Mayor Mobolade addresses 2024 highlights, 2025 goals, and ‘hate crime hoax’ questions

On Thursday, Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade held his final monthly press briefing of the year.

2024 Highlights

Mayor Mobolade discussed the overall highlights of the year for the city, broken down into five pillars: public safety, infrastructure, housing, the economy, and community activation. Here are the key points, according to Mobolade:

• Public Safety: The city hired 129 new police officers this year. The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) broke ground on Firestation 24. The police department launched its "Drone as First Responder Program."
• Infrastructure: The passage of Ballot Initiative 2C means another 10 years of road maintenance without raising taxes, according to Mayor Mobolade. A record number of passengers have traveled through the Colorado Springs Airport (COS). Also, the city began a new critical water line project at Garden of the Gods
• Housing: Mobolade says the city allocated $1.6 million in Housing and Urban Development funds to roughly 1,200 units under construction or ready to lease
• Economy: Launched the "Business Navigator," an online guide for prospective entrepreneurs for information on how to start their own business
• Community Activation: Pikes Peak Rising, a mental health initiative championed by Mobolade's wife, has been working to address the mental health crisis and provide easier access to care. The city also held 1,000 neighborhood gatherings this year, which helped win Colorado Springs the title of "Most Neighborly City" in the country.

Looking ahead to 2025

Mayor Mobolade says the city plans to utilize data to drive better decision-making.

"By investing in data-driven solutions, we can enhance transparency, improve efficiency, and tailor our services to meet the evolving needs of our community," said Mayor Mobolade.

The city plans to complete its Housing Needs Assessment and Action Plan. The analysis will allow the city to keep leaders in the loop to inform decisions to help increase the housing supply.

Mayor Mobolade also says he plans to engage the community through a "listening tour" where he visits each district to hear out resident's thoughts and concerns.

"My first 100 days, I went to all six districts to conduct a listening session, and we were able to engage with hundreds of residents," said Mayor Mobolade.

Addressing the alleged "hate crime hoax" situation

During the press conference, KRDO13's Heather Skold asked Mayor Mobolade about recent allegations he faces from a conservative outlet. The Daily Wire, citing an unnamed FBI source, claimed the Mayor lied to the FBI.

READ MORE: ‘I did not lie to the FBI’: Colorado Springs mayor addresses allegations against him

The steaming allegations stem from the indictment of three people who allegedly staged a hate crime, presumably to win the election in Mobolade's favor.

Questions arose after the suspects' indictment showed Mayor Mobolade communicated with one of the suspects, but the Mayor has continued to affirm to media outlets that he had no involvement in the alleged hoax.

During Thursday's press conference, KRDO13 asked the mayor if he regretted waiting so long to address allegations that he lied to the FBI, as well as his message to constituents.

"I was clear in respect to the rule of law, and the legal process. I hold that in high regard. And in the same way, like most of our community members who want to see justice brought to our community," said Mayor Mobolade. "And to do that, we need to respect the law. So, I waited to ensure that I was not tampering with an active case."

Allegations (which KRDO13 has been unable to independently confirm) that Mobolade lied to the FBI started on Nov. 21 after a Daily Wire article. Mayor Mobolade took to Facebook to finally address the allegations two weeks later on Dec. 6. That post is below.

"Three people have been indicted. It's a serious matter," Mayor Mobolade added during Thursday's press conference. "This has had impacts to my family. Major impacts. I believe that's more important than just two weeks of addressing the media."

During the press conference, Mayor Mobolade was asked a variety of questions regarding the allegations, most of which Mobolade replied either that the media has access to the same information he does, or that he can't comment on active investigations.

Mayor Mobolade has also continued to affirm that he and his family are victims of a hate crime.