Yemi Mobolade sworn in as Colorado Springs’ new mayor

Jess Hazel/KRCC News
Yemi Mobolade raises his right hand as he’s sworn in as Colorado Springs’ mayor at the Pioneers Museum on Tuesday, June 6, 2023.

Colorado Springs officially has a new mayor. At a swearing-in ceremony at the Pioneers Museum Tuesday, first-time officeholder Yemi Mobolade outlined some of his plans for the future.

“You told me you wanted safer neighborhoods,” Mobolade said, “and a full-staffed and well-trained police department and innovative solutions to end homelessness. It’s time to go to work.”

Jess Hazel/KRCC News
Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade speaks about his plans for the city after being sworn into office on Tuesday, June 6, 2023.

Mobolade, who emigrated from Nigeria, is the city’s first elected Black mayor. And as a political independent, it's the city's first mayor in decades not to be affiliated with the Republican party. During his four-year term as mayor, he said he intends to promote unity, along with other priorities such as public safety and addressing homelessness.

“Today I stand here to advance this vision for our city,” Mobolade told the gathered crowd. “A vision for an inclusive, culturally rich, economically prosperous, and yes, safe and vibrant city on a hill.”

The ceremony also featured speeches from Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and outgoing Colorado Springs mayor John Suthers. 

Jess Hazel/KRCC News
A crowd gathered outside the Pioneers Museum in downtown Colorado Springs to listen to new Mayor Yemi Mobolade speak.
Jess Hazel/KRCC News
Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade and Colorado Governor Jared Polis embrace at Mobolade's swearing-in ceremony at the Pioneers Museum.

In an earlier interview with KRCC, Suthers said he’s offered himself as a resource for the new mayor. “I told Yemi that he can call on me for advice any time with an assurance that I won't make any public statements about what our conversations are. I think that's very important.”

Mobolade won the May runoff election against former city council member Wayne Williams by about 15 percentage points. Nearly 40 percent of registered voters participated in last month’s election. 


Previous coverage

Political newcomer Yemi Mobolade wins Colorado Springs mayor’s race

Mayor-elect Yemi Mobolade talks priorities as he readies to take the helm of Colorado’s second-largest city

Mobolade to prioritize public engagement, funding for new police training academy as mayor of Colorado Springs