[{"_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",6210541,"mediaKeyId","3717592-5ab89109acd406ddbef947ae5ea75d3c","parentId",3717592,"title","Loveland quarterly report: city projects a $5.2M favorable variance but warns it follows a permanent $10.4M sales‑tax reduction","audioSeconds",321,"startMs",5258000,"endMs",5579000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3717592-5ab89109acd406ddbef947ae5ea75d3c&start=5258&end=5579","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3717592-5ab89109acd406ddbef947ae5ea75d3c/thumbnail_5258000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6210541/Loveland-City/Larimer-County/Colorado/Loveland-quarterly-report-city-projects-a-52M-favorable-variance-but-warns-it-follows-a-permanent-104M-salestax-reduction","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210541-8a522d246795f9ebb5380e04f11b97a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152353&Signature=Sazo~AFy540e5wcdY5I7ziDah7SHgenP62m2hyx4ALJL9K-NpuY9UBpbzHWMT~kOCctR2PevCcOvapb~gYXpJHVGDFgsaX4Etr9XoSmRqsqNuUElzEtBEE0wbz3wbkUpr3kZmPtd~hj8T0zzkGxpmvpkZNOMhh4cmgbHqnRxH3VUZW3JaTJq~XgReVm7Uv4kt0aOWvzik2i25Ej1DmgwAwYoybyuuTjMSZX8O~gIiCdk-WHjQyzXsNUbvDQmtJZhNajAgazrRBe98TT~8eYHiQg5o1sas58TDhzCgnwfJiEuzk42LFMgCgImRjwNgHyJlMdIN6j0yqjjb~5QnxvWSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Loveland CO","date","2025-05-27T00:00:00Z","article","City finance staff briefed the Loveland City Council on first‑quarter 2025 financial results and a projection staff plans to use for the 2026 budget workshop.

Chief Financial Officer Brian Waldes said the general fund’s current, unaudited position shows a projected positive variance of about $5.2 million heading into the 2026 budget discussion. He cautioned that the city’s long‑term finances reflect a $10.4 million annual reduction in general‑fund sales tax revenue after a November 2023 ballot change that removed sales tax on food for home consumption; 2024 collections reflected that new, lower base and Q1 2025 shows a continuation of that level.

Waldes reviewed revenue components and timing effects: sales tax is the largest single revenue source and is on track to meet the adopted 2025 budget on a cash‑basis view; property tax timing creates large monthly swings; building‑materials use tax and auto‑use tax are comparatively small. He cautioned that some early variances are timing related and that capital spending can quickly consume fund balance if projects accelerate.

On reserves and liquidity, Waldes reported an investment portfolio of about $358 million (largely held for enterprise and utility funds) and reiterated that invested balances are not “extra” discretionary cash but include restricted and enterprise funds; the city’s operating‑reserve component is a subset of the total portfolio. Staff recommended a focused council briefing with financial advisors on the investment portfolio rather than treating the portfolio as an unrestricted surplus in quarterly materials.

Waldes said the $5.2 million variance is a useful planning figure but urged caution: the general fund is large (staff noted the fund’s size) and a modest percentage downturn in revenues could erase the variance quickly. Councilors asked for follow‑up: staff agreed to return with a more detailed review of tax‑increment/TIF impacts and of Fund 603 (LURA) balances and to provide additional detail on the mix of revenue contributors and how one‑time items affected 2024 results.

A public commenter asked for clarification of “pending ordinances not yet appropriated”; staff said those items related to listed agenda items at the time the packet was prepared and that most had been approved at a subsequent meeting. The report was informational; no budget or policy changes were adopted at the study session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Loveland City Council Meeting May 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City finance staff said first‑quarter 2025 results leave the general fund with a projected $5.2 million favorable variance heading into the 2026 budget workshop, but they warned this follows a permanent $10.4 million reduction in annual sales‑tax revenue after a 2023 ballot change.","taxTitle","Loveland City, Larimer County, Colorado","taxId",4546,"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},6210547,"Loveland staff outline UDC landscaping changes to comply with Senate Bill 24‑005 and conserve water",106,2909000,3015000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3717592-5ab89109acd406ddbef947ae5ea75d3c&start=2909&end=3015","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3717592-5ab89109acd406ddbef947ae5ea75d3c/thumbnail_2909000.jpg","/articles/6210547/Loveland-City/Larimer-County/Colorado/Loveland-staff-outline-UDC-landscaping-changes-to-comply-with-Senate-Bill-24005-and-conserve-water","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210547-fd6f23dc4948a857d60b03e13500cba7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152353&Signature=FoFff~ZL~c9di3wjmmNPQi1Tf1oWm1HNptHnsAzB4Tr-PK5skHOBCEFwoq21jK6nqq~kOb1E0RDzO18D5MUIw0xLkAMTecrwU5VQk3vUcdtfPRytAIQzeudoi6AWMtlMslD2tpHMX-URSLDo5GysZBcah2WJfNrmyLbQ31wTA8VVUbzJezMR1RtKQwW~w4-rpw8I6jlNBTKk3SZ2SnBgA7vS~pzUHdRNvWWC07phNGEGuGTS-Q2XlT7lTF-ejHaiO4c1QT7IurkODKBkA56V~jU~6-B~55dpfANUBL9ezGiyIcCriUpjIl~kHUsr3bCoNkNDEkRE-0~Bc3r6jRnZVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning and water‑resources staff, together with consultants, told the council that state law (Senate Bill 24‑005) requires cities to restrict nonfunctional turf and certain artificial turf in new development and major redevelopment and to update local plant lists and definitions to promote water‑efficient landscaping.

Presenters said the law applies to institutional, industrial, commercial and common‑interest properties (homeowners associations), rights‑of‑way, medians and parking areas but does not apply to private residential lots. The state requirement takes effect Jan. 1, 2026 for Colorado communities; the consultants noted a related 2025 bill (referenced in the presentation as House Bill 1113) that clarifies limits on nonfunctional artificial turf.

Bridle/Brindle Group consultants and city staff recommended updating the Unified Development Code to define “functional” versus “nonfunctional” turf (functional examples: sports fields, play areas, stormwater uses) and to prohibit nonfunctional turf in newly developed or substantially redeveloped landscapes when 50% or more of landscaping is disturbed. The consultants described alternative plant palettes—native warm‑season grasses, climate‑adaptive grasses and water‑wise ground covers—and said early testing in the region is assessing species’ drought tolerance and maintenance needs.

Staff briefed council on the practical implications: the code amendments will require new definitions, revised redevelopment triggers (Loveland’s current redevelopment definition focuses on building area rather than landscape area), and clearer approved/prohibited plant lists. The city will reverse the longstanding “optional turf pathway” so that developers must plant alternatives unless they demonstrate no feasible alternative. Staff recommended an informational developer session on June 24 and more public and stakeholder briefings through the summer and fall, with code finalization planned this fall.

Councilors raised practical concerns about wildfire‑risk areas (WUI) in western parts of the city, the appearance and maintenance differences of non‑turf landscapes, and the need to allow future innovations and pilot projects (for example, native grasses and tested hybrids). Staff said the city will coordinate with Loveland Fire Rescue Authority on WUI compatibility, and noted voluntary programs already in place—lawn‑replacement rebates and a hydrozone program—and that some short‑term irrigation may be required while native plantings establish.

No ordinance or vote was taken; staff will return with draft code language and continued community and developer engagement ahead of the 2026 compliance deadline.","City planners and water‑resources consultants briefed council on proposed Unified Development Code updates to implement Senate Bill 24‑005, which restricts nonfunctional turf and certain artificial turf in new development; the city plans public outreach and a developer session ahead of a Jan. 1, 2026 compliance deadline.",{"_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},6210552,"Outside insurers train Loveland council on harassment risk, recommend high standard of workplace civility",500,2765000,3265000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3717592-5ab89109acd406ddbef947ae5ea75d3c&start=2765&end=3265","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3717592-5ab89109acd406ddbef947ae5ea75d3c/thumbnail_2765000.jpg","/articles/6210552/Loveland-City/Larimer-County/Colorado/Outside-insurers-train-Loveland-council-on-harassment-risk-recommend-high-standard-of-workplace-civility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210552-b1758b611f0c48bb2a09387df7c80c1b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152353&Signature=fnM9P0oAGg6CkDlEP~~Fvvzt3LuKPakHparwz0yhZNDIaVQEGqFzHnwl0qkOa1ZZTOw2GAOr~H3faPhU-AypsQ73zlIkISMIL6d8wHdRlMue74QrFlseQ5GT5tdmkTck9tMAI64TyYH0leOKF~LNP5c2AFq05kdkQOrdiUFW0WKcRsA8hhb9wZzFfSnZ8arOihKaiOjy4Hp-RMiVw7dvp4KqQaEGISc~TDmkh1S0js1y7N4h4sHdApMbVwJQPndWuE4yGLTmIiVN4EkOiDWG55-ixQX2PeVoi5j5DzJjfDglp820UnPdqP6PxPa4aryE6oB4aKAKzuJ6Ir5HzqoggA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Attorneys and risk‑management staff from the Colorado Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency (CIRSA, also called CSRSAA in the presentation) briefed Loveland City Council on employment‑practices liability, recent state law changes and best practices the city can use to reduce risk of harassment and discrimination claims.

Sam Light, CIRSA deputy executive director and general counsel, said the agency offers training resources to municipal governing bodies and emphasized that focusing only on legal thresholds for harassment can leave a public perception gap. \"If that's all we're focused on is the h word,\" he said, organizations can fail to address broader culture; he recommended leaders set a higher standard of civility and respect that goes beyond the minimum for legal liability.

Panel counsel Peter Doherty described recent legal developments in Colorado, including the 2023 Protecting Opportunities and Workers Rights Act (the presenter called it the Power Act) that can allow liability from a single offensive instance in some circumstances. Doherty advised officials to be proactive: timely investigation and consistent corrective action are central. He noted that municipal structures—such as a city‑manager system with centralized HR—can help ensure consistent handling of complaints, and that handling allegations against elected officials is particularly sensitive.

Speakers urged clearer conduct norms and stronger expectations at the top of government to prevent disrespect from “permeating down.” They praised Loveland’s existing Administrative Rule AR‑37, which already directs the city to correct inappropriate conduct even when it does not meet the statutory definition of harassment. CIRSA staff offered resources including an elected‑officials handbook and said their training can be scheduled for governing bodies periodically.

Councilors asked whether elected officials can be removed under state law; presenters said removal is legally possible in limited circumstances for statutory municipalities but is a complex area for home‑rule cities and must be handled through charter and constitutional analysis. Several councilors asked for more frequent training—one suggested delivering training every two years after elections to reach newly elected officials—and presenters said CIRSA can provide recurring briefings.

The briefing was informational; no policy change or formal motions were taken. Staff will evaluate follow‑up training and timing with CIRSA.","Representatives from the Colorado Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency and panel counsel presented employment‑practices liability and best practices, urging the council to adopt a “respectful workplace” standard above minimal legal thresholds and to use timely, consistent HR procedures for complaints involving elected officials.",{"_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},6210557,"Loveland youth present civic-engagement push, school-safety plea and Narcan outreach to council",1923,451000,2374000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3717592-5ab89109acd406ddbef947ae5ea75d3c&start=451&end=2374","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3717592-5ab89109acd406ddbef947ae5ea75d3c/thumbnail_451000.jpg","/articles/6210557/Loveland-City/Larimer-County/Colorado/Loveland-youth-present-civic-engagement-push-school-safety-plea-and-Narcan-outreach-to-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210557-ee4c93b877b21c79a5b964b9537e9007/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152353&Signature=MJVWoQeS44-RqzoUhPHhtTFhiaBnzd92jdPpDbqs0H6uMN7mY1ddhYqyngyt5C9B8k8RT-QezxCeHJCNPV4bpnViP863qBWxdccYAIhmTpzxlVBHCkMQwQotLsEQYyHgzIS6cPZcbKZMJfGgRDS7-JzGLxj~X57LxCPOy1yca3ZnAvgbyjpuYq-chAOa78w8MvlFfX-6wmWC1IiCROXvLWnr1~68bLEEKqe3~BTwte8JEkdAHyGMFuiJCWdTBAr5nerK2~VgqO3E6fhsuTNFybdKOCYTXOhHXKGWQxoYIrY5GXTVYfONWyp1gK7CHdXtuhAJG0pQkmTXLWNKjr2hnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Good evening, Mayor and council: members of Loveland’s Youth Advisory Commission (YAC) told the City Council they spent the 2024–25 term recruiting and educating peers on civic engagement, school safety and substance-abuse prevention and asked for city support on two items.

At a June study session the commission’s subcommittees said they used social media and school outreach to increase youth engagement; leaders described a year-long school-safety project and requested that the council send a letter of support to the Thompson School District urging clearer, more frequent safety drills; the substance‑abuse subcommittee outlined an opioid‑overdose education campaign and urged consideration of restrictions on flavored nicotine products.

YAC vice chair Ellie Moran said the civic engagement subcommittee focused on “increase[ing] accessibility and information around elections and the voting process for young adults and first time voters.” Chair‑elect Abby Rice said the group chose social platforms to reach peers and described growth: “Our overall engagement on our Instagram platform at lovelandjack increased by 285.7% ... resulting in a total of 23,455 profile views during this term.” Secretary Isaac Edwards provided the statistics during the presentation.

On school safety, YAC chair Kayla Chapman described student feedback collected by the commission, saying many students “don’t feel safe” because drills are infrequent and unevenly executed: “I feel like other students don’t take drills seriously, so we aren’t effectively practicing for when something happens.” Chapman and the subcommittee asked the council for a letter of support to the school board that would note gaps they found—frequency, staff training, variability in drill types and times of day—and to strengthen the commission’s ability to present its findings to the district. Several council members voiced support for endorsing YAC recommendations rather than directing the school board.

The substance‑abuse subcommittee described classroom presentations about naloxone (Narcan). Commissioner Madeline Kreuss summarized the drug’s role: “Narcan saves lives,” and explained practical points used in classroom materials: naloxone is available as a nasal spray, can reverse opioid overdose symptoms for roughly 30–90 minutes depending on the person, and is sold at pharmacies without an 18‑year age requirement. The subcommittee said it gave presentations in Thompson School District health classes, asked about school nurses’ access to naloxone and urged continued overdose‑prevention training. Council members suggested county and fire‑department programs (including a “first on the scene” training) and noted some public sources distribute naloxone free of charge.

Beyond the presentations, the substance‑abuse team asked the council to consider a municipal ban on flavored nicotine products to reduce youth initiation; YAC presenters acknowledged that prior council action had reached a first reading in a previous session but failed on second reading. Commissioners said they understand the proposal will be contentious and asked for guidance and partnership on messaging and enforcement if council pursues any action.

Council comments were uniformly complimentary about youth participation. Several council members suggested YAC present directly to the Thompson School District and offered to help with a letter or to forward YAC concerns to district leadership; one councilor volunteered to draft outreach to the district.

YAC members closed by inviting continued council partnership and summarizing next steps—presentation materials will be shared with teachers and commissioners hope the commission can use council support when meeting with the school board this fall.

The council took no formal vote on the YAC requests during the study session; members directed staff to advise on the logistics of a possible council letter to the Thompson School District and accepted the YAC presentations for city file.","Members of Loveland’s Youth Advisory Commission told the City Council they increased voter outreach and social-media engagement, asked the council for a letter supporting updated school safety drills, and described a year of student Narcan education and a call to restrict flavored nicotine.",{"_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},6210536,"Council hears competing views as staff maps industrial zones, buffers for proposed homeless‑shelter UDC changes",387,4691000,5078000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3717592-5ab89109acd406ddbef947ae5ea75d3c&start=4691&end=5078","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3717592-5ab89109acd406ddbef947ae5ea75d3c/thumbnail_4691000.jpg","/articles/6210536/Loveland-City/Larimer-County/Colorado/Council-hears-competing-views-as-staff-maps-industrial-zones-buffers-for-proposed-homelessshelter-UDC-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210536-b4d9e7fc2eddcb62f525eecf5d2a88fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152353&Signature=oddczNyjcmQbekor0iE-VQ-WYfvpqLY~QqGpvL7vSNlc7Yu5e9DmYZvls3A3eBbmEoPfUznzSKv4fEcdOY-jgm0KSj3v84sYRO9yhKFQkh4TH8DKdW-x6fbhkW8hVgbNIaAXv2INnH8MWgaC6sQd0J8IbQgiCNU83KByJzLn85WSHg8JjWne~D5fY5yr-TgITtqIRzP-2mTO5h-9PQO1p8HBt9L4ftQquwi6SBzjRyo8WsqDhnuz8xnEB5J7oZBfMaVy7DaNEZsv0KW462X5DE5amonKfgz~JYA5V4MWpjIYIFcBvz8GR8DjCcOyc78pPTqmWnA3obHCpmGMBG6WUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning staff presented two maps and sought council guidance on whether to limit standalone homeless shelters to industrial zones and whether to require separation buffers from residential zones and from major corridors.

Staff said the April direction to prepare maps came after a 5‑to‑4 council vote asking for more analysis, and presented two scenarios: industrial parcels that are at least 500 feet from residential zones and major corridors (U.S. Highway 287, U.S. 34, State Highway 402 and Taft Avenue), and a second map using a 1,000‑foot buffer. The maps highlight a limited number of industrial parcels that meet those criteria, and staff cautioned that many such parcels are already developed, lack pedestrian and service infrastructure, or are at or near the airport.

Staff reminded council that the UDC currently allows homeless shelters as conditional uses in both business and industrial zones; a conditional use requires a neighborhood meeting, planning‑commission review and gives an appeal path to council. Staff noted that community‑based shelters tied to religious organizations are treated differently and are federally protected; the current proposal concerns principal standalone shelters.

Public testimony was strongly divided. Some speakers urged council to avoid placing shelters near schools, downtown corridors or residential areas and supported industrial‑only siting and buffers; others urged the city to avoid “hiding” unhoused people at the urban fringe and instead locate services where transit and social supports are accessible. Multiple commenters and councilors raised the need for regional leadership—several speakers said shelter planning and funding should be coordinated at the county or regional level rather than left to one city alone.

Council reactions were mixed: a few councilors favored restricting shelters to industrial zones with a 500‑foot separation; others urged leaving business zones eligible or said the better approach is to treat shelter proposals as conditional uses that must come to council so each proposal is judged on its merits. City attorney staff noted that striking the use entirely from the UDC is possible but would not prevent an applicant from seeking a rezoning or a planned‑unit development (PUD), which could still be approved by council. Several councilors asked staff to explore an overlay or more finely tailored process and to evaluate whether any listed industrial parcels are realistically available and suitable.

Staff will return with proposed code language and options for council consideration; no ordinance change was adopted at the meeting.","City staff presented maps showing industrial parcels that would meet council‑requested 500‑ and 1,000‑foot buffers from residential zones and major corridors for potential siting of standalone homeless shelters; public comment was divided and council gave mixed guidance without adopting an ordinance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Loveland quarterly report: city projects a $5.2M favorable variance but warns it follows a permanent $10.4M sales‑tax reduction

Loveland staff outline UDC landscaping changes to comply with Senate Bill 24‑005 and conserve water

Outside insurers train Loveland council on harassment risk, recommend high standard of workplace civility

Loveland youth present civic-engagement push, school-safety plea and Narcan outreach to council

Council hears competing views as staff maps industrial zones, buffers for proposed homeless‑shelter UDC changes