City residents elect a mayor, four councilmembers at-large and four councilmembers from the districts in which the candidates reside. The vice mayor is elected from among councilmembers by a vote of City Council. All nine City Councilmembers are paid a modest stipend. City Council elections are held the first Tuesday in April in odd-numbered years.
All elections are non-partisan.
The mayor of Colorado Springs is the presiding officer at all City Council meetings and is authorized to sign legal documents on behalf of the City. She represents the City on local, state and national levels. In her absence, her duties are performed by the vice mayor. The Colorado Springs City Council is the City's legislative body. It sets policies, approves budgets, determines tax rates and passes ordinances and resolutions to govern the City.