City leaders making Colorado Springs more accessible after ADA lawsuits

City leaders of Colorado Springs are working to make the area more accessible for people with disabilities after settling two lawsuits in one year.

The settlements came after local residents with disabilities said the city does not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Now, the city has agreed to build 15,000 curb ramps in a 14-year period.

Amber Carlton, the media relations manager for a local nonprofit that assists people with disabilities called The Independence Center, said she looks forward to seeing improvements over the next decade.

“It’s a good thing because it allows people with disabilities to have access to the city,” said Carlton. “That’s something we need to ensure as a city.”

For Paul Spotts, who uses a wheelchair every day, the city’s new curb ramps are a breath of fresh air.

“It’s been nice,” Spotts said. “I don’t have to worry about it. I can just get out and go down the sidewalk.”

Travis Easton, the director of public works for Colorado Springs, said it was unfortunate that the city took a stronger action after two lawsuits. But now, he says the citywide program is ahead of schedule with about 1,500 ramps built in 2018.

“It’s important to the city,” Easton said. “It’s important to all of us that the citizens are finding accessible means to enjoy the city’s services.”​​​​​​

Easton said each ramp costs about $4,000, meaning the program will cost at least $60 million to complete.

“They’ve got a long way to go, but they’ve done a lot of improvement for sure,” Spotts said.

Rebecca Michael, the advocacy manager for the nonprofit, agreed and commended the city for considering the needs of people with disabilities.

“We want everybody to be included and that’s really important,” Michael said.