[{"_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",6454664,"mediaKeyId","5861937-d261f43808db2078cb434970251e5095","parentId",5861937,"title","Candidates spar over Westminster borrowing, courthouse and water-plant spending","audioSeconds",2044,"startMs",1042000,"endMs",3086000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5861937-d261f43808db2078cb434970251e5095&start=1042&end=3086","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5861937-d261f43808db2078cb434970251e5095/thumbnail_1042000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6454664/Westminster/Jefferson-County/Colorado/Candidates-spar-over-Westminster-borrowing-courthouse-and-water-plant-spending","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454664-59d218947deaa872042fb7b0cfa95426/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021142&Signature=oV78VuGMfVbKxTBkzjHPoVvNYUNc8e353KyeatFEKRXPz2mHwg1yM~F6ARdDajX-21us1~i1zmOZXrpFYQdaNj7GLdwCVVcVU0bkverGzTTjxZItmQrjePLdP1H9bTnHuimdaiNqueiwqINb3hI1-9n9WGife3J8sHOV2d4FFbwC-3lLVStn~eSgPv0PYOG~hcPvdQZCGmcuJPQx0YM1yQZ-oOejmbNSqZegSAH9EAN9uhmwADFJu85FuVqetzWuqygz6GnI~SCXN05L7Pc8Gy8jcdvtMYBc3b8aVckypwbtQVT3mVINOFiBM~nHefG~z-aU3lPZ2YEGon6kJlHjNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Westminster City, CO","date","2025-09-29T19:16:31Z","article","At the Westminster Chamber of Commerce candidate forum, several candidates criticized recent and proposed borrowing for major capital projects, while incumbents and experienced council members defended long-term investment and pointed to past savings.

Jeremy and other candidates flagged recent decisions to borrow — he referenced a $43,000,000 courthouse and a cited proposal for a $250,000,000 water treatment plant — arguing that such borrowing increases taxpayers’ long-term liabilities. \"We're going to be on the hook to pay it,\" Jeremy said, urging council priorities be focused on core services and maintenance rather than large new borrowing.

Mayor Pro Tem and council candidate Mr. Miller and mayoral candidate David Dimas pushed back, arguing that some borrowing is a normal municipal practice to replace aging infrastructure. \"Why are we building a new water treatment plant to help pull us away from a facility that is over 60 years old? We do this because we are thinking about our future and our future needs,\" Miller said, noting that delaying investments can increase eventual costs. Dimas noted past savings on water projects and reductions in water rates, saying the city has saved more than $100,000,000 on a wastewater project in recent years.

Candidates also discussed the role of sales tax and economic development in funding recurring services. One candidate noted that roughly \"65% of our general fund revenue ... comes from sales tax revenue,\" urging that the city continue to attract retail and commercial activity to support services and infrastructure.

Other speakers criticized the city’s use of urban renewal (tax increment financing) and questioned whether past downtown redevelopment delivered the intended benefits to residents. Opponents called for more transparency and for the council to prioritize essential services in budgeting.

No council votes or budget decisions were taken at the forum; candidates presented positions they said they would pursue if elected.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Westminster City Council Candidate Forum","oneSentenceSummary","Candidates at the Westminster forum debated large capital projects and borrowing: a $43 million courthouse and a proposed $250 million water treatment plant were cited as examples. Some candidates urged fiscal restraint; incumbents defended borrowing for long-term infrastructure and noted past savings.","taxTitle","Westminster, Jefferson County, Colorado","taxId",2385,"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},6454669,"Westminster candidates split on 3H ballot measure funding fire, paramedics and roads",2253,3923000,6176000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5861937-d261f43808db2078cb434970251e5095&start=3923&end=6176","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5861937-d261f43808db2078cb434970251e5095/thumbnail_3923000.jpg","/articles/6454669/Westminster/Jefferson-County/Colorado/Westminster-candidates-split-on-3H-ballot-measure-funding-fire-paramedics-and-roads","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454669-c6ab9f083b4834d3f1be12d72b943742/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021142&Signature=KjrtTL5CcO7D9IRDMdOv1lu4OXW2Eb8ufiwYbqi8Xd8CBQ5mpJdQrL3eWKKbpPUOFGhzwwgrL5azwPTH0qUF0n~GYSuz8BYreQtkNJvU7wEpWDkcUV4WGGaywfZMTbCA~VFlLJqUmXNWZL-VbXMYy~bM8~306veYWk9~l3stZbS0nTPXrHOlqqiQ5iz9L94KOmWB6rwHu-HDu-UWXAB4XYpOW6ikk5WUwzcRhzZjApIQRE25cxNciytL3btlBLYBETliUYXuTYe0XzdmoW7g0czDuTsDHIGxXNVTPez-fXF1vMWp9FWYAZnW6Pt~wK0ge~Zd52wZb4sd6YQq2WVMig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Westminster candidates at a Chamber of Commerce forum gave varied responses to ballot question 3H, which would fund additional staffing for the fire department and paramedics and add funds for neighborhood road maintenance.

During the City Council candidate segment, Jack Johnson said he would \"approve\" the measure; Karen Calabity and Jeremy answered \"neutral,\" while Mayor Pro Tem (and council candidate) Mr. Miller and Philip Romero said \"approve.\" Kathy Stroud answered \"neutral.\" Candidates explained that their answers reflected a tension between supporting public safety and asking voters to approve new taxes.

Mayor and mayoral-candidate answers were split as well. At the mayoral forum, candidate Baker said \"oppose,\" while other mayoral candidates offered support; candidates emphasized different priorities in their reasoning.

David Dimas, a mayoral candidate and a current council member, described outreach and specific allocations tied to 3H: \"When we had that conversation, I specifically brought up the fact that we needed to partner with the different stakeholders ... being our fire union, our business community ... and those are things that we've done as we've went through this journey of giving the option to the taxpayers.\" During the forum he noted that the measure would add $2,000,000 to neighborhood streets if approved.

Other candidates framed 3H as a form of investment in core municipal services. Philip Romero said that funding to maintain prompt fire and medical response is \"a critical life safety issue\" and compared it to having insurance for the city.

No binding city action occurred at the forum; the event recorded positions and arguments intended for voters to consider ahead of the election.","During the Westminster Chamber forum, City Council and mayoral candidates gave one-word positions on ballot question 3H and described how the measure would be used if approved. Candidates also debated whether long-term service funding should be put to voters.",{"_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},6454674,"Westminster council candidates focus on housing affordability, aging-in-place at candidate forum",1918,758000,2676000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5861937-d261f43808db2078cb434970251e5095&start=758&end=2676","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5861937-d261f43808db2078cb434970251e5095/thumbnail_758000.jpg","/articles/6454674/Westminster/Jefferson-County/Colorado/Westminster-council-candidates-focus-on-housing-affordability-aging-in-place-at-candidate-forum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454674-4825a2431c7eec4c20fa6baf72aa7139/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021142&Signature=D8wwTL5glwlWUCB8D2W07wlobkQMHMsxHEWr9RPR3jifcNkNIBtQkodAP3mGOTWS562OsLO-1NzgYbxAGfpFJCEMmF4Gmb77HNsvp3eHO4uaXn8BjNkEK-pDEAYPlTX4w9eAksW7Fj0N13uWTrcXnQvOe2D3HlUyVZcktb1o1ivmTEF2j4nqGQM~rGBLC2CzJVSdSce7yyBXEiQ0YuijYJxV9X0EgmUzDE4f9~PKQ69DMjhItVUXZOESVOVUG5uQrIdztkd1JrreAtSyuZLob-UO5Te4HKDE~XbpkfG0LIrT0bTpXhXupKjwDrl4j4OaLgcdqgOpGaXwWX1QzLmw4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a Westminster Chamber of Commerce candidate forum, City Council hopefuls said housing affordability and options for older residents should be a central focus of the council’s economic and planning work.

\"It is unaffordable to live in this city for many people,\" said Jack Johnson, a candidate and civil rights lawyer, during his opening remarks and later answers. Candidates tied housing concerns to workforce attraction and long-term fiscal health.

Candidates described several paths they said the city should pursue. Several called for partnerships with developers and nonprofit housing organizations to expand both rental and ownership opportunities. Philip Romero and others urged more town homes and smaller single-family units to give entry-level buyers a path to ownership. Jeremy (candidate) said the city should look to support developers who can build lower-cost town homes and starter houses.

\"Who can buy a starter home for $500,000? It's just not practical,\" Jeremy said, arguing that the council must press staff and developers to produce lower-priced units.

Some candidates emphasized aging-in-place over institutional care. Karen Calabity, a repeat candidate who has recently cared for an older spouse, said she wants policies that allow seniors to remain at home: \"Rather than warehousing them in assisted living or nursing homes, I think we can keep people in their homes,\" she said. Calabity proposed converting large single-family homes into duplexes or other shared models so older homeowners can stay in place while younger families occupy part of a house.

Several candidates highlighted the limits of what a single council member can do. Jeremy and others said councilors must rely on staff expertise and work with developers, nonprofits and regional partners to translate ideas into projects. Jack Johnson urged a reframing of how the city defines ‘‘affordable housing’’ so policy targets people entering the workforce as well as current residents.

Candidates also urged specific programs that could lower barriers to business-linked housing, such as childcare support that enables workers to accept jobs locally, and new programs to help prospective small-business owners test concepts before launching full storefronts.

The forum discussion did not produce proposals with formal council authority or funding commitments; candidates repeatedly noted that implementation would require staff work and majority votes on the council. Candidates asked voters to consider those policy priorities when selecting members of the next council.

The candidate forum was hosted by the Westminster Chamber of Commerce and moderated by Brian Head.","At a Westminster Chamber of Commerce candidate forum, City Council candidates cited rising home prices, the need for starter ownership and options for seniors to remain in place as top priorities. Proposals included developer partnerships, condo ownership promotion, grants and creative re-use of large homes.",{"_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},6454653,"Mayoral candidates emphasize collaboration, experience and public engagement in Westminster forum",1658,4981000,6639000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5861937-d261f43808db2078cb434970251e5095&start=4981&end=6639","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5861937-d261f43808db2078cb434970251e5095/thumbnail_4981000.jpg","/articles/6454653/Westminster/Jefferson-County/Colorado/Mayoral-candidates-emphasize-collaboration-experience-and-public-engagement-in-Westminster-forum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454653-a229f0c63b97acfec106134a9219fc5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021142&Signature=Ud7HPwY30AYRCLah0IneEQU0kaiOOrlMB5CSOeZzB6rPceA0bBKsA~LPXWChmD7k0om3Pgovb3oto80fBjsRixYPvXicJr1y1UoptYJ3K8lpyaZIbVsAFedjWAqhiRC2WPJVa2SaKo7re9TkmpqBf3wypPXzKKKCwS28VeZidupDeyobKnTHLQM-WEt37zGLCBML57bS5w~9OiNE9pOdjf~AvL2SpHWXComRyis~v2dPbUrJqk-otLxBcieXCT5mMQCruu0dzd4tJUFtQ7Y~oOp1Do-51932SAyokf4DynxxSGFjmykm~sR2lEIJGr9kowm2rC8MMTdtA0X48udvjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayoral candidates at the Westminster Chamber of Commerce forum framed the office as a role of partnership and public engagement while delineating different approaches to leadership.

Carmela (candidate) said her priority is \"public servant leadership\" and described a collaborative approach with regional partners, the chamber and nonprofits. \"I will come to the table with an open mind and an open heart,\" she said, and said she would use town halls with counties and school boards to improve public understanding of city decisions.

David Dimas, a current council member of eight years who is running for mayor, emphasized experience and institutional knowledge. \"I've worked with three different mayors, three different city managers,\" Dimas said. He pointed to past accomplishments — including lowering water rates and saving funds on a wastewater project — as evidence he can navigate the mayor's role, which he described as the leader of the council who must work closely with the city manager to translate policy into action.

Candidate Baker criticized what he described as a lack of openness to differing opinions on council and said the mayor should restore a culture that tolerates debate. Baker also described a suburban vision and was skeptical of some regional transit spending; he said the city should accept its suburban character and focus on competence and fair treatment rather than pursuing large transit projects the city cannot sustain.

All three candidates discussed collaboration with the city manager and staff. Dimas and Carmela emphasized deference to professional staff while highlighting the mayor’s duty to set policy and ensure public engagement. No formal endorsements or campaign actions occurred at the forum; the session was intended to help voters compare candidate visions ahead of the election.

On one-word positions about ballot question 3H (a city-referred tax measure for fire, paramedics and roads), Baker said \"oppose\"; other mayoral candidates expressed support or did not oppose in the forum sequence.","In the mayoral portion of the Westminster Chamber forum, candidates highlighted differences in leadership style: one emphasized managerial experience and collaboration; another pledged to restore open debate on council; and a third stressed suburban identity and skepticism about some regional transit investments.",{"_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},6454659,"Candidates urge clearer permitting, local-business incentives and a north–south shuttle for Westminster",401,1427000,1828000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5861937-d261f43808db2078cb434970251e5095&start=1427&end=1828","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5861937-d261f43808db2078cb434970251e5095/thumbnail_1427000.jpg","/articles/6454659/Westminster/Jefferson-County/Colorado/Candidates-urge-clearer-permitting-local-business-incentives-and-a-northsouth-shuttle-for-Westminster","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454659-e0f8220fb7f4471fc17f3e8e36e3479f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021142&Signature=WASbyvgZgqZleb-P5qfCCn-bQYCqR~LOWgi~NoQw5pRdSCa9jqRfT-dC0FEKwlbI7cwGwsYg~JoyFuzeSVrp0XcAtJn4q-zEtlnCb3k7L4XtqaVirj35i-IXt2kcsCm5isBZ~dH1HcPn8xCE9krh4v1nYlXPRTC1S~vRagOJFMVoJT3ZgWPyLvyOHkQZJ2si3lgJhr4-6zTlCnstcYiTU4VVgkbk3Miu9JRQtI50Kqhu6rAV6-fl0QdFTDYuWwotEHm6lDY40RJdGc0W6MEjkp4FGUWOymnfq9RHWYoSycOQtdZqoEVuede6iQGbloyHYgFo1NWbx7VwefRIQ~hVSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Business environment, permitting and local transit ideas featured prominently at the Westminster Chamber candidate forum as contenders discussed how to attract jobs, support local entrepreneurs and keep shoppers in the city.

Several candidates said the city should streamline planning, permitting and licensing processes. Mayoral-candidate and longtime council member David Dimas and other speakers said the city’s economic development team and the chamber are already working on training and outreach, and they urged deeper collaboration. \"Working with those different partners to understand what they need to survive is very, very important,\" Dimas said, referring to small businesses and longtime family enterprises in the city.

Other candidates urged stronger preference for existing Westminster businesses and local contracting opportunities. Karen Calabity said she would \"give an advantage to businesses within Westminster to help them thrive\" rather than outsource incentives to outside firms.

A number of candidates proposed a city-run shuttle connecting South and North Westminster to help residents reach shops, recreation centers and events without driving. \"A local shuttle that goes from South Westminster up to North Westminster ... would accommodate shoppers, so they don't have to use a car,\" Calabity said. Supporters said federal or state grants might help pay for such a service.

Candidates also recommended a simple permitting \"kit\" or checklist to help prospective small-business owners navigate steps to open a storefront or acquire a food-truck permit — a practical step proposed by a candidate who noted several local entrepreneurs are unfamiliar with municipal requirements.

Forum speakers credited recent successes in attracting retailers — one candidate cited Trader Joe's as a long-sought win that required sustained planning — and said renewing focus on local incentives and a predictable permitting path would help the city retain and grow a diverse business base.

No changes to city code or budget were adopted at the forum; candidates said implementation would require staff work and council approval.","At the Westminster candidate forum, contenders recommended streamlining permitting, strengthening ties with the Westminster Chamber and economic development staff, prioritizing local contractors and studying a city shuttle to link North and South Westminster.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Candidates spar over Westminster borrowing, courthouse and water-plant spending

Westminster candidates split on 3H ballot measure funding fire, paramedics and roads

Westminster council candidates focus on housing affordability, aging-in-place at candidate forum

Mayoral candidates emphasize collaboration, experience and public engagement in Westminster forum

Candidates urge clearer permitting, local-business incentives and a north–south shuttle for Westminster