Learn Advocacy, Build Consensus, and Shape Your Community's Future!

  • A FREE course designed to establish a foundation of civic knowledge for engaged citizens in Colorado Springs and El Paso County.

    Individuals who participate in Neighborhood University will be eligible to serve as board members within CONO’s Neighborhood Networks.

    The goal of Neighborhood University is to educate, equip, and engage residents to serve as effective community leaders. Neighborhood University connects residents to decision-makers and teaches residents how to navigate local government, advocate for neighborhoods, build consensus with neighbors, and solve macro-community problems.

  • Neighborhood University is held twice a year. The spring cohort is in March-May and the fall cohort is in September-November.

    The in-person classes are for 12 weeks. Students will be required to attend every class. We do have alternatives if life happens!

    Official dates are added to the section below when they become available.

  • During this course, you will learn how to:

    1. Build relationships with other community leaders

    2. Organize people with effective strategies around a cause

    3. Examine complex problems with unbiased inquiry

    4. Acquaint yourself with the responsibilities of local government

    5. Navigate the public process with confidence

  • ANYONE!

    The ideal candidate is anyone with a passion for the community and who wants to get involved. They can take the skills we teach and apply them to strengthen their community.

Spring 2025 Schedule

Spring 2025 Registration is OPEN and will close on February 24, 2024, at 5:00 pm MST.

Classes are held at the Southern Colorado Public Media Center at 720 N Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. Parking is on-street with meters.

Dinner is included and served 5:30-6:00 pm. Please consider donating $100 to cover food costs on Givebutter.

Participants will be required to attend every class. We will have alternative assignments for those who miss classes. After each class, participants must submit short written assignments demonstrating an understanding of that week’s topics. If you are unable to attend a class, that is OK! We have alternative assignments if you need to miss a class.

  • February 28, 2025, 2:00-4:00 pm - Topic: Orientation, Colorado Springs City Hall, 107 N Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

  • March 4, 2025, 6:00-8:00 pm - Topic: History

  • March 11, 2025, 6:00-8:00 pm - Topic: Governance

  • March 18, 2025, 6:00-8:00 pm - Topic: Planning

  • March 25, 2025, 6:00-8:00 pm - Topic: Utilities

  • April 1, 2025, 6:00-8:00 pm - Topic: Housing

  • April 8, 2025, 6:00-8:00 pm - Topic: Development

  • April 15, 2025, 6:00-8:00 pm - Topic: Economics

  • April 22, 2025, 6:00-8:00 pm - Topic: Consensus

  • April 29, 2025, 6:00-8:00 pm - Topic: Advocacy

  • May 6, 2025, 6:00-8:00 pm - Topic: Neighborhood Networks & Recap

  • May 13, 2025, 4:30-6:00 pm - Topic: Graduation and Reception, location CoHarbor, 5550 Tech Center Dr, Suite 203, Colorado Springs, CO 80919

Questions? We’d love to hear from you at information@cscono.org

Hear From Neighborhood University Alumni

Photograph headshot of a smiling man with short black hair

“I will miss Neighborhood University. It was a deliberate 2 months of intentional engagement with City and County representatives. I appreciate the intentionality that CONO demonstrated in consistently delivering a quality session for approximately eight weeks. I look forward to partnering with future initiatives with CONO and Neighborhood Networks and being an agent of change.”

- Fadil A. Lee

Photograph headshot of a smiling woman with short blonde hair

“I found myself inspired to communicate and organize in a neighborhood with no association or organization. I am looking forward to continuing to work towards the creation of a neighborhood association and creating consensus around issues that are important to my neighbors. Knowing that I have all these tools in my back pocket now inspires me to overcome my hesitancies and move towards making that first neighborhood block party happen! Thanks for everything CONO, this has been unforgettable”

- Courtney Benson

Interested in Signing Up?

Are you someone or do you know someone who is a community leader and passionate about their neighborhood?

Sign-up for our newsletter using the link in the website footer to be notified when registration is open!