Pikes Peak Library District May Consider Closing Two Sites Due to Future Budget Concerns

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — The Pikes Peak Library District could close two popular sites unless more money is approved by taxpayers to help continue operations across the district.

The PPLD says it has hired a consulting agency to assess its facilities and budget and produce a construction master plan for the first time in several years.

The district says a third party has suggested three different routes, each based on the amount of funding the district can raise in coming years.

The first option, which is to keep the district’s budget unchanged from what it is now, suggests that PPLD close two sites, the Rockrimmon and Ruth Holley libraries, which are leased properties.

The second option is to seek an increase in tax revenue of about $27 per taxpayer, which would allow the Rockrimmon site to be converted into an owned property, rather than a leased one. The district also says the money could also help renovate or upgrade other library sites.

The third option is a $51 increase for taxpayers, which would accomplish the same upgrades and improvements as the second option, but even more.

It’s understandable that customers of Rockrimmon and Ruth Holley began to worry as the news reached customers. PPLD data shows that these establishments are popular in the community.

Rockrimmon Library was the 4th busiest library of its locations in 2023, with over 140,000 patrons. Meanwhile, Ruth Holley Library served over 104,000 people last year and had 17,000 more patrons than in 2022.

Residents who use these libraries every week, if not every day, say they would be devastated if their doors closed.

“Without this location, I would have to drive all the way downtown, which is the closest library, so I would be really sad if this location closed,” said Betsy Hovermale, who has frequented the Ruth Holley location for decades.

These feelings were also reciprocal at the Rockrimmon Library, as a mother who homeschools her children uses the library for social events for her daughter and to print programs.

“We’ve met people here, we’ve had playdates with people that we’ve met here, and so it’s frustrating and yeah, not happy about it,” said Christine Thorp, who lives just five minutes from Rockrimmon and has lived there since 2015.

The PPLd district said it will hold public comment periods this fall and listen to everyone’s concerns before making a final decision.

“This is a preliminary report. The council has had no discussions or made any decisions, and there is no vote coming up at the July council meeting,” explained Tammy Sales of the PPLD.