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Council signs IGA with Larimer County and approves funding for ranked‑choice outreach and campaign‑oversight pilot
Summary
The council authorized an IGA with Larimer County to run the November coordinated election, approved a high‑end funding appropriation to cover election costs if fewer partners join, and endorsed a pilot contract for proactive campaign‑oversight to support ranked‑choice voting.
The City Clerk’s office and election‑code committee asked council to approve an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Larimer County for the city’s coordinated November election and to appropriate additional city reserves to cover election‑administration costs and a pilot campaign‑oversight contract.
Dylan Coldiron, city clerk, explained that Fort Collins moved municipal elections to November and adopted ranked‑choice voting after the 2022 voter measure. Because ranked‑choice administration and vendor licensing carry additional costs, the county requested early approval of the IGA so election preparations could start sooner. The county provided several cost estimates depending on whether the state, county or other entities participate; staff asked council to appropriate a high‑end estimate to ensure the city could legally sign the IGA and to maintain funds for voter education.
Council authorized Resolution 2025‑048 directing the IGA certification and approved an appropriation request (Ordinance 69 on first reading) that would add up to $317,000 toward the election estimate and $40,500 for an outside campaign‑oversight contractor and related outreach; staff said unused funds would return to reserves. Coldiron and senior deputy clerk Cecilia Good described planned outreach that includes a web‑based “blue book,” mailed flyers to households, event presence and practice ballots so voters can try ranked voting before election day.
Why it matters The coordinated IGA and funding decisions accelerate steps to implement ranked‑choice voting and prepare voters. Staff said strong outreach is needed because ranked‑choice ballots and tabulation differ from the city’s prior elections. The campaign‑oversight pilot is a proactive contract intended to review candidate finance filings, offer education to campaigns, send reminders before filing deadlines and escalate unresolved issues to the clerk and city attorney.
Council action and follow‑up The council unanimously approved the IGA resolution and on first reading adopted the appropriation ordinance (both 7‑0). Council members asked staff to pursue state grant or licensing relief opportunities and to provide a clear voter information guide on the charter amendments and on ranked‑choice voting ahead of the ballot.
Ending Staff will coordinate with Larimer County on ballot content and cost allocation, develop the ranked‑choice outreach program (including online practice ballots and a blue‑book resource), and solicit or contract for the campaign‑oversight service prior to candidate and filing deadlines.
