(COLORADO SPRINGS) — A group consisting of nonprofits and individuals is suing the Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD), El Paso County Board of County Commissioners, and the City of Colorado Springs over the closure of the Rockrimmon Library, alleging the groups, especially the PPLD Board of Trustees, failed in its fiduciary duties, violated open meeting laws, and arguing that a library cannot be closed without a vote by the public.

The lawsuit filed by Integrity Matters alleges the Board of Trustees for the library district failed its fiduciary duty by not placing a Mill Levy to increase tax revenue despite consultants telling them the community would be receptive to increasing funds. The lawsuit also alleges that the library could have used grants but the money was never used and returned or not applied for.

The lawsuit alleges that PPLD’s Board of Trustees was given multiple options for how to proceed forward and none required the immediate closure of the library, stating two of the three options proposed in the long-term to shift Rockrimmon Library to an owned location.

Integrity Matters alleges the Board of Trustees met with City Council Member Dave Donelson and assured him there was no decision on the Rockrimmon Library’s closure and encouraged him to spread that information to the public and on Sept. 27 a proposed budget included a line item for Rockrimmon Library to the amount of $454,541.

According to the lawsuit, about two weeks later during the Board of Trustees meeting on Oct. 16, without prior notice and in direct contradiction to previous statements, a prepared statement was read announcing the lease for the Rockrimmon Library would not be renewed.

Plaintiffs allege this decision was made without notice, public comment, and contrary to previous representations by PPLD Board members and staff, and is a violation of Colorado Open Meetings Law or Sunshine Law. The lawsuit also alleges failing to renew the lease is equivalent to abolishing the library which the lawsuit argues cannot be done without a vote by the public.

Integrity Matters and other plaintiffs are suing to reverse the Oct. 16 decision and requiring the Board of Trustees to approve a one-year lease for Rockrimmon Library and conduct a financial review of the costs, and for any further decisions to comply with Colorado Open Meetings Law.