Seven Colorado Springs nonprofits scramble to find new offices as city sells buildings

The city is auctioning off the "Sustainacenter" on East Boulder Street, forcing several local organizations to relocate by the end of June.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 4:09am

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Seven local nonprofit organizations in Colorado Springs' Middle Shooks Run neighborhood have until the end of June to find new office space after the city announced plans to sell the buildings they currently occupy, known as the "Sustainacenter." The properties at 702 and 704 East Boulder Street have housed groups like the Trails and Open Space Coalition, Colorado Native Plant Society, and Fountain Creek Watershed District for years, providing affordable collaborative workspace. However, the city says it is selling the buildings to address budget shortfalls and focus on core responsibilities, leaving the nonprofits to search for new office space on short notice.

Why it matters

The loss of the Sustainacenter will disrupt the close-knit community of local nonprofits that have benefited from sharing an affordable, centralized workspace. These organizations provide valuable services and community programs, and the collaborative environment fostered by the shared space has enabled them to coordinate efforts and amplify their impact. The relocation will add administrative burdens and potentially increase costs for the nonprofits, challenging their ability to maintain current service levels.

The details

The Sustainacenter has housed seven local nonprofit groups for years, providing them with below-market-rate office space and a collaborative workspace. The organizations include the Trails and Open Space Coalition, Colorado Native Plant Society, Concrete Couch, Kids on Bikes, Fountain Creek Watershed District, Mid Shooks Run Community Garden, and Hey Neighbor. The city says it is selling the two properties, located at 702 and 704 East Boulder Street, in order to generate additional revenue and focus on core responsibilities, rather than acting as a landlord. The nonprofits have until June 30 to vacate the premises before the buildings are auctioned off.

  • The city announced plans to sell the Sustainacenter buildings in April 2026.
  • The nonprofits must vacate the premises by June 30, 2026.

The players

Glenn Carlson

Executive director of the Trails and Open Space Coalition, one of the nonprofits housed in the Sustainacenter.

Kelly Bull

Executive director of Hey Neighbor, one of the nonprofits housed in the Sustainacenter.

Mary Wilson

Outreach coordinator for the Fountain Creek Watershed District, one of the nonprofits housed in the Sustainacenter.

Ryan Trujillo

Deputy City Manager of Colorado Springs.

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What they’re saying

“Different economic cycles create different budget demands, and that's just where we're at right now. We're incredibly grateful that we've been allowed to use this space for a long time, absolutely below market rents.”

— Glenn Carlson, Executive director of the Trails and Open Space Coalition

“It's in-kind donation through the city, so the city's been really generous to let us have this office space in-kind. So that's really helpful for us small nonprofits with low budgets, and that has been hugely impactful for us.”

— Kelly Bull, Executive director of Hey Neighbor

“It's more than just a workspace, it's a hub for collaboration, education, volunteer engagement, coordination, and so much more.”

— Mary Wilson, Outreach coordinator for the Fountain Creek Watershed District

“The City is pursuing the sale of two City-owned houses on Boulder Street that have previously been rented to nonprofit organizations. As part of last year's budget process, the City evaluated where it could better focus on core responsibilities. The Boulder properties were identified as an opportunity to exit the business of being a landlord while also generating additional revenue for the City.”

— Ryan Trujillo, Deputy City Manager

What’s next

The city will be auctioning off the Sustainacenter buildings within a month, and the nonprofits must vacate the premises by June 30, 2026.

The takeaway

The loss of the Sustainacenter collaborative workspace will force several local nonprofits to find new office space on short notice, disrupting their operations and community programs. This highlights the challenges small organizations face in securing affordable and suitable office space, especially when relying on in-kind donations from local governments. The situation underscores the importance of preserving community-oriented workspaces that enable nonprofits to thrive and collaborate effectively.