House Ag committee advances bill to require municipal ordinance, consultation before disconnection in URAs

The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee voted to advance House Bill 12‑53, a bill sponsored by Representative Law that would require municipal ordinance and consultation with affected urban renewal authorities and special districts before a municipality may disconnect property located within an urban renewal area or an affected special district.

Representative Law said the measure protects taxpayer investments and promotes regional planning, describing two core provisions: (1) disconnection in the described circumstances must occur by municipal ordinance rather than by court decree, and (2) municipalities must confer with affected urban renewal authorities and special districts before approving such an ordinance. “This bill promotes good regional planning and cooperation amongst local government entities,” Representative Law said.

Witnesses from local government supported the bill. Bev Stables of the Colorado Municipal League said HB 12‑53 “creates a reasonable safeguard by requiring that when ag land within the URA seeks to disconnect the local government that has already invested in that area must approve the disconnection through ordinance rather than through the judicial decree process without local government input.” Colleen Whitlow, mayor of the town of Mead, said the bill ensures affected parties “have a seat at the table and may discuss and negotiate whether the proposed disconnection should be approved.”

Committee members asked whether the measure should be statewide, whether it could create irregular municipal boundaries or service‑delivery impacts, and whether shifting review from courts to municipal bodies could disadvantage property owners. Witnesses clarified the bill does not prevent owners from seeking disconnection, does not change zoning or use rules, and applies where intergovernmental agreements and special district financing are implicated. Stables said the town of Mead sought statewide legislation because statutory municipalities derive authority from state statute and may lack home‑rule protections.

The sponsor offered amendment L001, described as language clean‑up and clarifying when and how actions are taken; there were no objections and L001 was adopted by the committee. Representative Morrow moved to report the bill, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll‑call vote the clerk read. The chair announced the motion passed 11‑1 with one member excused.

The bill, as amended, will be considered next by the Committee of the Whole.