Rangely council adopts sweeping municipal code updates in final reading

The Town of Rangely council on a unanimous vote approved Ordinance 705-2025 in its second and final reading, overhauling portions of Title 15 of the municipal code to bring local land-use rules up to date and to position the town for a planning grant.

"This is a second and final reading of Ordinance 705-2025," the chair read aloud at the start of the public hearing, outlining that the ordinance repeals Title 15, Article 3, Section 60; Title 15, Article 4, Section 120; and Title 15, Article 6, Section 300 and replaces revised titles, articles and sections in connection therewith. Town staff told the council the updates were prepared with assistance from Mesa County planners so the town's land-use code is more current and to enable a faster planning grant application.

Why it matters: council members emphasized the code had not been substantially revised since 2006 and the changes are intended to make local rules clearer and enable state or regional grant opportunities. One council member asked whether the revisions were mandated by state regulations and was told the changes are municipal updates done in coordination with county planners, not direct state dictates.

The council completed the public hearing, moved the ordinance as presented and recorded a unanimous 'aye' vote to adopt the ordinance. The ordinance replaces outdated sections of the Rangely Municipal Code and authorizes staff to proceed with any necessary ministerial steps to implement the revisions.

Next steps: staff will publish the revised code sections and proceed with any implementation actions required by the ordinance.