Longmont open-space ballot proposal remains preliminary after advisory board backs protections

Longmont’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board unanimously backed a three-part effort to strengthen open-space protections, including a possible November 2026 charter-amendment question requiring voter approval for some open-space dispositions. But final ballot language, the scope of covered actions and a formal ballot referral remain unresolved, according to the board packet and June 8 meeting record.

The board’s June 8 motion supported City Council’s direction to pursue the package and explore charter language. Hannah Mulroy made the motion, Brandi Bradshaw Reyes seconded it, and it passed unanimously. The record does not provide a member-by-member roll call or identify any abstentions or recusals.

The package would:

1. Revise the open-space disposition ordinance. Proposed changes to Ordinance O-2011-10 would strengthen protections, including treating the granting of conservation easements as an exception to the existing disposition process.
2. Require conservation easements for fee-simple acquisitions. A new ordinance would require easements to be issued to qualified holders for existing and future open-space properties acquired in fee, consistent with a 2015 City Council direction.
3. Prepare a charter amendment for November. Draft language would add “Open Space Properties” to Section 13.2 of the Longmont City Charter, which currently addresses parklands and water rights.

The conceptual charter language would extend voter-approval requirements to covered open-space dispositions while retaining exceptions for routine operations and actions that do not diminish the property, including essential activities and infrastructure management. The record does not establish whether every sale or exchange would require a vote or how other dispositions would be treated.

The effort stems from an April 7 City Council motion by Councilmember Alex Kalkhofer, seconded by Mayor Hildago-Fahring, directing staff to return with the package and draft language. The council approved that motion unanimously, according to the board packet. Gordon Pedrow, identified as a founding member of Friends of Open Space, spoke in favor and presented an eight-point rationale. The June 8 materials record no named opponent or opposing argument.

Draft language remains subject to City Attorney review and further City Council direction. The city’s 2026 Council meeting schedule lists regular and study sessions but does not establish a specific future Council date for final consideration. The city has not documented completed legal review, an adopted ballot title or question, or formal certification for the November election.

If the proposal advances, some decisions involving Longmont open-space property could move from city-level approval to a citywide vote. Which decisions would be covered depends on the ordinances and ballot language still under review.