Facilitation and Mediation
We provide mediation and facilitation to help community members address conflicts and improve communication. These services offer a neutral space where people can talk through concerns, understand each other’s perspectives, and work toward voluntary solutions with the support of trained mediators.
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Our approach to mediation is centered on understanding, respect, and collaboration. We help participants express their perspectives, identify shared concerns, and work toward solutions they choose together.
During mediation, our team:
- Provides a neutral and safe space for conversation
- Encourages respectful listening and communication
- Helps identify underlying issues and explore options
- Supports participants in documenting agreements when reached
Sessions are structured but flexible so each person has an opportunity to be heard. Our services are free, confidential, and available in English and Spanish. Most mediations use a co mediator model so two trained neutrals can help ensure that everyone has space to participate comfortably. Mediators do not take sides or make decisions. Their role is to guide the discussion and help participants create their own voluntary agreements when possible.
Our mediation services support a wide range of housing and community situations where agreements, expectations, or communication need clarity. Mediation is flexible and can be used for many types of concerns involving shared property, responsibilities, or relationships.
The examples below reflect the situations we most often assist with, though mediation may be helpful in many other circumstances.
Common situations we see:
- Landlord and tenant concerns: including rent or payment questions, lease terms, repair or maintenance needs, property condition issues, and security deposit disagreements.
- Roommate or shared housing conflicts: involving bills, chores, guest expectations, noise, or shared responsibilities.
- Neighbor disputes: such as barking dogs, fence or tree disagreements, parking problems, loud noise, or other ongoing disturbances.
- HOA or community communication challenges: involving residents, boards, notices, enforcement questions, or neighborhood association concerns.
Mediation can be voluntary or required by law, depending on the type of case.
Voluntary Mediation: Both parties agree to participate on their own. This process is flexible and helps resolve issues through communication and collaboration.
Mandatory Mediation: Some situations require mediation before legal action:
- Court-Ordered Mediation: Judges may require mediation before continuing with a case, such as small-claims disputes.
- House Bill 23-1120: Colorado law requires mediation before filing for eviction in certain cases to explore possible resolutions first.
Services Outside Longmont or Program Scope
Our mediation services are limited to housing-related cases within the City of Longmont.
If you live in Boulder County but outside Longmont, or if your situation falls outside our program scope, the organizations below may be able to help with certain types of cases. Each agency has its own guidelines, and availability varies.
Provides restorative justice and restorative intervention services for individuals, families, schools, workplaces, and community members. Services may include restorative mediation, restorative conversations, community group conferencing, and harm repair processes. BRITE Collaborative may be a helpful option for situations that fall outside the scope of local government mediation programs or require a restorative justice approach.
Provides free mediation and conflict resolution services for people who live within the City of Boulder or elsewhere in Boulder County, excluding Longmont. Services include support with landlord tenant issues, roommate and neighbor concerns, youth and school related conflicts, HOA and community disputes, and other communication challenges. The program also offers rental housing resources, eviction related assistance through legal and financial services, restorative justice services, and facilitation for community groups and organizations.
Offers free mediation services for people who live within Boulder County but outside the city limits of Boulder and Longmont. Mediation provides a safe and neutral space for people in conflict to talk through concerns and create their own agreements. Services are available for most types of disputes except separation, divorce, custody cases, and landlord or tenant issues. Eligibility for specific situations is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Administers affordable mediation services for cases that are connected to Colorado courts or fall outside the scope of local community mediation programs. ODR offers a statewide roster of trained mediators and reduced fee options for eligible individuals. Residents may choose ODR when their case is already in court, requires a specialized mediator, or is outside the geographic or service boundaries of Longmont, Boulder, or Boulder County programs.
Volunteer Mediators
Our mediation program is supported by a team of volunteer mediators who work alongside staff in our co-mediator model. Volunteers bring diverse perspectives and professional experience, helping ensure each mediation is fair, respectful, and community-centered.
Volunteer mediators assist with housing, neighborhood, and community-based cases, strengthening our mission to provide accessible, high-quality mediation for all Longmont residents.
Are you a certified mediator who is interested in joining our volunteer team? Please complete the form below to tell us more about your experience and availability.
Please note: To qualify as a volunteer, applicants must already hold a 40-hour Basic Mediation Training certificate from a recognized program. The City of Longmont does not provide certification.
Volunteer mediators participate in ongoing training and professional development to strengthen their skills and maintain consistency across our program.
When available, current volunteers may participate in:
- Skill-building workshops or advanced topic sessions.
- Observation and shadowing opportunities for new volunteers.
- Case debriefs and guided feedback sessions.
- Specialized trainings related to housing mediation, communication, and cultural awareness.
These activities help volunteers stay engaged, refine their mediation skills, and continue learning as part of a supportive team.
Interested in becoming certified?
The City of Longmont does not offer certification. To qualify as a volunteer, individuals must complete a 40-hour Basic Mediation Training through a recognized provider.
For upcoming certification opportunities, visit the Mediation Association of Colorado (MAC)
website for a list of approved programs.
Not Sure Whether Mediation Is the Right Next Step?
Our team can help you understand available options for addressing a housing-related conflict or concern. Submit an inquiry and a staff member will review your situation and follow up with information, resources, or next steps.
Services are free, confidential, and available in English and Spanish.
