SIDE STREETS: Forum could answer your neighborhood questions

Maybe you want to talk to a codeenforcement officer about a boardedup rental house on your street.

Or you have a question for zoning officials about a neighbor who stores an unsightly mess of boats, snowmobiles, motorcycles and cars all over his lot.

Perhaps your issue is trail maintenance, or wildfire mitigation or a planned subdivision near your home.

Clear your calendar Saturday and get to the Neighborhood Forum being sponsored by the Council of Neighbors & Organizations - CONO.

The forum is free and the information is valuable.

Pick a subject of neighborhood interest, and you'll likely find an expert with an answer sitting at one of about 50 tables.

The forum opens at 8:30 a.m. in the Regional Development Center at 2880 International Circle, just west of Printers Parkway near downtown. Parking is free and concessions will be sold. (For a map, see my Side Streets blog at gazette.com)

Besides wandering around chatting up experts, you can attend formal presentations that are scheduled all morning.

Attorney Lenard Rioth, an expert on neighborhood law, will speak at 9 a.m. on two new laws and how they affect homeowners associations and covenants governing neighborhoods.

"That will be a very important presentation," said Francine Hansen, CONO president. "Both laws will have a significant impact on neighborhoods."

One law overrides covenants that ban energy-efficient devices such as solar panels, wind-powered electric generators, swamp coolers and even clotheslines.

The other makes it more difficult for HOAs to fine and place liens against homeowners accused of violating covenants.

Colorado Springs Police Chief Richard Myers and El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa will talk about policing issues and how jail crowding affects neighborhoods. And panelists will discuss neighborhood health and safety issues.

CONO has been sponsoring neighborhood forums for 10 years. At first, it was designed to connect neighborhood activists with staff of various city departments. Because so many people wanted information, CONO expanded its offering in partnership with the city and county.

"It's a great opportunity to speak one on one with experts," Hansen said. "You'll walk away with a lot of fabulous information."

CONO's goal is to demystify government agencies by inviting the public to meet those who regulate development or enforce land-use rules and codes governing trash, weeds, small businesses and more.

Many city and county agencies will be there including police, fire, parks, transportation, planning and code enforcement.

Other exhibitors include Colorado Springs Utilities, the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments and the Trails and Open Space Coalition.

Tell me about your neighborhood: 636-0193 or bill.vogrin@gazette.com