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Northglenn legislative committee opposes parts of House Bill 1147, cites home-rule concerns; council to send veto request
Summary
Council members and the legislative committee signaled opposition to parts of HB 1147 that would limit municipal court sentencing authority, calling it a home-rule concern, and said the city will send a veto request to the governor; city attorney noted related cases before the Colorado Supreme Court.
City councilmembers on April 14 described a legislative committee position opposing portions of House Bill 1147 and said the city will send a veto request to the governor, citing concerns that the bill would interfere with municipal home-rule authority and municipal court sentencing discretion.
Councilmember Walker, speaking for the legislative committee, said a portion of HB 1147 would tell local courts what sentences they can impose and that the committee “strongly disagree[s]” with that approach. “This is a clear violation of home rule authority,” Walker said during the meeting.
City Attorney Hoffman told council that related challenges over municipal court authority are pending before the Colorado Supreme Court in cases involving the cities of Aurora and Westminster. “Ultimately, this is about, again, as council member Walker indicated, home rule authority,” Hoffman said, adding that the cases will be considered by the court within about a month.
Councilmembers also reviewed other bills they are tracking. The legislative committee has taken positions or is monitoring bills on construction defects, wireless permitting (concern over shot clocks), solar permitting, RTD board representation, and changes to election law. Several councilmembers expressed concern about bills that could usurp local control or impose unfunded mandates.
Council said the legislative committee will create a public-facing landing page so residents can track bills that affect the city and the positions council has taken. The city’s lobbyist will provide a comprehensive update to council on May 12, and Superintendent Chris Gadowski of Adams 12 will speak to council on May 19 about school funding impacts.
No formal council resolution was required to record the committee’s positions this evening, but councilmembers said they will send a veto request on HB 1147 and will continue to monitor court rulings and legislative developments.
