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Legislative Review Committee Agenda
September 25, 2017
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Commons Conference Room, City Hall, 300 LaPorte Ave., Building A
1. Agenda Review (3 minutes)
2. Approval of minutes from August 8, 2017 Meeting (3 minutes)
Attached: August 8 Minutes
3. Update on agenda and talking points for September 27-29 lobbying trip (10 minutes)
4. Initial thoughts and review of suggested Legislative Policy Agenda and Federal/State
Priorities changes (25 minutes)
Attached: Draft Policy Agenda and Priorities Documents
5. CML ask to pass resolution in support of reauthorizing Colorado Lottery Division/Great
Outdoor Colorado (GOCO) (5 minutes)
6. Other business (15 minutes)
Mayor suggested items:
o Dream Coalition membership
Attached: Email strand highlighting asks and policy stances of group
o Ask to have Mayor be coauthor of Op-Ed related to EV infrastructure
Attached: Suggested Op-Ed by Ben Prochazka
Legislative Review Committee
Meeting Minutes
August 8, 2017 4:00 p.m.
Commons Conference Room
Councilmembers Present: Ken Summers, Ray Martinez, and Bob Overbeck
Staff Present: Judy Schmidt, Jeanne Sanford, Ginny Sawyer, Jeff Mihelich, Tyler Marr, Alyssa
Johnson, Carrie Daggett, Carol Webb, Wanda Winkelman, Delynn Coldiron, Eric Potyondy, Rita
Knoll, Talisa Gula-Yeast
The meeting came to order at 4:01 pm.
Approval of Minutes
LRC discussed that the July 11
th
minutes should be modified to reflect the vote on a moratorium.
With modification, Martinez moved to approve minutes. Summers seconded. Minutes approved
unanimously.
Selection of Chair
Councilmember Martinez nominated Councilmember Summers as chair. Councilmember
Overbeck seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Summers is LRC
chair.
Potential State Legislative Efforts to Facilitate Water Sharing in the GMA
Carol Webb presented to LRC on the Colorado water laws which limit the ability to use water
outside of the service area. There is potential for legislation to allow water-sharing across the
GMA.
Background:
The GMA is served by Fort Collins Utilities and other water districts (East Larimer
County water district and Fort Collins Loveland water district).
Dialogue began in 2014 or 2015 regarding the cost differences in development in those
districts related to water supply, water development fees, and the differing service levels.
o Regional Water Collaboration Committee formed out of that discussion which
consists of 2 representatives from each district, 2 councilmembers, 2 members
from both boards, and water managers from each entity.
o They discuss common challenges they all face, including:
(1) water conservation, (2) water supply and drought planning, (3) water
supply and demand policy
The Regional Water Collaboration Committee has been engaged in developing strategies
and tactics to ensure that they have supplies to meet demand in GMA and in line with
land-use policies.
Water sharing agreements have been discussed, but Colorado water laws limit ability to
use water outside of service area. Potential for legislation for water-sharing across the
GMA where combined water portfolios could be utilized.
Proposed legislation:
This approach allows water sharing under certain circumstances without having to go to
water court. This would be lowering one barrier to potential sharing, but wouldn’t
mandate sharing.
Additionally, IGAs would also be created. But this legislation would remove the one
large legal barrier that would pave the way for the agreement(s) to be made.
This legislation is only discussing municipal use with inter-connected systems and does
not address the creation of reservoirs.
The legislation does not have much to do with financing; it only deals with substantive
issues of water rights.
Next steps:
Contact Representative Arndt.
o Senator Sonnenberg and Rep Arndt carry and sponsor most of major water bills
together. Staff and lobbyists will explore potential sponsors. Senator Kefalas may
be a co-sponsor as well.
Marr and Webb to work with lobbyists, special water districts, and legislators.
Councilmember Martinez moved to approve the next steps on this. Councilmember
Summers seconded the motion, was approved unanimously.
Potential Medical Marijuana Related Ballot Initiative
This ballot initiative was discussed at LRC to gather LRC’s perspective on the legislation at the
state level and how it impacts our set of voter-approved measures.
Wanda Winkelman described that voters approved an ordinance that is currently on the
code. Any change to those rules will have to be by citizen vote. The proposed initiative
would allow for Council to add new license types, but does not change the way that
licenses currently operate. It essentially allows voters to grant Council some flexibility to
make additions and changes to the code language to keep up with state law without
superseding the statute that was enacted in 2012.
Staff would bring all proposed changes to Council, but Council can reject changes.
Councilmember Martinez expressed concern that this initiative is essentially asking
voters if they are willing to give up their right to vote on certain aspects of the law
concerning medical marijuana.
Request was made for staff to research the impacts of the 2012 legislation to date,
especially with recreational marijuana. A concern was expressed that we should be sure
that recreational marijuana guidelines are in-line with medical.
Councilmember Martinez advised to include language about asking voters if they want to
limit themselves or if they want Council to have the right to make the decisions quicker.
o Councilmember Overbeck agreed.
Councilmember Summers made suggestion that this gets forwarded to LPT, was agreed
to by others. Noted this was already on the August 15
th
Agenda.
Update on Staff Approach to Small Cell Infrastructure Bill
Two paths are being pursued related to regulation facilities:
o (1) Change to land use and city codes.
Process for receiving applications for these facilities in the right-of-way
Aesthetic standards are being explored
o (2) Staff continuing to pursue relationships with companies using master lease
agreements.
Staff has met with Verizon; Mobilitie will meet with staff later this week.
Light structures outside of the right-of-way:
o Sometimes small cells are permitted on buildings and we possess processes to
address facilities being constructed on buildings.
o We don’t currently have guidelines in place for companies constructing their own
poles in rights-of-way
Under state law, we have limited ability to say no to providers. We have some obligations
to treat everyone equally and we are obligated to process things quickly and do them in
big batches if a provider comes along and submits an application.
As a show of good will, staff is maintaining ability for companies to install these facilities
during the moratorium if they agree to a Master Lease Agreement with the City
Potential topics and agency visits for September trip to Washington, D.C.
September 27-29 is recommended based on congressional calendars and Council
availability.
Recommendations:
o Department of Justice program for police orientations
o FRA
o USDA
Jeff Steiner – former Agricultural Dean at CSU now working in research
at USDA in D.C.
o Water – relation to Halogen reservoir
o Transportation and highway planning
Suggestion to have ability to discuss talking points prior to trip.
Other Business
Policy agenda update: Marr and Sawyer will update that document for approval this fall –
draft likely coming in September meetings
LRC date change: Monday from 3-4 PM
o Overall agreement among committee members to change date, staff will make the
changes on the calendar
Adjourned at 5:08 PM
2018
LEGISLATIVE POLICY AGENDA
Adopted:
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TOPIC PAGE
INTRODUCTION 3
FORT COLLINS LEGISLATIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE 4
LEGISLATIVE REVIEW PROCESS 4
2016 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES 5-12
LEGISLATIVE POLICY STATEMENTS 13-35
COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD LIVABILITY 14-16
AFFORDABLE HOUSING 13
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW AND INSPECTION 13
PLANNING AND LAND USE 14
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY 14
URBAN AGRICULTURE 15
CULTURE AND RECREATION 17
CULTURAL SERVICES 17
PARKS AND RECREATION 17
ECONOMIC HEALTH 18-19
FINANCE 18
INVESTMENTS 18
PRIVATIZATION 19
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 19
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 20-25
AIR QUALITY 20
CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 21
NATURAL AREAS AND OPEN LANDS 21
OIL AND GAS 22
RECYCLING AND SOLID WASTE 23
UTILITY SERVICES 23
ENERGY 24
WATER SUPPLY AND QUALITY 25
HIGH PERFORMING GOVERNMENT 26-28
HOME RULE 26
HUMAN RESOURCES 26
RISK MANAGEMENT 27
SOVEREIGN AND GOVERNMENTAL IMMUNITY 28
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 28
SAFETY 29-31
FIRE PROTECTION 29
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT 29
MARIJUANA 30
MUNICIPAL COURT 31
PUBLIC SAFETY 31
TRANSPORTATION 33
TRANSPORTATION 33
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CITY LEGISLATIVE STAFF 35-36
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INTRODUCTION
Fort Collins is a community of 161,000 residents. Incorporated in 1873, the City
has grown to become the commercial, educational and cultural hub of Northern
Colorado. The City adopted a home rule charter in 1954 and operates under a
Council-Manager form of government.
The City is a data-driven municipal organization that strives to fulfill its mission,
“Exceptional service for an exceptional community”, through a vision of providing
world-class municipal services through operational excellence and a culture of
innovation. City leaders seek innovative solutions to issues facing the community
and are often willing to leverage emerging technologies.
The Fort Collins City Council annually adopts a Legislative Priorities and Policy
Agenda ahead of the upcoming Colorado general Assembly session for the purpose
of guiding legislators and staff in supporting community goals.
The Legislative Priorities are broad issues Fort Collins is focused on during
the Colorado General Assembly and United States Congress sessions. The
Priorities may carry over year to year since they are larger, more
challenging issues that may take multi-year work to influence.
The Policy Agenda is broad set of policy statements meant to convey
positions on issues that affect the quality of life and the governance of our
community. It is structured to address areas of local concern and to also
reflect the strategic planning that guides City of Fort Collins organizational
resource allocation and decision making.
Fort Collins welcomes opportunities to work in partnership to leverage additional
resources and participate in regional dialogue to achieve shared outcomes.
The City has identified seven outcome areas to ensure appropriate and effective
resource allocation supporting the community’s priorities. Outcome areas include
Culture and Recreation; Economic Health; Environmental Health; High Performing
Government; Neighborhood Livability and Social Health; Safe Community; and
Transportation and Mobility. The Policy Agenda identifies this alignment as it is
important for City staff to ensure that advocacy supports specific desired
outcomes.
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CITY OF FORT COLLINS
LEGISLATIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE
The Legislative Review Committee (LRC) is a representative group of Council
members that reviews and reacts to proposed legislation on behalf of City Council
and the City. In taking a position on particular bills, the LRC interprets and applies
the various policies that are included in the Legislative Policy Agenda.
Council Members presently serving on the Legislative Review Committee are:
Councilmember Ken Summers
Councilmember Bob Overbeck
Councilmember Ray Martinez
LEGISLATIVE REVIEW PROCESS
Bills introduced in the Colorado General Assembly, United States Congress and
federal, state or county regulations or rulemakings are reviewed by City staff or
the City’s contract lobbyist. Bills, regulations and rules that are identified as
having a potential impact on the City will be brought to the LRC for discussion. If
LRC adopts a position, staff and/or lobbyists will convey that information to the
appropriate state or federal representative and advocate for the adopted position.
Due to the time-sensitive nature of the General Assembly, if a bill’s subject
matter is explicitly addressed in this Policy Agenda, staff will proactively work
with state and federal representatives to advance the City’s position as expressed
in this legislative policy agenda and other Council-adopted plans and policies,
while updating the LRC until such time that LRC may take a position.
Staff liaisons support the LRC by contributing expertise in various areas of
municipal service. The City Attorney’s Office also reviews selected bills and may
provide confidential legal analysis. The input offered by staff and the City’s
attorneys is invaluable in analyzing impacts of legislative, regulatory and
rulemaking proposals to Fort Collins operations and the community. Fort Collins
also works with community partners to support local projects and staff
collaborates with representatives of other municipalities on mutually-held
priorities. Fort Collins actively seeks innovative partnerships to leverage positive
outcomes for residents.
The City works closely with the Colorado Municipal League (CML) and the National
League of Cities (NLC) on many legislative items facing cities. Fort Collins
maintains membership with Colorado Association of Municipal Utilities (CAMU)
which represents 29 municipal utilities throughout the state on utility issues,
Colorado Communities for Climate Action (CC4CA) which represents municipalities
on climate issues. In addition, Fort Collins actively participates in various trade
organizations which represent specific areas of interest to City operations.
In 2018, Fort Collins will partner again with Bowditch and Cassell to maintain a
fulltime presence at the state capitol.
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2018 LEGISLATIVE POLICY STATEMENTS
HOME RULE AND LOCAL CONTROL
In order to consider and manage local conditions and desires, community issues and
needs should be addressed locally. For this reason, home rule authority is of utmost
importance to the City of Fort Collins. The City must be free to regulate local
activities that primarily impact the area within the City's boundaries, such as the
speed of local traffic or the effects of particular land use developments. The City
also understands the cumulative effect of these and other activities have statewide
ramifications that may call for statewide regulation, to effectively manage such
things as overall growth and development in the state, traffic congestion in major
transportation corridors and environmental quality.
Therefore, the City:
1. Supports strengthening and preserving home rule authority of municipal
governments
2. Opposes State or Federal intervention in matters of local concern or matters
that unnecessarily or adversely affect the City’s ability to manage and operate
pursuant to its home rule authority.
3. Opposes changes that increase (and support changes that lessen) the burdens
on municipalities associated with public or other government records,
establishment of ethics standards and procedures, operation of municipal
courts, and other matters of municipal operations or authority.
4. Supports enabling cities to choose the provision of services through private
enterprise in a manner that fosters cost effective, sustainable, quality services.
5. Supports local control of the awarding of contracts and the accountability of
local officials for those actions.
6. Opposes mandates that increase the complexity and cost of services without
improving those services.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
NEIGHBORHOOD LIVABILITY AND SOCIAL HEALTH
The City recognizes that the affordability and availability of decent housing is
critical to a vibrant and diverse community.
Therefore, the City:
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1. Supports maintaining or enhancing current levels of funding for affordable
housing throughout Colorado, including expanding the State Low Income
Housing Tax Credit program.
2. Supports increasing local government’s ability to regulate, manage or
generate alternative sources of funding for affordable housing, including
public-private partnerships.
3. Supports stronger amendments to construction defect laws to promote the
construction of owner occupied-attached housing.
4. Supports creating an adequate supply of housing for all income levels and
continued public and private sector support for these efforts
AIR QUALITY
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
The City’s Air Quality Plan establishes a strong overall goal to “continually improve
Fort Collins air quality.”
Therefore, the City:
1. Supports programs and policies that improve public health and air quality,
and support rapid attainment of National Ambient Air Quality Standards,
including ozone.
2. Supports local government authority to improve air quality beyond minimum
State or Federal requirements.
3. Supports adequate authority and resource at all levels of government to
enforce air quality regulations.
4. Supports economic incentives, disincentives and other market approaches
that promote lower emissions, and fewer carbon-based fuels and related
infrastructure.
5. Supports strengthening standards for tailpipe emissions, aggregate vehicle
emissions and/or fuel economy for all vehicles. Supports programs and
policies that promote the use of electric vehicles and the development of
infrastructure needed to support the use of those vehicles.
BEER AND LIQUOR
SAFE COMMUNITY
The City issues and renews liquor licenses, enforces license rules, and holds hearings
for liquor license violations.
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Therefore, the City:
1. Supports clarifying the qualifications for what types and purposes a business
may obtain and use a state liquor license.
2. Supports definition of a “meal” when calculating the percentage of meals
served for a liquor license.
BROADBAND AND CABLE
ECONOMIC HEALTH
Reliable, high-speed, and affordable access to broadband and cable programming
throughout the community remains a priority and a long-term goal for the City to
ensure our economic vitality and allow for equal access for all residents and
businesses.
Therefore, the City:
1. Supports maintaining local franchising authority to preserve local governments’
ability to negotiate in the public interest for cable channel space, institutional
networks and public education and government programming.
2. Supports allowing communities to offer and/or partner to offer high speed
internet, Wi-Fi and other enhanced telecommunication services to residents,
schools, academic institutions and businesses.
3. Opposes restrictions on providing telecommunication services within City-
owned facilities and on City property.
4. Opposes infringement on municipalities’ ability to compete in the broadband
marketplace.
5. Opposes right of way use contrary to existing aesthetic policies and practices,
including the addition of any above ground cabling.
CLIMATE
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Making communities more resilient to disaster and the effects of a changing
climate has become more important to Colorado communities over the last several
years as natural disasters have caused significant human and property loss. Fort
Collins has adopted aggressive emission reduction goals and supports policies and
legislation helping communities and the state to achieve these goals and enhance
the environment as detailed in the Climate Action Plan.
Therefore the City:
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1. Supports greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets, planning, and
implementation at all levels of government.
2. Supports market-based mechanisms to reduce emissions, including incentives,
enabling legislation, and other mechanisms to achieve emissions reductions and
increase resiliency in energy, waste reduction, transportation, and water
sectors.
3. Supports protection of the Colorado self-audit law.
4. Supports reducing the emission of criteria pollutants.
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW AND LAND USE PLANNING
ECONOMIC HEALTH, NEIGHBORHOOD LIVABILITY AND SOCIAL HEALTH
Fort Collins has a well-established development review process, land use and
building code; all of which align with local priorities.
Therefore, the City:
1. Supports financially compensation for additional work of inspectors through
fees or other means.
2. Opposes additional mandated inspection work.
3. Supports local governments’ authority to determine development review and
inspection timelines.
4. Encourages regional cooperation in land use and transportation planning, and
foster sustainable development.
5. Supports prohibition to the annexation of land that is located within the
boundaries of a Growth Management Area that was legally established by an
intergovernmental agreement between a municipality and a county by any
municipality not a party to the agreement.
6. Supports municipal discretion concerning the imposition of development fees
and requirements.
ELECTIONS
HIGH PERFORMING GOVERNMENT
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ENERGY
ECONOMIC HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
As a municipally-owned electric utility, the City is committed to providing
affordable, reliable, and clean energy services to residents and businesses, as
detailed in the Energy Policy.
Therefore, the City:
1. Supports all efforts that promote energy affordability, safety, and reductions in
fossil-fuel generated consumption for residents, businesses and institutions
2. Supports reductions in environmental damage caused by energy extraction and
production.
3. Supports opportunities for energy efficiency, production, and operation in local
economies.
4. Opposes barriers to coordinating integrated planning for energy supply and
demands.
5. Supports state and federal funding for resilience efforts to mitigate potential
energy and climate related disruptions.
6. Supports federal and state incentives for renewable energy production,
including wind power, and provide for “State Implementation Plan” credits for
renewable energy (excluding residential wood burning and corn-based ethanol)
and energy efficiency.
7. Opposes attempts to prevent or inhibit provision of municipal electric service
in newly annexed areas.
8. Supports smart grid technology adoption and grid modernization.
FINANCE
HIGH PERFORMING GOVERNMENT
Strong fiscal planning, prudent debt management and investment policies, and
preservation of the City’s revenue base are vital in maintaining and improving the
City’s financial health. Considering the known impacts of legislation on the City’s
business community can help foster a stronger tax base and retain a strong quality
of life.
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Therefore, the City:
1. Supports expanding municipal authority to establish alternative funding
mechanisms, including financing tools such as public improvement fees (PIF)
and certificates of participation (COP).
2. Supports increased funding for K-12 and higher education, specifically Colorado
State University and Front Range Community College.
3. Encourages the equitable treatment of sales and use taxes to residents and
corporations residing or doing business in Colorado by limiting exemptions.
4. Supports the equitable distribution sales tax collections on e-commerce
transactions.
5. Opposes efforts that inhibit the City’s ability to increase its revenue base
(sales, use and property taxes).
6. Supports protections that do not unnecessarily restrict the investments of
government entities.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
SAFE COMMUNITY; ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
It is an important concern of the City to safeguard Fort Collins’ health and
environmental safety by reducing risks from the unauthorized release of hazardous
materials or hazardous waste.
Therefore, the City:
1. Supports strengthening the enforcement of hazardous materials regulations.
2. Supports increasing diversion of hazardous waste from landfills.
3. Supports greater flexibility and more options for local government in the
management of publicly-owned areas thought to have asbestos-containing soils
while maintaining responsible site management practices.
4. Support City’s ability to review and approve locations of facilities that use or
store hazardous materials or hazardous waste.
HOMELESSNESS
NEIGHBORHOOD LIVABILITY AND SOCIAL HEALTH
Homelessness and transient populations are persistent challenges in Fort Collins
and other communities. Fort Collins works to address homelessness through
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partnering and supporting many community service providers and has a goal of
making homelessness rare, short-lived, and non-recurring.
The resource resistant populations are those that occupy public spaces and are not
interested in housing or other community services offered. In this arena, the City
supports efforts to address public safety concerns, enforce existing local laws, and
maintain a welcoming environment for all.
Therefore, the City:
1. Opposes efforts to undermine local control or enforcement of activities on
public property.
2. Supports maintaining or increasing the funds available through the state and
federal government for community-focused non-profits to provide human
services and housing support.
3. Supports providing communities with resources to address chronic
homelessness, supportive housing, mental health, and substance abuse.
4. Supports a standardized statewide approach to addressing homelessness.
HUMAN RESOURCES
HIGH PERFORMING GOVERNMENT
The City of Fort Collins is committed to the health, safety and well-being of its
employees. The City works diligently to be efficient and responsible stewards of
tax dollars ensuring that employee compensation and benefits are fair, market-
based, and competitive. The City believes that its citizens, through their elected
representatives on City Council, are in the best position to determine appropriate
City employee compensation, benefits, appeal rights related to disciplinary action
and policies.
Therefore, the City:
1. Supports the City’s ability to make decisions on employment issues, including
collective bargaining, arbitration, compensation, appeal rights related to
disciplinary action and benefits to further an equitable work environment.
2. Supports expansion to the City’s ability to determine how best to manage
health, welfare and wellness services for employees.
3. Supports current state funding levels for police officer death and disability
benefits.
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4. Opposes proposals that would allow employees and/or retirees with defined
contribution plans to move into defined benefit plans if there is a cost to local
government.
5. Opposes proposals that would limit the City’s ability to test job applicants or
employees at work for impairment due to consumption of alcohol, marijuana,
or other controlled substances or to set limits related to such testing.
MARIJUANA
SAFE COMMUNITY
Colorado voters have approved legalization of medical and recreational marijuana.
The City of Fort Collins has a licensing program that supports the state dual-
licensing system for medical and recreational marijuana businesses.
Therefore, the City:
1. Supports aligning federal marijuana law with the Colorado Constitution.
2. Supports communities’ ability to raise necessary funds to maintain public safety
and enforce marijuana possession laws.
3. Opposes under-21 access to marijuana.
4. Supports additional state marijuana enforcement resources, especially for field
enforcement.
MUNICIPAL COURT
SAFE COMMUNITY; HIGH PERFORMING GOVERNMENT
The Fort Collins Municipal Court is responsible for administering the operations of
the judicial branch of City government according to the ordinances adopted by
City Council. Cases adjudicated in Municipal Court include traffic violations,
misdemeanors, and civil infractions. Generally, cases are brought to Municipal
Court by the Fort Collins Police Services, Colorado State University Police
Department, Animal Control, other City departments, and private residents.
Therefore, the City:
1. Opposes limitations on the authority of municipalities to enforce their own
ordinances in municipal courts.
2. Opposes imposition of state surcharges on municipal court fines for the purpose
of funding state programs.
OIL AND GAS
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ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Oil and gas extraction activity and associated health and environmental impacts
are a concern for Fort Collins. . Fort Collins residents have expressed continuing
concern about the human and environmental health impacts from oil and gas
operations, particularly from the hydraulic fracturing treatment used on most
Colorado wells. In November 2013, voters approved a five-year moratorium on oil
and gas extraction in order to study its property value and human health impacts
but this was overturned by the State Supreme Court in 2016. Additionally,
transported emissions from oil and gas operations outside of City limits have been
demonstrated to contribute to ozone formation.
Therefore, the City:
1. Supports greater local authority to regulate oil and gas exploration activities
within municipal boundaries, including ability to inspect sites, ensure operator
compliance, and regulate location of extraction, storage and transmission
activities.
2. Supports state, federal, and academic studies evaluating impacts of oil and gas
operations on human health and property values.
3. Supports air pollution monitoring, emission characterization and modeling
studies to better understand the contributions of the oil and gas industry to air
pollution.
4. Supports the current formula allocation of severance tax to impacted
jurisdictions so that they might address impacts from resource extraction.
5. Supports industry information sharing and collaboration with local governments
on the planned development of resources within communities’ Growth
Management Areas.
OPEN RECORDS AND DATA MANAGEMENT
HIGH PERFORMING GOVERNMENT
PARKS AND NATURAL AREAS
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH; CULTURE AND RECREATION
The City is committed to providing the community with excellent parks and recreation
services and facilities. Our citizens enjoy a better quality of life, improved health, less
crime and a greater sense of community because of our quality parks and recreation
programs.
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Therefore, the City:
1. Supports maintaining or enhancing funding for parks, trails, forestry, horticulture
and recreation services and facilities.
2. Supports local discretion to use Great Outdoors Colorado and other sources for
funding municipal government projects addressing local needs and priorities.
3. Supports equal or greater funding levels of Great Outdoors Colorado grants awarded
to municipalities
4. Supports maintaining or enhancing tax incentives to private landowners for
voluntary land conservation.
5. Supports additional funding for conservation programs, including reinstating
Colorado Parks and Wildlife license fees to at least 2005 levels.
6. Supports protection of the Cache la Poudre River and local urban streams.
PUBLIC SAFETY
SAFE COMMUNITY
The Fort Collins City Council recognizes the critical importance of maintaining public
safety, providing a safe environment, and protecting the lives and property of the
citizens of Fort Collins on a daily basis as well as through preparedness and resilency
planning efforts..
Therefore, the City:
1. Supports greater protections to victims of crime.
2. Supports the City’s right to use camera enforcement of traffic laws, reduce
operational restrictions on the use of camera enforcement, and increases the
fines associated with violations.
3. Supports protocols and funding for shared, statewide emergency response
communications, including supporting Larimer Emergency Telephone Authority
(LETA) and other efforts to resolve the 911 redundancy issue.
4. Opposes initiatives that have the potential to compromise officer safety.
5. Supports minimum training criteria and professional mediator certification that
formally legitimizes the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
6. Supports maintenance of a statewide database of concealed weapons permits.
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7. Opposes municipal liability for prisoners’ self-inflicted wounds while in police
custody or detention facilities.
8. Supports a state fire code, the code of choice being the International Building
and Fire Code, and allowing municipalities to adopt their own amendments.
9. Opposes limits to local enforcement of the International Fire Code as adopted
with local amendments, imposing inspection requirements or preventing
collection of permit or inspection fees as required by the local jurisdiction.
10. Opposes restricting any local jurisdiction from requiring the installation of fire
sprinklers.
11. Supports the City’s ability to prohibit the use and sale of fireworks and allow
counties and fire districts to prohibit and otherwise control fireworks within
City boundaries
12. Supports efforts to reduce abuse and improper disposal of prescription drugs.
13. Supports exclusive digital communication networks for public safety personnel
during emergencies.
RECYCLING AND SOLID WASTE REDUCTION
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
The City of Fort Collins endorses a multi-pronged approach to waste minimization that
includes recycling, re-use, composting, and source reduction, and which also applies
Sustainable Materials Management principles such as redesigning systems to reduce
pollution and waste. Additionally, the City has adopted a goal of diverting 75 percent
of community waste by 2020; 90 percent by 2025, and 100 percent by 2030.
Therefore, the City:
1. Encourages integrated waste management planning and implementation,
including but not limited to the creation of a state waste diversion goal.
2. Supports a regulatory authority role for local government to ensure the
efficient management of recyclable material and solid waste.
3. Encourages “buy recycled” or “environmentally preferable purchasing” policies
for government agency procurement.
4. Supports incentives and funding for programs that promote waste reduction,
reuse and recycling, and development of related infrastructure.
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5. Supports continued or increased funding for programs to collect and monitor
data on trash volumes, rates of diversion from landfill disposal and economic
impacts of recycling.
6. Supports greater producer responsibility initiatives, such as “take back”
regulations that assist consumers to appropriately recycle packaging materials or
certain products (e.g., electronic equipment or mattresses)
7. Opposes CRS Section 25-17-104, which currently limits local authority to regulate
packaging materials (e.g., single-use plastic bags).
8. Supports establishing deposit fee on beverage containers and that would be
used to pay for recycling programs.
RISK MANAGEMENT AND LIABILITY
HIGH PERFORMING GOVERNMENT
The City of Fort Collins recognizes the dual purpose of the workers’ compensation
system – providing benefits promptly to injured employees in a cost-effective
manner and minimizing costly litigation. Council also recognizes that the City’s
self-insurance program is a cost-efficient method to insure workers’ compensation
and that government intervention or taxation can negatively impact the City.
Therefore, the City:
1. Supports improving administrative efficiency of the Division of Workers’
Compensation.
2. Opposes increased insurance premium costs to employers.
3. Opposes administrative burdens or taxes to self-insurance programs.
4. Supports limits to insurance claim litigation.
5. Opposes limiting the City’s options and ability to manage workers’
compensation claims; including actions like removing existing off-sets to
workers’ compensation benefits or limiting the City’s ability to designate
treating physicians.
6. Opposes efforts to presumptively expand workers’ compensation coverage to
illnesses or injuries that are not work related.
TRANSPORTATION
TRANSPORTATION AND MOBILITY
19
The City actively promotes the safety and ease of traveling to, from and
throughout the community using a variety of modes of transportation.
Additionally, the City’s policy is to encourage the use of alternative transportation
whenever appropriate.
Therefore, the City:
1. Opposes reductions to the present allocation formula of 60 percent state, 22
percent counties, and 18 percent municipalities for Highway User Tax Fund
(HUTF) or any appropriations from the state using the same formula.
2. Supports alternative methods of funding transportation infrastructure needs.
3. Support funding the analysis and implementation of inter- and intra-regional
transit linkages, including future commuter rail connectivity.
4. Encourages flexibility in federal funding and regulations in order to better meet
the needs of small to medium-size communities.
5. Supports guaranteed levels of federal funding for transportation and allocation
of all federal motor fuel taxes and other federal transportation trust funds for
their intended transportation purposes.
6. Supports broadening the definition of the gasoline tax to a “fuel tax” that
encompasses other fuel options as they become more prevalent.
7. Supports enhanced ability to implement railroad quiet zones in municipalities
and a reduction in train horn decibel and duration requirements.
8. Opposes divesting highway roads in urban areas from the state and making
them the sole responsibility of local jurisdictions.
9. Supports safe operation of railroads through timely track inspections, joint
training and communication between railroad and emergency personnel, and
the use of safe equipment.
10. Supports funding for the build out of Interstate 25 improvements, which may
include a ballot measure.
11. Opposes reductions in federal dollars for alternate travel modes.
URBAN RENEWAL AND DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT
ECONOMIC HEALTH
The state of Colorado has empowered local authorities to use Urban Renewal Authorities
to encourage revitalization and the elimination of blight. The main funding tool for URA
is Tax Increment Financing (TIF) generated through property taxes. In its best intention,
20
urban renewal restores economic vitality and improves the safety of a designated area,
with limited financial impact to other government jurisdictions
Therefore, the City:
1. Opposes limitations on municipalities’ ability to utilize financing mechanisms such as
TIF or Metro Districts.
2. Opposes efforts to allow non-City jurisdictions to have influence over the use of TIF
within City limits
3. Supports maintaining the ability of downtown development authorities to utilize
urban renewal tools.
WATER, WASTEWATER, AND STORMWATER
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH; SAFE COMMUNITY
The City operates a water, wastewater, and stormwater utility in a financially sound,
reliable, safe, and environmentally acceptable manner. The availability of water supplies
is critical to this mission and is managed by both the Water Demand and Supply Policy,
and the Water Efficiency Plan.
Therefore, the City:
1. Supports expanding the authority delegated to the state to administer federally
mandated water, stormwater and wastewater environmental regulatory programs.
2. Supports reasonable water quality regulations that are cost effective and can show
identifiable benefits.
3. Supports municipal flexibility to manage in-stream flows to preserve or improve the
natural environment of the stream while protecting the integrity of Colorado’s
appropriation doctrine and City water supply.
4. Opposes unfunded mandates
5. Opposes barriers to financing for water conservation projects.
6. Supports funding for the recovery and treatment of the Cache la Poudre and other
waterways impacted by natural disasters.
7. Supports enhanced municipal authority to protect and increase the flexibility and
resiliency of its water supply under Colorado’s appropriation doctrine without
adversely affecting in-stream flows or the natural environment of the stream.
8. Supports streamlining federal and state permitting requirements for water
development projects that increase coordination between permitting agencies,
reduces administrative and financial burdens on permit applicants, and ensures robust
and enforceable environmental protections.
21
9. Supports the enlargement of Halligan Reservoir as a common-sense, cost-effective,
and environmentally beneficial approach to meet Fort Collins’ future water supply
needs.
22
CITY OF FORT COLLINS LEGISLATIVE CONTACTS
Legislative Review Committee
Name District/Title Email Phone
Councilmember Ken Summers District 3 ksummers@fcgov.com (970) 221-6878
Councilmember Bob Overbeck District 1 boverbeck@fcgov.com (970) 221-6917
Councilmember Ray Martinez District 2 raymartinez@fcgov.com (970) 690 3686
Wendy Williams Assistant City Manager wwilliams@fcgov.com (970) 416-2899
Carrie Daggett City Attorney cdaggett@fcgov.com (970) 416-2463
Ginny Sawyer
Tyler Marr
Legislative Staff gsawyer@fcgov.com
tmarr@fcgov.com
(970) 224-6094
(970) 416-4205
Legislative Staff Liaison Members
Topic Area Name Title Email Phone
Affordable Housing
and Social
Sustainability
Beth Sowder Social Sustainability
Director
bsowder@fcgov.com (970) 221-6752
Air Quality Cassie
Archuleta
Environmental
Program Manager
carchuleta@fcgov.com
Cable Television
Franchise
Carson
Hamlin
Cable Television
Manager
chamlin@fcgov.com (970) 221-6510
Climate Lindsay Ex Environmental
Program Manager
lex@fcgov.com (970)224-6143
Environmental
Protection
Lucinda Smith Environmental Services
Director
lsmith@fcgov.com (970) 224-6085
Elections, Liquor
and Marijuana
Licensing
Delynn
Coldiron
Interim City Clerk dcoldiron@fcgov.com (970) 416-2995
Cultural Services,
Parks and
Recreation
Mike Calhoon Director of Parks mcalhoon@fcgov.com (970) 416-2079
Energy Tim
McCollough
John Phelan
Light and Power
Operations Manager
Resource Conservation
Manager
23
Materials Mgmt
Legislative Staff Liaison Members
Human Resources Janet Miller Assistant Human
Resources Director
jamiller@fcgov.com (970) 221-6826
Legal Carrie
Daggett
City Attorney cdaggett@fcgov.com (970) 416-2463
Natural Areas,
Open Lands and
Cache la Poudre
River Issues
John Stokes Natural Resources
Director
jstokes@fcgov.com (970) 221-6263
Building Services Russ Hovland Chief Building Official rhovland@fcgov.com (970) 416-2341
Planning and Land
Use
Tom Leeson Community
Development and
Neighborhood Services
Director
tleeson@fcgov.com (970) 221-6287
Public Safety Greg Yeager Deputy Chief dyeager@fcgov.com (970) 416-2185
Recycling and Solid
Waste
Susie Gordon Environmental
Program Manager
sgordon@fcgov.com (970) 221-6265
Risk Management Kelly Bernish Safety, Security, and
Risk Management
Director
kbernish@fcgov.com (970) 221-6774
Stormwater Ken Sampley Water Systems
Engineering Manager
ksampley@fcgov.com (970) 224-6021
Transportation Mark Jackson Planning, Development
and Transportation
Deputy Director
mjackson@fcgov.com (970) 416-2029
Utilities Customer
Service
Lisa
Rosintoski
Utility Customer
Connections Manager
lrosintoski@fcgov.com (970) 416-2432
Water Supply and
Quality
Carol Webb Water Resource and
Treatment Operations
Manager
cwebb@fcgov.com (970) 221-6231
Federal Priorities
The Fort Collins City Council annually adopts Legislative Priorities and a Legislative Policy
Agenda ahead of the upcoming United States Congress session for the purpose of guiding
legislators and staff in supporting community goals.
The City’s Legislative Priorities are broad issues Fort Collins is focused on during the
Congressional session. The Priorities may carry over year to year since they are larger, more
challenging issues that may take multi-year work to influence.
The Legislative Review Committee (LRC) is a representative group of Council members that
reviews and reacts to proposed legislation on behalf of City Council and the City. In taking a
position on particular bills, the LRC interprets and applies the various policies that are
included in the Legislative Policy Agenda.
Council Members presently serving on the Legislative Review Committee are:
Councilmember Ken Summers, Chair
Councilmember Ray Martinez
Councilmember Bob Overbeck
Bills are reviewed by City staff. Bills, regulation and rules addressing a stated legislative
priority, or adopted policy position, may be brought to the LRC for discussion of an official
City position. Once a position is adopted on a bill, staff conveys that information to the
appropriate state representative and advocates for the City’s adopted position.
The City works closely with the Colorado Municipal League (CML) and the National League of
Cities (NLC) on many legislative items facing cities.
Objective:
Advocate solutions to nuisance and safety issues related to railroad proximity
Issue:
Communities throughout the United States are wrestling with issues related to railroad
proximity including blockages of community intersections, transport of hazardous
materials, train horn noise, and transparency related to rail cargo and train switching.
These issues impact quality of life for residents and businesses and can pose true safety
hazards.
Fort Collins has two active railroad corridors and three rail companies servicing the
community. Trains have regained preference for transporting goods and materials. The
increased use of rail has added pressure to the system and increased safety and nuisance
concerns.
Fort Collins has worked with the Colorado Municipal League (CML) and National League of
Cities (NLC), to raise the profile of these rail proximity issues and has fostered
relationships with Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), Great Western Railway (GWR)
and Union Pacific (UP) railroad companies. The City has also cultivated a relationship
with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
As communities work to, and are encouraged to, bring residents closer to transit lines so
that they can use mass transportation, and so that downtown revitalization can occur,
the rail proximity issues need to be addressed in new and more innovative ways. The
FRA train horn rule is a prime example as it is currently discouraging the development
community and residents from locating around transit. Reform is needed.
Fort Collins is actively seeking national level assistance in our efforts to:
Engage with railroad companies
Develop a “proximity issues” dialogue between railroad and local governments on
a broad suite of topics
Obtain notifications about hazardous material shipments passing through
communities
Ensure track maintenance and train car safety
Collaborate with railroads to train local emergency personnel
Develop solutions, technology and innovations to improve conflict areas
Improve existing federal regulations to identify reasonable safety protections
Objective:
Participate in federal efforts to foster resilient communities and achieve Climate Action
Plan goals
Issue:
Making communities more resilient to disaster and the effects of a changing climate has
become more important to Colorado communities over the last several years as natural
disasters have caused significant human and property loss.
Making Fort Collins and Northern Colorado more resilient involves providing decision-
makers hazard mitigation analysis and scientific data and using that information to
effectively invest resources. Our experience has shown that resilience must be a regional
effort that pays off through coordinated advanced planning and investment.
Resiliency efforts impact a broad set of critical services including:
Land use
Utility operations
Transportation infrastructure
Health & Safety
Emergency Response
Disaster recovery
Fort Collins has adopted aggressive emission reduction goals and supports policies and
legislation that help to achieve these goals, gather scientific data related to the goals
and investments in infrastructure to ensure a clean energy future.
Objective:
Support transportation infrastructure connectivity with an emphasis on funding an
integrated, multi-modal system
Issue:
Funding for vital transportation infrastructure will continue to be a high priority for the
City of Fort Collins. Transportation infrastructure is a critical element to supporting
community and regional economic health, safety and quality of life.
The City supports Congress’s recent long-term reauthorization of the nation’s surface
transportation law with a focus on transit, livable community planning, comprehensive
regional investments, revitalization of existing infrastructure, pedestrian and bicycle
infrastructure, and approaches that decrease petroleum consumption and reduce carbon
pollution.
We strongly support preservation or increase of federal levels of funding and allocation of
all federal motor fuel taxes and other federal transportation trust funds for their
intended purposes. In addition, we urge development of a new, more stable, long range
transportation funding mechanism that doesn’t rely upon fuel tax revenues. Fuel tax is
no longer a sustainable method of funding the nation’s transportation infrastructure
needs. If there is no way to raise/index the fuel tax to reflect current economic realities,
then new funding mechanisms must be identified.
Fort Collins seeks a solution to secure critical funding of the nation’s highway and bridge
projects. Allowing the Highway Trust Fund to become insolvent would be devastating to
the City’s transportation infrastructure and have impacts throughout the Northern
Colorado economy.
A key transportation funding priority for Fort Collins is Interstate 25 (I-25) in Northern
Colorado. The highway has become a pinch point in the regional transportation inventory
that limits access to and from Fort Collins for residents, visitors, and the delivery of
goods and services. Immediate funding to widen north I-25 is needed to sustain the
region’s economic growth. The City is an active part of the I-25 Coalition whose primary
goal is to accelerate construction of a third lane in each direction of I-25 as identified in
the I-25 North Project (from State Highway 6 to State Highway 14).
Colorado Department of Transportation recently received $15 million in TIGER grant
funding for I-25 improvements. This, in combination with $25 million in local match
commitments and private sector funds, as well as other scheduled funds for
improvements, has accelerated improvements in Northern Colorado by fifteen years.
Improvements include a third, managed (toll) lane in each direction plus three bridge
improvements and regional bicycle trail connections and are scheduled to be completed
in 2020. Improvements will be between SH-14 and SH-402. While these are critical
improvements for Fort Collins and Northern Colorado, sizeable funding gaps remain in
terms of needed I-25 improvements between SH-402 and SH-66.
Actions that may expedite the continued improvement and expansion of northern
sections of I-25 include:
A Transportation Revenue Anticipation Notes (TRANS) bond II ballot initiative
(TRANS bonds were previously used to help fund the $1.67 billion T-REX I-25
improvements in the south Denver Metro area)
State of Colorado General Fund dollars going to transportation (maintenance &
capital construction)
Tax credit legislation for specific highway projects
Objective:
Support the innovation economy (turn to narrative)
Issue:
Innovation is a key attribute of the City organization and is also important to the
community. Fort Collins has numerous drivers of innovation, intellectual property and
inventions with an educated resident base, Colorado State University, federal research
labs, and a long list of innovative companies. As a result, Fort Collins has a culture and
support system that nurtures an innovation economy with the City often serving as a
living laboratory for ideas and new technologies.
The City will maintain and enhance its innovation economy through:
Supporting efforts to simplify the commercialization of intellectual property
Efforts to increase the available capital to support innovation and new business
formation
Efforts that support the spin-off and development of intellectual property from
research institutes, private business, and higher education
Efforts to encourage the retention of new and innovative businesses in the
community
Supporting business incubation, primarily through the commercialization of
intellectual property, with strong partnerships
Application of innovative technologies and approaches to improve City programs
and services
Remote Tower
Federal Housing /Community Development
Preserve and enhance existing dollars
Water
Halligan/storage,
State Priorities
The Fort Collins City Council annually adopts Legislative Priorities and a Legislative Policy
Agenda ahead of the upcoming Colorado general Assembly session for the purpose of guiding
legislators and staff in supporting community goals.
The City’s Legislative Priorities are broad issues Fort Collins is focused on during the
Colorado General Assembly session. The Priorities may carry over year to year since they are
larger, more challenging issues that may take multi-year work to influence.
The Legislative Review Committee (LRC) is a representative group of Council members that
reviews and reacts to proposed legislation on behalf of City Council and the City. In taking a
position on particular bills, the LRC interprets and applies the various policies that are
included in the Legislative Policy Agenda.
Council Members presently serving on the Legislative Review Committee are:
Councilmember Ken Summers, Chair
Councilmember Ray Martinez
Councilmember Bob Overbeck
Bills introduced in the Colorado General Assembly are reviewed by City staff. Bills,
regulation and rules addressing a stated legislative priority, or adopted policy position, may
be brought to the LRC for discussion of an official City position. Once a position is adopted
on a bill, staff conveys that information to the appropriate state representative and
advocates for the City’s adopted position.
The City works closely with the Colorado Municipal League (CML) and the National League of
Cities (NLC) on many legislative items facing cities. Fort Collins also works with Colorado
Association of Municipal Utilities (CAMU) which represents 29 municipal utilities throughout
the state on utility issues. In addition, Fort Collins actively participates in the Colorado
Water Congress State Affairs Committee to address water-related issues.
Objective:
Support local control of oil and gas operations
Issue:
Fort Collins, like many other Colorado communities, has taken steps to address oil and
gas extraction. Those efforts have been limited by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation
Commission (COGCC) rules. Fort Collins supports studying and better understanding and
mitigating the health and community impacts of oil and gas extraction.
Fort Collins seeks the following:
Increased local flexibility to regulate oil and gas activity within its incorporated
borders
Limiting the proximity of large-scale oil and gas sites to the City limits in order to
minimize community impacts
Mitigation measures that balance developing oil and gas resources with
community environmental and human health
Additional information about the chemicals being injected into the ground,
especially during hydraulic fracturing
Greater knowledge and control of air emissions from extraction processes and
production equipment; including air emissions transported from outside of our
community
Enhanced right for communities to regulate oil and gas as an industrial practice
and therefore apply local zoning practices to operators
Better balance between surface land ownership and mineral right ownership
Objective:
Participate in federal, state and regional efforts to foster resilient communities and
achieve Climate Action Plan goals
Issue:
Making communities more resilient to disaster and the effects of a changing climate has
become more important to Colorado communities over the last several years as natural
disasters have caused significant human and property loss.
Making Fort Collins and Northern Colorado more resilient involves providing decision-
makers hazard mitigation analysis and scientific data to inform effective investment in
complementary infrastructure systems. Resilience must be a regional effort that pays off
through coordinated advanced planning and investment.
Resiliency efforts impact a broad set of critical services including:
Land use
Utility operations
Transportation infrastructure
Health & Safety
Emergency Response
Disaster recovery
Fort Collins has adopted aggressive emission reduction goals and supports policies and
legislation that help achieve these goals, gather scientific data and investments in
needed infrastructure to ensure a clean energy future.
Achieving Climate Action Plan goals may be assisted and promoted through legislative
and regulatory actions and through enhanced partnership with communities that have
adopted similarly aggressive climate action and adaptation goals.
The City is partnering with Colorado Communities for Climate Action (CC4CA) to advocate
for these efforts at a state level. Action in the transportation and energy sectors will be
important drivers for reducing emissions and achieving both the Climate Action Plan and
resilience goals.
The City acknowledges these partnerships and interdependence, and the role that state
legislation can, and should, play in applying broad measures such as setting a state waste
diversion goal and helping to support related strategies, which could also serve to reduce
carbon emissions and create opportunities for waste-to-energy applications when ultra-
low pollution conversion technology is used.
Objective:
Support transportation infrastructure connectivity with an emphasis on funding an
integrated, multi-modal system
Issue:
Funding for vital transportation infrastructure will continue to be a high priority for the
City of Fort Collins. Transportation infrastructure is a critical element to supporting
community and regional economic health, safety and quality of life.
The City supports Congress’s recent long-term reauthorization of the nation’s surface
transportation law with a focus on transit, livable community planning, comprehensive
regional investments, revitalization of existing infrastructure, pedestrian and bicycle
infrastructure, and approaches that decrease petroleum consumption and reduce carbon
pollution.
We strongly support preservation or increase of federal levels of funding and allocation of
all federal motor fuel taxes and other federal transportation trust funds for their
intended purposes. In addition, we urge development of a new, more stable, long range
transportation funding mechanism that doesn’t rely upon fuel tax revenues. Fuel tax is
no longer a sustainable method of funding the nation’s transportation infrastructure
needs. . If there is no way to raise/index the fuel tax to reflect current economic
realities, then new funding mechanisms become critically important.
Fort Collins seeks a solution to secure critical funding of the nation’s highway and bridge
projects. Allowing the Highway Trust Fund to become insolvent would be devastating to
the City’s transportation infrastructure and have impacts throughout the Northern
Colorado economy.
A key transportation funding priority for Fort Collins is Interstate 25 (I-25) in Northern
Colorado. The highway has become a pinch point in the regional transportation inventory
that limits access to and from Fort Collins for residents, visitors, and the delivery of
goods and services. Immediate funding to widen north I-25 is needed to sustain the
region’s economic growth. The City is an active part of the I-25 Coalition whose primary
goal is to accelerate construction of a third lane in each direction of I-25 as identified in
the I-25 North Project (from State Highway 6 to State Highway 14).
PRIORITIES
Colorado Department of Transportation recently received $15 million in TIGER grant
funding for I-25 improvements. This, in combination with $25 million in local match
commitments and private sector funds, as well as other scheduled funds for
improvements, have accelerated improvements in Northern Colorado by fifteen years.
Improvements include a third, managed (toll) lane in each direction plus three bridge
improvements and regional bicycle trail connections and are scheduled to be completed
in 2020. Improvements will be between SH-14 and SH-402. While these are critical
improvements for Fort Collins and Northern Colorado, sizeable funding gaps remain in
terms of needed I-25 improvements between SH-402 and SH-66.
Actions that may expedite the continued improvement and expansion of northern
sections of I-25 include:
A Transportation Revenue Anticipation Notes (TRANS) bond II ballot initiative
(TRANS bonds were previously used to help fund the $1.67 billion T-REX I-25
improvements in the south Denver Metro area)
State of Colorado General Fund dollars going to transportation (maintenance &
capital construction)
Tax credit legislation for specific highway projects
Objective:
Support comprehensive water resource management
Issue:
Water resources in Colorado and throughout the West are stressed by many factors –
environmental, population growth and aging infrastructure. Local water resource
planning efforts ensure adequate supply to residents through managing the City’s water
rights portfolio, encouraging increased efficiency and expanding storage. Fort Collins will
support efforts to address local and regional water needs, preserve its water rights
portfolio, and to encourage conservation of water resources based on the 2016 adoption
of the Water Efficiency Plan. The conservation of water resources extends to support for
Cache la Poudre River restoration projects.
Fort Collins will participate in implementation of the Colorado Water Plan by the
Legislature and any State agencies, rulemakings by water-related State agencies (such
as, by way of example, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the
Colorado Division of Water Resources, the Colorado Water Conservation Board), and the
federal U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ and Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA)
rulemakings affecting water storage, use, quality and conservation.
Objective:
Support a comprehensive approach to reduce the impacts of poverty and housing
affordability
Issue:
Poverty and lack of affordable housing are persistent issues in Fort Collins and across
Colorado. The City is interested in developing local and regional solutions to these
PRIORITIES
persistent problems through collaboration and innovation. The City plays both a
convening and leadership role among the many community service providers – seeking to
foster sustainable solutions to complex social issues through a combination of City
involvement and leadership.
Fort Collins supports solutions to address poverty within the community such as:
Fully resource a state affordable housing fund
Implement funding for the Earned Income Tax Credit
Develop or expand programs that ensure a smooth transition from foster care to
independence
Increase funding for mental and behavioral health care/programs
Increase development of condominiums by addressing construction defect law
reform
Pilot innovative programs to address housing
Objective:
Support Efforts to Address both Homelessness and Resource Resistant Populations
Issue:
Homelessness and transient populations are persistent challenges in Fort Collins and
other communities. Fort Collins works to address homelessness through partnering and
supporting many community service providers and has a goal of making homelessness
rare, short-lived, and non-recurring.
The resource resistant populations are those that occupy public spaces and are not
interested in housing or other community services offered. In this arena, the City
supports efforts to address public safety concerns, enforce existing local laws, and
maintain a welcoming environment for all.
The City opposes efforts to undermine local control or enforcement of activities on public
property.
The City supports efforts to increase permanent supportive housing and rapid re-housing
efforts to be funded with the $15.3 million from the Marijuana Tax Cash Fund now known
as the Homeless Solutions Program. These funds are intended to provide permanent
supportive housing and rapid re-housing assistance for individuals with behavioral health
needs, and/or people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness.
1
Sarah Kane
From: Sarah Kane
Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2017 5:40 PM
To: 'Robin Reck'; Meridith Webster; Wade Troxell
Cc: Amanda King; Marshall Cohen; Tyler Marr; Ginny Sawyer
Subject: RE: Dream Coalition
Mayor Troxell is planning to refer this to the Legislative Review Committee for their perspectives.
As such, he will not be personally able to take action at this time.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SARAH KANE
Executive Administrative Assistant to Deputy City Manager Jeff Mihelich and Mayor Wade Troxell
City Manager’s Office
City of Fort Collins
970-416-2447 office
Click Here to Tell Me About My Service...I Want to Know!
From: Robin Reck [mailto:Robin@theinciteagency.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2017 2:17 PM
To: Meridith Webster; Wade Troxell
Cc: Sarah Kane; Amanda King; Marshall Cohen
Subject: Re: Dream Coalition
Hi All,
Just following up on my email below. Please let me know if you have time to talk tomorrow or early next week
as we're hearing DACA could be rescinded in the next day.
Very best,
Robin
From: Robin Reck
Sent: Tuesday, August 29, 2017 12:41 PM
To: Meridith Webster; wtroxell@fcgov.com
Cc: skane@fcgov.com; aking@fcgov.com; Marshall Cohen
Subject: Re: Dream Coalition
Thanks, Meridith and hi team Fort Collins.
I wanted to make sure you saw a new report detailing the clear benefits of protecting young undocumented
immigrants – and the devastating economic impacts if DACA is repealed. As Meridith noted, over 800,000
young immigrants have gained protection from deportation under DACA – and because of DACA, over 91% of
recipients are currently in the workforce. As the data shows, DACA has provided young people the certainty
and security to begin investment in their futures – since receiving DACA, 2/3 of recipients reported getting
higher wages, which they put back into the economy with big-ticket purchases like cars and homes.
2
Why we need to keep DACA is clear – as is why we need your voice to speak out against repeal. We hope
you’ll join us in The Dream Coalition to protect our young people, our communities, and our economy. Would
you be able to hop on a call later today or tomorrow to discuss further?
Best,
Robin
From: Meridith Webster <meridith@emersoncollective.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 29, 2017 12:26 PM
To: wtroxell@fcgov.com
Cc: skane@fcgov.com; aking@fcgov.com; Robin Reck; Marshall Cohen
Subject: Re: Dream Coalition
Good morning--
Wanted to follow up on our recent email. Laurene is launching a new initiative, the “Dream Coalition,” to enact a robust
communications and public affairs campaign for Dreamers and The Dream Act. This coalition will include mayors,
governors, CEOs, military leaders, faith leaders etc.
We would love to see if the Mayor would be willing to join us to explain the importance and impact Dreamers have in
your community and the need to preserve DACA until Congress passes The Dream Act.
Given the recent press rumors that Trump may terminate DACA as early as this week, we are hoping to mobilize as
quickly as possible and formally launch the Dream Coalition in the coming week. My team (Robin and Marshall cc’d here)
can assist you and your communications office amplify your current efforts (especially for tomorrow), and/or help
prepare additional materials (e.g. press releases, op-eds, social content, statements etc) and book the Mayor at the
local, regional and national level. (if this is of interest)
We are also contemplating an event in DC on Monday, September 18 featuring Mayors and Dreamers. Would love to
discuss if this might be of interest?
Would you be able to hop on the phone in the next day or two to discuss in greater detail?
Many thanks,
Meridith Webster
From: Laurene Powell Jobs <emersoncollective@me.com>
Reply-To: Laurene Powell Jobs <emersoncollective@me.com>, Meridith Webster
<meridith@emersoncollective.com>
Date: Sunday, August 27, 2017 at 8:04 PM
To: "wtroxell@fcgov.com" <wtroxell@fcgov.com>
Cc: "skane@fcgov.com" <skane@fcgov.com>, "aking@fcgov.com" <aking@fcgov.com>, Meridith Webster
<meridith@emersoncollective.com>
Subject: Dream Coalition
3
August 27, 2017
Dear Mayor Troxell,
More than ever, we need the contributions of every American—including immigrants to our country—to power
our next era of growth. Hundreds of thousands of Dreamers, immigrants brought to the United States as
children and American in every way but lack documentation, are under threat. I’m writing today to ask for your
help in protecting them.
Throughout my life, I have had the pleasure of working with thousands of bright, talented, and driven young
people through a national college completion program called College Track. There are no people more
inspiring than the young immigrants I’ve had the honor of mentoring. Over the last 15 years, I have advocated
for Dreamers who are committed to getting a good education, going to college, and becoming productive
members of our communities and economy.
There are approximately 2 million Dreamers living in the United States who are making
invaluable contributions to our workforce, economy, and society every single day. Under the Deferred Action
for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, 800,000 of these Dreamers have been able to study and work
lawfully without the threat of deportation.
As you know, the DACA protections are at imminent risk, and Dreamers could lose their protected status, their
ability to hold a job, and for many, the opportunity to pursue and complete their education. Ending DACA
would result in a loss of over $460 billion from the national GDP over the next decade and would remove
an estimated 685,000 workers from the nation’s economy.
As a mayor, I’m sure you have met and understand better than most the Dreamers’ plight. That’s why I’m
asking mayors from around the country to join a new initiative, the “Dream Coalition.” Working together, the
Coalition will enact a robust communications and public affairs campaign to build broad-based support for
Dreamers. In particular, your advocacy is critical to explaining the importance and impact Dreamers have in our
communities and the need to preserve DACA until Congress passes The Dream Act.
Our mission is simple. We must:
· Urge the Administration to preserve DACA and protect the 800,000 young people it serves;
· Call on Congress to pass the Dream Act;
· Use our voices and platform individually, and alongside other leaders, to fight for our country’s
young immigrants and our collective future.
My colleague, Meridith Webster, will follow up with you to discuss next steps. Please do not hesitate to reach
out to me directly or to Meridith with any questions at 202-302-5626 or Meridith@emersoncollective.com.
I hope to have the honor to work alongside you on behalf of Dreamers, our communities, and our future.
Sincerely,
4
Laurene Powell Jobs
DRAFT OP-ED: Colorado’s EV Boom Could Be Busted by Federal Tax Reform
From supportive state policies to groundbreaking community initiatives, Colorado has emerged as a
national leader in electric vehicle (EV) adoption. As battery costs fall and ranges rise, our state has gone
far to provide genuine fuel choice to motorists.
Central to Colorado’s early adoption is the federal tax credit, which has brought over $75 million in
benefits to Colorado over the past five years. . Yet as tax reform efforts begin in Washington, this key
incentive could become threatened if Senators Bennet and Gardner vote for its repeal. The timing
couldn’t be worse: Analysts see EVs approaching a tipping point where this credit is no longer necessary
within just a few years.
EV adoption is key to reducing our oil dependence. Oil dependence leaves the country vulnerable to oil
price shocks, burdens the military to the tune of $67.5 billion every year in securing oil supply routes,
makes addressing environmental issues more difficult, and sends American dollars to petrostates that
don’t share our interests or values. EVs are also key to meeting federal ozone standards in the Front
Range. If Congress takes this tax credit away, Coloradoans will lose the fuel choice they want, and the
state’s leadership in this growing industry will be lost.
With favorable local and state policies, and cutting-edge research facilities, Colorado has already created
a culture of EV adoption. Today, there are more than 10,000 EVs on Colorado’s roads compared with
less than 100 in 2011. Colorado and Denver are the fourth-fastest growing EV markets in the country.
Supportive EV policies have placed the state at the leading edge of advocacy and adoption—a great
example of this is the 2013 launch of Drive Electric Northern Colorado (DENC) spurred by the
Electrification Coalition (EC). This first-of-its-kind community initiative created partnerships with the
cities of Loveland and Fort Collins, Colorado State University and the EC, aimed at creating a model
system to spur widespread EV adoption at a local level that can be replicated across the U.S.
The project turned Northern Colorado into a thriving living-laboratory, with EV adoption rates three
times the national average.
In addition, the state government plays a leading role in installing and improving EV charging
infrastructure in Colorado and around the region. In partnership with Utah and Nevada, Colorado is
developing a charging network across key highways including the I-70, I-76 and I-25. Within the state
itself, authorities have launched Charge Ahead Colorado to provide financial support for EVs and other
charging equipment. Just this week Denver announced plans for 300 more charging stations: activity
that creates jobs and lessens our dependence on foreign oil, and the City of Aurora was recently
honored with a Wired Workplace Award by the Colorado Energy Office for its proactive programs
related to development of charging stations for electric vehicles.
Removal of the federal tax credit would be a bitter blow to Colorado’s continued market growth and EV
leadership. We must not let Washington hurt Colorado’s competitive advantage in this space.
Colorado has already demonstrated leadership with smart incentives and policies to support EV
adoption. The state provides an up to $5,000 point-of-sale state tax credit, the best in the country, and
when combined with the federal $7,500 tax credit can save Colorado car buyers as much as $12,500.
These credits help Coloradoans choose vehicles that are clean, innovative, and save them money at the
pump.
As the Congress pivots to tax reform, let’s keep Colorado on the cutting edge of this industry and make
sure EV tax credits aren’t on the chopping block. Now is the time to tell Senators Gardner and Bennet
that losing the EV tax credit would hurt Colorado’s businesses, communities, and energy leadership.
tmccollough@fcgov.com
jphelan@fcgov.com
(970) 416-2622
(970) 416-2539
Finance Mike
Beckstead
Chief Financial Officer mbeckstead@fcgov.com (970) 221-6795
Economic Health Josh Birks Economic Health
Director
jbirks@fcgov.com (970) 221-6324
Fire Protection and
Hazardous
Bob Poncelow Division Chief, Poudre
Fire Authority
bponcelow@poudre-
fire.org
(970) 416-2871