Parolee Cites Experience In City Council Run

Colorado Springs Gazette
A parolee running for Colorado Springs City Council believes he has what voters want in a public official: a long criminal record he’s put behind him.

Conrad Czajkowski is running to represent council District 3, which covers a southwestern section of the city. He said in a biographical information form on file with the City Clerk’s Office he expects to be off parole in April. He said he is “already a ‘criminal’ who has been caught,” and has “enough experience based on that fact.”

The facts Czajkowski notes about his criminal history appear to comply with records maintained by the Colorado Department of Corrections. State prison records show Czajkowski is on parole and could be discharged April 28. That’s 21 days after the April 7 election.

Czajkowski didn’t reply to a call seeking comment Friday.

Department of Corrections records show Czajkowski is on parole for three crimes:

• In 2006, he pleaded guilty to a computer crime after he was arrested on suspicion of several theft- and forgery-related crimes. He was sentenced to a year in prison and ordered to pay $6,066 restitution.

• In 2004, he was arrested on suspicion of menacing and carrying an illegal concealed weapon, and he pleaded guilty to a felony menacing charge. He was sentenced to three years in prison.

• In 2001, police arrested him on suspicion of a range of charges related to illegal drug possession and driving under the influence, and he pleaded guilty to a felony drug-possession charge. He was sentenced to three years in prison.

But Czajkowski’s history with the law extends far beyond the sentence he’s now serving. A search of Colorado court records found he’s had many run-ins with authorities on suspicion of other charges including domestic violence and burglary.

None of Czajkowski’s criminal history disqualifies him from being a city councilman. The City Charter says a council member will be kicked out of office for being convicted of a felony crime, but it is silent about crimes committed before taking office.

Czajkowski ran unsuccessfully for City Council in 1999.