Longmont council appoints Matthew Popkin to fill Ward 2 vacancy after public interviews

Longmont City Council on Jan. 21 appointed Matthew Popkin to fill the Ward 2 seat vacated by Council member Marcia Martin, voting 4-2 by public ballot after a night of public comment and candidate interviews.

The appointment follows the city charter’s timeline for vacancies. Don, a city staff member, summarized the legal requirement before the interviews: “A vacancy which occurs less than 1 year but more than 90 days before the next regular city election, which will be 11/04/2025, shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining councilmembers within 30 days after such vacancy occurs.” The council said Popkin will be sworn in at the beginning of the next council meeting.

Why it matters: The council’s appointment fills the Ward 2 seat for the remainder of the term through the Nov. 4, 2025 regular election. Residents, applicants and council members framed the process as a test of transparency, neighborhood representation and the council’s ability to manage growth, housing and public safety…