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House adopts bill expanding municipal authority over land outside city limits amid property-rights objections
Summary
The Colorado House approved House Bill 1029 on third reading after members debated whether the measure would allow municipalities to exert control over privately owned land near municipal property, including a 300-foot buffer provision cited by critics.
The Colorado House adopted House Bill 1029 on third reading and final passage by a 41-21 vote with three excused members.
Supporters said the bill clarifies municipal authority on land a municipality acquires outside its limits; opponents said it enabled encroachment on private property rights. The bill passed after floor debate that focused on private-property protections and a 300-foot buffer mentioned repeatedly by critics.
Representative Succala spoke against the bill in a floor statement that framed the measure as a rights issue. "This bill is a private property rights taking. If you vote yes on this bill, what you will do, you will give municipalities the authority to control the private land that are surrounding the government land," Succala said. "I ask that you vote no on this bill." Representative De Grama also said she opposed the measure and asked for more information about why municipalities would need property outside their municipal boundaries and the purpose of a 300-foot buffer.
Assistant Minority Leader Winter said private property rights are central to his opposition, describing the effect as incremental: "It's just, you know, chip at a time, chip at a time, death by a 1,000 cuts. So I think it's important to keep private property land owners whole." Representative Kelty called the bill a "land grab" and urged a no vote, saying the government should not be taking property.
Floor proponents argued language related to eminent domain had been removed and urged colleagues to review bill text and amendments. Supporters characterized the measure as a public-safety and cost-savings bill intended to address responsibilities between municipalities and other local jurisdictions; that defense was presented during debate but was not attributed to a specific named sponsor in the transcript excerpts.
The House opened the machine for roll-call voting on third reading; Representative Martinez, Representative Gilchrist and Representative Bradley were among members recorded as they voted during the roll call. With the vote closed, the clerk announced, "With 41 I, 21 no and 3 excused, House Bill 1029 is adopted."
The bill now moves on per the Legislature's regular process; the transcript does not specify required next steps or an effective date.
Ending: The transcript indicates the debate centered on property-rights concerns and local control; members opposing the bill emphasized the 300-foot buffer and potential municipal enforcement beyond city limits, while supporters said relevant eminent-domain language was removed and framed the bill as addressing public-safety and cost issues.
