Memorial Hospital Lease Vote Could Be This Summer

The future of Memorial Hospital may be decided this summer.

On Wednesday, the Colorado Springs City Council laid the groundwork for a late August mail-in election. The special election will focus on one issue: Asking voters for the right to move into a lease agreement with University of Colorado Health.

The lease agreement is still being finalized. A spokesperson for the city said details of the agreement will be available to the public in early June and a ballot question would need to be finalized by July 10.

City leaders said the ballot measure move had to be made now, to make sure an August 28 election is possible and it in no way guarantees the special election will be held on that date.

Councilman Merv Bennett said there’s no need to worry about the added cost of a special election because University of Colorado Health agreed to pay for the special election. A ballot question is a mandated with any change of management tied to Memorial.

City Councilwoman Brandy Williams said putting the issue before voters in August is a good idea because “the faster we can get it done the better.”

City Attorney Chris Melcher indicated University of Colorado Health leaders prefer a single issue special election because it puts the focus squarely on the lease issue.