[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6569277,"mediaKeyId","3191474-3b05b6983c16c5ff5b511eda146de5ff","parentId",3191474,"title","Parks, Recreation and Golf advisory committee recommends becoming a commission, urges council to adopt ordinance","audioSeconds",487,"startMs",248000,"endMs",735000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3191474-3b05b6983c16c5ff5b511eda146de5ff&start=248&end=735","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3191474-3b05b6983c16c5ff5b511eda146de5ff/thumbnail_248000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6569277/Commerce-City/Adams-County/Colorado/Parks-Recreation-and-Golf-advisory-committee-recommends-becoming-a-commission-urges-council-to-adopt-ordinance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569277-f470bbe06c95d44d68110bda247ce2ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092376&Signature=AJGENnYP7fuRdAsacFd1Iiegf5Ounfon9tSzQaqZRBGAcx~lhqXX5rgThcjiBw8RoXX~gIRdE26WKpOcYgZii1~Fx9x6kzZl6xxuYjEguww0jbz39RwfGqi9KS5-EXkQdro~s7Amb-NKZG~L-N6GfR5dgwcWprVs3LZfAdDIuriE9EW~115OCrMu3Q685ko0MJaP9cus1-Sd2aVBudMPxvWq2A~gEEIpfL6eTG18u8uQGc8cC77OmI3UG2FPpGvhOS9ksk7jqTZlQ6gRnr6cY8s1iUiXiAJ5mAQOugguzgfgKzxNAcBXyBFKWn-5Duep-9rXMpVqufxQzcr2ZvkT7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Commerce CO","date","2025-05-05T15:41:54.447Z","article","Delilah Collins, co‑chair of the Parks, Recreation and Golf Advisory Committee, gave the committee’s annual report to the Commerce City Council, describing the committee’s membership, activities and a set of formal recommendations.

The committee — 13 members with two co‑chairs — told the council it held nine meetings in the past 12 months on issues including the PRG master plan, budget inputs, park naming, active adult and inclusion programming, CIP updates and planning for Buckwheat Community Park. Collins read statements from members describing motivations for serving and emphasized volunteer contributions at events such as Music in the Park, Run With the Buffalo and Fall Fest.

The PRG advisory committee voted on April 15 to recommend that the council convert the advisory body to a commission, to name it the Park, Recreation and Golf Commission, and to decline creating a separate golf advisory committee for now. Collins said the committee would return later if it decided a separate golf advisory body was needed. “We recommended becoming a commission,” Collins told council members, adding the group had discussed implications for duties and structure.

Committee members and councilors who spoke at the meeting said the move aims to give the group a more permanent role and clearer standing in city governance. Council Member Dukes and Mayor Douglas both praised the committee’s work; Dukes asked for a status update on the PRG master plan, and Collins said the plan is a 25‑year document that is “in its infancy” in terms of activation and that many of the committee’s recent activities align with the plan’s priorities.

Council members also discussed the ordinance process: staff reported the council previously advanced an ordinance conversion in first reading for other advisory groups and that the PRG committee’s vote means staff will prepare an ordinance for council consideration. City staff said a second reading would be required for final conversion.

The committee’s report also included program highlights — volunteer efforts, outreach, and cross‑departmental work with Public Works, Community Relations, Economic Development and PRG staff — and called attention to recent events and educational programming (including a LEED study cohort where two employees passed the exam). Collins noted she had encountered behavior on the committee that contrasted with its stated values but said she remained committed to leading by example.

The council did not take a final vote to convert the committee to a commission at this meeting; staff said an ordinance must be drafted and scheduled for council action.

Councilors and staff thanked Collins and the committee for the year’s work and for the recommendation; council indicated they would return the matter to the ordinance process for future readings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Study Session - April 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Delilah Collins, co‑chair of the Parks, Recreation and Golf Advisory Committee, delivered the committee’s annual report and said the committee voted April 15 to recommend that the city convert the advisory body into a formal Park, Recreation and Golf Commission.","taxTitle","Commerce City, Adams County, Colorado","taxId",4151,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6569267,"Sustainability staff outline Q1 projects: water planning, turf‑replacement exploration, tree canopy work and EV outreach",660,6720000,7380000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3191474-3b05b6983c16c5ff5b511eda146de5ff&start=6720&end=7380","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3191474-3b05b6983c16c5ff5b511eda146de5ff/thumbnail_6720000.jpg","/articles/6569267/Commerce-City/Adams-County/Colorado/Sustainability-staff-outline-Q1-projects-water-planning-turfreplacement-exploration-tree-canopy-work-and-EV-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569267-715acac7ee10eb92a43372e7716c02c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092376&Signature=S~Lp1JXlmSHri8Chxy~cxYOVn2-V48xSk1A2x3VD4LURv0~O1F12QpupMpHNt5aHRm3qQQyRkuTK-lAVaV9BTenDzvStPRPYA7a-4slD491y9hwAj0z~ZTg99y1qyYsjwU0UeXOtm99SVrjeEDHdEUvBgPmscoUjvN667OW1~LVGCm-05T1SL4DOwQSfLXW38xetaWrbsm4U9CPLWdsjtDiIOoP8g8Kf17x4QogSlZjKQ8XzmlxdK3QC2Xdc6L41WJibBY7pshMxOo1e3OmLhgRJeSvnlDDvSfuWyCaG80CQwLRZ7UDOGALoowO0JAnGpAyn0r5ubWvUq641i0yrcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commerce City’s Energy Equity & Environment (E3) division presented its first‑quarter update, describing community outreach, partnership activities, water portfolio work, grant pursuits and pilot projects aimed at reducing emissions and water use.

Libby Tart, sustainability planner, and Melody Mascarenas, sustainability manager, reviewed the division’s priority areas under the Sustainability Action Plan and listed events and partnerships in Q1: employee and resident “challenges” (166 participants reported), a March lunch‑and‑learn with Drive Clean Colorado (including EV test drives), a LEED study cohort that helped two employees pass the LEED exam, and coordinated public outreach for a xeriscape demonstration garden.

Tart said the E3 team completed 11 land‑use application reviews in Q1, issued two general service area allocations for water ERUs, and ran internal water‑education sessions including a “Water 101” recorded presentation for staff. She said the division is identifying internal policies and processes for water allocation so departments can understand where water comes from and how to request the city’s water portfolio units.

On grants, staff reported two setbacks: a CDPHE environmental‑justice application was not awarded, and a Healthy Homes grant in which Commerce City had been a subrecipient was discontinued by the prime recipient. The division said it has submitted an EPA “Mountains and Plains” environmental‑justice application (Cycle 2) that would, if successful, support greenhouse‑gas inventories and a desktop soil assessment to inform tree‑canopy and garden planning.

Staff described pilot and demonstration work: a xeriscape demonstration garden design with community feedback, a turf‑replacement study via a Project Accelerator technical assistance grant (partnering with SACWSD), and a tree‑canopy assessment to map existing canopy using GIS. They reported coordination with Xcel Energy, Drive Clean Colorado, Adams County municipalities, the Commerce City Chamber of Commerce and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge on outreach and events.

Council members asked about equity of EV deployment, utility incentives, and whether Suncor engagement or air‑quality monitoring meetings could be regularized. Tart said staff have met Suncor and plan additional meetings but had not yet established regular cadence. Staff also described work with SACWSD on water‑conservation programs and said the city is exploring opportunities for cash‑for‑grass programs and other landscape conversions that could reduce residential water use.

No council legislative action was taken at the presentation. Staff asked councilors to note the loss of two grant opportunities and said they would continue to seek funding and report back on any new awards or program starts.","Commerce City’s Energy Equity & Environment division reported Q1 work on water‑portfolio rules, grant applications, turf‑replacement pilots, EV outreach and a tree‑canopy assessment, and said two grant efforts did not advance.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6569272,"Colorado municipal insurer gives elected‑official liability briefing; open‑meetings, records and social media top concerns",1041,1238000,2279000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3191474-3b05b6983c16c5ff5b511eda146de5ff&start=1238&end=2279","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3191474-3b05b6983c16c5ff5b511eda146de5ff/thumbnail_1238000.jpg","/articles/6569272/Commerce-City/Adams-County/Colorado/Colorado-municipal-insurer-gives-electedofficial-liability-briefing-openmeetings-records-and-social-media-top-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569272-f50cc650a305e14191c7f7db4ac6e3d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092376&Signature=eM6xQjKHMCVS15-wi6EGn0hc8AM5pP49hbNJMd8mFu~jd5OUiQ6mPmmdTUSvCqMFYb4HGqKvhy1i0FabZvtz1NSOOa4VFVwq6Pd7bO7vdkwXt-5WaVcWWvshBKWIQX54GOUA9dUbus7desH6jr3xueN6o0oHjGdW5ao2Z1zmNmBcnVFFU~UFZWLXQeNNvzKg99jfbC6Or4K~fVy0xUqBN1txQevNqUBR4kD13qgzPLdcc2lHSyj2M8an8kJx~FYmuV2w4C1H2e4r9~xvFPFbyAdutjcDANUO70YN0x4hiawIgS4Gd-dPJEbjgLJsPhCf1HvsJNnyGPLW~hJ19CWnSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","General counsel Sam Light of the Colorado Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency addressed the Commerce City Council on legal risks and best practices for elected officials, focusing on transparency obligations, electronic communications, executive session rules and the fiduciary duties of public office.

Light said CIRSA — the public entity insurance pool that insures many Colorado municipalities — provides liability coverage and risk management training and urged council members to rely on professional staff and counsel when legal questions arise. “We’re not a commercial insurance provider; we are a public entity self‑insurance pool,” he said, describing CIRSA’s role insuring local governments.

Light reviewed the exposure created by Colorado’s open‑meetings and open‑records laws. He warned that the Colorado courts interpret those laws in favor of openness and noted anyone can sue for an alleged open‑meetings violation; the successful plaintiff may recover attorney fees. Light advised council members to avoid “serial” or daisy‑chain communications that amount to deliberation outside publicly posted meetings and to copy designated staff when using electronic communications for city business.

He also discussed executive sessions, advising strict adherence to the narrow permitted topics and to the procedural steps required to go into and out of executive session. He recommended that, before leaving an executive session, the governing body clarify which confidential items may be disclosed publicly and which must remain confidential.

On social media and records, Light told the council that electronic texts, emails and prompts to artificial‑intelligence tools may become public records if they relate to the performance of public duties. He advised caution: “Don’t say in an email, a text, a chat…anything you wouldn’t want to say in a public meeting,” he said, adding that social media posts can create liability risks or create challenges in quasi‑judicial land‑use hearings.

Council members asked about several practical topics: civil liability risks when council policy impacts private property rights, whether executive sessions may be added on the fly (Light urged caution and noted personnel topics can be riskier), and whether social‑media posts about upcoming hearings could lead to recusal requests. Light suggested that staff and the city attorney’s office are the primary resource for legal advice in the moment.

Light also briefed the council on a Colorado law that targets undisclosed “deep fakes” in election content and said the state’s law applies mainly to election contexts. He encouraged council members to report threats or troubling social‑media activity to the manager’s office or law enforcement so the city can marshal resources and, where appropriate, mental‑health or law‑enforcement interventions.

City officials thanked Light for the training and said the session would inform future council practice and policies on meetings, records and online communication.

No council action was taken; Light’s presentation was delivered as training and guidance.","Sam Light, general counsel for the Colorado Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency (CIRSA), briefed Commerce City councilors on risk management and liability for elected officials, emphasizing open‑meetings and open‑records compliance, social‑media risks, executive‑session procedures and use of the city manager and city attorney as resources.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6569257,"Votes at a glance: council extends meeting by one hour (4–2)",27,13959000,13986000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3191474-3b05b6983c16c5ff5b511eda146de5ff&start=13959&end=13986","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3191474-3b05b6983c16c5ff5b511eda146de5ff/thumbnail_13959000.jpg","/articles/6569257/Commerce-City/Adams-County/Colorado/Votes-at-a-glance-council-extends-meeting-by-one-hour-42","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569257-56d7ad6cfe4713fab44b36d7b06a1a21/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092376&Signature=bLfV3CUP64sR9imQCRhAaVn-uu8pDBM~8J32iWhTuAIfDKOIpvH9jBR2da65~BLTXy3O2rc7ZII5eW3YtUN2QWw6sQXzRWfaT2blSLmy8ZJSjZxY9P60edXDdwL0Wq~yIRGLCQFufYd-7YrA~-Xu6im7QPLy2c2NFstWs4jh~M9MV3p6gzXkjz-KXr9IfgbvbcThwUxUwYTok4kQB~8JGNn0JMqr~bV4rLB0QyGLijvaPbvHJUHVmu-3gE7jPoutkKWqjOxGCrboPnyVHhMKdHsYUiJyDZwuT~8z~TNWs3osVSy2b1GzA65ZjSz8Ud1-5T0McE9WUNe2hRREfixLvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Commerce City Council adopted one formal procedural motion during the study‑session portion recorded in the transcript: a motion to extend the meeting until 11:00 p.m.

Councilor Chacon moved to extend the meeting until 11:00 p.m.; a second was recorded. The motion passed on a 4–2 roll call. The transcript records counted votes as four ayes and two nays but does not provide a complete roll‑call list of members and their votes.

No additional formal votes on ordinances, resolutions or contracts were recorded in this meeting segment. The matter of converting the Parks, Recreation and Golf advisory committee into a commission was discussed and committee representatives said they would prepare an ordinance, but council did not take final action on that ordinance at this meeting.","At the close of the study session councilors voted 4–2 to extend the meeting until 11:00 p.m.; no other formal council ordinances or motions were adopted during the portion of the meeting covered by this transcript.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6569262,"City, consultants outline Transportation Master Plan update; public engagement, DRCOG modeling and sidewalk/truck‑route gaps highlighted",1146,9579000,10725000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3191474-3b05b6983c16c5ff5b511eda146de5ff&start=9579&end=10725","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3191474-3b05b6983c16c5ff5b511eda146de5ff/thumbnail_9579000.jpg","/articles/6569262/Commerce-City/Adams-County/Colorado/City-consultants-outline-Transportation-Master-Plan-update-public-engagement-DRCOG-modeling-and-sidewalktruckroute-gaps-highlighted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569262-1a3ba37933f8dcb1d304bdff79bc60bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092376&Signature=HJeDRLoWIBWQsTjA7wQ~36H3ozNLjXLzafN1dJe5eggkbRqWAkIDPt5u-tWjBmjhkj254U1d~bbW3GlNKlKtSOlkZSdjaGxDlpsY6IyZwnHsT3hkuF0xIfTli6glGXY~z46Kph~ZED~arffwo92pZKmsa2bkbTtaDCFFbB096T5WtTTZLkElCwFZQS2bjY-8zLMyGNUMQO5MXwraifvBudU13XiqPw~OjFhk8CwxctRc410S1rVNAqerwa~Oodwf-GcFT-SiKGmexdDI268y3n778hm-FqbQQcXctur~aWyr3E2PwHx1mdGjIcglUrLq1kIdjio8iGSqipPnPK~sSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commerce City public‑works staff and their consultants presented an update on the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) update, describing public engagement to date, technical work with Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) modeling, and next steps toward a draft plan.

Interim Public Works Director Jenna Hahn and consultants from FHU (Jenny Young and a colleague) said the TMP — the first update since 2010 — will be multimodal and long‑range, looking to 2050. The planning team said they conducted a robust first phase of engagement last summer and fall, collecting more than 2,200 online interactions and 800 location‑based comments, then began a second engagement phase in March; a second mailer was sent to residents to boost participation.

Consultants said DRCOG’s regional travel‑demand model was modified to match Commerce City’s comprehensive plan land‑use forecasts after staff identified mismatches between DRCOG’s default land‑use and the city’s plan. The team adjusted household and employment locations in the model to reflect where Commerce City expects growth and reran future traffic forecasts to produce a refined picture of 2050 traffic volumes.

Model results show increased volume‑to‑capacity ratios on key corridors if no improvements are made; adding DRCOG’s fiscally constrained project list reduces congestion in many locations. Consultants emphasized that widening is not the only solution: options include operational improvements (signal timing), new parallel routes, improved transit reliability and targeted multimodal facilities.

Consultants and staff highlighted active‑transportation priorities: filling sidewalk gaps, addressing safety concerns at intersections and rail crossings, and clarifying facility types (protected bike lanes vs. multi‑use paths) for recommended corridors. They also described the functional road classification review that will guide standards and future developer expectations; the team noted changes to arterial classifications require DRCOG/CDOT coordination because they can affect regional significance.

Council members raised freight and truck‑route concerns repeatedly. Staff said the TMP will consider truck routing and enforcement but noted designated truck‑route ordinances predate the TMP and enforcement can be difficult. Several council members requested the consultants examine truck volumes, accident data and designated truck routes as part of plan recommendations.

Staff said the draft TMP is on track for an August presentation to council with final adoption later in the year; the team said they will use engagement feedback to prioritize projects and that more targeted outreach — including pop‑up events and mailers — increased engagement in phase one. No formal council action occurred; staff will return with draft recommendations and requested additional stakeholder engagement.","Public‑works staff and consultants presented a status update on Commerce City’s Transportation Master Plan update, reviewing engagement to date, a revised travel demand forecast aligned with the comprehensive plan, existing‑and‑future conditions, sidewalk gaps, and the need to evaluate functional road classifications and truck routes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parks, Recreation and Golf advisory committee recommends becoming a commission, urges council to adopt ordinance

Sustainability staff outline Q1 projects: water planning, turf‑replacement exploration, tree canopy work and EV outreach

Colorado municipal insurer gives elected‑official liability briefing; open‑meetings, records and social media top concerns

Votes at a glance: council extends meeting by one hour (4–2)

City, consultants outline Transportation Master Plan update; public engagement, DRCOG modeling and sidewalk/truck‑route gaps highlighted