Centennial staff recommends using a resolution to comply with state EV charging law

Centennial planner Brad McKennis told the City Council on Jan. 20 that staff recommends the city pursue compliance option three under House Bill 24-1173, allowing Centennial to report to the Colorado Energy Office by March 1, 2026, while retaining the city’s locally adopted electric vehicle (EV) charging standards.

The recommendation grew from the city’s two-pronged approach adopted in July 2023 (Ordinance 2023-O-7), which treats most EV chargers as an accessory use subject to simple permitting while allowing primary-use charging stations to proceed through full development review with limited-use standards. McKennis said that approach preserves public input when projects are within 200 feet of residential properties and avoids a one-size-fits-all state model that could conflict with the Centennial Land Development Code.

“Staff recommends City Council pursue compliance option number 3 in the House Bill through resolution,” McKennis told the council, noting the city had worked with the Colorado Energy Office, Colorado State University and consultants in drafting local standards. He said the House Bill establishes permitting procedures for counties and municipalities meeting population thresholds and requires one of three compliance actions be reported to the state by March 1, 2026.

During questions, Council member 10 confirmed the bill contains an opt-out provision and that there would be no state penalty for opting to retain local standards. Council member Wiggins asked how a primary-use project would proceed; McKennis said such projects would go to Planning and Zoning with a public hearing if within 200 feet of residential property and require a virtual community meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Tharpe asked about reporting cadence; McKennis said the first reporting period after March 1 would be January 2027 and that future frequency had not yet been specified.

After the discussion, Mayor Sweetland sought direction; council members indicated assent by thumbs-up and staff was directed to prepare a staff report and resolution on the preferred compliance option for placement on a future consent agenda.

Next steps: staff will draft a resolution reflecting compliance option 3 and include it with a staff report for council consideration on the consent agenda at a future meeting.