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, 2026 Legislative Guiding Water Principles 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

March 10, 2026 City Council Meeting

 

HB26-1102, concerning the funding of the Colorado DRIVES vehicle services account in the highway users tax fund. The bill makes changes to increase the amount of revenue that is directed to the Colorado DRIVES vehicle services account created in the highway users tax fund (HUTF).  The primary goal of the DRIVES project is to provide a flexible, reliable, accurate and integrated solution for driver and vehicle services, as well as business licensing and revenue accounting. While this is a positive project, the bill proposes to funnel funds from HUTF to the Colorado DRIVES Account which could reduce the funds in the HUTF. This would reduce the City’s share of the HUTF thus impacting the city’s Street Fund negatively. Since transportation is an important priority to the City Council, staff recommends Council opposes HB26-1102.

 

HB26-1268, concerning measures to advance renewable energy projects on previously disturbed lands through the designation of renewable energy reinvestment areas. This bill authorizes a local government to designate areas within the jurisdiction as renewable energy reinvestment areas for the siting of renewable energy and energy storage system projects. In designating an area, the local government must hold at least one public hearing, engage in outreach of disproportionately impacted communities, and ensure that an eligible project may be permitted and constructed pursuant to an administrative approval process based solely on the eligible project’s compliance with objective standards.

 

If an eligible project is sited in a renewable energy reinvestment area, an urban renewal authority may distribute tax revenue to finance any public infrastructure needed for the eligible project in a manner consistent with the tax increment financing authority’s governing statutes. While an opt-in process, it also requires a utility to respond to a request made for interconnection information regarding the proposed site of an eligible project within 30 days after the request is made.

 

Councilmember Popkin asked if this bill would be considered by Council for an official position.  This bill supports clean energy generation by providing a set of optional permitting and financing tools that local governments can use when they see an opportunity to turn underutilized or contaminated land into a renewable energy project. There is a concern from Longmont Power and Communications on the 30 day shot clock, but since this is voluntary and must be requested by the City, these timelines are likely to be managed internally.  The staff does not have a recommendation of a position on this bill. 

 

Send comments about specific legislation to City of Longmont staff:

 

Do Your Own Research

 

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