The city of Colorado Springs has proudly announced that Britt Haley has been appointed as the new Parks and Recreation Director for the Cultural Services (PRCS) department. Under the supervision of Chief of Staff Jeff Greene, Haley will be responsible for managing the operations of the PRCS department. This includes formulating and executing policies and procedures, devising strategic plans that are in line with the city's overall plan, and researching, developing, and managing new service delivery methods, trends, and emergency response plans. Her experience as an attorney has equipped her with the necessary skills to work on complex real estate transactions, contracting and acquisitions, as well as human resources issues.
Prior to joining the PRCS department, Haley held a number of positions including head of the corporate division of the Colorado Springs City Attorney's Office, deputy district attorney in Colorado's 5th Judicial District, executive director of the Western Business Roundtable, director of the State Board of Land Commissioners, principal counsel and deputy legal advisor to the Office of the Governor of Colorado, and deputy attorney general in Denver. She holds a degree in international affairs and a law degree from the University of Colorado. Haley will take up her new role on the eve of a major change for the city, as voters will elect a new mayor and five city councilors in April. Last year, voters rejected a measure that would have doubled the tax dedicated to parks and would have dedicated more funds to maintenance. In order to fill her position as park design and development manager and find a new park operations and development manager, the city will need to hire someone.
With so many competing projects ranging from developing new parks to replacing bathrooms, it is essential to prioritize needs and identify new sources of funding. The city could also request an extension of the sales tax on trails, open spaces and parks in April. The process of electing a new park director drew criticism from several citizens who complained that the average citizen was not represented on the panel and that the city refused to identify the selection panel. Nevertheless, Colorado Springs is fortunate to retain and promote Britt Haley with her impressive track record.
