Re-elected 2021
Contact
Councilmember Yolanda Avila, District 4
107 N. Nevada Avenue
Suite 300
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: (719) 385-5492
E-mail: Yolanda.Avila@coloradosprings.gov
Bio
Councilwoman Yolanda Avila was elected to City Council District 4 in 2017 and reelected in 2021.
Yolanda Avila’s family has lived in Colorado Springs since 1958 when her father was stationed at Fort Carson. Yolanda started kindergarten at Fort Carson and graduated from Colorado College in 1985 with a BA in International Political Economy. In 1990, Yolanda began work as a criminal defense investigator in Orange County, CA. She also worked as a field supervisor and mentor to the local university students. In 1998, Yolanda was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease that has a prognosis of blindness. Avila retired from the OC public defender’s office in 2011 when she returned home to be near her mother.
Avila immediately championed several causes in the city by improving transit accessibility, fixed bus routes and frequency.
Her commitment to improving infrastructure in her district resulted in an unprecedented amount of infrastructure construction, including roads, bridges, sidewalks, and ADA ramp construction. She is very proud of the completion of the bridge at Airport Road over Spring Creek that is now safe and provides ample pedestrian walkways. She is also excited of the work that has commenced on the South Academy Boulevard Reconstruction in early 2023 and the Circle Drive Bridges Replacement project. Prior to serving on City Council there had never been an Urban Renewal Authority Project in Southeast, however she has now championed two URA designations for economic development. Councilmember Avila spearheaded the renovation of Panorama Park, the largest neighborhood park in the city that contains an abundance of amenities. Panorama Park recently received the 2024 Colorado Lottery People’s Choice Starburst Award. Panorama Park's win in the People's Choice category is a testament to the park's popularity and significance to local residents.
Yolanda’s guide dog Puma accompanies her to the many boards, commissions, and committees where she serves gratefully as both a City Councilmember and a CSU board director.
Councilwoman Avila has received awards and recognitions by the following organizations:
- Colorado College Adrienne Lanier Seward Bold and Courageous Actions Award, 2024
- Dorothy Irene Height Award, 2024
- Black and Latino Leadership Coalition outstanding leadership as a former President, 2023
- Pikes Peak Women Pikes Peak Heroine, 2023
- Latina Equity Foundation Mujer valiente, 2022
- El Paso County Public Health, dedicated service as a member of the El Paso county board of health, 2021
- El Cinco de Mayo, Inc., Excellent Community Leadership recognition, 2021.
- Woman of Influence in Colorado Springs by the Colorado Springs Business Journal, 2020.
- Pikes Peak Community College (now Pikes Peak State College) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award for Distinguished Service, 2019.
Alumni of :
- R.I.S.E. (Resilient, Inspired, Strong, Engaged) Southeast Coalition, resident leader, 2021.
- Senior Executives in State and Local Government course, at Harvard Kennedy School of Government, 2019.
- Emerge Colorado, candidate training, 2016
- Leadership Pikes Peak Signature Program, 2015.