Colorado Springs City Councilman Dave Donelson has confirmed he intends to run for mayor in the city's upcoming April election, adding another name to an already crowded field vying to lead the city. The District 1 incumbent, who has served on the council for more than five years, said he plans to release an official campaign announcement in the next few weeks.
Donelson's confirmation was first reported by KRDO, which also reported that mayoral candidate committees have already raised more than $213,000 combined. As Colorado Public Radio notes, Donelson describes himself as a former Green Beret, a background he's leaning on as he pitches himself to voters. “Over the last five and a half years I have earned the reputation of being the councilman who actually listens to the citizens,” Donelson said, according to KRDO's report.
In a statement to KRDO13, Donelson said, “I have become known for integrity, transparency, and fighting for the interests of our citizens, their neighborhoods and businesses.” He has also branded himself a man of the people, telling supporters he looks forward to working for residents as their “Mayor for the People.”
A Field Already Taking Shape
Donelson joins a mayoral race that already includes current Mayor Yemi Mobolade, Stan VanderWerf, Glen Shaw and John “Tig” Tiegen. KRDO's account similarly identified Shaw and Tiegen as candidates who had already kicked off their campaigns, with at least five candidates planning to run in the April election overall.
Four candidates have filed finance paperwork with the city for the mayoral race, per Colorado Public Radio, but Donelson is not yet among them. The councilman has not submitted a campaign-finance report as of the last reporting deadline, the station's report found, and Donelson himself acknowledged he has not yet filed one.
The general municipal election is scheduled for April 6, 2027, according to the City of Colorado Springs.
A Seat He May Have to Give Up
Staying in the mayoral race carries a cost for Donelson. If he remains a candidate through at least mid-February 2027, he will forfeit his City Council seat, according to Colorado Public Radio's reporting. That timeline puts him in a position where pursuing the mayor's office means walking away from the District 1 seat he has held for the better part of six years.
A Council Record Marked by Clashes
Donelson's time on the council has not been without controversy. He was censured after asking councilmembers Brian Risley, Michelle Talarico and David Leinweber to recuse themselves from a vote tied to a development proposal and campaign donations, alleging the three had a conflict of interest, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette. The censure was related to his recusal request regarding an apartment proposal along Garden of the Gods Road.
Earlier this year, Donelson also walked out of a City Council meeting after faith leaders criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to CPR News.
His votes on the council have also drawn attention. He supported banning car camping and backed hiring a private security company to patrol the Creekwalk retail area on South Nevada Avenue, according to Colorado Public Radio. He has weighed in on postponing a vote on Project Taurus.
