HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - Full - Election Code Committee - 11/15/2021 -
City Clerk
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PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
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AGENDA
City Council Election Code Committee
November 15, 2021, 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Remote Participation available
Public Participation Options:
Watch the Meeting: Anyone can view the Election Code
Committee (ECC) meeting live:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://fcgov.zoom.us/j/93910757534
Meeting ID: 939 1075 7534
Public Comment: Individuals who wish to address the
Committee via remote public participation can do so
through the link provided above.
The meeting will be available beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Monday. To participate:
•You need to have a laptop or computer with a
microphone and/or headset that includes a
microphone.
•You need to have access to the internet.
•Join the Zoom meeting listed above.
•Keep yourself on muted status.
Note:
•If you are unable to participate via Zoom, you may
attend the meeting in person (however, we have
very limited capacity based on social distancing
recommendations).
•Alternatively, you may provide comments to the
Committee via email prior to 11:30 a.m. at
cityleaders@fcgov.com. Emails will be
read by City Leaders; however, not read into the
formal meeting record.
Committee Members: Mayor Jeni Arndt – Vice Chair
Councilmember Tricia Canonico, District 3 - Chair
Councilmember Kelly Ohlson, District 5
Councilmember Julie Pignataro, District 2 (alternate)
2021-2022
Main Topics of Discussion in
Priority Order
1)Redistricting
2)Campaign Finance
Provisions
3)November Elections
4)RCV
5)Public Financing of Elections
6)Election Oversight Board
7)Partisan/Non-Partisan
Elections
1. Call Meeting to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Public Comment - 30 minutes total (limited to 5 minutes per speaker max)
4. Public Comment Follow-up
5. Consideration and approval of the September 20, 2021, and October 18, 2021, Committee
Meeting Minutes
6. Consideration of proposal to move to November Elections and related action
a. Guest: Angela Myers, Larimer County Clerk and Recorder
• Describe how an even/odd number year election might look
• Allocation of costs for a coordinated election
• Update regarding RCV implementation at County level
1-7-116. Coordinated elections - definition. (1) (d) ON AND AFTER
JANUARY 1, 2023, A STATUTORY CITY OR TOWN OR HOME RULE
MUNICIPALITY MAY REFER A MUNICIPAL ELECTION USING INSTANT RUNOFF
VOTING TO BE CONDUCTED AS PART OF A COORDINATED ELECTION IN
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 1-7-118. IF REQUIRED BY SECTION 1-7-118, A
COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDER SHALL CONDUCT THE ELECTION ON BEHALF
OF THE MUNICIPALITY AS PART OF THE COORDINATED ELECTION IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION AND SECTION 1-7-118.
**Additional staff resources available & present to answer questions regarding the November
coordinated election proposal and how the change may impact opportunities for tabor
questions presented to voters.
b. Term transition follow-up
• Shortening/lengthening
2023 2024
PRESIDENTIAL
2025 2026 2027 2028
PRESIDENTIAL
2029 2030
Mayor
+18 Months
Mayor
ON TRACK
Mayor
ON TRACK
Mayor
ON TRACK
Group 1
District 2
District 4
District 6
+18 Months
Group 2
District 1
District 3
District 5
+18 Months
Group 1
District 2
District 4
District 6
ON TRACK
Group 2
District 1
District 3
District 5
ON TRACK
NOVEMBER ELECTIONS
No April Election
in 2023
Even Year
November
Elections
2023 2024
PRESIDENTIAL
2025 2026 2027 2028
PRESIDENTIAL
2029 2030
Mayor
-6 Months
Mayor
ON TRACK
Mayor
ON TRACK
Mayor
ON TRACK
Group 1
District 2
District 4
District 6
+18 Months
Group 2
District 1
District 3
District 5
+18 Months
Group 1
District 2
District 4
District 6
ON TRACK
Group 2
District 1
District 3
District 5
ON TRACK
Hold April
Election in 2023
for Mayor only
Even Year
November
Elections
NOVEMBER ELECTIONS
7. Redistricting Update: The City Clerk’s Office is currently pursuing a redistricting consultant. Jason
Harder, Technology Director, will attend to give an update as to the issues preventing redistricting
from being completed in-house.
8. Proposed timeline for ballot question approval:
• February 22, 2022 Work Session – November Election Discussion
• March 2022 City Attorney’s Office drafts ballot language
• April & May 2022 Present ballot language to ECC
• June & July 2022 Present ballot language to Council, Call for Special Election,
Sign IGA
9. Future Election Code Committee dates with scheduling conflicts.
a. January 17, 2022 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day / Rescheduled to January 10, 2021
b. February 21, 2022 – President’s Day / Rescheduled to February 28, 2021
c. June 20, 2022 – Juneteenth / Rescheduled to June 27, 2021
d. Remote vs In-person discussion
10. Other Business
11. Adjournment
ATTACHMENTS:
1) September 20, 2021, and October 18, 2021, Committee Meeting Minutes
2) Election Summary
3) History of Voter-Considered Tax Measures
Next Election Code Committee Meeting: 12:00-1:30 p.m., December 20, 2021
City of Fort Collins Page 1
September 20, 2021
ELECTION CODE COMMITTEE MEETING
12:00 PM
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Arndt, Canonico, Ohlson
STAFF PRESENT: Carrie Daggett, Tammi Pusheck, Rita Knoll
CITIZENS PRESENT: None
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
Robbie Moreland commented on two outstanding election complaints and suggested an independent
election oversight committee should be formed. She suggested 18 months is a sufficient amount of
time to implement ranked choice voting for the April 2023 election if it is approved at the November of
2022 election.
Jody Deschanes supported Ms. Moreland’s comments and addressed inaccurate comments about
ranked choice voting.
3. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 27, 2021 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Vice Chair Arndt made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Ohlson to approve the August 27, 2021
meeting minutes. The motion was adopted unanimously.
4. DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. Campaign Finance Provisions
Chief Deputy City Clerk Knoll asked about the scope of the review of campaign finance provisions
and whether it is separate or in conjunction with considering reverting to the state law.
Vice Chair Arndt asked about the main differences between the Colorado Fair Campaign Practices
Act and the City Code. Knoll replied they were almost identical when Fort Collins wrote its Code
with the exception of not addressing state candidates. She stated local provisions were written so
they could all be contained in one document.
Vice Chair Arndt stated candidates need more clear guidance on PACs as one example.
City Attorney Daggett noted there are state, but not local, guidelines for independent expenditure
committees.
Councilmember Ohlson stated he would like to keep big money out of City elections, and if that is
not possible, there should be as much disclosure as possible regarding who is contributing.
b. Redistricting
Chair Canonico noted redistricting must be complete by October 6, 2022 for the April 2023 election.
Interim City Clerk Pusheck noted this process has already begun and funds have been budgeted
for a consultant.
Councilmember Ohlson asked about the role of the consultant stating he does not recall a
consultant being used for redistricting in the past. He stated the earlier in the process the
redistricting can occur, the better, as candidates are contemplating running for office earlier.
Vice Chair Arndt concurred an earlier date for having district boundaries set would be beneficial.
City Attorney Daggett stated this is the first time a consultant has been used as the last redistricting
process took much longer than anticipated. She stated the consultant’s role will be to help prepare
and present options for the best way to determine the cadence for redistricting.
City of Fort Collins Page 2
Chief Deputy City Clerk Knoll stated the consultant will be familiar with many different models used
in the country.
Vice Chair Arndt asked who sets precinct boundaries. Chief Deputy City Clerk Knoll replied the
County sets those boundaries and the Code requires City precincts to match County precinct
boundaries in order to obtain accurate voter data.
Councilmember Ohlson commented on ensuring an incumbent is not redistricted out if his or her
own seat.
Chief Deputy City Clerk Knoll stated it may be difficult to have redistricting occur much earlier if
census data is used. She also noted there will be a public outreach component to the consultant’s
work.
Vice Chair Arndt asked about the City’s residency requirements for candidates. Chief Deputy City
Clerk Knoll replied candidates must have been a registered voter for one year and live in the district
at the point of taking office.
Chief Deputy City Clerk Knoll noted the consultant is to assist with different methodologies;
however, if there is no desire to change that, a consultant may not be needed.
City Attorney Daggett clarified a candidate must be residing within the district at the time of
nomination, not the time of election.
Vice Chair Arndt noted state and federal congressional maps are based on population and that
seems to be the metric that makes the most sense.
Chair Canonico asked about the projected cost of the consultant. Chief Deputy City Clerk Knoll
replied it was between $80,000 and $90,000. She stated staff can put together options based on
population and the consultant may not be necessary if the methodology is not changing.
Councilmember Ohlson questioned the need for the consultant, particularly at that cost.
City Attorney Daggett noted the scope of work for a consultant has yet to be written. She stated the
redistricting triggers per the Code will be outlined and may need to be adjusted.
c. November Elections
Chief Deputy City Clerk Knoll discussed time constraints and the timeline around moving elections
to November. She noted there are currently no municipal elections in Larimer County in even
years. She noted the topic is slated for a more detailed discussion at the next meeting.
Councilmember Ohlson stated there is no reason to change to a coordinated election in odd years
and expressed support for coordinated even year elections beginning in 2024.
Chair Canonico asked if there would be anything that would prevent the extension of Council terms
should an April 2023 election not occur. City Attorney Daggett replied that would need to be a topic
of discussion for the Committee. She stated having the April 2023 election to fill terms could be a
possibility and stated the various aspects of the timing could be built into the ballot issue approving
any change to a coordinated election.
Vice Chair Arndt and Councilmember Ohlson commented on the benefits of having more voters per
election which may result from changing to coordinated elections.
d. Ranked Choice Voting
Chief Deputy City Clerk Knoll stated the earliest ballot on which this item could appear would be
November 2022 and the earliest it could be implemented, should voters also approve a switch to
November elections, would be November of 2023. She noted the use of ranked choice voting could
City of Fort Collins Page 3
only occur if the County uses a system certified by the Secretary of State for use in a ranked choice
voting election. She noted the November 2022 election would not be certified until about three
months after preparations for the April 2023 election would occur.
Councilmember Ohlson stated he would need to see some proof that implementation could not
occur by the April 2023 election and stated the consultant funding could be used to hire additional
staff if necessary.
Chief Deputy City Clerk Knoll noted candidate guidelines include election information and there
would be differences based on which type of election is run, including different certification dates
and potentially different vendors.
Committee members and staff discussed certification dates and swearing in dates. City Attorney
Daggett noted a specific swearing in date could be set, but it would need to be far enough out to
allow for recounts.
Chair Arndt opposed the last timeline for swearing in and the immediately following retreat to
determine Council priorities.
Councilmember Ohlson stated the Committee needs to know what resources are needed in order
to implement ranked choice voting for the April 2023 election, if approved in November of 2022.
e. Public Financing of Elections
Interim City Clerk Pusheck stated interns are working on collecting data from peer cities and will be
returning with information during the first quarter of 2022.
f. Election Oversight Board
Interim City Clerk Pusheck stated interns are working on collecting data from peer cities and will be
returning with information during the first quarter of 2022.
g. Partisan/Non-partisan Elections
City Attorney Daggett asked if the Committee views this as an immediate issue or more of a long-
term topic.
Councilmember Ohlson stated he has preferred non-partisan elections; however, he believes those
have not occurred in practice in years, therefore, he would rather see partisan elections. He
suggested the topic could still be placed on the same ballot with other questions.
City Attorney Daggett noted the main change with a partisan election involves the establishment of
political parties to determine who candidates on the ballot would be.
Chair Canonico supported prioritizing ranked choice voting and November elections over changing
to partisan elections. Councilmember Ohlson agreed with prioritizing those; however, he suggested
they could potentially all move forward simultaneously.
City Attorney Daggett requested a prioritization of the seven items.
Councilmember Ohlson noted redistricting has to be done. Vice Chair Arndt stated she would like
to have that done by April.
Councilmember Ohlson suggested the next priority should be campaign financing improvements,
followed by November elections and ranked choice voting.
City Attorney Daggett noted the budgeting process will be starting again in March and April and
having some direction on public election financing could be beneficial at that time.
Councilmember Ohlson suggested public financing and the election oversight committee would be
the next priorities.
5. OTHER BUSINESS
City of Fort Collins Page 4
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 1:26 PM.
City of Fort Collins Page 1
October 18, 2021
ELECTION CODE COMMITTEE MEETING
12:00 PM
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Arndt, Canonico, Ohlson
STAFF PRESENT: Carrie Daggett, Tammi Pusheck, Ryan Malarkey, Kyle Stannert
CITIZENS PRESENT: Robbie Moreland, Owen Perkins (remote)
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
Robbie Moreland thanked staff for brining in the presenter regarding publicly funded elections. She
stated the committee should consider which method would consider more candidates to run for office,
which method would engage more residents to vote in municipal elections, and which method is easier
to administer. She discussed a voucher program and stated it is a viable method to add to the analysis.
She questioned how a group in the April election could raise $75,000 for a candidate and still not have
to disclose its donors, in violation of City Code and the state election code. She also stated she would
like to see ranked choice voting on next month’s agenda.
Owen Perkins, Clean Slate Now Action, supported Fort Collins looking at publicly funded elections. He
stated public financing would give open access to the ballot to a more diverse field, would eliminate
wealth as a factor in competing for office, would eliminate the potential for corruption or the appearance
of corruption, encourages residents to be engaged in the process, and empowers residents to reclaim
the concept of citizen-owned elections.
Vice Chair Arndt stated she has always supported publicly funded elections and limits of $100 for
Mayor and $75 for Councilmembers. She questioned whether Citizens United incentivizes dark money.
Mr. Perkins replied publicly financed elections cannot overturn Citizens United, which is a federal issue.
He stated work can be done at the local level to incentivize the small-dollar donor and associated
campaigns.
Vice Chair Arndt asked if there is any evidence that pushing the maximum donation amount down so
low it has a negative effect. Mr. Perkins replied dark money tends to follow very competitive races
rather than correlating to donation limits. He also noted every campaign finance reform that has taken
place in recent years in Colorado has eliminated corporate contributions.
3. PUBLICLY FUNDED ELECTIONS – Katie Setty
Katie Setty, Colorado State University Political Science Department Master’s Student, provided some
municipal-level examples and case studies for publicly funded elections. She stated the motivations
behind publicly funded elections tend to stem from two sources: a desire for increased access for
candidates and voters, and a desire to limit expenditures of candidates. Ms. Setty outlined the three
methods of public funding: matching funds, grants, and the voucher program. She detailed various
programs of each of the first two types and discussed Seattle’s unique voucher program.
Vice Chair Arndt asked about fundraising caps and the number of candidates. Ms. Setty replied there
are limits in most programs which prohibit fundraising after the expenditure limit is reached.
Councilmember Ohlson stated he is very supportive of limits to campaign funding but opposed five-
dollar limits. He also opposed making determinations of candidates’ personal wealth as it seems to
invalidate the entire public financing of elections by giving those who are self-funded a green light. Ms.
Setty agreed the determination of personal wealth would be inappropriate and stated Los Angeles has
a requirement that candidates must receive 100 five-dollar donations to qualify, though it also allows
other donations that qualify as small donor donations.
Chair Canonico suggested the five-dollar donations could be seen as somewhat equivalent to obtaining
signatures on a petition.
City of Fort Collins Page 2
Kyle Stannert, City Manager’s Office, stated one of the remote participants stated the five dollars is not
a contribution limit, but is a minimum contribution to qualify for public finance.
Chair Canonico requested additional information regarding Seattle’s voucher program. Ms. Setty
replied citizens are given vouchers that represent their portion of public funding and those vouchers can
be directed to candidates online or physically.
Kyle Stannert noted Mr. Perkins also stated the 20% of personal wealth means 20% of one’s campaign
funds is the maximum for personal contributions.
4. REDISTRICTING UPDATE
Interim City Clerk Pusheck stated staff is looking to engage the City’s IT department to help find a
contractor to help with redistricting.
5. NOVEMBER ELECTIONS
Interim City Clerk Pusheck noted the Committee was provided information in its packet and asked what
additional information would be needed. Vice Chair Arndt asked when necessary Charter changes
would go before voters should the Committee recommend this change to Council. Interim City Clerk
Pusheck replied the assumption is November of 2022. City Attorney Daggett noted Council could call a
special election and put items on the November ballot as well as the April regular municipal election
ballot. She discussed possible permutations of a shift from April to November elections noting some
type of change in term lengths would be necessary.
Councilmember Ohlson stated lengthening terms would likely be more palatable than shortening them.
City Attorney Daggett commented on other municipalities that have switched to November elections.
Councilmember Ohlson noted the Committee has consistently expressed support for even year
November elections. Interim City Clerk Pusheck provided preliminary information related to various
scenarios that would result from a change to November elections depending on when that change may
occur.
Committee members discussed the current two-year Mayoral term versus four-year Council terms. It
was noted that does allow for four seats to be up for election every two years.
Committee members commented on November elections being beneficial due to the higher number of
voters despite possible ballot fatigue with longer ballots. Interim City Clerk Pusheck noted there may
be some imbalance in that one group of candidates would always be on the ballot with the presidential
election whereas the other group would not.
City Attorney Daggett noted the City can currently do TABOR questions during regular municipal
elections, and that option would be eliminated if April elections were eliminated. She noted term limits
would also need to be addressed in any ballot language.
6. FUTURE ELECTION CODE COMMITTEE DATES WITH SCHEDULING CONFLICTS
Councilmember Ohlson suggested meeting dates with holiday conflicts should be rescheduled. Other
members agreed.
7. OTHER BUSINESS
Interim City Clerk Pusheck requested guidance as to what topics the Committee would like to discuss at
the next couple meetings.
Committee members discussed the timing of key topics and Vice Chair Arndt suggested the
development of a calendar working backward from any items that would need Charter changes and
associated voter approval.
City of Fort Collins Page 3
8. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 1:13 PM.
ELECTION
BALLOTS
CAST
REGISTERED
VOTERS TURNOUT ISSUES/RACES
04-03-79
Regular
14,404 23,584 61.07% • At-large Councilmembers
• Citizen Initiated Ordinance - Limiting
issuance of building permits (“moderate
growth”)
• Citizen Initiated Ordinance -
Decriminalizing marijuana
02-26-80
Special
11,625 27,510 42.25% • Citizen Initiated Ordinance - Extension of
1% sales tax for indoor pool and ice rink,
bike paths, trails
• Council Initiated Ordinance - prohibiting
extension of sales tax and requiring
construction of indoor pool, etc.
• Citizen Initiated Ordinance -
Decriminalizing marijuana
• Charter Amendments
03-17-81
Special
329 • Formation of Downtown Development
Authority
04-07-81
Regular
7,709 32,732 23.55% • Districts 1, 2, 3, 4
• Charter Amendments
• Council Initiated Ordinance - Issuance of
general obligation bonds
03-08-83
Regular
9,744 27,492 35.44% • At-large Councilmembers
• Charter Amendments
• Citizen Referred Ordinance No. 113,
1982 - .75% Sales Tax
05-01-84
Special
22,044 33,933 64.85% • Allen-Lind-Moore Annexation
(Anheuser-Busch)
• City Initiated Ordinance - .25% Sales Tax
for EPIC
• City Initiated Ordinance - .25% Sales Tax
for Capital Projects
• Citizen Initiated Resolution - Nuclear
Weapons/Testing
11-06-84
Special
33,087 • Citizen Referred Ordinance No. 23, 1984
- Smoking in Public Places
03-07-85
Regular
7,332 42,696 17.17% • Districts 1, 2, 3, 4
• Charter Amendments
06-18-85
Special
7,701 42,785 • Citizen Referred Ordinance No. 27, 1983
- Issuance of DDA Tax Increment Note
for Oak Park Residential Project
11-05-85
Special
12,800 44,762 28.59% • Council Referred Ordinance - Funding
Purchase, Maintenance and Development
of Fort Collins-Loveland Corridor
11-04-86
Special
25,627 • City Referred Ordinance No. 113, 1986 -
Robinson-Piersall Plaza Project
ELECTION
BALLOTS
CAST
REGISTERED
VOTERS TURNOUT ISSUES/RACES
03-03-87
Regular
9,113 45,299 20.11% • At-large Councilmembers
• District 2
• Charter Amendments
• Citizen Initiated Resolution - Moratorium
on Nuclear Testing
11-08-88
Special
36,360 55,950 • City Initiated Ordinance No. 106, 1988 -
Sexual Orientation
03-07-89
Regular
8,291 55,577 14.91% • Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 (first transition to
election by District)
• Charter Amendments
• City Referred Ordinance No. 8, 1989 -
.25% Sales Tax for Street Maintenance
• City Initiated Ordinance No. 9, 1989 -
.25% Sales Tax for Capital Projects
07-10-90
Special
3,302 52,833 6.24% • Citizen Initated Ordinance - Collective
Bargaining (Police)
11-06-90
Special
26,525 • Charter amendment (direct election of
Mayor, conversion to 6 districts)
04-02-91
Regular
10,678 43,805 24.37% • Mayor (1
st directly elected)
• Districts 2, 4
• Charter Amendments
• Citizen Initiated Ordinance - Second sheet
of ice at EPIC
• Citizen Initiated Resolution - Peace in the
Middle East
11-03-92
Special
38,205 59,534 64.17% • Citizen Initiated Ordinance - Natural
Areas
• Citizen Initiated Ordinance - Zoo and
Horticultural Center
04-06-93
Regular
9,684 54,062 17.91% • Mayor
• Districts 1, 3, 5, 6
• Charter Amendments
04-04-95
Regular
(Mail Ballot)
22,489 53,456 42.07% • Mayor
• Districts 2, 4, 6
• Citizen Initiated Sales Tax - Parks and
Second Sheet of Ice
11-05-96
Special
46,671 69,367 • City Initiated Ordinance No. 100, 1996 -
Retention of Excess Revenue
04-08-97
Regular
(Mail Ballot)
17,831 71,199 25.04% • Mayor
• Districts 1, 3, 5
• Charter Amendments
• City Initiated Ordinances (3) - Building
Community Choices Sales Tax
• Citizen Initiated Ordinance - Citizen
Review Board
11-04-97
Special
15,266 • Excess Revenue Retention/De-Brucing
ELECTION
BALLOTS
CAST
REGISTERED
VOTERS TURNOUT ISSUES/RACES
11-03-98
Special
• Citizen Referred Ordinance No. 21, 1998
(Human Rights Ordinance)
• Citizen Referred Ordinance No. 22, 1998
(Human Rights Ordinance-Sexual
Orientation)
04-06-99
Regular
(Mail Ballot)
28,536 82,354
(48,799 active
33,555 inactive)
34.65%
(based on 82,354)
58.48%
(based on 48,799)
• Mayor
• Districts 2, 4, 6
• City Initiated Ordinance - .36% Sales Tax
for Transfort and Traffic Control System
• Citizen Initiated Ordinance - Mulberry-
Lemay Crossing P.U.D. (Wal-Mart)
11-02-99
Special
18,377 85,098 21.6% • Citizen Initiated Ordinance - Location of
Truck Route outside UGA
• Charter Amendments
11-07-00
Special
54,038 92,272 58.56% • Charter Amendments
04-03-01
Regular
(Mail Ballot)
20,745 81,694
(58,926 active
22,768 inactive)
35.21%
(based on
active)
• Charter Amendments
11-06-01
Special
(Mail Ballot)
60,125
(Entire
County)
140,375
(Entire County)
• (3) Citizen Initiated Ordinances -
Performing Arts Center/Museum
Improvements
11-05-02
Special
(Coordinated)
86,938 • Extension of Open Space Tax
• Transportation Tax
• Charter Amendment - Initiatives
04-08-03
Regular
(Mail Ballot)
26,010 89,269
(50,738 active
38,531 inactive)
51.26%
(based on
active)
• Mayor and Districts 2, 4, 6
• Transportation Tax (.25%)
• 1% Construction Tax to Fund
Transportation Capital Projects
08-10-04
Special
(Coordinated
w/Primary)
16,471 • Collective Bargaining
04-05-05
Regular
(Mail Ballot)
31,498 72,477
(active)
43.46% • Mayor and Districts 1, 3, 5
• Citizen-initiated ordinance repealing sales
tax on grocery food
• Citizen-initiated ordinance eliminating
fluoride in water
• City-initiated measure extending .25% tax
for street maintenance
ELECTION
BALLOTS
CAST
REGISTERED
VOTERS TURNOUT ISSUES/RACES
11-01-05
Special
(Coordinated)
88,565 • City-initiated measure extending .25%
BCC tax for capital projects (BOB)
• Timberline/Prospect Special Improvement
District No. 94
• Charter Amendment - Publication of
Ordinances
• Charter Amendment - Replace Election
Board with Canvass Board
09-12-06
Special
18,326 65,908
(Active)
27.81% • Charter Amendment - Collective
Bargaining (w/binding arbitration)
11-07-06
Special
(Coordinated)
72,053 • DDA Bonds
• City-initiated measure repealing citizen-
initiated Ordinance No. 142, 1999
pertaining to the proposed relocation of
the Colorado Highway 14 truck route
04-03-07
Regular
(Mail Ballot)
21,164 56,898
(Active)
37.20% • Southwest Enclave Annexation
referendum
• Charter Amendment - Composition of
Election Board
• Charter Amendment - Allow Leases in
Excess of 20 Years
06-10-08
Special
(Mail Ballot)
19,624 66,718
(Active)
29.41% • Charter Amendment - Collective
Bargaining for All Employees/Binding
Arbitration
04-07-09
Regular
(Mail Ballot)
25,169 80,250
(Active)
31.36% • Candidates (Mayor, Dist 1, 3, 5)
11-02-10
Special
(Coordinated)
53,498 75,876
(Active)
• Additional .85% sales/use tax (Jan 1,
2011-Dec 31, 2020) to fund street mtce,
other street/transportation needs, police
services, fire protection and other
emergency services, parks mtce and
recreation services, and community
priorities other than those listed above
04-05-11
Regular
(Mail Ballot)
28,093 62,260
(Active)
45.12% • Candidates (Mayor, Dist 2, 4, 6)
• City-initiated Charter Amendment -
Redistricting based on population
• Citizen-initiated Ranked Voting
• Citizen-initiated Library Park building
footprint
11-01-11
Special
(Coordinated)
37,053 71,251 52.00% • Ban on Medical Marijuana Businesses
11-06-12
Special
(Coordinated)
80,595 93,075
(Active)
86.59% • Reinstatement of Medical Marijuana
Businesses
ELECTION
BALLOTS
CAST
REGISTERED
VOTERS TURNOUT ISSUES/RACES
04-02-13
Regular
(Mail Ballot)
26,044 89,356
(88,185 Active plus
1,171 Inactive-
Failed to Vote)
29.15% • Candidates (Mayor, Dist 1, 3, 5)
11-05-13 42,767
(votes cast)
96,824 • Fracking moratorium
04-07-15 34,081 92,259 active voters
in the initial mailing
36.94% • Candidates (Mayor, Dist 2, 4, 6)
• Extension of .25% sales and use tax for
capital projects
• Extension of quarter cent sales tax for
street maintenance
• Charter amendment - Initiative/
referendum provisions
• Charter amendment - Nominating petition
provisions
• Charter amendment -Recall provisions
• Charter amendment - Definition of service
area
11-03-15 30,276 94,910 33.09% • Broadband
11-08-16 85,570
(votes cast)
123,641 • Keep and spend all “Keep Fort Collins
Great” sales and use tax revenue
approved by voters in 2010
04-04-17 29,908 105,868 28.25% • Candidates (Mayor, Dist 1, 3, 5)
• Charter amendment - election certification
date
• Charter amendment - cancelling a Council
meeting
• Charter amendment - conflict of interest
clarification
• Charter amendment - appointment of
Municipal Judges
11-07-17 38,097
(highest
number of
votes cast of
the 2
questions)
118,082 32.26% • Charter amendment - telecommunications
utility (Broadband)
• Authorizing Council to make amendments
to voter-approved medical marijuana
licensing provisions
04-02-19 32,799 105,407 31.12% • Candidates (Mayor, Dist 1, 2, 4, 6)
• Keep Fort Collins Great renewal with
.25% being for 10 years and .60% being
permanent
• Charter amendment - Council
compensation tied to the Fort Collins
Area Median Household Income
ELECTION
BALLOTS
CAST
REGISTERED
VOTERS TURNOUT ISSUES/RACES
04-06-21 42,283 112,686 37.52% • Candidates (Mayor, Dist 1, 3, 4, 5)
• Charter amendment - clarifying that the
election of the Mayor Pro Tem shall occur
at the meeting at which newly-elected
Councilmembers take the oath of office
and providing for selection of a new
Mayor Pro Tem in the event of a
resignation from that position
• Charter amendment - removing the
prohibition on campaign contributions
and expenditures and instead providing
that Council establish prohibitions by
ordinance
• Charter amendment - concerning City
Council appropriations
• Charter amendment - increasing the time
for publication of a summary of the
annual audit to seven (7) months after the
end of each fiscal year
• Charter amendment - changing
“Municipal Judge” to “Chief Judge”
• Council-referred Ordinance - regulating
the use of disposable bags by (a)
prohibiting large grocers from providing
disposable plastic bags; and (b) requiring
payment of a disposable bag fee of $0.12
for disposable paper bags
• Citizen-initiated Ordinance - zoning of
former Hughes Stadium property and City
acquisition of property
G:\KNOLL\Elections\Post Election Documents-Duties\Election Summary.wpd
HISTORY OF VOTER-CONSIDERED TAX MEASURES IN FORT COLLINS(1970 - April 2, 2019)Date of Election Issue Votes For Votes AgainstNo tax measures between January 1970 and February 1973February 20, 1973 Additional 1% sales and use tax (April 1, 1973 through March 31, 1980) for capitalimprovements and acquisitions in accordance with the master plan recommended bythe DT2 Committee4,5964,072February 26, 1980 Extending the 1% sales tax approved by voters on February 20, 1973 until December2, 1981, for the construction of a 50-meter indoor swimming pool and ice rink, bicyclepaths, trail system, and acquisition of additional greenbelt (Citizen-initiated)4,6446,523March 8, 1983 Additional .75% sales tax to provide financing for the City’s existing and projectedcapital projects (effective December 31, 1982)2,0927,418May 1, 1984 Additional .25% sales and use tax (January 1, 1985 through December 31, 1989) forEPIC (Citizen-initiated)12,2849,516Additional .25% sales and use tax (July 1, 1984 through June 30, 1989) to raiserevenues to acquire and complete capital projects (street projects, intersectionimprovements, computer aided dispatch, library remodel, new concession/bathhousefor outdoor pool, repair and improve streets and parking area at City Park and SpringCreek Park, open space and trails)12,2599,483November 5, 1985 Additional .25% sales and use tax (January 1, 1986 through December 31, 1990) forthe purchase of the area known as the Fort Collins-Loveland Corridor (to bepreserved as open space with uses to include farming, natural areas, and active andpassive recreational development)3,9148,815March 7, 1989 Additional .25% sales and use tax (July 1, 1989 through December 31, 1997) for thepurpose of obtaining funds for the maintenance of the City’s street system (CouncilReferred)5,8481,744Ordinance imposing a new .25% sales and use tax for a period of eight years(commencing January 1, 1990) for the purpose of obtaining funding for theconstruction of capital projects (Choices95)5,9642,076April 2, 1991 Additional .25% sales and use tax by .25% (July 1, 1991 through June 30, 1993) tofund the addition of a second indoor ice rink and accessory facilities at EPIC to becompleted by December 31, 1992 (Citizen-initiated)4,1636,206
Date of Election Issue Votes For Votes AgainstNovember 3, 1992 Additional .25% sales and use tax (January 1, 1993 through December 31, 1997) tofund the acquisition of land for public trails, wildlife habitat, and natural areas(Citizen-initiated)20,08817,902Additional .25% sales and use tax (January 1, 1993 through December 31, 1995) tofund the acquisition of land for a zoo, horticultural center, and adjoining natural areasand open space (Citizen-initiated)8,38029,825April 4, 1995 Additional .25% sales and use tax (July 1, 1995 through June 30, 2020) for Parksand Ice Arena (Citizen-initiated)9,38112,666November 5, 1996 Retention of 1995 Excess Revenue31,62711,589April 8, 1997 Extension of .25% sales and use tax (January 1, 1998 through December 31, 2005)for natural areas and parks projects (Building Community Choices)12,2965,109Extension of .25% sales and use tax (January 1, 1998 through December 31, 2005)for streets and transportation projects (Building Community Choices)12,4564,833Extension of .25% sales and use tax (January 1, 1998 through December 31, 2005)for community enhancement projects (Building Community Choices)11,3375,852November 4, 1997 Retention of 1996 Excess Revenue/De-brucing8,7636,503April 6, 1999 Additional .36% sales and use tax (July 1, 1999 through December 31, 2009) forTransfort and traffic control system10,92917,123November 6, 2001 Additional .29% sales and use tax (January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2021) forthe acquisition, construction, installation, operation and maintenance of a newperforming arts center, a new main library, and museum facilities (Citizen-initiated)10,29114,518Authorizing issuance of sales and use tax revenue bonds to finance and/or refinancethe acquisition, construction and installation of a new performing arts center andimprovements to theaters in the CSU Center for the Arts to accommodate joint usewith the City (Citizen-initiated)10,09914,523Authorizing the issuance of sales and use tax revenue bonds to finance and/orrefinance the acquisition, construction and installation of a new main library and landfor a new southeast branch library (Citizen-initiated)11,79412,685
Date of Election Issue Votes For Votes AgainstNovember 5, 2002 .25% increase in city sales and use taxes (January 1, 2003 through December 31,2022) and a proposed 1% construction excise tax (April 1, 2003 through March 31,2023) to fund certain transportation capital improvement projects19,49819,505Extension (from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2030) of existing .25% salesand use tax for trail systems, wildlife habitat, natural areas and certain park projectsto be used to acquire, operate and maintain open spaces, community separators,natural areas, wildlife habitat, riparian areas, wetlands and valued agricultural landsand to provide for the appropriate use and enjoyment of these areas by the citizenry,through land conservation projects (Citizen-initiated)25,84213,754April 8, 2003 Additional .25% sales and use tax (July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2013) to fundcertain transportation capital improvement projects11,88613,8931% construction tax (October 1, 2003 through September 30, 2013) to fund certaintransportation capital improvement projects12,22613,571April 5, 2005 Repeal of sales tax on grocery food (Citizen-initiated) 8,65222,642Extension (from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2015) of existing .25% salesand use tax for street maintenance program22,5378,555November 1, 2005 Extension (from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2015) of existing .25%(Building Community Choices) sales and use tax for capital projects (Building onBasics)23,6529,237November 2, 2010 Additional .85% sales and use tax (January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2020) tofund street maintenance and repair (33%), other street and transportation needs(17%), police services (17%), fire protection and other emergency services (11%),parks maintenance and recreation services (11%), and community priorities otherthan those listed above, as determined by Council (11%), and providing that theincrease in use tax does not apply to manufacturing equipment32,05521,443April 7, 2015 Extension (from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2025) of existing .25%capital projects sales and use tax for the purpose of obtaining revenue for the"Community Capital Improvement Program" capital projects and related operationand maintenance26,7006,457Extension (from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2025) the expiringquarter-cent sales and use tax used to fund the City's Street Maintenance Program28,2375,168
Date of Election Issue Votes For Votes AgainstApril 2, 2019 Renewing the Keep Fort Collins Great .85% sales and use tax, which expires onDecember 31, 2020, as follows:• .25% shall expire at midnight on December 31, 2030, and shall be used to fundmunicipal operations and maintenance and for any other public purposes; and• the remaining .60% shall not expire and shall be used to help sustain publicsafety service levels and fund municipal operations and maintenance, and to fundany other public purposes, except 15.5% of the revenues shall be used to fundthe fire protection and emergency services being provided by Poudre FireAuthority (PFA) under the City’s existing agreement with the Poudre Valley FireProtection District (District), or in such other amount as the City and District mayagree, but absent an agreement between them for PFA’s services, the revenuesmay be used as determined by City Council.The .85% tax rate shall not apply to:• Items now exempt under the City Code from the City’s sales and use tax;• Food for home consumption; and• Regarding the use tax only, manufacturing equipmentAll tax revenues, and investment earnings thereon, are to be collected, retained, andspent as voter-approved revenue change notwithstanding the spending and revenuelimitations in Article X, Section 20 (TABOR) of the Colorado Constitution.19,93112,561• In 1979, via Ordinance No. 140, 1979, Council approved a 1% sales and use tax increase (for a total of 2%) effectiveMarch 31, 1980.• In 1981, via Ordinance No. 149, 1981, Council approved a .25% sales and use tax increase (for a total of 2.25%)effective January 1, 1982.