Senate committee advances voluntary regional planning roundtable bill over objections from some councils of governments

House Bill 1198, a proposal to establish a voluntary regional planning roundtable commission to help local governments coordinate on housing, transportation and other cross‑jurisdictional planning, was advanced by the Colorado Senate Local Government and Housing Committee on a 4‑3 vote.

Supporters said the commission would be an optional resource to help local governments navigate new state programs and coordinate planning across topics and boundaries. Opponents, chiefly a regional council of governments, warned the new entity could divert local staff time and risk mission creep despite the bill’s voluntary language.

Senator Winter, the bill sponsor, told the committee that "this is a regional planning roundtable commission" intended to help local, regional and state planning needs that have become "more complex recently and interrelated." Winter described the commission as "a resource" and said it is "completely permissive" — local governments would not be required to participate. "I urge yes vote," Winter said.

Diana Orff, testifying for the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado (AGNC), said AGNC represents seven counties and multiple planning roles and that its members "are up to our ears in planning." Orff said AGNC opposes the bill because it "does not see the need" and because inclusion of professional planners on the commission "implies to the communities that somehow the state thinks they're not capable of doing their own planning." "We simply do not recognize the need at this time," Orff said.

Bev Staples, representing the Colorado Municipal League, urged support, saying the bill is a partnership approach rather than preemption and would "foster a more collaborative, comprehensive and forward thinking approach" to regional planning and affordable housing. Bridal Liphart, testifying for APA Colorado, noted the organization represents nearly 1,500 planners in the state and described HB 1198 as a voluntary, bottom‑up tool that recognizes the interconnectedness of planning for housing, transportation and water.

Scott Bressler, a transportation planner and legislative committee co‑chair for APA Colorado, said existing coordination mechanisms such as councils of governments (COGs) and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) work for certain topics but can be too large or prescriptive for others. He said the bill’s flexibility to form roundtables at appropriate geographic scales would help local jurisdictions comply with recent legislation and meet timelines.

During questioning, witnesses were asked about funding and membership. Orff said even a voluntary state body requires local monitoring and attention from already‑stretched staff. Staples said an amendment protecting technical assistance funding tied to SB 24‑174 (the bill number cited in committee) had been accepted by the sponsor, moving her organization into support.

On a motion by Senator Winter to advance HB 1198 with a favorable recommendation to the Committee on Appropriations, the committee voted as recorded by the clerk: Senator Bazely — no; Senator Liston — no; Senator Rich — no; Senator Snyder — aye; Senator Wallace — aye; Senator Winter — yes; Mr. Chair — aye. The motion passed 4 to 3 and the bill was referred to Appropriations.

The committee heard four witnesses (one of them online) during the testimony phase, and the sponsor indicated no committee amendments were offered. The measure will next be considered by the Appropriations Committee.