24-03-2025
Karman Line letter claims petitioners lied to convince voters
(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — A letter submitted in early March is requesting that the 4th Judicial District Attorney investigate a series of election law violations after petitioners allegedly lied to convince voters to oppose the Karman Line annexation.
A representative with Norris Ranch Joint Development LLC, the firm that requested the annexation, submitted a letter on Thursday, March 6 requesting District Attorney Michael Allen to investigate several violations the petitioners made. The letter came a week after the petition, with over 31,000 signatures, was submitted on Feb. 26.
According to the letter FOX21 News received, the petitioners' efforts to mislead and manipulate the election under C.R.S. 1-13-109(1) and (2) should 'not be tolerated.' The election offense, 1-12-109, says no person should make false or reckless statements related to candidates or questions submitted to electors.
'Organizers have spent nearly $250,000 to collect signatures and convince Colorado Springs' residents to vote for the referendum, and against the annexation,' the letter alleges. 'These efforts to convince voters to support a referendum amount to efforts 'designed to affect the vote' at an election.'
The letter details various statements that petitioners made, and claims they are false. The letter lists alleged lies about water and the environment, about the developers, and about how the measure will help fix infrastructure.
The letter further alleges that two organizations are behind the paid-off signatures: Colorado Dawn and Norwood Development Group.
'We are in receipt of a letter from the City of Colorado Springs City Clerk's Office that they have completed review of the petitions opposing the Karman Line annexation and will offer formal certification during Colorado Springs City Council's Work Session on Monday, March 24. We understand that if no protest is filed, City Council will take the next steps in the referendum process at the April 8 City Council meeting.
We are very pleased to receive this update and are hopeful the City Council will honor the wishes of their constituents and oppose the Karman Line annexation. Residents from Colorado Springs and beyond have consistently expressed concerns regarding the strain on utilities, public safety and lack of water to support this flagpole annexation. City Council has a clear choice – respect the will of the people or continue to waste taxpayer dollars on a special election to decide on what we already know – the community is not in support of this project.'
Dawn Shelstad, community organizer in opposition to the Karman Line annexation
See the full list and letter here:
25.03.07-Election-ComplaintDownload
'Unfortunately, the petition circulators and those behind the referendum effort have consistently resorted to falsehoods in order to deceive and manipulate the electorate into voting against the annexation,' the letter states. 'I ask that you investigate this matter, determine those responsible for these corrupt practices, and take appropriate prosecutorial action.'
Kate Singh, the Chief Communications Officer for the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office told FOX21 News they had received the letter from Gessler regarding the concerns. 'As far as we are aware, no law enforcement investigation has been conducted into the concerns raised in that letter,' Singh told FOX21 News.
The City of Colorado Springs is still within its 30-day limit to verify the signatures.
FOX21 News reached out to Norwood Development Group for comment and will update this article once we receive it.
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