SUBJECT:
Title
Legislative Session & Advocacy 101
Department
DEPARTMENT: Town Manager’s Office
Communications & Community Engagement
Presenter
PRESENTER(S): Patrick Hammer, Deputy Town Manager
Gabi Rae, Director of Communications & Community Engagement
Bev Stables, Colorado Municipal League
Elizabeth Haskell, Colorado Municipal League
end
Time
TIME ESTIMATE: 45 minutes
end
For time estimate: please put 0 for Consent items.
Fiscal
FISCAL SUMMARY:
N/A
Policy
POLICY ISSUES:
The Town Council can monitor the State Legislative Session and advocate for or against proposed legislation based on agreed upon Town policy positions. Council can create a Legislative Agenda prior to the start of Session to help guide Council and staff participation with items that come up.
Recommendation
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Information only.
Body
SUMMARY/KEY POINTS
• The Colorado Municipal League Legislative & Policy Team will share background and best practice about the Legislative Session.
• Council can discuss preferred methods for advocacy and whether a Legislative Agenda is one of the chosen tools to employ.
• A process for collecting Council edits to the previous Legislative Agenda will be shared.
BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
At this meeting, the Legislative & Policy Team from the Colorado Municipal League (CML) will present an overview of how legislative sessions operate and how best for municipalities to engage in advocacy at the Legislature. The team from CML will also share best practices for creating a legislative agenda which can act as a guide for Council. A final version of an updated policy agenda will come back to the Council in early November for approval/adoption.
What is the Purpose of a Legislative Agenda
A legislative agenda is a document which reflects the Town of Erie’s State and Federal policy priorities and acts as a tool for legislative engagement. A legislative agenda can serve as a useful document for the Town in managing legislative affairs prior to and during the legislative session. In addition to summarizing the Town’s key policy priorities, the legislative agenda:
• Reflects the Town’s needs regarding State and Federal legislative actions and administrative policy.
• Establish agreement among the Council regarding legislative positions, reducing the need for the Council to take positions on specific bills as they emerge.
• Provide the Town’s policy priorities to State and Federal legislators to help inform their legislative activities and decision-making.
• Serve as a roadmap for Town Council Members and Erie staff regarding engagement in legislative advocacy.
• Guide engagement with State associations, regional groups, and other partners.
The goal for the legislative agenda is to reflect the Town’s strategic goals, current priorities, as well as any challenges and barriers that the Town may be facing in fulfilling its duties and responsibilities. These policy items were developed through review of the Town’s Community Priorities from the residents, Work Plan priorities, consideration of the current political landscape (including the make-up of the Colorado General Assembly), and context from the previous legislative session.
In addition, staff has incorporated issues that impact Erie and have been identified by partner organizations including the Colorado Municipal League (CML), Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), Mayors and Commissioners Coalition (MCC), Metro Mayors Caucus (MMC), Colorado Communities for Climate Action (CC4CA), and other statewide and regional partnerships that will directly affect the Town’s operations and/or constituents.
Use of the Legislative Policy Agenda & Next Steps
The Legislative Agenda will serve as a tool as the Town meets with its State and Federal legislative delegation members, professional trade associations, municipal and local government partners, stakeholders, advocacy groups, constituents, and other partners to determine if there are opportunities to address any of the policy priorities in the coming year. Proactive discussions with State legislators provide an opportunity for Erie’s delegation members to consider how they can help address the needs of their constituents in the Town.
Once adopted, the Council Members involved with specific lobbying or advocacy organizations will be better prepared to convey the Town’s position on legislative matters that are reflected in the Legislative Agenda. Attached is a summary of the local and statewide member organizations that work on State and/or Federal policy issues, and of which the Town of Erie participates.
Also attached is the previous version of the Town’s Legislative Agenda that reflects edits directed by the Council in March 2025. Staff from various departments have identified topics from 2025 that Council may want to consider incorporating into a 2026 version. Staff have also created a tool Council Members may use when editing the draft agenda.
priorities
TOWN COUNCIL PRIORITY(S) ADDRESSED:
☐ Attractive Community Amenities
☐ Engaged and Diverse Community
☐ Prosperous Economy
☐ Well-Maintained Transportation Infrastructure
☐ Small Town Feel
☐ Safe and Healthy Community
☒ Effective Governance
☐ Environmentally Sustainable
☐ Fiscally Responsible
attachments
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. CML Presentation
2. Town of Erie Partnership Organizations
3. Latest Draft of Legislative Agenda