MARCH 27, 2025 | NEWS | By Lorelei Smillie (Hiring Manager)
Next Tuesday, April 1st, Colorado Springs will decide on their new City Council lineup. This year, five candidates are vying for the seat to replace Michelle Talarico, who has represented the third district since 2023.
Most Colorado College students live in the third district of Colorado Springs, which stretches from the Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station up to E. Uintah Street. The district is home to the most competitive race this year.
City Council races don’t get as much attention as the federal elections each November. The off-season election gets approximately 30% turnout in a good year. District 3’s candidates are trying their hardest to engage voters on the issues they care about this year.
Five candidates are running for the seat: Brandy Williams, a former councilwoman and civil engineer whose family has lived in Colorado Springs for four generations; Maryah Lauer, a former Stop Cop City organizer and activist; Rick Gillit, an insurance company owner; Greg Thornton, a former insurance sales agent and current Parks Advisory Board member; and Christopher Metzgar, the self-proclaimed “first male prostitute in the United States” and local business manager.
With varying backgrounds and interests, the five candidates represent different slices of District 3’s population. The district, which encompasses downtown Colorado Springs and a large residential area, underwent a redistricting process last fall. Candidates’ top concerns are wildfire preparation, affordable housing and accountability to the public.
Brandy Williams
Brandy Williams, who previously served on the City Council in 2011, wants to ensure the “continuation of quality of life for residents in District 3.” During her last term, she helped to lease the Memorial Health System to UC Health, which increased profits for the whole system in Colorado Springs.
“Having somebody with that [previous council] experience to come in and essentially hit the ground running is very vital for the community,” said Williams.
After having seen the devastation of the Waldo Canyon fire in 2012, one of her priorities is forest management and wildfire prevention. Williams hopes to enact defensive measures to prevent future fires from affecting the community.
To address homelessness issues in the Springs, Williams is advocating for a tiered approach, where people are offered different levels of help depending on how long they’ve lived on the street.
Williams’ favorite local business is The Exchange on Tejon.
Maryah Lauer
Maryah Lauer, a community activist with nonprofit experience, sees a few different challenges facing Colorado Springs. She has made the cost of living crisis central to her campaign, and hopes to “make the city more democratic.”
“I’ve always wanted to be of service to people,” said Lauer.
Lauer wants to implement a ‘Housing First’ policy, which would immediately place people struggling with homelessness into temporary housing and provide support with other issues like addiction afterward.
“I think it’s pretty absurd that we expect people to be able to hold on to a job or deal with substance abuse issues or mental health problems when they are unhoused,” said Lauer. “Not to mention there’s plenty of people who are homeless, who do have full time jobs and simply can’t afford housing in this city.”
She also wants to increase proactive public safety measures, including funding more mental health responses to crisis calls instead of police responses.
Lauer’s favorite downtown business is Josh and John’s Ice Cream.
Rick Gillit
Rick Gillit, an insurance agent for Farmers Insurance, wants to bring his financial background to the City Council to create better fiscal planning for future growth in Colorado Springs.
Safety and security infrastructure are Gillit’s top concerns. If elected, he would seek to increase the number of firefighters and policemen employed by the city and increase the training they receive.
Gillit also wants to combat misinformation spread by citizens who speak at council meetings. Specifically on affordable housing, Gillit is concerned by the number of people fighting against measures meant to make housing less costly.
“People that almost have no education are coming and spreading disinformation,” said Gillit.
To ensure accountability to his constituents, Gillit plans to start a website where he writes a blog detailing his work as a council member for the public to see.
Gillit’s favorite downtown business is Hafa Adai Fiesta Food, a restaurant that specializes in food from Guam.
Greg Thornton
Greg Thornton, who was previously in the financial services industry, hopes to bring his experience on the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Citizen Advisory Board to help preserve wildlife in Colorado Springs.
“First and foremost, I’d like to see us do a better job at preparing for wildfires,” said Thornton. “I think we’re just one bad unlucky day away from a major tragedy.”
Thornton emphasized the importance of a robust evacuation system and wildfire mitigation strategies.
He believes outdoor space is fundamental to the city’s identity and a resource for everyone to enjoy.
As an advocate for sustainable growth within the Springs, Thornton believes voters should decide on regulations such as building heights and development areas.
Thornton’s favorite downtown business is Rasta Pasta.
Christopher Metzgar
Christopher Metzgar, the general manager of La Burla Bee burlesque club, is advocating for large changes to the city. A resident of the Springs since 1977, Metzgar is a military veteran and a former Olympic judo competitor.
“The city is facing a housing crisis right now,” said Metzgar.
Metzgar believes high home prices are driving residents out, and wants to make the city more affordable.
As the manager of a business downtown, Metzgar feels personally connected to voters’ concerns about taxation and additional fees, such as public improvement fees, imposed on local business owners.
“I represent the working class people in Colorado Springs. I am not a politician. I am not a wealthy business owner. I’m the one out there paying $10 a day to park at one of these parking meters, which is outrageous,” said Metzgar.
Metzgar’s favorite downtown business is Poor Richard’s Downtown.
All of the candidates agreed that accountability was a large issue, and emphasized that their phone number and email are easily available on their campaign websites for voters to access.
District 3 residents will be able to vote until 7 p.m. on April 1 by placing their ballot inside a designated 24/7 ballot drop box, the locations of which are available on the city’s website.