August 2024 Larimer County Highlights

Wellington Updates

• Plan for Change 
  • The Wellington Board of Trustees, on August 27, 2024, approved the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan. Four strategic objectives for Wellington were identified: grow responsibly, cultivate and nurture community spaces, foster economic vibrancy, and ensure strong town operations. A link to the plan was not available as of press time. (August 27)
• Traffic Rules Update
  • Wellington will look into updating their traffic code according to recently released recommendations from the Colorado Department of Transportation. The new regs could pertain to using red light and speed cameras, self-driving vehicles, enhanced penalties for incidents causing injury to pedestrians and other vulnerable road users, and allowing bicycles and similar vehicles to yield at stop signs instead of stopping. (August 27)
• Bob’s Wins
  • Wellington  City Attorney Dan Sapienza presented an ordinance, which was approved unanimously, for the trustees to run their meetings according to “Bob’s Rules of Order”, which align more with how the trustees desire their meetings to run, rather than according to Robert's Rules of Order. (August 27)
• Exorbitant Water Bills 
  • At the Wellington Trustee’s meeting on August 13, more public comment on the high water bills for residents was heard. One resident said her bill for one month was $845. Residents who are seeing 35,000-40,000 gallons usage were encouraged to contact the city for a review of their billing. Also, if they cannot pay their water bills, residents should contact the city clerk to work out a payment plan so their water is not turned off. (August 13)
• Upgrade to Election Security
  • Trustees agreed to let voters decide this November whether or not to turn over responsibility of running city elections to the Larimer County Clerk and Recorder, as well as moving regular elections from April to November. Town Clerk Ethan Muhs said he believes the changes will result in more secure elections, as well as more cost savings for the city. He said county run elections will cost only $10,000 per election, versus $20,000-$25,000 for the city run elections. He said he hoped the changes would also encourage more voter participation. (August 13)

Windsor Update 

• New Police Chief 
  • Stephen Garrison was appointed the new Chief of Police for Windsor at the August 26 meeting of the Town Board. During public comment, a town resident expressed frustrations over what he feels is unequal enforcement by the Windsor Police. Mayor Julie Cline thanked the resident for his comments and said the city has his email address. (August 26)

Red Feather Lakes Update 

• No Movement on Public Restrooms in Red Feather Lakes
  • The Planning Advisory Committee is no longer going to be involved in figuring out funding for a public restroom in Red Feather Lakes (RFL), according to an email sent by Larimer County Planning Engineer Matthew Lafferty, as well as other staff comments at the August 22 RFL Planning Advisory Committee meeting. Instead, residents will assume the task of finding funding for public restrooms. County staff suggested that residents set up a town meeting with the RFL Property Owners Association, RFL Chamber of Commerce, Larimer County Parks and Recreation, and National Forest administrators. (August 22)

Reports from Observers Nanci Wendland and Shannon Murphy contributed to this summary.

The full reports by Citizen Observers for the League of Women Voters of Larimer County are available on this Substack.

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