CO Representative claims crime down, foot traffic up at Citadel Mall

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - State Representative Rebecca Keltie claims that there has been immense progress in revitalizing the Citadel Mall over the past year.

Keltie touts a safer atmosphere and renewed community engagement due to an increased officer presence, AI-assisted cameras, body cams, and gated parking access.

She writes to KRDO13 CSPD has confirmed an overall improvement in safety metrics, with foot traffic now exceeding that of Chapel Hills Mall, a clear indicator of growing public confidence.

KRDO13 has reached out to the Colorado Springs Police Department to find what data Rep. Keltie is pointing to in these claims. The department is working to find the data she was referencing.

Many business owners we reached out to said that they feel crime has been down, but they also said business is slower than in years past.

The public relations group that represents the Citadel Mall sent us this response regarding foot traffic.

Management doesn't use traffic counters so they have know way of being sure on that front, but leasing activity and tenancy is definitely up! 13 total new leases thus far, ten inline and three events, one of which brought more than two thousand people to the mall.

Please see below for the list of ten inline businesses: 

• Good Fella’s
• Hellraisers Tattoo
• Eco Village
• Artesanales Yanis
• Dubai Chocolate
• Art’s Complex 1 & 2
• Nerdstalgia
• Stix (upcoming Restaurant in the former Hooters Space)

- A spokesperson for the Citadel Mall

Since the mall doesn't use traffic counters for foot traffic, we asked Rep. Keltie how she concluded that there have been more shoppers at the Citadel Mall versus Chapel Hills Mall. Her office is working on a response.

KRDO13 spoke with the Citadel Mall manager, Kurt Reulecke, who said a big part of this positive momentum is the safety upgrades.

Reulecke said shoplifting has decreased over the past 10 months. When speaking with Reulecke over the phone, his passion for the mall and keeping shoppers safe was evident. He exudes passion with his excitement over upcoming events that are in the works.

Councilmember Nancy Henjum also tells KRDO13 they recently connected the mall’s security camera system to the Colorado Springs Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center.

I remain deeply committed to ensuring the Citadel Mall and its surrounding neighborhoods are safe, welcoming, and vibrant places for families, neighbors, and businesses alike.

Over the past 18 months, I have worked closely with community partners, local organizations like Men of Influence (MOI) and Women of Impact (WOI), and city leadership to address longstanding public safety concerns in and around the Citadel Mall. This work has included hosting a Community Conversation at the Zeal Church and co-hosting a Town Hall at the Citadel alongside Mayor Yemi Mobolade, the Colorado Springs Police Department, and the principal of Mitchell High School. These events have been instrumental in strengthening the bond between our neighborhoods and public safety officers, reinforcing our shared vision of the Citadel Mall as a true community hub.

I want to warmly welcome State Representative Keltie to this ongoing effort. Her support is a valuable addition to our mission of revitalizing the Citadel Mall and ensuring it remains a safe and thriving space for all.

We’ve made meaningful progress. I’m proud to share that, in collaboration with the Citadel Mall’s Operator, Namdar Realty Group, we recently succeeded in connecting the mall’s security camera system to the Colorado Springs Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center. This is a significant step forward in improving real-time response and enhancing safety for everyone who visits or works at the mall.

While there is still work to be done, I am encouraged by the momentum we’ve built and the partnerships we’ve strengthened. Together, with continued collaboration and community engagement, we are making the Citadel Mall a place where families feel safe, businesses can thrive, and neighbors can gather with pride.

- Statement from Councilmember Nancy Henjum Colorado Springs City Council – District 5

One local business owner says Councilmember Henjum, the mall staff and other city leaders have been a huge help in increasing security measures.

Jody Harlow tells KRDO13 he sincerely cares about all of the families that come into Kick Colorado Martial Arts.

"We are a community-oriented martial arts school. We're a unique martial arts school because our heart is to give back to the community. Our heart is to reach out to not only students who would come in and typically do martial arts, but maybe some that may have limitations and may think that, hey, I can't do martial arts. And so we want them to know that they are welcome here as well, that this is a very loving, martial arts family, that our vision and mission is martial arts and community impact. And so that's our passion, our mission, and what makes us unique and different," shared business owner Jody Harlow.

Just like Harlow cares about his students and their experience in class, he also wants to make sure they feel safe.

"We have families here with kids as young as four years old coming into our programs. And so we want to make sure that they feel safe here. And I believe most of our families that come in feel safe in this mall. You know, I think that they have done a great job mitigating some of the issues that we've had in the past," explained Jody Harlow.

Harlow said it's been great to see more families come into the mall since the military ban was lifted, especially as a veteran-owned business.

"We have a lot of military families that are a part of our programs. It's great for military families. So I would hope that military families who are seeing this would know that it is a safe place to come. It is a vibrant shopping experience, and there are places in the mall, like a dance studio and a martial arts school and a glow golf. There are things for families here," said Harlow.

He also explained that the security increase has been an advantage to his business.

"The security guards are very personable here. I mean, they stop in all the time. We have a little snack shop, so they'll stop in to get snacks. They'll stop and just watch the kids and see what the kids are doing. And I tell parents this and, you know, these are the security guards that are safe, serving the mall and making us feel safer. And so that makes the parents feel even more encouraged because, you know, if you go somewhere else, you may not get that. You may not get that in a strip mall. You may not get that in a standalone martial arts school. But here in the Citadel Mall, you get that you have security that is always on, either outside circling the mall or walking through the mall, and you see them, and it makes you feel safer," explained Harlow.

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