Christopher Burns (Colorado)

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Christopher Burns

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

April 1, 2025

Education

High school

Oak Ridge High School

Bachelor's

University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, 1991

Graduate

University of Phoenix, Colorado Springs, 2012

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army National Guard

Years of service

1989 - 2019

Personal

Religion

Non-denominational Christian

Profession

Community Advocate

Contact

Campaign website

Christopher Burns ran for election to the Colorado Springs City Council to represent District 5. He lost in the general election on April 1, 2025.

Burns completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Christopher Burns served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 1989 to 2019. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs in 1991 and a graduate degree from the University of Phoenix, Colorado Springs in 2012. His career experience includes working as a community advocate. He has been affiliated with the Southern Colorado Human Trafficking Task Force, Reclaiming Hope, The American Legion, USA Wrestling, and USA Judo.

Elections

2025

See also: City elections in Colorado Springs, Colorado (2025)

General election

General election for Colorado Springs City Council District 5

Incumbent Nancy Henjum defeated Christopher Burns, Jim Miller, and Cass Melin in the general election for Colorado Springs City Council District 5 on April 1, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Nancy Henjum (Nonpartisan)	49.1	7,463
		Christopher Burns (Nonpartisan)	28.4	4,327
		Jim Miller (Nonpartisan)	17.2	2,616
		Cass Melin (Nonpartisan)	5.3	806

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 15,212
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Burns in this election.

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Christopher Burns completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Burns' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm a retired Colorado Springs Police Officer and retired Colorado National Guard Lieutenant Colonel, running for City Council. My lifelong commitment to service through law enforcement, military, and volunteer work has prepared me to serve our community full-time.

I arrived in Colorado Springs in 1987 to train at the Olympic Training Center and decided to make this city my home. I earned a Business degree and an Army Commission through ROTC at UCCS. In 1998, I joined the CSPD, serving for 24 years across the city, including as a School Resource Officer. Simultaneously, I served in the Colorado Army National Guard as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot, served in Iraq, and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2019. My experience in public safety and emergency management has given me a firsthand understanding of our city’s public safety challenges. Two years ago, I began working with the City Council through the Law Enforcement Transparency and Advisory Committee (LETAC), where I realized the need for more informed city leadership. With my National Guard background, I have expertise in disaster response, essential for wildfire preparedness. As a father of three, I understand the struggles of rising housing costs.

With bachelor's and MBA degrees, I understand economic and financial matters. Colorado Springs needs pragmatic leadership, not political infighting. I ask for your support and your vote to make our city safer, stronger, and more prosperous.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Public safety is the foundation of a thriving community, and I am committed to making Colorado Springs safer for all residents. With 24 years in law enforcement and a military background in emergency management, I understand the challenges we face—officer retention, training, rising crime, school safety, increased traffic and homelessness. As a former police officer and military leader, I will advocate for better resources, training, and retention strategies to strengthen our police force. I will work to improve emergency preparedness, address homelessness, and support responsible growth that ensures safe neighborhoods. We need practical, informed leadership to make real improvements in public safety.
• Housing affordability is a growing challenge in Colorado Springs, and we must take action to reduce the burden on families. This is especially true for our young people who are making their first move from home into independence. As a longtime resident, I understand the impact of rising housing costs firsthand. I will advocate for responsible infrastructure development, to include low-income housing, that ensures sustainable growth while maintaining the quality of life that makes our city great. We must expand housing opportunities, improve public services, and support residents and businesses. Smart, data-driven policies will help balance growth and affordability, ensuring Colorado Springs remains a vibrant place to live.
• A strong infrastructure is the backbone of a thriving city. As Colorado Springs continues to grow, we must invest in roads, public services, and utilities to support residents and businesses. My experience in law enforcement and emergency management has shown me the importance of well-maintained infrastructure for public safety and economic stability. I will advocate for efficient maintenance of roads and adoption of technologies which improve traffic flow. I also will advocate for responsible growth that includes sustainable water management, affordable energy, and efficient transportation. We need practical, long-term solutions that enhance our quality of life without excessively burdening taxpayers.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Public safety, infrastructure, and responsible growth are my top policy priorities. As a retired police officer and military leader, I understand the urgent need to improve officer retention, training, and emergency preparedness to keep our city safe. I also recognize the importance of investing in infrastructure—better roads, reliable public services, and sustainable water and energy solutions—to support responsible growth. Rising housing costs must be addressed with practical, data-driven policies that balance development and affordability.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

There is no shortage of great leaders and thinkers who I admire. I also try to read a lot. Here are some of the authors of books or writings about great leaders on my shelf: Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Ernest Hemmingway, Marcus Aurelius, Jordan Peterson, Musashi, General Patton.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

While there is no shortage of political philosophy literature, one book which I identify strongly and applies to politics and life in general is Extreme Ownership (by: Willink and Babin). The premise of this book is all leaders must be humble, listen to those around you to learn, and take responsibility for your actions, and the actions of those you lead.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Three things, among many, I consider most important and would bring to a City Council position are a willingness to learn, integrity, and being willing to listen to those who have other points of view. As with many who run for office who have no political background, I realize there is a lot to learn. Just like studying for an academic degree, becoming a city leader will become a focus of study for me. By continually seeking knowledge I can adapt to evolving challenges and make well-informed decisions.

With both leaders I have studied, and worked for, Integrity is crucial—doing what you say is essential. This builds trust with constituents, fosters accountability and enables people to know where you stand and the process you use to make decisions.

Additionally, listening to people you disagree with and diverse perspectives can help you understand issues better and prevent you from being in your own echo chamber. By listening to people, you disagree with and by having difficult conversations, I can gain an understanding of my constituents and reach better decisions for the community.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

As a career police officer and hostage negotiator, I have a strong ability to deal with people in crisis situations. What I have found works best in very difficult situations is to listen and be the calmest person in the room.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

A city councilperson in Colorado Springs has the critical responsibility of making decisions which shape policies that impact public safety, infrastructure, housing, and economic development among other things. They must collaborate with local agencies, businesses, and residents to discern the best course of action while constrained with a limited budget. The positions they advocate must seek to achieve a balance between what is desired and what is feasible and in the long-term best interest of residents.
They must listen to constituents, advocate for community needs, and ensure responsible budgeting. Effective leadership requires balancing growth with sustainability, addressing issues like road conditions, homelessness, and emergency preparedness. Above all, a councilperson must act with integrity, transparency, and a commitment to serving the best interests of the people.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Leave the world a little better than I found it.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I was in high school in 1986, walking down the hall, when a friend came up to me and said; “Did you hear?! The space shuttle exploded!” The rest of the day was spent looking at TV’s in classrooms with coverage of the Challenger disaster. Many were very moved, epically some teachers, because there was a civilian teacher, Christa McAuliffe, who was lost in the accident.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was as a counter worker at Petro’s Chili and Chips (if you don’t know you’re missing out), at the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee. It was a summer job and weekend job while in high school.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Daily Stoic (by Holiday/Hanselman), there is a daily reading from ancient philosophers about how to be a better human. I find it centers me.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be? The Coyote from the Coyote and Roadrunner cartoons, because I’d be able to catch the Roadrunner 😉

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

The Oscar Meyer hot dog advertising theme – see, now you have it stuck in your head also 😊

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I've always tried to be more consistent about physical training, but the snooze bar sometimes gets the best of me.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

While it may be beneficial to have previous government experience, it is by no means required. One of the things that make our form of government so exceptional is the idea of a citizen, who after a career not related to politics, can then run for public office. By doing this the elected positions can be filled with people from all walks of life, thereby making for a much more effective elected body.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Be willing to learn, be willing to listen, be present

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the local government?

The Colorado Springs City Council plays a unique and vital role in local government by shaping policies that directly impact residents' daily lives. Unlike other branches of government, the City Council serves as the legislative body responsible for enacting ordinances, approving budgets, and ensuring the city’s infrastructure and public services are well-managed. Councilmembers act as a bridge between citizens and city administration, addressing community concerns and advocating for practical, forward-thinking solutions.

What sets the City Council apart is its responsibility for balancing growth with sustainability. As Colorado Springs continues to expand, councilmembers must navigate challenges related to housing affordability, transportation, and public safety while ensuring the city maintains its high quality of life. The Council’s ability to approve zoning changes, allocate resources, and oversee major development projects makes it instrumental in shaping the city's future.
Public safety remains a top priority, and the Council plays a key role in funding law enforcement, fire services, and emergency preparedness initiatives. In a city prone to wildfires and rapid population growth, these decisions are critical. A well-supported police force and emergency response system contribute to a safer, more resilient community.

Additionally, City Council oversees utilities, and is the Board of Directors for Colorado Springs Utilities, which provides water, electricity, and gas to residents. This responsibility gives the Council a direct role in ensuring affordable and sustainable energy solutions while planning for long-term water management. Their decisions affect not only current residents but also the city's ability to support future generations.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Someone stole all the toilets from the police station. Police say they have nothing to go on. That was always a hit when I spoke to school kids.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Not only do I support financial transparency and government accountability, that transparency and accountability should be easy to find and easy to understand. Many times, there is good transparency, but it is buried in the back of a government webpage or document. This can be challenging, and all elected leaders should strive to make this information easily accessible and understandable. Government offices, programs and elected leaders should also be accountable. Are they doing what they are supposed to be doing and in an ethical, efficient and financially responsible manner? These questions should be what elected leaders are held to account.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2025 Elections

What's on the ballot? U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

Newsletters

The Daily Brew The Weekly Brew The Ballot Bulletin Checks and Balances Economy and Society Hall Pass Number of the Day Robe & Gavel Union Station

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

Colorado Springs City Council District 5

Website