Race for Colorado Springs mayor heats up

Colorado Attorney General John Suthers formally announced Saturday he will be running for mayor of Colorado Springs.

Suthers joins a crowded mayoral race. Candidates are already campaigning ahead of April’s election.

“I’ve got the knowledge, the experience to be the person to make City Hall a positive influence,” said Suthers.

Former Mayor Mary Lou Makepeace has also joined the race. She said she wants to be mayor to set the city back on track.

“I know the job, I think I have the experience and the talent to lead this city forward,” said Makepeace.

El Paso County Commissioner Amy Lathen is also running. She said she initially turned down the idea when people first approached her. However, she spent several months thinking it over and decided she could be a new start for the city.

“This is a completely new style of leadership that I bring to the city. It is open door, transparent, a very different kind of leadership,” said Lathen.

Joel Miller resigned fromColorado Springs City Council to join the race. He was outspoken against City for Champions during his time on council and said in November his goal is to represent the people.

“The key component here is this is all about the citizens and this isn’t about making Joel Miller or the government of Colorado Springs something I want it to be. It is representing the citizens,” said Miller.

Mayor Steve Bach announced last month that he will not be running for re-election.