Mayor delivers State of City address Friday in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers delivered his fourth State of the City speech Friday before an audience of 850 at the Broadmoor.

Suthers announced earlier this month that he will seek a second term.

The mayor reviewed the city’s recent accomplishments and looked ahead to future goals.

His speech began with an extended standing ovation — a nod to voter-approved street paving and stormwater programs during his term, and serving as a catalyst for the I-25 Gap project that started this month.

The mayor also pointed out the city’s growing economy, with nearly a dozen new hotels and 24,000 jobs created during his term.

Suthers said he wants to continue addressing homelessness by doubling the number of shelter beds to more than 600 and encouraging developers to build 5,000 new affordable housing units over the next five years.
The city’s challenge, Suthers said, is to protect its status as one of the most desirable places in America to live, and to avoid making mistakes that will negatively affect future generations.

An emotional tribute to police Officer Cem Duzel, injured in a confrontation with an armed suspect this summer, was part of the event. Suthers asked the audience to give him a standing ovation.

As part of the tribute, Duzel also will receive hundreds of posters and notes with personal messages of support, encouragement and appreciation from the public.

Suthers received another standing ovation at the end of his 30-minute speech.

At the end of the event, Chuck Murphy, 83, a longtime businessman and civic leader, received the Spirit of the Springs Lifetime Achievement award.