Public commenters at the Longmont City Council study session on Sept. 16 pressed the council for information and action after incidents at a recovery residence at 2200 Winding Drive. Nathan Drashner said emergency services removed a person from the home on a stretcher over the weekend, and called the situation "pretty concerning." Sheila Roberts, who identified herself as a state-certified level 2 recovery residence operator, told council the main issue is money: she said certification allows providers to receive federal funding and requires standards of "safety, care, and accountability." Roberts said the city’s May ordinance grandfathered the property, allowing it to operate “without meaningful oversight,” and asserted the operator is charging $1,200 per bed.

Roberts said people in recovery are protected under federal law as a disabled population and argued that oversight matters because some homes may be operated "as a bed-for-rent business" rather than a structured recovery program. Drashner asked for “at least an update from the council in the near future” and said he had emailed the council on July 31 requesting one. He also said the local behavioral health authority had told him it was not aware when the house began operating.

No formal action or vote on the matter occurred during the study session; staff did not present a formal update on the record during this meeting. Council members and staff did not adopt or direct a specific regulatory change on Sept. 16. The public commenters asked for a community update and offered to work with the city on a plan.

Why this matters: Recovery residences house people with substance use disorder, a population commenters described as vulnerable and carrying high levels of trauma; where oversight is limited, residents and neighbors say safety and neighborhood impacts can follow. The council packet and subsequent staff briefings would be the next steps for anyone seeking a formal status report.

What to watch for next: Requesters asked for a council update; the transcript shows no formal staff report or motion to require immediate action. Council or staff may provide an update at a future meeting or in written council communications.