Should city-owned Colorado Springs Utilities be handing out ratepayer money to groups such as the NAACP and the Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance?
The utility budgeted about $774,000 to hand out to various organizations and charities in 2013, raising the ire of some Utilities Board members.
“The greater question pointed out by these gifts and the gift-giving process leads to the overall structure of the board and the built-in conflict of interest presented by being both a city councilor and a utility company board member,” Councilman Tim Leigh recently wrote in his electronic newsletter.
“As a utility company board member I understand and condone the giving. I encourage it. As a company, the million dollar give-away is chump change used to curry small-time political favor. I understand the process,” he said.
“But as a city councilor looking out for Fred the Plumber and his good wife Ethel and their 3 kids living in a poorly insulated, small duplex on the east side, I’m compelled to call-out the unfairness of arbitrary gifts of rate payer dollars. ”
Click here to see the list of groups that are poised to receive ratepayer money and the amount.
The Gazette asked Springs Utilities to provide more information about the “Community Focus Fund” program.
Here is their response:
As a citizen-owned utility, we are committed to giving back to the community we serve. Our community investments programs include investments in community organizations that retain, grow, and recruit businesses in our region; grants through the Community Focus Fund program; support of designated City Sponsored events; sponsorships of local non-profit events and memberships in local community associations.
Community investment provides financial support for activities and events in the community or in communities impacted by Springs Utilities operations. Utilities Board policy requires us to demonstrate strong corporate responsibility and be responsive to community needs and values. Community investment is limited to financial contributions which are budgeted as annual operating expense derived from operating revenues. We are able to invest no more than 1/4 of one percent of budgeted operations revenues in support of the community. Our budgeted amount is actually about 1/10 of one percent. The small increase in the 2013 budget covers increased costs in city-sponsored events and realignment of funding to meet community needs.
Community investments were first formalized in 1997 with the chartering of the Community Focus Fund by City Council. The Community Focus Fund was established as a community outreach program to support employee volunteerism and provide financial support to local nonprofit organizations and schools. The program is managed by an employee steering committee of about 20 employees from throughout the organization who make volunteer project and funding decisions based on the program’s charter and guidelines. Funding and volunteering is focused on affordable housing assistance, community, education, environment, safety & health, senior citizens, youth. Funds are also used to purchase supplies and equipment for employee volunteer projects.
Sponsorship funding is determined by a management team to support organizations and events that have a strong alignment with Springs Utilities’ business objectives such as workplace diversity, conservation and the environment, safety, renewable energy, science education or in support of events where Springs Utilities employees have made significant volunteer commitments to organizations as members of the board of directors.
Funds are also used to fulfill requests from City Council to underwrite the cost of barricades for designated city sponsored events such as the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, parades, etc.
In addition, our primary focus is supporting employee volunteerism. Year after year, we donate thousands of personal hours to local charities and nonprofit agencies to help make our community a better place. In 2011, our volunteer hours topped 25,000.
Good work, Daniel. I had no idea this was going on. Maybe they could take that money and put it toward fixing some of the drainage problems the city needed stormwater fees for, instead.
“As a citizen-owned utility, we are committed to giving back to the community we serve.”
This is an interesting quote, if you truly are committed to giving back to the community I recommend you reduce citizen rates, rather than taking our money and funneling it to agencies you deem appropriate. This practice from a “citizen-owned utility” should be outlawed.
teabagger mentality of not helping anyone but ourselves is the godly way… correct colorado springs “religous” people???
Incorrect, daytripper. Religions are generally pro-charity, but reallocation of involuntary donations is not charity no matter how you look at it.
I can not believe this shallowness of this article. The Community Focus Fund is dedicated to volunteering in the community and reaching out to customers and other individuals. The money that goes to the COPE fund reaches hundreds of customers, like the plumber in the duplex on the east side. If he is unable to pay his bill, there are resources available that may be able to assist him and he can contact the Energy Resoure Center to see if they can assist. . The employees of Colorado Springs Utilities are dedicated to the community and helping others. Do you realize the role they played in the Waldo Canyon Fire? They assisted with fighting the fire, made sure the customers had their services on, and worked at the crisis center assisting the traumatized customers who lost their houses. The majority of their time is volunteer and they are not compensated. Have you researched all the agencies that receive these funds? I feel fortunate that there are resources available to people who need them in a time of crisis or other challenges. The people who have issues with this need to imagine one of their family members having a crisis. Wouldn’t you want them to have resources that can help them and I am not referring to social services. It is sad that so many people in our community only look out for themselves and feel no concern for people who may be struggling. I thought Colorado Springs was better than that. Have you heard of the Golden Rule?
Waterboy, it is hard to believe you were not aware of this. There is information about the various programs that CSU offers ln my bill when I receive it. It is well advertised, maybe if you were not aware of these programs you are probably not aware of many of the other issues. The cope program is voluntary as well as the communiity focus fund. It would be nice if people would take the time to research the issue and understand if before commenting it. The gazette tends to be very biased and does always provide fair, unbiased, and thorough coverage.
Daniel, you need to be thorough in the reporting and breakdown your claims of “pocketing your ratepayer dollars.”
“As a citizen-owned utility, we are committed to giving back to the community we serve. Our community investments programs include investments in community organizations that retain, grow, and recruit businesses in our region; grants through the Community Focus Fund program; support of designated City Sponsored events; sponsorships of local non-profit events and memberships in local community associations.”
Now go to the breakdown and you will see that the budget is pretty simple. They have reduced contributions to Economic Development, Sponsorships, and Memberships. And they have increased there contributions to City Sponsored Events and the Community Focus Fund. There is a definite need for funding of the sponsored events, without outside funding, many of these events would not be able to operate, and some would leave for communities that will help fund them.
After reading the breakdown, I am comfortable with the money being used in the manner that it is. We have one of the most dependable utilities in the country, along with some of the best customer service representatives to go with it. Our CSU has been under fire for no reason other than prospective money to be made in downtown redevelopment.
I am bemused by Leigh’s comments. According to the table that is embedded in the Gazelle article (6th paragraph), about 54% of the $774,050 ($414,260) was budgeted for economic development and city sponsored events, as directed by City Council/Utility Board. $81,740 was budgeted for sponsorship of various community organizations (ranging from about $150 to 9,000). Membership in the various groups is also important to Utility business in serving the community.
Regardless, why is Leigh whining about something he has both hands in? Or, he doesn’t take the time to review the information.
Well said, Eric! The community focus fund is a huge benefit to Colorado Springs. I know that Bach does see the benefit of this type of program because he does not seem to understand the struggles that many people go through with finances, healthcare, and many other struggles. Daniel is a reporter who focuses on the negative instead of taking the time to really understand the people who benefit from this program. We need to strengthen our community and learn to be there for each other instead of having a “every man for himself” mentality. The current mayor is not necessarily the best role model when it comes to social issues and struggles that the middle class face. Communities are suppose to unite to help each other.
Daniel, it’s pretty obvious which side of the story you are on. You never miss a chance to bash CSU and take the side of Bach, Leigh, Dougan, etc. etc. who all want to shut down Martin Drake and drive the cost of our utilities nowhere but up.
Can’t you see the hypocrisy here?? Leigh says he’s looking out for the little guy but wants to shut down 1/3 of the electrical supply of our city at whose expense? The same little guy he says he’s looking out for!
Regarding these “handouts” – this is simply a part of the politically correct environment that businesses find themselves in. All companies try to do what they can to benefit others with all kinds of feel-good programs so that they can say “look at how good we are!”
The difference is that we’re talking about ratepayer dollars. Nobody seems to care when they are tax dollars or grocery dollars or gasoline dollars or dollars. (by the way, I am a CSU ratepayer) But, everyone seems to be aghast that a small amount of the money we spend on the utilities we use is being spent to benefit our community.
Your article also goes on to mention that the Community Focus Fund was established by the City Council in 1997. Hmmm…how many items will the current council decide are no longer valid and must be re-studied at taxpayer and ratepayer expense (Neumann???). It appears that a few in this current council seem determined to undermine what previous councils have approved.
I truly believe that the average citizen of our great city “gets it” and disagrees with the talking heads trying to make Utilities look bad. After all, nothing of major significance can be done without a vote and everyone I talk to about this says, “What’s the big deal? If it isn’t broken, why fix it!” When it comes to our pocketbooks, nobody wants their rates to go up except for those who stand to benefit from it. Hmmm…wonder who is doing all of the talking/planning?
The bottom line is that we have a great utility that provides services at rates below the majority of the country. Most people understand that if the few get their way, the majority will pay.
Judy, you’re very eager to give away other peoples’ money for your choice of “social issues”…….just how much of YOUR OWN MONEY have you given to, say, the local chapter of the NAACP? And every single other organization or event on that list? And I’d be willing to make a large bet that “daytripper” has given up NONE of his/her own money, being too busy spending it on dope to smoke….
Don,
I donate to COPE because I understand that people go through challeniging situations. I was raised by a single mom and I know what is it like to have your utlities shut off or not have food. It would have been great to have some of these programs when I was growing up. I have also volunteered many hours helping out at food banks and other organizations. I would venture to guess that you are not someone who donates anything and does not understand the importance of helping others and people who are less fortunate. It appears you are only concerned abougt yourself and your own bank account. Maybe if you tried volunteering and helping other people, you will experience the satisfaction of helping someone and putting someone else before you and the ice in your heart will melt. . Based on your comments, this is probably an experience that is very foreign to you. Something tells me that you and Bach would get along very well. May the peace and joy of the holiday season find some way to get into your heart. Happy Thanksgiving!
Nice…the personal attack based on absolutely no facts at all. And this is how you justify taking other peoples’ money for your own pet causes?
Pathetic.
>> … I’d be willing to make a large bet that “daytripper” has given up NONE of his/her own money, being too busy spending it on dope to smoke….
……… in Colorado it’s called MEDICINE, Don ;-}
Don, you launched the personal attacks. Judy explained her stand, and pointed out that through personal experience she has seen the benefit these prgrams present. BTW, the “donation” to the local NAACP was for $1500, just a fraction of a percent of the total budget (.0019%).
Look, the City Council has approved the budget for CSU for years with this in it, yet this year Mr Leigh wants to stonewall because he does not feel comfortable with it. Ok, I can live with that if he is that meticulous with all of the items that pass before him, consistancy is needed to prove he is being above board and not vindictive. I for one will give the benefit of the dought until proven otherwise. But again, the City Council/CSU Board approves these expenditures, and knows the value of Community involvment and support.
The rate of return to the ratepayers would be minimal if based on the percentage paid in payments. So if asking for a refund, by taking the population and dividng it into the total budget, would not be an accurate way to figure how much each person would get either.
Talking about calling the Kettle Black. The City waste plenty of our money on thier pet peeves so keep calling the kettle black. What a bunch of two timing back stabbing self rightous people.
lilithia
Thank-You Daniel and Tim. Forte and his group has been given too much power in the past and hopefully this is the beginning of some transparency and housecleaning at the CITY owned utility.
Daniel, you need to get your head out of your Backside. When you write a article like this, why don’t you do your research first and find out the truth before you write a piece of cr*p like this. You are looking a lot more like Wayne in your writings. I guess that’s all we can expect from this rag.
Cliff, the house cleaning and transparency you talk about needs to start with Bach and all his lackeys who are putting their noses in places .they don’t belong. All they care about is themselves and could care less about the citizens in this city
Utilities shouldn’t be donating to groups. Individuals can donate if they want, but it’s not the job of a city-owned organization.
Colorado Springs Utilities has finally gone insane from their long-term exposure of being a monopoly.
I disagree. I have seen nothing but transparency from Bach and his team. Usually when someone is supposedly sticking there nose where it doesn’t belong means that someone has something to hide. Besides, this is right where Tim Leigh should be sticking his nose as part of the utilities board. Maybe the rest of them should pull their head out of the sand and start sticking their noses where they do belong.
Cliff that would be okay if you knew what you are talking about and that sure leaves Leigh, Dougan and bach out. All you get from them is somebody told me this or told me that and come to find out there isn’t somebody it is them telling the lies. They have yet to provided the truth, unless it’s coming from their developer buddies.
I have no problem with CSU supporting non-profit groups in the community. That’s what makes them good citizens. The strong mayor form of government is far from transparent. Most decisions are made by adminstrators in private. These decisions all used to come before City Council for a discussion/approval. Leave utilities alone, Daniel.
John: I agree with you completely. As a long standing taxpayer in this community, I am okay with utilities giving to the local charities. I am not a supporter of the NAACP because of their racist stance; however, I believe we need to give back to our community. As for Mr. Chacon, maybe CSU needs to invite him down to their facilities and let him play with their big boy toys like the fire department does.
Bach has been everything but transparent since he took office. Daniel, is your next article about all the charities and organizations the City is giving to? What about the reported LART funds being directed to organizations which didn’t apply like National Defense Coalition. I can’t find any website or info when google but Bach is giving them $20,000 of our taxpayer money. Why? Please report Daniel what you find out.
Hey Daniel nice inflammatory headline but… it stopped being the ratepayers money when you paid for the utilities you used. Don’t confuse the purchase of a service or good with paying taxes… nice obfuscation of the facts.
Since Bach was elected, there has been nothing but turmoil, anger, deceit, and many other destructive behaviors. I know there will always be people who are anit-government and who think they know everything based on a headline in the Gazette. It seems like they are not happy unless they are being negative, judgemental, and whiney. They seem to thrive on misery and negtivity. Why not try to get accurate and complete information? Do some research to understand the issue and get factual information. The gazette should not be your main source for CSU issues. How about the JD Power awards that have been earned by CSU? CSU has a good bond rating. The rates are low compared to other utilities who have stockholders. Colorado Springs Utilities is a monopoly because they are the only electric company in town yet the customers are their number on prioriy. Their employees are dedicated to their customers and the community. They log hundreds of volunteer hours helping out in the community. Because they are volunteering, they are not paid in case someone is going to try to go down that road. Things went south quickly after Bach was elected, This man is not a uniter he is a destroyer. He is determined to go after CSU even though he as no power over them. I know he is focusing on Drake so that him and his developer cronies get benefit from a ball park downtown. Chacon pursues the negative issues because they are inflammatory. I would challenge him to research some of the COPE programs and talk with some of the customers who benefit for their assistance. Maybe he can go to the Call Center and experience the compassion, care, empathy, and professionalism that the customers receive. I know that would not be as newsworthy or inflammatory, but maybe he will have a better understanding of the awesome employees who work at CSU.
We readily can discern who Judy gets her paycheck from.
Don, I work for a private employer but I have been a customer of CSU for 27 years and have enjoyed their service and their low rates. Since Bach was elected, he has gone after CSU. I know he received a large influx of cash from the other developers, most likely Jenkins and Schuck. It seems like he is their puppet doing whatever they tell him to do. Why would Schuck call a private meeting to discuss Drake? If he had nothing to hide, why not open it to the public. They are sneaky, manipulative, and under handed. I am sure the rumors about trying to build a ballpark in the downtown area are I am not sure how feasible it would be to tear down Drake and treat the contaminated soil and the surrounding area. Bach received campaign donations from the Koch Brothers. They are extremely wealthy, corrupt and destructive. Do you think they gave Bach money just because they are nice guys? You should take some time to research the Koch Brothers. Why would they be interested in funding Bach’s election campaign? Most likely they are getting something in return. I do not think they randomly selected him (of all people) to help. I do not want to see our beautiful city destroyed by a mayor and city council that are all about their own special interests. When Bach was running for mayor there were articles about several divorces and domestic violence. I did not give it much thought then, but based on his current behavior I would not be surprised if those allegations are true. He needs to be stopped. Daniel Chacon, why don’t you cover both sides of a story instead of taking the negative and inflammatory approach all the time. There are a lot of good things that go on at CSU. I know that does not sell papers. One disgruntled employee does not mean that the whole system is corrupt.
Yeah, right. Sure. Uh huh. Sure. Right.
Hack.
Don, you seem like a miserable hack, most likely a staunch republican who is angry, unhappy,judgemental, uptight, and most likely lives a very unhappy life. You probably take joy is putting people down, supporting Chacon and his smear fest, You probably thrive on negativity. Most likely you attack other people to make up for you own inadequacies. I hope your are able to find peace and joy in the holiday season. May the peace and joy of the holiday season be with you.
Don, your last comment shows your level of intellect. Instead of calling names and being so sure you know where someone works, as well as snooping into where someone sends his PRIVATE donations, why don’t you add something productive to the conversation?
All I expect is for CSU to give me low rates and reliable service, which they have done in 20+ years I have been living here…and better than any other places I have lived (California, East Coast).
Ooooo. Like I’m REALLY so intimidated by Judy and Bob being just the kind of jerks to be expected from democrat party hacks.
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!
Don, Don, Don, you really sound like a immature and chldish little man when you respond like that. My ten year old does not even behave in that manner. It is rather commical. I agree with Welsh, my rates are low, service is reliable, and the customer service is excellent. The few times I have called them, there were very responsive, knowledgeable, and courteous. I do not know why Bach has made CSU such an issue. If you check their website, they have won the JD Powers Award, have and excellent bond rating. Bach and his developer buddies are doing everything they to build a ball park in the downtown area regardless of the financial impacts to the customers. This was not an issue before Bach was elected, why it is one now?
Nothing but more name calling and political hackery…….don’t you have anything better and actually constructive to do, Judy Hack? Oh, wait, I forgot…..you’re part of the paid anti-mayor group within Utilities…. so never mind…..proceed with your hackery and nastiness.
Darling Donny,
I am not a fan of Bach, but I am not part of any anit-mayor group. In case you are not aware of it, many intelliigent and reasonable people are beginning to question the destructive direction he is taking our city and many of the decisions he has made many of which will benefit Jenkins, Schuck, and the other developers. I am concerned about his decisions because I love this city and it is very apparent that many of the decisions that are being hastiily made by Bach and his buddies will have a huge impact on our lives, the lives of our children, and the economy, which is a reasonable thing to worry about. You seem to thrive on negativity and childish behavior. It is time that you grown up and think about people other than yoursefl. The majority of people are not as miserable, nasty, angry and judgemental as you. We need to look at the long term effects of the decisions made by the current mayor including potentially losing jobs and companies because rates will increase if electric generation is sold. Most reasonable people can understand the risks and long term effects. I will pray for you and your hard, callous, and uncaring heart.
Just turn it into a CO-OP utility as the people already own it. Would just be a different form of ownership.
People elected a real estate salesman mayor and now he wants to sale things.
If CSU is taking care of all of these community ‘requirements’ for me, then I will stop donating and doing volunteer work for these organizations. Such a large enterprise dwarfs my puny efforts. I can save my money until utility rates are increased, and stay home.
Preposterous. CSU exists to provide utilities to the public. They have a monopoly, so comparison to other companies that have to maintain a public image is completely false.
Eric says it best.
As a former CSU employee, Community Focus Fund Steering Committee member and a rate payer … I have very personal knowledge of the endless volunteer hours spent by CSU employees. The 1/10 of one percent spent to provide support to the organizations the steering committee allocates is a drop in the bucket. The Steering Committee abides by very strict guidelines as set forth by CSU policies. I have had the privilege of serving the community. I will tell you that all volunteer hours are performed on an employee’s own time. At no time were we allowed to volunteer during our scheduled work hours. 25,000 volunteer hours in 2011 by CSU employees is in fact no drop in the bucket.
100% of the Community Focus Fund members are without a doubt the best of the best. I will always cherish the time I spent with the Community Focus Fund Steering Committee, volunteering in support of our community.
So, I guess what I am telling the ratepayers of Colorado Springs, you have one of the finest affordable utility companies. With the exception of a few on the leadership team, you have some of the best in the business of running a multiple service utility company.
The ratepayers of Colorado Springs Utilities should be proud of the fact that their utility company has a program like the Community Focus Fund. In reality all ratepayers receive a benefit from the volunteers of the Community Focus Fund and its staff.
Nathan,
Of course they have a monopoly because they are the only electric supplier for Colorado Springs, just like Mountain View Electric is the only electric supplier for the areas in other parts of Colorado Springs and Fountain Electric supplies the Fountain Area, etc. So they are a monopoly like many other electric companies, what is your point? They are also a municipality which means they do not have stockholders they like to receive dividends on their investments which helps keep the rates lower and more competitive. They provide afforadable and reliable electricity. I would recommend that you do some research on these topics before spouting off. Fortunately, Mayor Bach is not a voting member of the utilities’ board. He is hell bent on destroying utilities to benefit his own personal agenda as well as Schuck”s and other developer friends’ agenda.. There is always room for improvement, but Bach is way out of line with his never ending pursuit of power and control so that he and his developer cronies can benefit financial from addtional development, a potential ball park downtown even though we have a perfectly good and paid for ballpark in Stetson Hills called the Sky Sox stadium. Last time I went to a game there, it seemed like a great place to play ball plus other community events that take place there. Why do we need a new ball park? Maybe we need to start looking at the possibility of recalling Bach before he destroys our city.
I had to go to the csu.org website to pay my bill (sort of) and was curious about the proposed budget. I saw that the typical bill would not go up. Why hasn’t this been reported?? I would suspect that this would be great news for a lot of readers, like it was for me.
I believe the petulant “daytripper’s” drug of choice to be glue or paint fumes.
I might wager there is a law against a publicly funded entity giving taxpayer/ratepayer money away to pet projects. If not, there certainly should be.
Welsh, the reason this was not reported is because the attacking and negative news is much more inflammatory. The Gazette and Chacon seem much more focused on negativity. It seems to be against their journalism rules to write balanced and factual stories about CSU. God forbid they do a positive story on CSU. They do not print balanced and fair stories when it comes to the city and CSU. Like most organizations, CSU has room for improvement but they also do a lot of things right which help keep the rates low and competitive. Would it kill the Gazette and Chacon to write about the many positive things that CSU accomplishes? I know it can be a little boring, but the readers deserve both sides of the story. Come on Chacon and the Gazette, you can do better than that, journalism is suppose to be balanced.