Castle Rock — Town Council members discussed possible changes to the town's boards-and-commissions rules on Oct. 21 and gave staff direction to prepare code amendments and policy updates.

Council and staff discussed a set of issues raised by council earlier: whether committee members should be allowed to attend or interview remotely, whether appointees should be required to reside in Castle Rock, whether terms should be standardized (council favored three-year terms), and how to treat forfeiture for missed meetings.

Council members expressed that applicants should generally appear in person for interviews and that long-term remote participation should be limited. Council also signaled it wants residency as the standard for appointments to most boards and commissions, with a narrow set of exceptions (for example, state law governing the Downtown Development Authority constrains some requirements). Several members asked staff to replace a rigid rule of "forfeiture after two missed meetings" with a percentage-based approach (staff suggested an attendance threshold such as 80%) and to use "may be forfeited" language so chairs and liaisons can work with members before recommending removal.

Staff noted that some boards (for example, the water commission) have bylaws that allow nonresident business or extraterritorial appointments because the town provides utility service to some customers outside town limits; staff said those bylaws would need tailored review. Council asked staff to return with draft ordinance language, option language for board-specific exceptions, and a proposal for grandfathering current appointees where appropriate.

No formal action was required; council directed staff to prepare revisions for a future meeting.