Local control, resisting unfunded mandates and enhanced public safety are among the overarching policy objectives the city of Durango has embraced ahead of the 75th Colorado General Assembly in January.
Durango City Council received a primer on state issues, policies and legislation the Colorado Legislature will deliberate in 2025 at a study session last week.
At a regular meeting following the study session, City Council voted to approve the city’s legislative agenda presented by the city’s lobbyist, Peggi O’Keefe.
The agenda summarizes the city’s support of policies that:
- Maintain local control and home rule.
- Refrain from mandates, particularly unfunded mandates.
- Preserve traditional authority.
- Reflect that local problems need local solutions.
- Enhance public safety.
Issues like Colorado’s $1 billion budget deficit, Gov. Jared Polis’ proposed privatization of state-affiliated workers' compensation insurer Pinnacol Assurance, and construction defects were among policies highlighted by O’Keefe.
Some issues may sound more familiar to Durango residents than others.
For example, the Colorado Municipal League is pushing for legislation addressing defendants who fail to appear in court. When Durango Municipal Court Judge Matt Margeson was appointed as the city’s full-time municipal judge about a year ago, he said he would implement policies and programs to get defendants into court. The city was facing the problem of municipal offenders skipping court without consequence.
Transportation funding is another state issue particularly relevant to Durango, given the city faces a budget shortfall by 2026 without a new long-term funding source.
O’Keefe said the state is facing challenges funding its transportation department. Polis released a plan for Vision 2035 in November, which aims to place housing and transit stops in close proximity, increase sidewalks and bike trails and increase transit use from 9.6% to 19% statewide.
City Manager José Madrigal said affordability is the city’s highest priority when it comes to legislative issues.
Last year, residents who participated in a National Community Survey administered by Polco indicated affordable and quality housing, child care, and economic health of the city need to be improved.
“Our community survey revealed that affordability is a significant concern for our citizens, and we are committed to supporting legislation that facilitates the creation of more affordable housing, invests in public transportation, and supports our businesses,” Madrigal said.
He said the city is watching closely for any legislation that would enact unfunded mandates, or new state requirements that must be met by municipalities or organizations on their own dime.
“Unfunded mandates should be avoided as they displace funding for other programs. If a city is compelled through state legislation to assume additional services but lacks the necessary funding, it will be forced to reduce funding for other programs or services to accommodate a service that may not be a priority for the community,” he said.
The city is also keen to maintain local control of local issues. He said statewide solutions to local issues can result in unintended consequences, and the city’s stance is those situations should be avoided.
“Local control is the belief that local problems should be addressed through local solutions,” he said. “What may be effective in the Front Range and the Denver metro area may not be suitable for Durango.”
cburney@durangoherald.com
