Sometimes, when we’re looking into local government matters and reviewing Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) requests, we uncover bits of information that lead us down other rabbit holes. That was the case with one recent investigation. We unexpectedly uncovered information that no other media has reported. We’re happy to be the first to share it with you!
Wayne Williams was recently hired as Mayor Yemi Mobolade’s Chief of Staff. There was another chief of staff before Williams, though.
Jamie Fabos served as Mobolade’s Chief of Staff from June 2023 until February 16th, 2026. At the time, there were no details regarding her exit from city employment.
We obtained her February 10th resignation letter through a Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) request this week. She noted that she was submitting her resignation in connection with the City’s decision to separate her from her employment.
Fabos’ Employment Contract
At the time of the departure announcement, we didn’t believe Fabos was eligible for a severance package. Her original signed 2023 contract didn’t include a severance package. We know because we got our hands on the contract a couple of years ago. Fabos’ starting salary was $235,000 annually. Over the years, her salary increased to $263,148 annually.
Severance Pay
It turns out, a severance agreement doesn’t need to be included in a city employment contract. According to the City of Colorado Springs Civilian Policy and Procedure Manual:
A paid 30-day notice of termination and the possibility of severance pay and/or benefits up to six months, for an eligible manager terminated without cause, is authorized at the Mayor’s or Appointee’s discretion. Any action taken under this program will be reported quarterly to the City Council.
Through a separation agreement, we learned that Fabos received a substantial taxpayer-funded check for $137,530.50 for being removed from her job!
We reached out to Colorado Springs City Council President Lynette Crow-Iverson for comment. Here is her statement:
“I am deeply disappointed by the decision to award six months of severance pay to Jamie Fabos. At a time when the city is facing a projected $30 million budget deficit, this payout is difficult to defend. Approximately 40 City employees were affected by the reduction in force, and the employees who remain are being asked to shoulder additional burdens, including seven furlough days. These are the hardworking public servants who continue to deliver essential services to our residents every day. The contrast is striking. While rank-and-file employees are being asked to sacrifice, a departing executive who served less than three years is receiving a substantial severance package funded by the taxpayers. Many residents will reasonably question how this reflects the fiscal discipline and accountability they expect from the Mayor. This decision sends the wrong message to our workforce and to the community. The city should be prioritizing the employees who have endured layoffs, furloughs, and uncertainty, not rewarding executive leadership during a period of significant financial challenges. The citizens of Colorado Springs deserve transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of public funds. I believe taxpayers have every right to ask whether this severance package reflects those values”.
Our Take
A golden parachute wasn’t in the original contract. It was optional, and Mobolade chose to award it. One could assume all sorts of reasons for Mobolade deciding to remove Fabos from her position. Most of us aren’t in the city’s “circle of trust” and will never hear the juicy details.
Generous financial payouts should never happen when taxpayers foot the bill. This isn’t Wall Street! Those are dollars you earned, and Mobolade readily handed them over to Fabos during an economic downturn where the city is running a $30 million budget deficit. Given her sizeable salary while at the city, we expect Fabos to weather the unemployment storm easily. She didn’t need a severance package!
Reach out to Mayor Mobolade and politely ask him why this departure from employment was worth this massive sum of your taxpayer money. You’re not his personal ATM!
Mayor Yemi Mobolade yemi.mobolade@coloradosprings.gov