CONO Fulfills a Dream

Eight months ago, CONO relaunched its vision in a community room with more than 100 neighbors and elected officials. During this time, community members engaged with board members and discussed the new mission and vision, programs and initiatives, and learned about neighborhood networks. After 45 years of neighborhood work in El Paso County, CONO took a stand on their new vision that evening, a stand dedicated to bringing neighbors to the table around topics that affect them all, educating and equipping neighborhood leaders to exercise their voices in the public process.

On the evening of August 15, 2022, this same community room teemed with recently graduated Neighborhood University leaders. These fourteen neighborhood leaders engaged in the kick off meeting to discuss their community area plan with the city, and CONO delivered on their promise to embark on the collaborative and inclusive journey of neighborhood planning. 

CONOs inaugural, ten-week Neighborhood University course equipped these individuals with the tools necessary to be leaders in their communities. Energized by the information and eager to engage in the process, what they learned on Tuesday night showed them what a community area plan is, gave them the tools necessary to use their voices in the next year of engagement process, and encouraged positive engagement with their neighbors, associations, and other stakeholders. However, most importantly, these Tuesday nights reinforced that their unique perspectives matter and that their neighborhood communities are resilient and can continue to reflect their values.

CONO is proud of the skills, dedication, and commitment that each of these neighborhood leaders brings to the table around this initiative, CONO remains dedicated to continue collaboration with the planning team to ensure that the Neighborhood Network Board members, other neighbors, special-interest groups, organizations, and local stakeholders impacted in this community area plan are heard, involved, prepared, and included over the next year of development. 

Sara Vaas

CONO, Executive Director