In this episode we’re talking about something new to a Colorado Springs mayoral election — the influence of dark money groups. The stakes are high this year considering the new Mayor could be in office for the next eight years – a pivotal time for our city as we struggle with increased crime, strong growth, affordable housing and a variety of other issues.

Episode 11:  Dark Money

This episode we’re going to talk about something new to a Colorado Springs mayoral election — the influence of dark money groups. The stakes are high this year considering the new Mayor could be in office for the next eight years – a pivotal time for our city as we struggle with increased crime, strong growth, affordable housing and a variety of other issues.

Two dark money groups have emerged in this race — Citizens for Protecting our Water and Colorado Springs for Ethical Government — and both are spending well into the six figures to influence this year’s race.  

Even though these groups don’t divulge their donors, we have a pretty good idea of who the major supporters are for each group. Citizens for Protecting our Water is backed by two big, local developers — Nor’wood Development Group and Classic Homes. Colorado Springs for Ethical Government is led by The O’Neil Group, developer La Plata Investments and Ron Johnson, owner of Central Bank here in Colorado Springs.

These parties just happen to be on opposite sides of a heated issue — the new rule adopted by City Council that requires the city to have 128% of the water needed before a development can be annexed into the city.

Nor’wood and Classic helped push the issue through with support from Mayor Suthers and five of the nine City Council members, including mayoral candidate Wayne Williams. In doing so, they prevented a La Plata Investments development — Amara — from being annexed into the city, leaving Nor’wood with 80% of the developable land in the city and little chance that will change anytime soon.

So Citizens for Protecting our Water is backing Wayne Williams who supported the water rule and is attacking Sallie Clark, who has voice opposition to the rule. Colorado Springs for Ethical Government is supporting Sallie Clark and attacking Wayne Williams.

Beyond the drama, the real question is whether or not negative, attack ads work and, if so, how much damage can they do? Could these ads prevent Wayne or Sallie from making the runoff? And which of the other candidates benefit if support for Wayne or Sallie, or both, goes down from the attacks?  

My guests today to help me take a look at this are Eric Sondermann and Mark Waller.

Eric in a founder of SE2, an integrated marketing firm in Denver, and he’s worked on hundreds of political campaigns during his career, several in Colorado Springs. He now consults and writes a column for the Colorado Springs and Denver Gazette.

Mark was a guest on Episode 9 when we took a look at Fundraising. He is a former El Paso County Commissioner and a former State Representative.

COS'23:  The Mayor's Race is presented by AVANT StrategiesProduction assistance is provided by Ted Robertson