May 2025 Citizen Observer Corps Report Highlights
Compiled by Jorie Kramer, Larimer County Snapshot News
Windsor Town Board Regular Meeting | May 12, 2025
- Boys Basketball Team Recognized
- Mayor Julie Cline honored the Windsor High School Boys Basketball Team for their championship season. Each team member received a challenge coin.
- New Police Commander Sworn In
- The mayor swore in Police Commander Aaron McConnaughey, who received his badge from his daughter.
- Retail Dog and Cat Sales Prohibited
- Town Attorney Dan Money presented the Second Reading for Ordinance No. 2025-1718, known as Sammy’s Law, which prohibits the sale of dogs and cats in retail stores. The Board passed the ordinance by a vote of 4-3.
Observer: Shannon Murphy
Wellington Board of Trustees | May 13, 2025
- Veteran Garden Plans To Seek Funding from T-Mobile
- The trustees unanimously approved Resolution No. 20-2025 to support a T-Mobile Hometown Grant Application for a Wellington Veteran Garden project.The grant is expected to bring in $50,000. According to Deputy Town Administrator Kelly Houghteling, that amount should be enough to cover expenses. The design includes flags representing each branch of the military, a walkway with benches, and landscaping to create a welcoming and respectful environment. The project will not include a wall due to lack of space. The Veteran Garden is currently planned at Wellington Community Park near the dog park.
- Community Center Study Planned
- Parks & Recreation Manager Billy Cooksey presented the Master Plan and Community Center Feasibility Study. The study will assess needs, budgeting, and more for the planned community center.
- Mayor Pro Tem Appointed to Transportation Council
- Mayor Pro Tem Brian Mason was approved as liaison to the Upper Front Range Transportation Planning Council. Wellington has been a member of the council since 1993 but has not had formal representation. Town Administrator Patti Garcia said Mayor Calar Chaussee nominated Mason as a voting member to represent the town and Mason accepted.
Observer: Nanci Wendlend
Fort Collins Air Quality Board | May 19, 2025
- City Council Update
- Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Fort Collins, Jacob Castillo, gave the board a recap from a recent City Council meeting. Castillo said reducing air pollution led to some policy discussions regarding the city’s energy codes and building standards.
- Clean Air Goals Update
- Castillo said he would like to spend more time with state regulators and review how state regulations affect Fort Collins and Larimer County. He also said the city and county will miss their 2026 and 2030 clean air goals, however, the environmental and air quality department will continue to track results.
Observer: Nanci Wendlend
Thompson School District Board of Education Regular Meeting | May 21, 2025
- Approval of Tentative Agreement for Union Negotiations
- At the previous board study session, board members heard an update on the negotiations process between Thompson School District and the teacher’s union, Thompson Education Association (TEA). At the May 21 meeting, Thompson School District Director of Human Resources Tom Texeira and TEA President Sue Teumer responded to comments about the Memorandum of Understanding Tentative Agreement. Board members expressed appreciation that the agreement called for a task force to address discipline issues. President Barb Kruse called for a motion to approve the agreement, and the motion passed unanimously.
- 2025-2026 Budget Development Update
- Chief Financial Officer Bob Ebersole gave an update about the ongoing 2025-2026 District Budget development process. A draft of the full budget will be available online, and copies will be in the Berthoud and Loveland libraries. The full budget will be discussed at the June 4 board study session, and again at the June 18 regular meeting.
Observer: Lisa Love Blankenship
Wellington Board of Trustees | May 27, 2025
- Public Comments
- A resident raised concerns about the quality of Comcast internet and cable installations around town. Another person suggested that membership on the newly formed Rate Advisory Board should be open to the public.
- Liquor Licenses
- Two special events and two Wellington businesses received licenses: The special events are Grace Village Cereal Box Concert and Spargetoberfest. A new license for Deppen Brewing LLC Brew Pub was unanimously approved. Soul Squared Brewing submitted a modification of premise and report of changes to their already approved liquor license.
- Sage Farms Approved
- Two public hearings were held for the Sage Farms Preliminary Plat Phase I and were unanimously approved by the board. The subdivision is planned for the eastside of State Highway 1 and South of G.W. Bush Avenue.
- Cleveland Avenue Project Update
- Town Attorney Dan Sapienza reported that property acquisitions will be required to continue the ongoing Cleveland Avenue project. Sapienza plans to present more details to the board on Tues. June 10 in a closed Executive Session.
- Public Entertainment for Summer Nights
- A new “Movie Night in the Parks” series is set to kick off this summer at parks across town beginning June 7 at the Wellington Community Park. More details are available on the town website.
Observer: Nanci Wendlend
The full reports by Citizen Observers for the League of Women Voters of Larimer County are available on this Substack. Go here to learn more about this project. If you’d consider being a volunteer Observer, please message us. For more news about local governments, tune into Larimer County Snapshot News.
