Mayor Yemi presented the Mayor’s Spirit of Colorado Springs Lifetime Achievement Award to Richard Skorman during a State of the City event on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at The Broadmoor.
“Richard is a dedicated public servant, successful small business owner, author, environmentalist, community advocate, mentor and friend to so many,” said Mayor Yemi. “It is my great joy to honor and award Richard for his incredible contributions to our great city.”
Richard Skorman, 72, moved to Colorado in the 1970s to attend Colorado College. He began working at a downtown bookstore as a college senior, and eventually bought the business. He expanded it over the years, and Poor Richard’s has become a downtown landmark in Colorado Springs. The Poor Richard’s complex now includes a gift shop, toy store, restaurant, and wine bar. The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum provides more background on this popular business.
Over the past three decades, Skorman has volunteered for several committees and boards, and has held multiple elected positions. He served four terms as a Colorado Springs City Councilmember starting in 1999. During that time, he served as Vice Mayor and City Council President. Skorman led the effort to get a ballot question passed in 1997 that dedicates 0.1% of local sales tax (one penny on a $10 purchase) to the protection and preservation of City trails, open spaces and parks. The Trails, Open Space and Parks program (TOPS) generates $12 million annually and supports conservation, wildlife habitat protection, maintenance, water quality, wildfire mitigation and more. In April 2023, Colorado Springs residents voted to extend the TOPS tax for 20 years.
View past recipients of the Mayor's Spirit of Colorado Springs Lifetime Achievement Award.
Video Tribute to Richard Skorman
Mayor Yemi's Comments
Mayor Yemi shared the following remarks when presenting the award to Skorman at the 2024 State of the City event:
"It is my great joy to honor and award Richard Skorman with the Mayor’s Spirit of Colorado Springs Lifetime Achievement Award.
Richard served on City Council four times, from 1999 to 2021. He has served as Colorado Springs Vice Mayor and City Council President. Richard is a dedicated public servant, long-time and successful small business owner, an author, an environmentalist, a community advocate, mentor, and a friend to so many, including me.
Richard, I know I speak for many, when I say thank you from the bottom of my heart for your selfless service; your courage, empathy, humility, and integrity; and for your guidance and friendship.
Thank you for being our community’s elf every Christmas, putting quarters in people’s meters, and being the joy we all need in our life."