Legislative Affairs - City of Longmont

Legislative Affairs

State and Federal legislation has wide-ranging impacts on the City of Longmont, its residents and businesses. The Longmont City Council closely follows a variety of legislative issues and sometimes weighs in to support or oppose pending legislation. The Colorado General Assembly meets from January through May each year. When the Assembly is in session, this page is regularly updated with information on legislation in a variety of policy areas. To learn more about how a bill becomes a law in Colorado, check out this video from the Colorado Channel.

 

The City of Longmont follows the Colorado Municipal League (CML) Policy Statement, and the National League of Cities Federal Policy Statement.

 

Click here to see the list of bills tracked during the 2026 State legislative session.

 

2026 Legislative Bills Recommended for Longmont City Council Position

February 3, 2026 City Council Meeting

 

HB26-1001, concerning the promotion of residential developments on qualifying properties. Colorado Municipal League (CML) explains, “The bill allows schools, higher education institutions, public housing authorities, and a virtually unlimited class of non-profits to circumvent local planning by utilizing an administrative approval process to build residential developments on land they own… CML opposes HB26-1001 and believes that this legislation is a solution in search of a problem. Local governments already work in close partnership with the entities under this bill, often times providing public funds to support residential development projects. HB26-1001 abandons sound planning and housing needs assessments to give special privileges to certain groups to build multifamily housing without community input.  While this bill would likely improve the speed at which affordable housing development provided by non-profit partners makes it through the entitlement process, this bill would eliminate local control over entitlements approvals for a wide range of properties.  While construction of affordable housing is a priority for the City Council, building without proper local land use approval is unsafe and inappropriate. Staff recommends that City Council oppose HB26-1001.

 

HB26-1065, concerning transit and housing investment zones. This bill creates the “Transit Investment Area Act” and creates a mechanism for a local government and transit agency, subject to state approval, to undertake a transit investment project, to designate a transit investment area in which the project will be built, and to create a transit investment authority or to designate other financing entities with the power to receive and use the increment of revenue derived from the state sales tax collected in the area that is equal to the amount of state sales tax revenue collected in an area above a designated base amount plus 20% of that same revenue to be used to finance eligible improvements related to the project.  This would grant another tool to local governments to create opportunities for enhanced transportation and housing projects.  Since both transportation and housing are important priorities for the City Council, staff recommends that City Council support HB26-1065.

 

SB26-019, concerning changes to local early childhood infrastructure, expanding the responsibilities and functions of early childhood councils to include certain responsibilities and functions formerly performed by local authorities. Current law establishes a statewide integrated system of early childhood councils to improve and sustain the availability, accessibility, capacity, and quality of early childhood services. The bill expands the powers, functions, and responsibilities of a council in implementing a comprehensive system of early childhood and family support programs and services within the council’s community.  Councilmember Marsing asked that the Council review this bill.  Early care and education is a priority for the City Council and staff recommends that City Council support SB26-019.

 

SB26-020, concerning measures related to child care provider licensing, expanding the use of a digital file system, increasing reliance on trained personnel from the department of early childhood for inspections and investigations, imposing certain requirements in connection with regulation by local governing authorities, and creating a task force. The bill requires the department of early childhood  to make reasonable efforts to expand and standardize the use of a digital data platform as a centralized digital file system for certain child care provider information. The digital provider file system must integrate the professional development information system currently administered by the department and must house records related to staff background checks and child care provider policy documents, consistent with applicable privacy protections. Current law permits the department to authorize or contract with a third party to investigate and inspect a facility applying for certain types of child care licenses. The bill requires the department, on or before July 1, 2026, to begin phasing out its reliance on third parties where feasible and to prioritize the use of department personnel to conduct the investigations and inspections instead.  It is certainly important for the State to conduct reliable inspections and investigations, and likely a digital system will assist with overall efficiency.  Staff does not have an opinion on the use of third party contractors for this work.  Councilmember Marsing asked for Council to review this bill, and staff has no recommendation on an official position.

 

 

Send comments about specific legislation to City of Longmont staff:

 

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