Thornton Civic Observatory

Tag: Thornton Boards

  • City Council Planning Session Replay for July 15, 2025

    Click on the agenda item in the menu to the right of the video to go to that part of the playback.

    While the summary below is intended to be fair, it may contain errors and is ultimately one person’s interpretation. All interested parties are encouraged to view the relevant portions of the meeting recording to come to their own conclusions.

    The summary is not comprehensive but notes highlights from the session.

    Meeting Start

    Council Member Russell did not attend the meeting.

    Businesses of Thornton Advisory Commission Interviews

    The meeting agenda describes the Businesses of Thornton Advisory Commission (BTAC):

    The Businesses of Thornton Advisory Commission (BTAC) represents Thornton businesses and makes recommendations to City Council on issues impacting the ability of businesses to be successful in Thornton. Commission members are residents and business representatives of the City. The general purpose is to discuss and share both the challenges as well as the successes experienced by Thornton businesses. (p. 6)

    The council interviewed 7 candidates for two openings.

    Multiple candidates discussed how the city could better communicate with and educate business owners on policies, code, and support services offered by the city.

    At the time of the interviews, BTAC needed more representation from Wards 2 and 3. Council started deliberations by considering applicants from those wards and selected two applicants to join the commission.

    Draft 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and 2025 Annual Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant Funding

    The city is due to send a five-year plan to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which will make the city eligible for community block grant funding.

    The plan is informed by input from city staff, stakeholder organizations, and city residents.

    Four priority needs have been identified based on feedback: affordable housing, public services (including homeless outreach), public facilities and infrastructure (including sidewalks and flood management), and program administration (including outreach).

    2026 Utility Rate and Fee Increases

    The city’s water, trash, stormwater, and sewer services are run as independent non-profit businesses. Each service is entirely funded by its rates and fees (2:04:30).

    The proposed rate increases are water 11%, sewer 6%, trash 1.32%, and stormwater 6% for 2026. The agenda packet includes projected increases for future years.

    For the average residential utility consumer, winter prices would increase $6.41 and summer prices $12.63.

    If approved, rates would take effect on January 1, 2026.

    Mayor Pro Tem Bigelow stated that she could not support the increase in water rates (2:18:30).

    Staff indicated that the 11% water rate increase was due in part to PFAS mitigation. Starting in 2027, the projected yearly increase for water is 3.6%.

    Bigelow noted that in the recent lobbying trip to Washington, D.C., the EPA could not say whether the federal government would be providing any funding for mitigation.

    Staff reported that several state grants have been obtained for PFAS mitigation and the city expects to receive funds from litigation settlements from 3M and other companies.

    Council Member Martinez noted the uncertainty in the national economy and wondered what effects delaying the date of fee increase would have (2:23:22).

    Staff explained that the January start date is done to align with the budget timeline for the utilities.

    Council Member Sandgren cautioned against delaying rate increases too far into the future, referencing the difficulties Westminster has faced in recent years regarding rate increases (2:28:15).

    Sandgren also asked about the frequency of water main breaks. Staff indicated that the city was seeing the average number of breaks.

    Council Member Salazar also voiced opposition to a water rate increase.

    The mayor asked staff to come back to the council with a couple of different scenarios for smaller water rate increases in 2026 and 2027.

    Review of Prairie Dog Regulations

    The presentation was in response to community questions asked during earlier development meetings.

    The prairie dogs in Thornton are not classified as endangered.

    The city’s ordinance requires developers to make a good faith effort to relocate prairie dog colonies. Usually, developers are unable to find sites for relocation. Once that effort is complete, developers can then euthanize prairie dogs.

    Thornton is one of two nearby communities that has codified regulations for prairie dogs (Broomfield is the second).

    Council Member Ayala asked whether extermination efforts might be required to post public notice about methods being used, referencing an incident where residents were concerned about potential toxins.

    Council Reports and Discussion

    Council Member Martinez discussed a economic development plan at the Denver Regional Council of Governments.

    Martinez also described a meeting of Latino elected representatives that discussed the relationship between law enforcement and immigration, noting the erosion in trust between local communities and local law enforcement who are providing crowd control while federal operations take people into custody (3:02:00).

    Martinez asked for updates on questions he had for the police chief. Staff planned to address those questions and any other council questions in the July 29th planning meeting.

    Council Member Salazar asked about expanding hours for a city-provided portable playground service at a location in her ward.

    Council Member Ayala communicated concerns from residents about masked law enforcement and ordinance changes. She also briefly described her participation at the Local Progress convening and asked for future reevaluation of safety measures for council members given the assassinations in Minnesota.

    Mayor Kulmann reported that she will be participating in a Hunt Institute program to support local leaders with education.

    Executive Sessions

    The council adjorned to meet in executive sessions for two topics:

    • to confer with the City Attorney for purposes of receiving legal advice regarding certification and compliance with various federal grant applications and awards.
    • to discuss personnel matters related to the mid-year appointee performance evaluations.

  • City Council Update and Meeting Replay for July 8, 2025

    • PDF packet for the update session – 49 pages
    • PDF packet for the full council meeting – 354 pages

    Click on the agenda item in the menu to the right of the video to go to that part of the playback.

    While the summary below is intended to be fair, it may contain errors and is ultimately one person’s interpretation. All interested parties are encouraged to view the relevant portions of the meeting recording to come to their own conclusions.

    The summary is not comprehensive but notes highlights from the session.

    Update Meeting

    Mayor Pro Tem Bigelow joined remotely late, and Council Member David Acunto were absent for the update meeting.

    Charter Amendments Briefing

    The city attorney provided a follow-up on a previous discussion of possible city charter amendments for the November 2025 ballot.

    Currently, citizen-led initiatives require 10% of city voters obtained within 21 days.

    According to 2017 data from the Colorado Municipal League, most municipalities require between 10 and 15% for signatures for initiatives (30 and 39 cities/towns respectively). Only eight cities/towns have a signatures gathering time frame shorter than 30 days.

    Referenda, which would be petitions to repeal current laws, require 10% in most municipalities with 30 days.

    Council Member Ayala expressed that she still supported lowering the number of required signatures, noting along with Mayor Kulmann that the city has not had many citizen-led initiatives. The ones in recent years have failed to meet ballot eligibility due to not having enough signatures.

    Council Member Sandgren was open to increasing the time but not lowering the percentage, citing negative outcomes in Lakewood. She was concerned that a no growth special interest group could get an initiative on the ballot (20:12). Sandgren suggested 180 days for initiatives while keeping the 10% requirement.

    Council Member Martinez was open to keeping the 10% if the time period increased, explaining that it would be meaningful for 10% of voters to be in support of a proposal. He suggested 90 days as an average of comparable municipalities.

    Council Member Russell suggested 120 days to split between 180 and 90. Council reached consensus to leave the 10% requirement in place but to propose changing the initiative timeline to 120 days. The referendum timeline will stay the same.

    Fourth of July Fireworks Response Debrief

    The police department identified the top 10 historically high-report areas for illegal fireworks and met proactively with residents in those areas.

    This year, six of those 10 locations dropped off the high-report top-10 list.

    Five summons for illegal fireworks were issued during this year’s enforcement effort.

    Council Meeting

    The council unanimously passed a resolution “supporting home rule municipalities in litigation against the State asserting home rule authority over local land use and zoning.” The Colorado Sun reported on the law suit at issue.

    Audience Participation

    The first speaker, Dariush Namazi, satirically spoke in favor of the Trump administration’s military attacks on Iran.

    The second speaker thanked Thornton police and fire for support with a family member’s medical emergency during the 4th of July celebration.

    The third speaker continued his months-long protest of the land acknowledgment.

    The fourth speaker raised concerns about traffic safety near 123rd Ave. and Harrison, noting that he had spoken at previous council meetings and with city staff to no avail. He also complained of inconsistent enforcement of fireworks laws and property codes.

    The fifth speaker thanked Thornton’s sanitation department workers.

    The sixth speaker, State House Representative Jacque Phillips (D, HD-31), spoke about youth engagement with city government and in support of the home rule litigation.

    Council Comments

    Council Member Martinez discussed attending two restaurant openings and the successful Thornton Juneteenth and Pride celebrations. He also spoke about the Colorado Municipal League conference events he had attending, including on housing.

    Council Member Salazar spoke of attending a fire graduation and a block party in Ward 1.

    Council Member Ayala thanked city staff for their work during the 4th of July celebration.

    Ayala remembered the lives lost in the recent Texas floods, thanked the two Thornton firefighters traveling to Texas to help with the recovery, and emphasized the importance of emergency and disaster planning for the city.

    Ayala also spoke about different understandings of leadership, from a pragmatic approach that strives to maintain the status quo to a visionary approach that works toward change to help those who are struggling. She also mentioned leadership that aligns itself with business interests over working families: “We don’t need caretakers of broken systems; we need builders of a just future.”

    Council Member Sandgren thanked various city departments for their work. She continued her factoid protest of the land acknowledgment.

    Council Member Unrein noted the recent legal ruling on the Thornton Water Project.

    Council Member Russell spoke of his experience at the Colorado Municipal League conference and the Rocky Mountain Partnership Community Leadership Council meeting on civic influencers. He voiced appreciation for the youth involvement work Representative Phillips has done.

    Mayor Pro Tem Bigelow also thanked city staff for work at recent events.

    Mayor Kulmann reported on her lobbying trip to Washington DC, which she described as a “productive trip” and stated that she was “optimistic about the relationships we are building to support our city’s future” (1:05:26).

    Commercial Projects Quarterly Update

    Staff provided an overview of recently opened and upcoming retail locations. New employers were also described, totaling over 700 new jobs.

    Council Member Martinez expressed interest in more council tours of primary employers in the city.

    Consent Calendar and Action Items

    The first action item dealt with creating a new health plan for city employees. Council unanimously approved all resolutions related to the health plan.

    The second action item was a resolution designating the “Syndal Residence” at 12545 Second Street as a local historic landmark.

    Currently, there are only two designated historic properties in Thornton: The Reitzenstein Barn (locally designated) and the Eastlake Grain Elevator (nationally, not locally, designated).

    The city’s historic designation code only “encourages” preservation of designated properties; it does not place any requirements or restrictions on the property owner (1:55:26).

    During council questioning, Mayor Pro Tem Bigelow urged that the vote on historic designation be delayed until December as the current home owner is a candidate for city council and was concerned that the designation could be used for campaign purposes.

    Council Member Sandgren responded that it was “ridiculous” (2:00:11) to be concerned with the application as a campaign effort because it was submitted some time previously and approved by the Thornton Arts, Sciences, and Culture Council (TASHCO).

    Several council members asked questions about the nature of the city’s historic designation code, raising concerns about properties being encumbered by designation. Staff indicated the the current code was “preservation light” and places no requirements.

    This property would be the first residential structure in Thornton to receive historic designation.

    Council Member Sandgren spoke in favor of the resolution. Council Member Martinez voiced concerns that the historic designation code was too ambiguous to decide during the meeting.

    Council Member Russell agreed with Martinez about there being too many questions about the historic designation code to move forward at this time.

    Council Member Ayala spoke in favor of the resolution in order to honor the recommendation of the TASCHO.

    Council Member Sandgren described the objection to the resolution as “political retaliation,” to which Mayor Kulmann reminded her to remain on topic (2:18:35).

    The final vote on the historic designation failed on a tie: Yes (Unrein, Ayala, Kulmann, Sandgren) No (Bigelow, Salazar, Martinez, Russell).

    Council voted unanimously to consent to the dissolution of the Lambertson Lakes Metropolian District.

    Council voted unanimously to approve the designation of a project of economic significance for the Thornton Commons project at 114th Ave. and Washinginton St (retail, dining, convenience and hospitality).

    The staff representative describes the porposed development as including a “nice public space” (2:35:38).

    A birds-eye view of a proposed commercial development property that is largely dominated by parking spaces.

    The council voted voted to move audience participation to earlier during council meetings.

    Council Member Sandgren and Mayor Kulmann voted no. Kulmann stated that her no vote was because the issue should have been discussed in a planning session. The ordinance was put on the agenda by Council Member Salazar at a previous council meeting.

  • City Council Meetings Replay for March 18, 2025

    PDF packets:

    Video replays:

    Click on the agenda item in the menu to the right of the video to go to that part of the playback.

    While this summary is intended to be fair, it may contain errors and is ultimately one person’s interpretation. All interested parties are encouraged to view the relevant portions of the meeting recording to come to their own conclusions.

    Update Session

    First Briefing – State Legislative Update

    The first briefing was a state legislative update from Peggi O’Keefe with Clear Strategies. She reported that the state’s economic forecast was negative with an expected $1+ billion shortfall. The state budget is expected to be passed next week.

    The following is a selection of bills discussed.

    The city is in opposition to BD25-1147 Fairness & Transparency in Municipal Court, which would restrict municipal court penalties to the maximum penalty set by the state.

    The city has concerns regarding SB25-001 Colorado Voting Rights Act due to the state overriding home rule of the city, including for special elections.

    The city has concerns with HB25-1169 Housing Developments on Faith and Educational Land, which has passed the house but may be amended in the senate.

    The city supports BD25-1272 Construction Defects & Middle Market Housing, which Council Member Bigelow testified in favor.

    O’Keefe reported that the business community is opposed to HB25-1286 Protecting Workers from Extreme Temperatures. She did not share any perspectives from workers.

    The council’s stated concern is that the law would prohibit emergency workers from responding to emergencies in inclement weather and wants an amendment on that point.

    Second Briefing – City Process for Permanent Road Closures

    Under current city code, a permanent road closure requires a public hearing and an ordinance passed by council.

    Permanent closures would conflict with approved land use documents (plats) and with design standards in City Code Section 18-677.

    Staff described a process that would need to be followed to permanently close a road, including a one-year trial period.

    Staff discussed an example from the Glen Eagles Estates neighborhood (128th & Riverdale) that is experiencing high traffic to and from Riverdale High School, which a road closure could potentially address.

    At this point, staff’s recommendation is that the 128th & Riverdale intersection be improved by Adams County to address traffic issues given the challenges of closing a road.

    Council Comments

    Council Member Sandgren requested being able to attend conferences to wrap up work as she is in her last term. Council Member Ayala wanted to let staff know about April events: autism awareness month, Arab-American heritage month, and Earth Day.

    Council Member Martinez requests membership funding for the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.

    Council Meeting

    All council members were present for this meeting (one Ward 1 seat is still vacant pending the results of the special election).

    Resolutions

    Council Member Martinez added an item to the agenda to declare March 31, 2025 as Transgender Day of Visibility in Thornton.

    The council approved that resolution and a resolution declaring April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month in Thornton.

    During the council comments on the Transgender Day of Visibility resolution, Council Member Sandgren said that she believes that “fairness should be for everyone but not at the expense of erasing others.”

    Council Member Acunto was the sole vote against that resolution. The child abuse awareness resolution passed unanimously.

    Audience Participation

    Seven people signed up for in-person participation and two signed up online.

    The first speaker discussed an application to build a mobile phone tower, expressing concerns that his community was not given adequate notice of the application.

    The second speaker showed an election flier for Ward 1 candidate Eric Garcia. She said that the flier’s claim that Garcia had been endorsed by Thornton firefighters was a lie.

    She claimed it was hilarious that Council Member Sandgren would say that Garcia “walks the walk” because he walked away from Ward 1 residents asking him what he would do for his ward. The speaker described Garcia as Mayor Kulmann’s “puppet” in his previous term on the council.

    The third speaker also raised concerns about PAC mailers for the campaign, which misleadingly implied a firefighter endorsement. He asked council to condemn this activity and amend election code to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

    The fourth speaker reiterated that the Thornton firefighters union has not endorse Garcia, contrary to the claims in the campaign mailers.

    The fifth speaker, a recurring gadfly, continued his critique of the city’s land acknowledgment.

    The sixth speaker was the return of resident who speaks satirically as a right-wing extremist in order to criticize conservatives on the council. In the past, he was arrested under dubious circumstances with the charges later dropped.

    The seventh speaker is a representative from the CASA advocate organization who thanked council for voicing support in the child abuse resolution and encouraged residents to volunteer.

    The eighth speaker voiced concerns about the cell tower that was mentioned by the first speaker, suggesting it would hurt home values and is not appropriate for a residential area given that other towers are in industrial/commercial areas.

    The ninth speaker was Ward 1 candidate Cherish Salazar. She shared concerns from Ward 1, including about a sewage backup, recommending the Active Adult Center, and sharing condolences for a departed member of the community.

    Council Comment and Communications

    Mayor Pro Tem Bigelow discussed a financial literacy event at a local school, attending a bill signing for an accessibility law, testifying for the new building defects bill, and recognizing Ramadan and Purim celebrations.

    Council Member Russell spoke on his experience traveling to Washington, D.C. for the National League of Cities. He met with Representative Gabe Evans.

    Council Member Unrein also spoke on the National League of Cities events in D.C. The main topic of concern he saw from participants around the nation was housing affordability and availability. He also met with Rep. Evans.

    Council Member Sandgren described advocating for many areas in the D.C. trip.

    Sandgren addressed the campaign issue discussed in audience participation. She offered the “correction” that the mailer did not come from the candidate, although the audience participants seemed to be clear that the mailers were for the candidate, not from the candidate.

    At 48:27, Sandgren uses the transgender resolution to talk about safety in women’s spaces.

    Sandgren explained that her factoids (e.g., national blue-berry pancake day) are her way of protesting the land acknowledgment. She alleges that the land acknowledgment contains falsehoods.

    An audience member applauds Sandgren’s remarks and is not ruled out of order by the mayor.

    Council Member Ayala described speaking with a Cub Scout troop at Cherry Elementary. She described taking a waste water course during the D.C. trip.

    Ayala described how the campaign mailers were issued by an independent expenditure committee (IEC). She encouraged voters to identify the group sponsoring the mailers.

    She described her work supporting municipal election funding reform in Colorado (reducing the individual contribution limit to $400 from unlimited and increase the frequency of campaign funding disclosure reporting dates).

    Ayala encouraged residents to consider what actions are within the scope of the city government to address.

    Council Member Martinez amplified the concern about the mobile home sewage backup and requested staff to get more information.

    Martinez described advocating for the continued existence of tax-free municipal bonds to Representative Evans during the D.C. trip.

    Kulmann closes her comments by thanking those who “respectfully” engaged with council.

    Thornton Shopping Center Quarterly Progress Update

    Demolition is completed at the site. Environmental testing and clean-up is now underway.

    Planning for redevelopment is underway with an estimated issue of a request for proposals set for mid-2025.

    Public Hearing

    The hearing was on a conceptual site plan for an apartment conversion at 2513 E. 104th Ave. (Village at Sunny Acres Ambassador Apartments).

    The plan is to subdivide and convert an existing housing site from assisted living to multi-family units.

    This will require 97 new parking spaces.

    A public meeting was held August 19, 2024. Approximately 560 property owners were notified of the meeting (hybrid online and in-person), and no residents attended the meeting.

    Council voted to approve the conceptual site plan.

    Council/TASCHO Meeting

    TASCHO gave its annual report.

    Council/Thornton Development Authority Meeting

    TDA gave its annual report.

    Thornton Observer Reflection, Commentary, and Questions

    Will the city be as invested in defending home rule against federal government overreach at the hands of the current administration as they are alleged overreach by the state of Colorado?

    For at least two bills, the council and its lobbyist raised concerns about adverse effects on law enforcement and emergency responders as reason to oppose bills or support amendments without acknowledging the needs and concerns of residents that the bills were originally proposed to address.

    The council emphasized the city’s right to home rule in the update meeting.

    In a previous meeting, Council Member Sandgren said that it is the county, not the city, that should be responsible for addressing homelessness. It would seem that some on the council want home rule power while also shirking some of the responsibility that comes with that power.

    In the road closure presentation, Council Member Martinez noted how 30-40 people showing up at a ward meeting made an impact. If there is an issue affecting Thornton residents, showing up and communicating with council can support change for the better.

    The road closure discussion also highlights how the city pursues growth without always being able to address the unintended negative effects of that growth.

  • 03/04/2025 City Council Planning Session Reply

    The PDF packet for the session is available here. The video replay is available here. Click on the agenda item in the menu to the right of the video to go to that part of the playback.

    While this summary is intended to be fair, it may contain errors and is ultimately one person’s interpretation. All interested parties are encouraged to view the relevant portions of the meeting recording to come to their own conclusions.

    The packet for this planning session included a couple of informative documents, which are included in the above-linked PDF:

    • The summary report from the strategic planning conference
    • The 2025 legislative agenda, listing the city’s lobbying priorities

    On paper, the strategic planning summary has good commitments to housing and multi-modal transportation options, including pedestrian safety.

    The Legislative Agenda documents specific asks for state and federal lobbying priorities in 7 areas:

    • Local Control
    • Local Funding
    • Transportation
    • Public Safety
    • Water Security
    • Housing
    • Sustainability

    Session Highlights

    Council Members Absent: Bigelow and Sandgren

    The first item was interviews of two applicants for the Thornton Arts, Sciences, and Humanities Council (TASHCO).

    The second item was an informational update on the Ward 1 special election (election day March 25). The presenter compared municipal elections and elections coordinated with the county.

    While not required for municipal elections, the city is providing an in-person voting center, access to 24-hour ballot drop boxes, and translation of ballot materials in Spanish.

    The new council member will be sworn in April 8, 2025 (assuming no recount is required).

    The third item was a discussion of the city strategic plan framework—the big picture, long-term strategic focus areas that emerged from the conference the council members attended at the end of February:

    1. Connected Communities
    2. Vibrant and Purposeful Development
    3. Organizational Excellence (city administration)
    4. Safe, Supported, and Livable Communities

    The presenter asked for the council’s feedback in terms of phrasing, the definition for each focus area, and any additional priorities that should be considered.

    Council Member Martinez noted the importance of the city’s regional collaborations for support of connected communities (e.g., work with the Colorado Department of Transportation).

    The fourth item was another informational presentation to provide council travel date options for a federal lobbying trip to Washington, D.C. Traditionally, council has met with house and senate offices on one day and federal agency offices on the second day.

    The council discussed which member would be responsible for which of the seven priority topics.

    There was an update on state legislation, starting with a construction defects bill introduced by Representative Shannon Bird (HB25-1272). The presenter noted that many defect bills have been introduced in recent sessions. Other defect bills are also active this session.

    The fifth item was updates from council members at various regional boards, councils, and committees.

    Mayor Kulmann talked about her positive experience at a state of the city event at Brighton that was co-run by their chamber of commerce. Kulmann wants to do something similar in Thornton with our chamber of commerce.

  • Thornton Meetings for the Week of March 3, 2025

    Check the calendar page for the latest updates, locations, and video meeting links where available.

    The documents page provides agendas where available.

    Tuesday, March 4, 2025

    • Council Planning Session, 5:45 – 6:45pm

    Wednesday, March 5, 2025

    • Planning Commission Meeting, 6 – 10pm

    Thursday, March 6, 2025

    • TAF (Thornton Assistance Fund) Meeting, 3:30 – 6:30pm
    • TASHCO Juneteenth Subcommittee Zoom Meeting, 6 – 7pm
    • Community Meeting – Hosted by Ward, 6 – 7:30pm

    Saturday, March 8, 2025

    • NLC (National League of Cities) Congressional City Conference-Executive Education and Pre-Conference Activities, all day

    Sunday, March 9, 2025

    • NLC Congressional City Conference-Executive Education and Pre-Conference Activities, all day

    Note: On March 10 – March 12, Thornton will send a delegation to the National League of Cities Congressional Conference in Washington, DC.

    3/4 Council Planning Session meeting agenda

    HTML Agenda & Full PDF Meeting Packet

    Briefings

    • Thornton Arts, Sciences and Humanities Council Board of Directors Interviews
    • Review of the March 25, 2025 Special Election
    • Strategic Planning Conference Follow-up
    • Washington DC Federal Lobbying Meeting Planning

    Other Discussion

    • Legislative Discussion
    • Boards and Committee Reports

    a. DRCOG Board of Directors Meeting

    b. Mile High Flood District Board Meeting

    c. CML Policy Committee Meeting

    d. Smart Commute Board Meeting

    e. NATA Board Meeting

    f. AC-REP Development Council

    Executive Session

    • To discuss fiber optics issues including the agreement between Ting Fiber LLC and Thornton and to provide an update on discussions with Google.

  • Thornton Meetings for the Week of February 17, 2025

    Check the calendar page for the latest updates, locations, and video meeting links where available.

    The documents page provides agendas where available.

    Monday, February 17

    • Holiday Closure

    Tuesday, Feburary 18

    • Council Planning Session, 5:45 – 6:45pm

    Wednesday, February 19

    • TASHCO PRIDE Subcommittee meeting, 6 – 7pm
    • Local Licensing Authority Meeting, 6 – 10pm
    • Planning Commission Meeting, 6 – 10pm

    Thursday, February 20

    • TAF (Thornton Assistance Fund) Meeting, 3:30 – 6:30pm

    Friday, February 21

    • CML (Colorado Municipal League) Policy Committee Meeting, 9am – 12pm

    Agenda for 2/18 Council Planning Session

    Briefings

    • Review Non-Profit Funding Requests from A Precious Child, Almost Home, Inc., Bullying Recovery Resource Center, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), Early Childhood Partnership of Adams County (ECPAC), Food for Hope, Kids First Health Care, Ralston House, Rotary Club of Northglenn-Thornton, and Stout Street foundation Fundraising Events.
    • Repealing and Replacing C.D. No. 2022-009 Regarding the City’s Regional and Subregional Transportation Priorities
    • Development Code Update – Review of Draft Articles 10 (Subdivision Standards) and 12 (Nonconformities)
    • Discussion regarding Natural Medicine uses (creating an ordinance to address psilocybin within the city)
    • Sex Offender Residency Restrictions (informational briefing requested by council)

    Board and Committee Reports

    • a. North I-25 Coalition Meeting
    • b. Airport Coordinating Committee Meeting
    • c. ADCOG Subregional Transportation Forum
    • d. E-470 Authority Board Meeting

    Briefings Continued

    • Executive session pursuant to C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(e)(I) to determine positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations, develop strategy for negotiations, and instruct negotiators regarding collective bargaining negotiations between the City and the Fraternal Order of Police, Thornton Police Department Colorado Lodge 16.
    • Thornton Development Authority Special Meeting – An executive session, pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-6-402(4)(a),(b), and (c) for the purposes of discussion and providing instruction to negotiators, as well as receiving legal advice from the City Attorney, related to the potential transfer of real property owned by the Thornton Development Authority located on Grant Street, north of Eppinger Boulevard.

    Hearing Agenda for 2/19 Local Licensing Authority

    • A. Consideration of a New Hotel and Restaurant Liquor License Application submitted by Little Pub #33, LLC DBA Billy Birch, 11915 Holly Street. (HR-0087 30687)
    • B. Consideration of a New Hotel and Restaurant Liquor License Application submitted by Feng C

  • Thornton City Council Replay February 11, 2025

    The replay video is available here. Click the agenda item in the right-hand menu to skip to that point in the video.

    The only council member absent this week was Sandgren (Ward 2).

    At the start of the meeting, the council passed a resolution marking Black History Month in Thornton and heard a presentation from Christyle Russell, currently a member of the Thornton Arts, Sciences, and Humanities Council.

    The next agenda item was public comment from 7 speakers.

    The first public comment after the presentation was from a person who has appeared at each public comment to object to the city’s land acknowledgment, arguing that the statement is antagonistic toward white people.

    The last public comment will offer a counterpoint, and Council Member Ayala will revisit the land acknowledgement in her comments.

    The second public comment provided updates on the King Soopers strike, the warming center for unhoused, the role of Thornton Police in the ICE action last week, and he encouraged the council to appoint citizens to advise on the hiring of the new police chief.

    The third public speaker speaks about what she sees as unsafe practice for trafffic light maintenance lift trucks.

    The fourth speaker read the Niemöller poem “First They Came” and spoke of the need for solidarity and community defense in light of the ICE raids.

    Two residents spoke about conflict with neighbors. They seem to be stuck between what the police are able to do and what the city’s code enforcement should be doing but isn’t. Council Member Martinez will address this in his comments later in the session.

    The next agenda item was comments from council. Comments from Council Members Bigelow, Ayala, and Martinez related to themes raised in public comment.

    Bigelow spoke to how everyone in Thornton should feel safe and included in the city: “Everybody in this city is equal.” She said that schools should teach accurate history, including the Holocaust, which some curriculums are trying to erase.

    Ayala emphasized the part of the city land acknowledgement of “the labor of enslaved Africans and their descendants who worked this stolen land for the colonists, and who continue to disproportionately face economic oppression, racism, violence, and exploitation.”

    She found it a timely reminder given current events regarding immigrants whose labor contributes so much to our communities.

    Ayala also spoke of the King Soopers strike, echoing Bigelow to say that all workers should be treated equally and should enjoy fair bargaining conditions. The current strike is partly about unfair labor practices.

    Martinez returned to the citizen complaint about neighbors, asking city staff for help addressing code violations that should be addressed. He mentioned experiencing “roadblocks” with the city in this procsess.

    He also noted the next Know Your Rights meeting with the Colorado Poverty Law Center to assist mobile home community members with legal redress for complaints.

    The meeting with bo on 2/26 at 6pm at the Thornton Community Center.

    Mayor Kulmann mentioned two current openings for city boards:

    Environmental Sustainability Task Force: Ward 3

    • (The Environmental Sustainability Task Force will set a schedule at the first meeting. It is anticipated that meetings will occur monthly, in the evenings, through 2025)
    • Application Deadline is March 6, at 5 P.M.

    Thornton Arts, Sciences and Humanities Council (TASHCO) Board of Directors: Ward 2 & 3

    • (Meetings are generally held on the second Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m.)
    • Application Deadline is February 12, 2025, at 5 P.M.

  • Thornton Meetings for the Week of December 16, 2024

    Check the calendar page for the latest updates, locations, and video meeting links where available.

    The documents page provides agendas where available.

    Mon, Dec 16 2024

    • POSAC (Parks & Open Space Advisory Commission) Regular Public Meeting 6 – 8pm

    Tue, Dec 17 2024

    • Council Update 5:45 – 6:45pm
    • Council Meeting 7pm

    Wed, Dec 18 2024

    • DRCOG (Denver Regional Council of Governments) Board of Directors Meeting 6:30 – 8:30pm
    • DRCOG Finance and Budget Committee 5:30 – 6pm
    • Local Licensing Authority Meeting 6 – 10pm

    Thu, Dec 19 2024

    • Cancelled: AC-REP Executive Council Meeting 2:30 – 4pm
    • 2025 Special Election Candidate Briefing 6 – 8pm

  • Thornton Meetings for the Week of December 9, 2024

    Meeting details, including Zoom meeting links, are available at the meetings calendar page.

    Agendas for boards and commissions may be available here.

    Monday 12/9

    • TASCHO (Thornton Arts, Sciences & Humanities Council) – 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

    Tuesday 12/10

    • Adams County Public Assistance – Walks-ins & Appointments – 8:30 am to 11:30 am
    • Council Planning Session – 5:45 pm – 6:45 pm

    Wednesday 12/11

    • Smart Commute Board Meeting – 8:30 am – 9:30 am
    • BTAC (Business of Thornton Advisory Commission) – 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
      • Cancelled per Current and Upcoming Meetings documents page

    Thursday 12/12

  • December 2024 Openings: Thornton Boards & Commissions

    Upcoming deadlines for Thornton boards & commissions applications:

    Thornton Arts, Sciences and Humanities Council (TASHCO) Board of Directors: Ward 2 & 3

    • Meetings are generally held on the second Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
    • Application Deadline is Friday, December 16th, 2024, at 5 P.M.

    Environmental Sustainability Task Force: All Wards

    • The Environmental Sustainability Task Force will set a schedule at the first meeting. It is anticipated that meetings will occur monthly, in the evenings, through 2025.
    • Application Deadline is Monday, December 20th, 2024, at 5 P.M.

    Application details available at this page.

    Thornton Boards & Commissions tracking sheet is available here (please allow time for secure document to load in your browser).