council administrator, and CEO of Colorado Springs Utilities. They have other musings about regionalization, the Martin Drake power plant, and the AMI system. (Episode 101,…
Special: Changing Colorado Springs’ Climate – Jim Hightower
Columnist/Humorist/Activist/Author Jim Hightower highlights the all-star lineup that graced the stage at Stargazers Theatre on September 16 for this event hosted by Together for Colorado Springs. Big announcements are among the varied subjects addressed, all related to elections, politics, and positive progress for Colorado Springs. Speakers include John Weiss, Jill Gaebler, Lisa Villanueva, Yolanda Avila;…
Special: Utilites CEO Interview – Sept 12 2018
Get to know the 3 CEO finalists for Colorado Springs Utilities. The final decision will be made at 1 pm September 17, so waste no time in expressing your opinion to your utilities board (city council) https://coloradosprings.gov/city-council. (Recorded 9/13/18)
Council Matters: Utilities CEO Hiring Update – Sept 4 2018
Who are the 3 finalists vying for the highest-paying public sector job in Colorado Springs? City Councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand update us and dig deeper into the hiring of a new Colorado Springs Utilities CEO. Will they be offering a $700K salary? Will CSU hit its stated goal of 150KW of renewable energy…
Council Matters: Hiring a New Utilities CEO – Aug 13 2018
What are the criteria and other factors influencing the hiring of a new Colorado Springs Utilities CEO? Co-hosts and City Councilors Tom Strand and Bill Murray dig into the process underway to replace recently retired CEO Jerry Forte. On the table: vision, leadership, politics, renewables vs. fossil fuels, and more. (Episode 87, Recorded 7/27/18)
Council Matters: Watering Our Parks – May 28 2018
Colorado Springs’ parks department can’t afford to water our trees and park grass adequately. Should Colorado Springs Utilities provide free or discounted water to keep the parks alive and well? Do we have a water surplus? City Councilors Tom Strand and Bill Murray discuss the issue and possible solutions. NOTE: shortly after this episode was…
Special: Councilor Don Knight’s D1 Town Hall – May 02 2018
Colorado Springs has a deer problem. City Councilor Don Knight (District #1) discusses what to do about the deer population in this town hall. Some citizens are concerned about the sale of a piece of property by the city for $1.00. The search for a new Utilities CEO is another topic. Also: panhandlers and the…
Town Square: Is Colorado Springs Smart?
Could Colorado Springs be one of the smartest cities in the country? Find out all about the SmartCOS project from Ryan Trujillo, Innovation & Sustainability Manager, and Jay Anderson, Open Data and Citizen Engagement Administrator, both for the City of Colorado Springs. The city is partnering with Panasonic’s CityNOW consulting team to chart a path…
Council Matters: New Utilities CEO Should Be… – April 9 2018
What does Colorado Springs need in a new Utilities CEO? Bill Murray is MIA, so City Councilor (and Utilities Board Chair) Tom Strand enlists the help of producer Gary Casimir to discuss the departing Jerry Forte and recruiting his replacement. Plus: The Broadmoor comes in for a little April Fools fun. (Episode 70, recorded 2018…
Who will lead the billion-dollar Colorado Springs Utilities into the future? CEO Jerry Forte is retiring. Council members Tom Strand and Bill Murray discuss the process to find a new CEO, plus the challenges he or she will face. It could be a wild ride, considering the various factions in the community who will have…
Council Matters: Downtown Power Plant – Jan 8 2017
The dynamic duo is back from holiday break and they don’t miss a beat. Colorado Springs City Councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand discuss the closing of the belching behemoth known as Martin Drake. Then they switch gears to converse about the blue frame, Colorado Municipal League, gas taxes, the strong mayor and – in…
Council Matters: Sexual Harassment – Dec 25 2017
Sexual harassment in the confines of the city and utilities of Colorado Springs is the hot topic taken up in this episode by Springs City Councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand. Strand participated in sexual harassment cases as a lawyer (aka JAG) in the Air Force, giving him an interesting, informed perspective. Also: Austin, TX…
Reality Check, December 15, 2017
Gary, Lyn and Dee discuss politics and current events. We would like to thank you for listening throughout the year, and let you know we’re taking next week off. Our topics for this week include Doug Jones’ Senate victory in Alabama. Despite all the voter suppression and intimidation, he won. He won by a margin…
Council Matters: New Year’s Resolutions – Dec 18 2017
Colorado Springs City Councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand share their list of New Year’s resolution. The discussion includes ballot issues, Gallagher amendment, TABOR, Banning-Lewis Ranch annexation, Martin-Drake power plant, Mark Waller, strong mayor concept, toll lanes, council staff, parks; public safety, housing and leadership. Click POST below and let us know your thoughts (Episode…
Studio 809 Specials: Drake Power Plant Decommissioning Town Hall Dec 5 2017
Colorado Springs Utilities Board hears from the public about potentially closing the Martin Drake Power Plant earlier than currently planned. This public meeting was held on December 5, 2017. Thanks to the City of Colorado Springs for sharing this audio.
Council Matters: Strawberry Fields & Martin Drake – Dec 4 2017
More hot topics this week with Colorado Springs City Councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand. Strawberry Fields is back on the agenda: questions surrounding the property appraisal. Martin Drake power plant, that belching behemoth in the center of Colorado Springs, is another hot topic: To close or not to close? That is the question. What…
Council Matters: Stormwater September 25 2017
Council members Bill Murray and Tom Strand turn up the heat in this episode discussing the “should we, shouldn’t we” on stormwater and roads. Tom’s Energy Vision for Colorado Springs Utilities is discussed, and how real world downsizing and outsourcing affected Colorado Springs. (Recorded 9/22/17) Post a comment below and let us know what you…
Council Matters: Stormwater August 14 2017
Bill and Tom discuss the stormwater ordinance Mayor Suthers has asked City Council to put on the November ballot, creating a new fee to cover the costs of maintaining and improving stormwater infrastructure. Shouldn’t the fee be based on amount of impervious surface? Should Colorado Springs Utilities handle the billilng? Why is the Mayor popular?…
Specials: True Cost of Coal
Learn about why the external costs, those that don’t show up on your utility bill but we all pay for in other ways — make coal as an energy source much more costly than you may have known! 350 Colorado Springs presents two speakers on the social, health and environmental impacts of burning coal in…
Council Matters: Renewables – June 5 2017
Council members Bill Murray and Tom Strand are at it again taking on the subject of renewables in Colorado Springs. The citizen owned utility needs to get out of the coal generating business. Both agree. Looking at battery storage is one of Bill’s suggestions. It’s being done in other locales. Why not here in Colorado…
Council Matters: Leadership – April 24 2017
Wild Bill Murray and ever so polite Tom Strand are at it again discussing the Drake Power Plant. Will widening I-25 really benefit the driving public or just add more congestion to the problem? Bill takes the position Dynamic Leadership and Static Leadership positions are needed to make an organization run smoothly. As usual, no…
Specials: Green Cities City Council Candidate Forum on Utilities
Meet the City Council Candidates: Colorado Springs City Council candidate forum March 16, 2017, hosted by the Green Cities Coalition. The subject: utilities. Candidates present: Don Knight, David Geislinger, Richard Skorman, Melanie Bernhardt, Andy Pico, Janak Joshi. Thanks to the Energy Working Group of the Green Cities Coalition
SoapBox – Utilities Secrets
You’ve read or heard bits and pieces. Now get the full story from local clean air advocate Jim Riggins and resident Laura Van Der Pol. Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) refused to release publicly funded air quality models that show dangerous levels of sulfur dioxide. A concerned mother (Leslie Weise) took them to court. Now CSU…
Outdoors with Hiking Bob Podcast: Bob and Kevin discuss economic benefits of parks, additional parks funding
Bob and co-host Kevin discuss a recent study regarding the economic benefit of city parks, attempts to raise more money for parks, stormwater issues, and Kevin’s big plans for 2018
Council Matters – January 12 2016
Technology libraries in all schools, Colorado Springs Utilities governance, responsibility to electorate, Issue 300, Payment in Lieu of Taxes, doing away with city council, and more. Not the place to nap!
Council Matters: December 1 2016
20 Years Into The Future: Fellow councilor Andy Pico joins host Tom Strand. Today’s discussion includes Colorado Springs in 20 years. Transportation, Cyber employment, housing, utilities.
Council Matters – November 17 2016
Tom Strand and guest-co-host Dave Gardner discuss the recent national election and the upcoming local election. Included: what will happen to the Clean Power Plan? Will burning coal to generate electricity return to favor in Colorado Springs?
CityTalk – November 4 2016
Did Jan smoke pot in her youth? Reefer Madness in Colorado Springs: Jill Gaebler and Jan Martin discuss the medical marijuana moratorium. Is that being “business friendly?” Is the Gazette editorializing about this in its news coverage? Should city council be listening to “the voices of the people or the voices of the powerful?” The…