Broomfield Taxpayer Matters

March 17, 2025

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This newsletter contains the following stories and information:


  • Make Your Voice Heard - Investigative Research
  • Jet Setting Councilmembers are off to Washington DC...again
  • Broomfield Council Passes their amendment to the 2025 Budget
  • What's up with the "Council Governance Committee"?
  • Other Upcoming Study Session Items
  • Upcoming Agendas
  • March 18, 2025, Study Session
  • March 25, 2025, Regular Meeting
  • April 8, 2025, Regular Meeting
  • City Council member contact information

Pay Attention to these upcoming items in the Broomfield Council Agendas:


March 18 - Study Session

  • 2B. Creation of a Structure of Governance Committee - more unaccountable government, namely bureaucracy
  • 2C. Medium to High Density Residential Code Updates - most likely increases costs
  • 2D. Broomfield and Interlocken Economic Real Estate Analysis and Considerations


March 25 - Regular Meeting

  • 2D. Front Range Passenger Rail Joint Service Update
  • 
  • 6C. I-25 Sub Area Plan Phase 2 Contract
  • 6E. Approving an MOU with Adams County for Emergency Election Relocation Procedures
  • 7A., 7B., 7C. Business Improvement District (BID) Formation for Broomfield Town Square - Second Reading - URA Agreements and Amendments


April 8 - Regular Meeting

  • 7B. Public Hearing - Matters related to Marijuana Operations and Cultivation Ordinance - 2nd Reading
  • 7C. Business Incentive Agreements to Encourage Business Expansion


Please let us know if you plan to attend by registering here.

Local News

Our next Make Your Voice Heard Event is coming up at the end of March.

Investigative Research

Saturday March 29 2025

1-3PM

(Event details will be provided following confirmation of your RSVP)


As you do your own research on issues that affect you, learn about what to look for, where to find information, and how to submit Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) requests.


Sign up here today! You won't want to miss this informative and empowering session.

Picture source: Heidi Henkel for Broomfield Facebook page

Jet Setting Councilmembers Once Again Focus On Their Priorities Over Broomfield

Just as Broomfield residents received their latest water bills which increased by an average of 50%, the Broomfield Three were back out in Washington D.C. this month.


Broomfield Councilmembers Heidi Henkel, James Marsh-Holschen, and Austin Ward traveled to DC on taxpayer dollars to "do important work for Broomfield". This after they were called out for their abuse of Broomfield taxpayer dollars with their travel in 2024, including Councilmember Marsh-Holschen being admonished for clearly violating city policy with his travel.


What exactly that important work is, we're not sure. Cost of living is up in Colorado. Broomfield property taxes are at an all time high, your water bills are going up with no end in sight. So, what did their trip to DC do to help you and your family facing these trying times?

And as they are coming back from their cross-country trip, public questions continue to be raised regarding Ms. Henkel's clear abusing her role as Councilmember (and taxpayer funds) to promote Broomfield Resettlement Task Force (BRTF), an un-registered non-governmental organization (NGO) with which she holds the position of Executive Director.


How is this OK? Further, how is it acceptable for Ms Henkel's camp to lash out publicly at her constituents that are questioning her use of her elected position to advocate for BRTF, an organization that is not registered as a non-profit under the IRS tax code?


As these concerns are deflected by Ms. Henkel, her behavior and integrity is now being questioned by other Councilmembers on the Broomfield Council. Lack of integrity, damaged public trust, and prioritizing their own priorities over the citizens they represent - these are characteristics of many on the Broomfield Council in 2025.


Broomfield citizens deserve real representation, not aspiring politicians looking to further their own power.

Broomfield Council Passes their amendment to the 2025 Budget

At the March 11 2025 City Council Meeting, the city staff presented their first amendment to the 2025 Proposed Budget which the Broomfield Council passed by resolution. Slide 4 of the presentation summarizes new budget items. Are these items "reallocation not reprioritization" under the existing budget, or are they truly new revenue and spending items?


There is so much to unpack in the budget amendment, we're only going to look at a couple of key items for now.

Changes to the General Government Operating Funds

A closer look at the table of the revisions to the Government Operating Funds provided by city staff shows that there was a change in revenues in the amount of $14,388,112 and a change in expenses of $13,140,496. There are also some curious items in the revisions, including "Community Solutions", "Family Voices" "FY24 WIOA DW Admin" - what exactly are these items, and what are they doing using your tax dollars?


Changes to the Broomfield Enterprise Fund

Remember that recent 50% water increase? Well, under the first amendment to the 2025 budget, they transferred funds from the Broomfield Water Fund to fund the recently created Utility Rate Assistance Fund (URAF), impacting it in the following ways:

  • Reduces the Water Fund projected budget revenue by $1,479,300
  • Increases expenses by $620,700 for URAF Reimbursements, including $127,611 for two employees and Position and $493,090 for assistance rebates


Our question is: Why is the City and County of Broomfield once again setting up a city-run program to give money back to those that they deem appropriate?

Rather than helping all residents with their water rates, they are making the most vulnerable residents more and more dependent on the city for assistance. And. wasn't the water rate increase supposed to go to fund the purchase of bonds (debt) to shore up the the city's water infrastructure?

Speaking of Political Power, What's with this "Structure of Governance Committee"?

It shouldn't be any surprise, but the council seems to be pursuing their vision of becoming full-time, full-paid Commissioners. Councilmember Ward is asking that Council consider setting up another committee to build the perception of public buy-in on this change.


Remember the Charter Review Committee (CRC)? Broomfield Taxpayer Matters documented the activities of the committee, where they discussed the topic of Commissioners in the April 3 2023 and April 17 2023 meetings. Councilmembers Ward and Marsh-Holschen, who were appointed to represent the Council on the CRC, told the committee that they didn't have enough time to dig into important matters and that they needed to become full-time commissioners. The full time salary of Commissioners of similarly sized Garfield and LaPlata is $76,000.


So what has this council done with the power that they currently have? Let's review a few:


We could go on, but this shows that these councilmembers are not focused on helping the community, they are focused on helping themselves and their priorities for Broomfield, not yours. They don't need or deserve more power.

The Broomfield Council needs to hear from you.


Make your Voice Heard regarding the the March 18 2025 Study Session where they they will be discussing the "Creation of a Structure of Governance Committee"


Contact the Broomfield Council (email addresses below) and tell them to stop this unnecessary waste of time and resources, where the Broomfield Council should be focused on making Broomfield affordable and safe. Attend the Broomfield City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, and let the Broomfield Council know your thoughts on this new committee.

Other Items in the March 18 Study Session

Along with Item 2B described above. Structure of Governance in the Study Session for Tuesday, March 18, are Item 2C. Medium to High Density Residential Housing Code Updates and 2D. Economic Update.



Medium to High Density Residential Housing Code Updates

For this item, city staff is bringing forward recommendations to decrease property lot sizes, increasing the height of housing, and increase density of housing. This is yet more meddling by Broomfield Staff and the Broomfield Council that will negatively affect the housing in Broomfield by increasing local regulations and costs to developers and home owners, and packing future Broomfield residents in like sardines, not to mention, more people means more strain on the water system.


Economic Update - Revamping Interlocken

For this item, Broomfield is looking to AECOM (the same company that pushed the changes related to Broomfield's enterprise budget in 2024) for direction on financial sustainability and resiliency, guided by community surveys and City Council. To achieve this, it focuses on growing revenue and managing expenses. Key strategies include maintaining property values, boosting sales activity, and balancing residential and commercial properties to support long-term vitality.

State News

“Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days under the Colorado Golden Dome”


We are a little over half-way through Colorado’s 75th General Assembly and our crystal ball was not wrong. Broomfield Taxpayer Matters has been saying for years, “shi...er...stuff rolls downhill”.


While Broomfield residents look at public safety, transportation, and water infrastructure as top priorities, those needs continually fall on deaf ears. Our families, neighbors, and businesses struggle with a 50% increase in water rates, 40% increase in property taxes (year after year), and the takeover of our trash. At the same time. the Broomfield Council focuses on their priorities such as minimum wage, local gun ordinances, reduced marijuana restrictions, and “welcoming cities”. Keep in mind that the Broomfield's policy agenda mirrors the State agenda, as the City and County of Broomfield is most assuredly getting their legislative direction from the state.


Knowing that the City and County of Broomfield agenda is largely guided by what the state is doing, we at Broomfield Taxpayer Matters have taken an active role in the Colorado Legislature this year. We have put together a team that has been tracking bills going through the state legislature, doing in-depth research, having meetings with legislators, and providing testimony in committees. We are having an impact, not only for Broomfield, but state-wide. We have had some huge wins, but we still have more work to do. We are focused on legislation that affect our kitchen tables.


Upcoming Bills to Watch:

  • SB25-045 – Health-Care Payment System Analysis – This bill seems like a benign “study” to work toward a single-payer health care system in Colorado. The Fiscal Note for this “study” is approximately $500k, but the long-term goal, would be completely unsustainable to Colorado taxpayers. This bill will be heard on Wednesday, March 19th at 1:30p in the House Health and Human Services Committee.
  • HB25-1080 – Wireless Tel Infrastructure Deployment Incentives – This bill is a gateway to government run wireless service in local communities. This has been tried in Longmont, Lafayette, Louisville, and many other municipalities – and HAS FAILED! This bill will be heard on Thursday, March 20th, upon House Adjournment (usually about 11am)


Please make sure to read our Call To Actions in email and Facebook to Make Your Voice Heard on those bills your BTM team is tracking. You can find more information on our website, along with contact information for the legislators, and sample language with talking points.


There are many more bills making the way through the legislature in the next 2 months. Keep looking for updates and alerts from Broomfield Taxpayer Matters, and Make Your Voice Heard if you choose. You can always testify in person, remote on Zoom, or in writing. Click HERE to Make Your Voice Heard.

Upcoming City Council Meetings - Please let us know if you plan to attend by registering here.


March 18, 2025

Study Session - 6:00 p.m.

Agenda


Concept Review (1)


Study Session (2)

2A. Our Broomfield Magazine's Presentation of Our Favorites Award to Broomfield Recreation

2B. Creation of a Structure of Governance Committee

2C. Medium to High Density Residential Code Updates

2D. Broomfield and Interlocken Economic Real Estate Analysis and Considerations


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


March 25, 2025

Regular Meeting - 6:00 p.m.

Agenda


Meeting Commencement (1)

1A. Pledge of Allegiance

1B. Review and Approval of Agenda


Petitions and Communications (2)

2A. Recognition of Broomfield High School State Champion Wrestler

2B. Proclamation Declaring April 26, 2025 World Tai Chi and Qigong Day in Broomfield

2C. Child Abuse Awareness Proclamation

2D. Front Range Passenger Rail Joint Service Update

2E. Housing Ballot Initiative Update


Councilmember Reports (3)

              

Public Comment (4)

Public is allowed to comment on items other than those listed in the current agenda


Reports (5)


Consent Items (6)

6A. Minutes for Approval - March 11, 2025

6B. Social Services Expenditures 2024 Q4

-- Resolution No. 2025-66-BSS

6C. First Amendment to Network Standardization Solutions

-- Resolution No. 2025-56

6D. Approving an MOU with Adams County for Emergency Election Relocation Procedures

-- Resolution No. 2025-16

6E. Matters Related to Marijuana Operations and Cultivation/Manufacturing - 1st Reading

-- Ordinance 2266

-- Ordinance 2267

-- Resolution 2025-64


Action Items (7)

7A. Business Improvement District Formation for Broomfield Town Square - 2nd Reading

7B. Broomfield Town Square URA Agreements and Amendments

-- Resolution No. 2025-69

-- Resolution No. 2025-70

7C. Broomfield Town Square URA Amendment

-- Resolution No. 2025-71-UR

7D. Public Hearing - 11961 Quay Street Use by Special Review and Rezoning - First Reading

-- Ordinance 2264

-- Resolution 2025-60

7E. Water Runs Back Open Space Naming

-- Resolution 2025-49

7F. Process Improvements and Authorized Spending for On Demand Services

-- Resolution 2025-59


Mayor and Councilmember Requests for Future Action (8)


Adjournment (9)



+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

April 8, 2025

Regular Meeting - 6:00 p.m.

Draft Agenda


Meeting Commencement (1)

1A. Pledge of Allegiance

1B. Review and Approval of Agenda


Petitions and Communications (2)

2A. Proclamation Declaring April 7-13, 2025 as National Public Health Week

             

Councilmember Reports (3)

              

Public Comment (4)

Note*: Public is allowed to comment on items other than those listed in the current agenda


Reports (5)

5A. Colorado General Assembly Legislative Update April 8


Consent Items (6)

6A. Minutes for Approval - March 25, 2025

6B. Norman Smith Service Center Furniture Purchase Order Approval

-- Resolution No. 2025-63

6C. Early Learning PDRC Playground Replacement

-- Resolution No. 2025-65

6D. Approving a Trash, Rubbish, and Garbage Hauling License for Fuzion Field Services LLC

-- Resolution No. 2025-62

6E. Request for Executive Session - Legal Advice Related to Local Land Use


Action Items (7)

7A. Public Hearing - 11961 Quay Street Rezoning - 2nd Reading

-- Ordinance 2264

7B. Public Hearing - Matters Related to Marijuana Operations - 2nd Reading

-- Ordinance 2266

-- Ordinance 2267

7C. Business Incentive Agreements with Restaurant Depot - 1st Reading

-- Ordinance 2252

7D. Amendments to Broomfield's Off-Street Parking and Bicycle Parking Code - 1st Reading

-- Ordinance 2268


Mayor and Councilmember Requests for Future Action (8)


Adjournment (9)

Contact the City and County of Broomfield

Contact your City Council or City Staff about one of these stories:


Mayor - Guyleen Castriotta

gcastriotta@broomfieldcitycouncil.org

720-607-1527


Ward 1 -

James Marsh-Holschen

jmarshholschen@broomfieldcitycouncil.org

720-507-9184


Kenny Nguyen

knguyen@broomfieldcitycouncil.org

303-438-6300


Ward 2 - 

Paloma Delgadillo

pdelgadillo@broomfieldcitycouncil.org

720-916-6406


Austin Ward

award@broomfieldcitycouncil.org

303-817-0991


Ward 3 - 

Deven Shaff

dshaff@broomfieldcitycouncil.org

970-344-8032


Jean Lim

jlim@broomfieldcitycouncil.org

303-349-2745


Ward 4 - 

Laurie Anderson

landerson@broomfieldcitycouncil.org

920-378-9654


Bruce Leslie

bleslie@broomfieldcitycouncil.org

210-324-5750


Ward 5 -

Todd Cohen

tcohen@broomfieldcitycouncil.org 

720-900-5452


Heidi Henkel

hhenkel@broomfieldcitycouncil.org

303-349-0978

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