A BUSY TUESDAY FOR COLORADO SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL. THEY APPROVED A RATE HIKE REQUESTED BY COLORADO SPRINGS UTILITIES FOR ELECTRICITY AND NATURAL GAS. UTILITIES IS ANTICIPATING INCREASES AS WINTER SETS IN. THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER WILL PAY JUST UNDER 9 DOLLARS A MONTH MORE WITH THE INCREASE. SPRINGS UTILITIES SAYS IT’S A SEASONAL ADJUSTMENT. IT GOES INTO EFFECT OCTOBER 1ST. AND BY A SECOND 7-2 VOTE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A MEASURE TO THAT WOULD BAN RECREATIONAL SALES OF MARIJUANA WITHIN 1 MILE OF SCHOOLS, CHILDCARE CENTERS AND DRUG AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT CENTERS. COUNCIL APPROVED THE MEASURE ON THE CHANCE SPRINGS RESIDENTS PASS 1 OF 2 BILLS ASKING CITIZENS TO APPROVE THE SALE OF RECREATIONAL POT IN NOVEMBER. PROPONENTS OF THE 2 BILLS SAY ITS JUST ANOTHER WAY TO STOP SALES IN THE CITY.