Longmont council schedules study of city flag, votes 5–1 to consider permanent flagpole

Longmont City Council voted Jan. 13 to put the city flag and installation of a permanent flagpole at the Civic Center on a Feb. 3 study-session agenda, a measure supporters said would help the city celebrate upcoming state and national anniversaries.

Council Member Christ made the motion, which carried 5–1 with Council Member Marcin in dissent. Council members said the vote was to authorize discussion and not to select or adopt any new design at this meeting.

Members of the public urged the council to act. Matthew Spencer, an associate pastor and new chair of the Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce ambassadors, said the Civic Center should have a permanent third flagpole and that a redesigned city flag could better represent the community. “I’d like to see a permanent third flagpole to be installed right here outside our civic center to fly our official Longmont flag,” Spencer said, noting staff estimated the infrastructure would cost about $7,000.

Supporters said a permanent pole would ensure the city flag is displayed consistently and suggested any redesign be pursued through public engagement. Opponents cautioned against rushing a redesign; the lone dissenting council member said he preferred more time to consider the matter.

Next step: staff will prepare materials for the Feb. 3 study session, when the council expects to discuss both placement and the possible scope of any redesign or commemorative flag effort.