Swearing-In Ceremony Today For City Council Members

Colorado Springs City Council got a new look on Tuesday.

Six new members, plus a returning member, took the oath Tuesday morning at the Pioneers Museum. After the swearing-in ceremony, the members elected the first ever council president.

Scott Hente took that leadership position as the new face of council. Hente’s duties will also include performing mayoral duties should the mayor be unavailable.

Jan Martin was elected as president pro tem.

Hente and Martin were the only nominees for their respective positions. That sparked a public conversation among the council members on the importance of experience versus new blood. Experience won in this case.

In an interview with KRDO NewsChannel13, Council President Hente said that he hopes to put conversations regarding the new and old council to rest, since the group is now officially “the council”.

On April 5, Merv Bennet, Tim Leigh, Val Snider and Brandy Williams were elected to their first terms as at-large members. Jan Martin was also re-elected as an at-large member. Angela Dougan and Lisa Czelatdko were elected to represent two districts in the city.

The new members will join Bernie Herpin and Scott Hente, who were not up for re-election this year.