Agenda Date: 10/07/2025
Subject:
Title
Resolution 99-2025: Opposing Ballot Question 3A regarding changes to the city’s charter related to neighborhood land use
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Reid Betzing, City Attorney |
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Presentations: |
Reid Betzing, City Attorney |
PURPOSE:
Does council wish to execute a resolution opposing Ballot Question 3A?
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
High-Quality Governance
DISCUSSION:
The Colorado Fair Campaign Practices Act (FCPA) allows the City Council to pass a resolution voicing their position on any ballot measure referred to the voters. As a result of a successful citizen-initiated petition, the ballot question will appear on the November 4, 2025 ballot.
BACKGROUND:
In May, the city clerk’s office received notice of intent to circulate a petition focusing on an amendment to the city charter (adding Sec. 65.5) regarding preservation of neighborhood land use restrictions pertaining to land uses currently specified in the ULUC as of January 1, 2025, and expanded notification requirements.
On May 13, the clerk certified a final version of the petition to be circulated and notified the petitioner committee that, based on the number of qualified electors registered in Arapahoe, Douglas, and Jefferson counties on the date of their submission of intent to circulate, the number of valid signatures from City of Littleton registered electors necessary for the petition to be deemed sufficient was 1,827.
On July 16, 2025, 77 petition sections containing 2,368 signatures were submitted to the clerk’s office. Between July 28 and August 1, the clerk’s office verified signatures, confirming those signing were registered electors of the city and were registered as such on or before the date of signature at the address noted on the petition, that all components of each signer’s signature block was complete, and that signatures were not duplicates. On Thursday, July 31, the review was completed, and 2,173 signatures were found to be valid, thereby deeming the petition sufficient. On July 31, the clerk’s office issued a Statement of Sufficiency.
On September 5, 2025, the City of Littleton filed a Petition with the Court pursuant to the newly adopted C.R.S. 29-20-203(3) to seek guidance of whether the proposed charter amendment would violate the state’s anti-growth legislation. Council had previously provided direction that it did not want to delay the citizen initiative process while awaiting review so the item was referred to the electors.
Prior Actions or Discussions
Council has had numerous discussions by way of study sessions concerning this potential ballot question and has previously provided direction to staff to meet with petitioners to determine if there were paths forward other than placing a restrictive measure in the charter, those discussions did not meet the end goal for petitioners.
On September 2, Council approved ordinance 17-2025 in an attempt to address concerns voiced by residents related to the previously considered ordinance and the proposed ballot question by requiring expanded notification and direct mailings to affected property owners for any city-initiated rezoning or text amendment that affected land uses within the residential districts.
On September 2, Council also approved Ordinance 14-2025 on second reading and public hearing, placing the question on the November 4, 2025 ballot.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
Passing of a resolution voicing a position on a ballot measure does not have a fiscal impact.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES:
Council can choose to support ballot measure 3A, take no position, or oppose ballot measure 3A as is before them.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve Resolution 99-2025 opposing Ballot Question 3A regarding changes to the city’s charter related to neighborhood land use.