Broomfield council opposes telecom permit bill, backs amendments on faith-land housing and transportation bills

BROOMFIELD, Colo. — The Broomfield City Council on Feb. 11 voted to take formal positions on three Colorado bills after a staff legislative update that flagged local-control and fiscal concerns.

Council members voted unanimously, 9-0, to oppose House Bill 25-1056, which staff said would restrict local permitting of wireless telecommunications facilities by starting a permit “shot clock” when a telecom indicates intent to submit an application. Denae Broillard, Broomfield’s director of strategic initiatives and governmental affairs, told the council the bill “puts priority on telecom permits over other utilities” and described the shot-clock mechanism: “a telecom can submit a permit and the shot clock starts when they...and then a local government has X many of days to approve that or it automatically gets approved.”

The council also approved an “oppose unless amended” position, 7-2, on House Bill 25-1169, often called “YIGBY” (Yes In God’s Backyard), which would allow housing developments as a use by right on land owned by places of worship, school districts and universities. Staff flagged several concerns, including limits on local review, lack of required community notice and infrastructure questions. City Manager Hoffman told council, “Not only is there not a council…