Council affirms staff positions on state bills and approves sesquicentennial grants

During the unscheduled public appearances and staff legislative briefing, speakers raised several proposed state bills they recommended the town oppose, including measures that would preempt local land-use authority and bills related to police access to third-party data. Staff presented a slate of bills and positions and asked for direction.

Councilmember Max Brooks moved to affirm staff’s legislative recommendations and to direct staff to report the town’s positions to the Colorado Municipal League and the state’s lobbying site; the motion carried 6-0. The briefing included items identified by staff for tracking, such as House Bill 1021, Senate Bill 11 (warrants/search access), and other enumerated proposals.

Separately, staff presented two grant programs to support Castle Rock’s America 250 and Colorado 150 celebrations. Council approved three service-partner grants (Chamber of Commerce, Douglas County Housing Partnership for a storytelling mural, and the DDA) and three community awards (Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance, Haven Homeowners Association neighborhood celebration, and the Historical Society replica buildings project). Council approved the grant awards unanimously and directed staff to manage implementation and outreach.