Cono Interviews District 4 City Council Candidates
Ballots for the 2025 General Municipal Election were mailed to registered voters in Colorado Springs today, Friday, March 7. City Clerk Sarah Johnson revealed that “In the past, we have seen less than a third of registered voters return their ballots. City Councilmembers play a very important role in key decisions that directly impact residents so let’s get out and vote, Colorado Springs! Make sure to get your ballots returned by 7 p.m. on election day, April 1, 2025.
Cono is a non-partisan organization committed to improving communication, providing resources, and helping residents engage in the civic process. Cono’s District 4 Community Coordinator, Lelia Gibson-Green, interviewed the following District 4 candidates. Keep reading to learn more about each candidate’s experience and vision for their community.
Kimberly Gold
Kimberly Gold, a dedicated community leader and advocate, is running for District 4 City Council with a passion for building connections and serving all residents. As a military spouse and mother, Kimberly moved to Colorado Springs through her family's military service and quickly made the city her home. She has embraced the strengths of the southeast community—its vibrancy, connectivity, and welcoming spirit—and is committed to ensuring its continued growth and success.
With a strong background in business and public service, Kimberly has served on multiple boards and has been a steadfast voice for District 4. She believes the district holds tremendous opportunities and is determined to foster engagement, advocacy, and solutions that directly address the needs of its residents.
Experience and Community Impact
Kimberly’s leadership is deeply rooted in community engagement. She has been involved in numerous initiatives that promote economic health, neighborhood development, and public outreach. Recognizing the importance of effective communication, she aims to strengthen relationships with the media, establish a PR team, and gather narratives that highlight the experiences of District 4 residents. She also advocates for the use of data-driven strategies to better serve each neighborhood’s unique needs.
Her experience with Cono reflects her commitment to grassroots efforts. As a valued board member from May 2023 to November 2024 and a Neighborhood University (NU) alum, Kimberly has actively sought opportunities to understand and uplift local organizations. She believes in empowering individuals to advocate for themselves and equipping them with the necessary tools and resources to effect meaningful change. She is also interested in hosting two Neighborhood Café series, bringing people together for critical discussions on community issues.
Vision for District 4
If elected, Kimberly has outlined a 100-day strategy that focuses on communication, decision-making, and opportunity-building. Her priorities include:
Developing an inclusive community with affordable housing and small business growth.
Enhancing communication through community plans and open dialogue.
Creating a City Council cohort that collaborates effectively.
Prioritizing accessibility and transparency by actively engaging with the community rather than waiting for them to come to us
Strengthening board and committee participation to drive impactful decisions.
Kimberly believes that opportunities exist even without a City Council salary, and she is committed to serving all of Colorado Springs to ensure every resident has the opportunity to thrive.
Chauncy Johnson
Background
At just 25 years old, Chauncy Johnson is deeply rooted in District 4, having grown up in the K-Land neighborhood. A product of local schools—John Adams Elementary, North Middle School, and Palmer High School—he has a firsthand understanding of the community's needs.
Chauncy’s commitment to public service was inspired by his great-grandmother, a leader in the John Adams Neighborhood Council. Through her, he learned the value of civic engagement and developed a passion for social justice and community advocacy. He believes that regardless of economic status, residents should stay informed and involved in neighborhood issues.
Accomplishments
Chauncy has been actively involved in initiatives that directly impact the people of District 4:
A key member of the K-Land Neighborhood Association
Collaborated with local organizations to pass State Proposition FF in 2022, securing free meals for all students in El Paso County
Helped spearhead the Stop Cop City Colorado Springs WINS Coalition
Served as a legislative intern at the state capitol twice, gaining policy experience he plans to apply in City Council
Morals and Principles
Chauncy believes in creating space for new ideas and fostering understanding, even in disagreement. His philosophy is that even if two people don’t agree, they should strive to understand each other's perspectives—ensuring that at the end of the day, everyone can move forward with respect and integrity.
Cono Neighborhood University Experience
As an alumnus of Cono’s Neighborhood University, Chauncy values the opportunity it provides to engage in diverse conversations and find common ground among different viewpoints.
Vision for District 4
First 100 Days Goals:
Public Safety & Law Enforcement: Work with fellow council members to address backlog issues in the court system, ensuring a person with legal expertise is designated to support this process.
Resident Involvement: Increase civic engagement by holding town hall meetings and launching an interactive website where residents can submit concerns and receive responses within 24–48 hours.
Southeast Strong Strategies Plan: Communicate the potential of this plan and empower citizens to take active roles in its implementation, with transparency as a guiding principle. Chauncy envisions the Cono District 4 Community Coordinator playing a role in facilitating this effort.
The Future of District 4
Chauncy is focused on shaping a district that prioritizes:
Housing & Economic Growth: Building a thriving local economy with sustainable and affordable housing options.
Public Safety: Ensuring safer neighborhoods through community-centered initiatives.
Transportation: Improving quality transit options—something Chauncy understands firsthand as a bus rider himself.
He is committed to fighting for a bright future for District 4, ensuring that its residents have the resources, representation, and opportunities they need to thrive.
Sherrea Elliott-Sterling
Sherrea Elliott-Sterling is a dedicated advocate for the southeast community, bringing a deep commitment to public service and a passion for connecting with residents. A longtime District 4 resident, she lives in the Sand Creek neighborhood, in the same house where her husband grew up. Her journey to Colorado Springs began with her military family, settling in nearby Fountain, Colorado, before attending Colorado State University-Pueblo, where she majored in Mass Communications. After graduation, she married, started a family, and spent five years as a stay-at-home mother before transitioning into community-focused work.
Sherrea’s professional background includes working for an anti-human trafficking organization as a Community Coordinator and serving as an Admissions Counselor for CSU - Pueblo that served District 4 and Harrison School District 2 (HSD2) residents. These roles have shaped her understanding of community needs, policy, and effective leadership.
Experience and Leadership
Sherrea has actively pursued leadership opportunities that enhance her ability to serve District 4 effectively. She is currently a member of the City County Drainage Board, where she gains valuable insight into infrastructure and city planning. In 2023, she ran for the HSD2 School Board, demonstrating her commitment to advocating for education and community development. Additionally, she expanded her leadership skills through the Transformation Project, where she gained a deeper understanding of how elite leadership, city planning, districts, and businesses function together.
In her role she plans to work to with the community residents and leaders to get real results for district 4 and increase community engagement by being transparent and educating residents about local government processes. She understands the importance of collaboration and believes that City Council can benefit from stronger partnerships with local organizations like Cono to better serve the community.
Vision for District 4
As a City Councilmember, Sherrea’s first 100 days will focus on:
Connecting, learning, and implementing meaningful change.
Assessing the true state of District 4 and identifying opportunities for improvement.
Building on existing successes while fostering long-term, sustainable solutions.
Focusing on safety, economic development, and infrastructure as key priorities.
Sherrea is committed to ensuring that District 4 thrives—not just survives. She recognizes that while the area has made progress, it still faces challenges related to affordable housing, neighborhood sustainability, and quality of life for young families. She believes that with the right leadership, District 4 can shine bright and set an example for the rest of the city.
Engaging the Community for a Better Future
Sherrea knows that real change happens when residents are engaged and heard. She wants to create:
A continuous door-knocking campaign to increase voter turnout, acknowledging that District 4 has historically low participation in elections.
A campaign focused on residents’ favorite experiences to highlight the best of District 4 and encourage civic pride.
A commitment to transparency and accessibility, ensuring the City Council is actively connecting with the people they serve.
She also sees the Southeast Strong Plan as a valuable foundation, due to all the collaborative efforts from the community; however, she sees the need to push for an outcome that brings residents to a place of economic self-sufficiency, where we can all stand strong economically while building a strong community. Her end goal isn’t just to maintain the status quo—it’s to create a thriving, sustainable, and healthy southeast community where all residents, regardless of background, have the opportunity to succeed.
