Every neighborhood has that problem everyone complains about and nobody owns — the dangerous intersection, the abandoned lot, the park that flooded three springs in a row. Community in Action exists to turn that grumbling into a paper trail, a support count, and eventually, officials who have to respond. Here's how to run the play.
Step 1: Post the issue — specifically
Go to Community in Action → New Issue. The difference between an issue that goes somewhere and one that doesn't is usually specificity:
- Title: "Crosswalk needed at Academy & Vickers" beats "Traffic is dangerous."
- Describe the harm: what happens, to whom, how often. Photos help — you can attach them.
- Pick the right area: tagging your council district (or town) matters — it determines which officials get alerted as support grows. Not sure which district? The address lookup on our Representatives page will tell you.
- Fill in "why it matters": this is what convinces a stranger to click Support.
Step 2: Build support — the milestones are real
Here's the mechanic most people don't realize: when an issue reaches 25, 100, and 500 supporters, we automatically email the elected officials for that issue's district — your council rep, at-large members, or the relevant town's officials. That support button isn't a "like." It's a counter on a letter an official receives.
So share the issue where your neighbors already are: the neighborhood Facebook group, Nextdoor, the HOA thread. Ask people to hit Support and Follow (followers get notified of every development). Neighbors without an account can still comment — comments from guests are reviewed before appearing.
Step 3: Give people somewhere to show up
When there's a hearing, council meeting, town hall, or cleanup day connected to your issue, add it under "Where to Show Up" on the issue page — date, time, location. Everyone following the issue gets notified, each event has an "Add to calendar" button, and your event also appears on our Representatives page for the whole community to see. Ten residents in a hearing room outweigh a thousand online signatures.
Step 4: Work the issue, not just the crowd
- Link the conversations: if the issue is being discussed on Facebook or Nextdoor, attach those links to the issue page so the record lives in one place.
- Attach documents: photos, petitions, that letter from the city — attachments build the case file.
- Add collaborators: hand trusted neighbors co-management of the issue so it doesn't depend on one person's free time.
- Email your reps directly too: the milestone alerts open the door; a personal note from a constituent walks through it. Contacts are on the Representatives page.
Step 5: Track it to the end
Issues carry a status — from gathering attention through referred and in progress to resolved — so supporters can see movement, and stalls are visible too. When something changes because of what you organized, say so on the issue. Resolved issues are the proof that showing up works, and they're what convinces the next neighbor to raise theirs.
And if the issue is a person in need
Not everything belongs on a public board. If it's a neighbor needing food, shelter, or urgent help, our Resources directory lists local assistance organizations, and community needs can be submitted privately. Public pressure is for public problems.
Companion guides: Your Guide to COS Local Government · How to Get Involved in Colorado Springs