About Mayor Yemi
Blessing “Yemi” Mobolade serves as the 42nd Mayor of Colorado Springs. Sworn in on June 6, 2023, he made history as the city’s first elected Black, immigrant, and independent mayor. A pastor, nonprofit founder, entrepreneur, and civic leader, Mayor Yemi leads with a commitment to transparent, accessible government and a focus on delivering results that matter to residents, helping secure rankings as the #1 Most Desirable City in America (2024) and #3 Best Place to Live in the U.S. (2024).
Since taking office, he has driven progress across five community-shaped priorities: public safety, infrastructure, housing and homelessness, economic vitality, and community activation.
Public Safety
Mayor Yemi has made public safety his top priority and has taken decisive action to strengthen it. Since June 2023, he has led efforts to hire nearly 300 police officers, pushing the Colorado Springs Police Department past 800 officers for the first time in city history. He expanded the use of advanced public safety technology, including the Real-Time Crime Center and Drone as a First Responder program, helping drive a 42% reduction in motor vehicle theft and a 28% drop in murders.
He improved emergency response performance by reducing Priority 1 response times from more than 24 minutes to 11 minutes in 2024. He also strengthened 911 operations by increasing staffing to the highest levels since 2018, ensuring nearly 90% of calls are answered within 20 seconds, up from 48% in 2024.
To improve traffic safety, Mayor Yemi expanded school zone protections, increased enforcement, and deployed new safety technologies such as red-light cameras and mobile speed vans. He also launched an innovative whole blood program in the fire department, and accelerated wildfire mitigation efforts, increasing mitigation work by 60%.
Infrastructure
Mayor Yemi secured the successful 10-year renewal of the 2C road program with 73% voter approval, locking in $820 million for the largest road repaving investment in city history. He has driven major upgrades at the Colorado Springs Airport, including new direct flights, infrastructure for international designation, and more than $55 million in terminal improvements.
Under his leadership, the city completed major projects including the Circle Drive bridge replacements, Marksheffel Road expansion, and the Tejon Revitalization Project, helping Colorado Springs earn the ranking of the #1 Easiest City to Navigate in the U.S. from Holafly.
He has also prioritized parks and outdoor spaces, delivering major accessibility and water improvements at Garden of the Gods, advancing trail systems like Legacy Loop and Rock Island Trail, and expanding recreation opportunities through master planning at Blodgett Open Space and Fishers Canyon.
Economic Vitality
Mayor Yemi has strengthened the city’s economy by securing a record 16 economic development agreements projected to generate 2,700 jobs and $69 million in new city revenue. He has directly supported local businesses by deploying $2.2 million in Thrive loans and engaging more than 500 businesses through Small Business Walks. These efforts have helped drive $6.5 billion in new construction value since he took office, and helped secure the #5 Best Performing City in the U.S. ranking from the Milken Institute in 2025.
He has also led major investment at Peak Innovation Park, attracting projects such as a $475 million Swire Coca-Cola facility and a $63 million industrial development. At the same time, he has helped position Colorado Springs for record tourism growth despite global travel uncertainty, strengthening one of the city’s top industries.
Housing and Homelessness
Mayor Yemi has elevated housing and homelessness as urgent priorities and taken concrete steps to address both. His administration has invested more than $230 million to support nearly 3,000 affordable housing units, including housing for seniors, teachers, and working families, as well as developments that integrate childcare.
He has also expanded the city’s response to homelessness by raising nearly $1 million to increase winter shelter capacity, strengthened the Downtown Clean and Safe program to support businesses, hired additional officers to the Homeless Outreach Team, and expanded the City’s sit-lie ordinance to additional areas beyond the downtown core.
Community Activation
Mayor Yemi has mobilized residents and partners to strengthen community connection and well-being. Through the 1,000 Neighborhood Gatherings initiative, he empowered residents to host gatherings across all 77 neighborhoods, engaging more than 55,000 people and helping earn recognition as the #1 Most Neighborly City in America.
He and his wife, Abbey, co-launched Pikes Peak Rising, a community-driven mental health movement that expanded access to 988 through a partnership with CSPD and contributed to an 18% reduction in deaths by suicide and a 60% decline in youth suicides.
Through the Keep It Clean COS program, he has also rallied residents, nonprofits, and businesses to lead ongoing cleanup efforts and improve neighborhood parks and trails citywide.
Family and Background
Before becoming mayor, Yemi co-founded multiple community and business initiatives, including The Wild Goose Meeting House, Good Neighbors Meeting House, and COSILoveYou to mobilize thousands of residents to serve the city. He served as the vice president of business retention and expansion at the Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corporation and later served as a small business development administrator for the City, where he helped launch tools like Permit Partner.
Born in Nigeria and raised by co-vocational pastors, he immigrated to the United States at 17. He lives in Colorado Springs with his wife, Abbey, and their three children.