Pre-Conference Session: Municipal Finance & Budgeting 101 for Elected Officials
PowerPoint

Pre-Conference Session: Effective Governance
PowerPoint

Pre-Conference Session: Beyond Politics - Creating a Culture of Civility in Public Service

DCI - Understanding TIF Markets + Legislation | The Past, Present & Future
PowerPoint

Creating a Culture of Cyber Awareness
PowerPoint

Building Consensus for Affordable Housing in a Small Town
PowerPoint

Best Practices for Quasi-Judicial Decision-Making
Session presented by CIRSA
PowerPoint

Awareness, Avoidance & Action Part 2
PowerPoint

Case Study on Housing Advocacy in Five Cities in Jefferson County
Presented by the PIO Section
PowerPoint

Decentralized or Centralized Colorado State Cooperatives is an Ally
Presented by the Procurement Section.
PowerPoint

Ensuring Disability is a Part of Your EDI Efforts
PowerPoint
Room: Carter Lake A & B

DOLA - What's New at DOLA
Presented by DOLA
PowerPoint

Demystifying the Role of the Municipal Attorney
PowerPoint

CLE: Recent Developments in Land Use & Planning Laws
Presented by the Attorney Section
PowerPoint

Tooting Your Own Horn - Bragging Rights for Municipal Clerks
Presented by the Clerks Section
PowerPoint

The Important Relationship Between a City/Town Manager and Chief of Police
Presented by the Police Chiefs Section
PowerPoint

Pickleball is Fun! But Regulating? Not So Much
PowerPoint

CLE: Public Comment & First Amendment
Presented by the Attorney Section
Presentation

CLE: Protecting Home Rule Through Litigation
PowerPoint

CLE: Legislative Update
PowerPoint

Greening Your Infrastructure - It's Not as Daunting as You Think 
Presented by Public Works Section
PowerPoint

Navigating Homelessness: Courage & Compassion in Action Lessons Learned in Addressing Homelessness: Insights from two Colorado municipalities and a nonprofit

Preserving the Heritage of Your Community
PowerPoint

NOCO Community Fiber: Achieving Universal Broadband Access
Presented by the City of Loveland.
PowerPoint

CLE: Municipal Condemnations - What To Do and Not To Do
Presented by the Attorney Section. CLE credit has been applied for.
PowerPoint

Engaging Youth in Municipal Government
PowerPoint

Creating Resilience Following a Disaster
PowerPoint

CLE: A New View: Liquor Licensing from Different Perspectives
Presented by the Attorney Section. CLE credits have been applied for
PowerPoint

Tiny Town Solutions
PowerPoint

Air Quality & What Local Governments Can Do
PowerPoint

New Approaches to Emergency Alerting & Evacuation of Populations
Presented by the Fire Chiefs Section
PowerPoint

Bridging the Digital Divide in Colorado
PowerPoint

Recruitment Struggles? Let's Get Creative!
Presented by the Human Resources Section
PowerPoint

The Role of Elected Officials in Driving Economic Development
Presented by EDCC
PowerPoint

CLE: Home Rule Charters
Presented by the Attorney Section. CLE credit applied for.
PowerPoint

Elected Officials Breakfast, Muniversity Awards and Program: Default Empathy: Finding Civility by Knowing Your Values and When a Value Clash is at the Root of Conflict

Managers Breakfast: Unlock Potential - Leveraging P2s for Workforce Housing Solutions 
PowerPoint

Municipal Right of Way Permitting Challenges & Opportunities
Presented by Energy Utilities Section

Strengthen Your Community with DOLA Regional Managers
PowerPoint

Water/Wastewater Utility Emergency Exercises: Cyber/Fire
PowerPoint

Navigating Rough Waters: Musings of a Local Government Manager
PowerPoint

CLE: Sort of Right and Kind of Wrong? Let's Talk About Ethics
Presented by the Attorney Section. CLE credits have been applied for
PowerPoint

The Ties that Bind Us Transportation & Land Use
Presented by Planning Officials Section
PowerPoint 

Revitalizing Mobile Home Parks
PowerPoint

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Workplace
Presented by Employers Council
PowerPoint

CLE: Act Today to Improve Defenses in Later Municipal Contract Litigation
Presented by the Attorney Section. CLE credit has been applied for
PowerPoint

Attorney Luncheon: Living Into Values
PowerPoint

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 

Registration 
Take advantage of special pre–conference sessions, tours, our Welcome Reception, and stop by and pick up your registration materials early. Everyone in the conference center and all meeting rooms must be registered and have a name badge to enter and/or attend sessions and events.

2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Pre-Conference Session: Municipal Finance & Budgeting 101 for Elected Officials
Elected officials have an obligation to manage taxpayers' resources wisely. Understanding financial reports, budgets, and the associated terminology can be overwhelming, especially for newly elected officials. This session will teach the basics of fund accounting, financial management, and municipal budgeting from the early stages through final adoption, with an emphasis on the elected officials' role throughout the process.
Speaker Jeff Hansen, Finance Director of City of Golden
PowerPoint
Room: Mountain Holly / Pinyon Pine

Pre-Conference Session: Effective Governance
There is a lot to know about serving as a municipal elected official. As a new council member or trustee, it is important to understand the basics as you begin your term. This session provides an overview of important topics such as parliamentary procedures, public official liability, staff–council relations, open meetings, ethics, conflict of interest, tax and fiscal policy, and more. Seasoned elected officials also are welcome to attend.
Speakers: Kevin Bommer, executive director, CML; Karen Goldman, consultant, Colorado Municipal Clerk Advisor Program; Sam Light, deputy executive director and general counsel, CIRSA and Robert Sheesley, general counsel, CML
PowerPoint
Room: River Birch B

Pre-Conference Session: Beyond Politics - Creating a Culture of Civility in Public Service
Local officials, staff, and citizens are frustrated with the lack of civility in public life, especially in official public meetings. What can cities and towns do to make people feel (and be) heard? This session will focus on practical tools for fostering civility, changing the formats of meetings that encourage incivility, allowing people to rate and measure new practices, and giving residents other ways to contribute to public decision-making and problem-solving.
Speaker: Matt Leighninger, director, Center for Democracy Innovation, National Civic League
Room: River Birch C

4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Welcome to the CML Annual Conference
This session, while ideal for those new to the conference to get tips on making the most of the experience, will be valuable for all municipal officials who want to kick off their week by meeting new members and hearing new ideas.
Room: Mountain Holly / Pinyon Pine

5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Welcome Reception Connection Lab
After the short welcome to the conference session, stop by for a drink at the Embassy Suites lobby and make plans with colleagues to enjoy dinner at one of the great restaurants in Loveland. Get ready for an early start to the conference on Wednesday. Cash bar.
Room: Embassy Suites Atrium Lobby

7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.

Morning Wellness - Sunrise Yoga
Arranged by the City of Loveland. All registered conference attendees and registered guests are invited to refresh and renew with this morning wellness program. Registered guests under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult.
Advance registration required by June 18. This is a free event.
Room: Carter Lake A & B

7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Registration
Everyone in the conference center and all meeting rooms must be registered and have a name badge to enter/attend sessions and events.
Location: Conference Entrance

7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. and 5 - 6:30 p.m.

Exhibit Hall

Make sure you stop by our Exhibit Hall to visit with sponsors and subject matter experts in municipal products and services.
Room: High Meadows Ballroom

8:15 - 8:45 a.m.

Welcome to the CML Conference
Attend this important pre-opening session to get tips on make the most of the conference, ask questions, download the conference app; and so much more!
Location: Mountain Holly / Pinyon Pine

9 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

General Session:  Greatness Grows Best in the Shadows: A Story of Perseverance and Hope
Sponsored by CIRSA
Welcome to the 102nd CML annual conference. Join us for the opening general session featuring keynote speaker Justin Forsett.
Justin is a product of persistence. You’ve heard the expression, “It's not how many times you get knocked down that count; it's how many times you get back up.” Now imagine getting “knocked down,” eight times in nine years… AND STILL coming out at the top of your game. In his riveting presentation, you’ll learn the tools you need not only to overcome just about any obstacle, but also thrive through it and come out a winner.
Speaker Justin Forsett, NFL Pro Bowler, entrepreneur, broadcaster, and philanthropist
Room: Mountain Holly / Pinyon Pine

10:45 a.m.-11:45a.m.

DCI - Understanding TIF Markets + Legislation | The Past, Present & Future
Colorado communities are looking to develop and redevelop parcels and buildings to maintain housing, jobs, and quality of life.
Whether the community is small or large, rural or urban, savvy or new to the game, tax increment financing (TIF) is a dynamic tool that can help communities achieve their vision. However, the TIF tool is not a simple concept and has often been part of lively debates. Recent changes to the market, legislation, and state and local discussions have created an unpredictable environment for TIF. Join us as we navigate the factors and players in the markets and legislature that affect our ability to use this tool effectively.
Speakers:  Troy Bernberg, Northland Public Finance; Katherine Correll, executive director, Downtown Colorado, Inc.; and Carolynne White, attorney, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, P.C.
PowerPoint
Room: River Birch A

Creating a Culture of Cyber Awareness
As cyber criminals continue to become more sophisticated and targeted with their attacks, City of Greenwood Village believes the most powerful protection against these crimes is its employees. The city has established an education and awareness program that puts personal responsibility at the forefront of our cybersecurity strategy, giving all employees an active role in protecting the organization from attacks with engaging activities and incentive programs.
Speaker Mike Edwards, IT Manager, City of Greenwood Village 
PowerPoint
Room: Big Thompson A & B

Building Consensus for Affordable Housing in a Small Town
The Town of Ignacio has worked through a series of grants and programs to set the stage for an affordable housing project which broke ground in fall of 2023. The project will include a mix of single-family and multi-family homes. The project was initiated with a DOLA funded land purchase after the town revised their land use code and completed a housing study.
Speakers: Clark Craig, mayor, Town of Ignacio; Nancy Dosdal, planner, SEH; Mark Garcia, town manager, Town of Ignacio; Erica Olsen, regional practice leader, SEH and Darren Stewart, civil engineer, SEH
PowerPoint
Room: River Birch C

Best Practices for Quasi-Judicial Decision-Making
Session presented by CIRSA
In this presentation, CIRSA Deputy Executive Director/General Counsel Sam Light will provide trainings on the due process "rules of engagement" that apply to quasi-judicial proceedings, including land use and licensing hearings.  This presentation will explain the differences between legislative and quasi-judicial decision-making, review "best practices" for participating in and conducting due process hearings and discuss the standards of conduct municipal officials must follow for successful and defensible hearings.  This presentation will also summarize primary sources of liability related to quasi-judicial decision-making.  While intended primarily for newly elected and appointed officials, this presentation will also serve as a refresher for experienced officials and a resource for staff who support your entity's quasi-judicial processes.
Speaker: Sam Light, deputy executive director/general counsel, CIRSA
PowerPoint
Room: Canyon Maple A - C

Awareness, Avoidance & Action Part 2
Mayor Pro Tem Shannon Lukeman-Hiromasa is back by demand to present Part 2 of Awareness, Avoidance & Action. Based on overwhelming feedback from participants in 2023 asking for a repeat presentation and part 2 to the training. Shannon will build on how to practice situational awareness and avoidance taking a deeper dive into teaching attendees how to read body language for indicators of stress and danger, what is involved in threat assessment and target hardening. This session will be an interactive, scenario-based training.
Speaker Shannon Lukeman-Hiromasa, mayor pro tem, City of Northglenn; Randy Darlin, deputy chief, City of Northglenn and Peter Rice, commander, City of Northglenn
PowerPoint
Room: River Birch B

12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.

Welcome Luncheon Speaker, David Sander, Ph.D., President, National League of Cities & Sam Mamet Award Presentation
Sponsored by Xcel Energy
Visit with colleagues at this popular welcome lunch and gain inspiration from National League of Cities President, David Sanders. Plus find out who is receiving the prestigious Sam Mamet Good Governance Awards.  
Room: Mountain Holly / Pinyon Pine

1:45 p.m.-2:45 p.m.

Case Study on Housing Advocacy in Five Cities in Jefferson County
Presented by the PIO Section
What happens when philanthropy and municipal government join forces to tackle one of the most pressing and complex issues of our time? In this session, a panel of elected officials and civic, business, and citizen stakeholders will share their experiences and insights on a public education and advocacy initiative to increase the supply of affordable and workforce housing.
Speakers: Lesley Dahlkemper, county commissioner, JeffCO; Kelly Dunkin, ceo, Colorado Gives Foundation; Sara O'Keefe, Public Alignment Communication and Laura Weinberg, mayor, City of Golden
PowerPoint
Room: River Birch A

Decentralized or Centralized Colorado State Cooperatives is an Ally
Presented by the Procurement Section.
Let’s talk about de-centralized or centralized purchasing and how they differ while serving specific needs and circumstances. This session will consider both models. A great source for either purchase model is the State of Colorado Cooperatives. We will explore the Colorado State Price Agreements and learn about new enhancements. Please bring your experiences, comments, and questions to share.
Speaker: Pam Roeding, ISM-CPM, CPSD, procurement specialist, City of Longmont
PowerPoint
Room: Big Thompson A & B

Ensuring Disability is a Part of Your EDI Efforts
Equity Diversity and Inclusion is a hot topic right now, but has your city included disability in those efforts? Corrine Gray famously said, "If you embrace diversity but ignore disability, you're doing it wrong." This session will help you identify places to consider disability issues and embrace disability inclusion as something that will benefit your entire municipality.
Speaker: Alison Butler, Director, Division of Disability Rights, City of Denver 
PowerPoint
Room: Carter Lake A & B

DOLA - What's New at DOLA
Presented by DOLA
Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) leadership will discuss recent developments in funding programs, strategic services provision, and policy initiatives. DOLA will address the agency's structure and function, how to access resources, and collaborative opportunities with local governments. 
Speakers: Maria De Cambra, executive director, DOLA
PowerPoint
Room: River Birch C

Demystifying the Role of the Municipal Attorney
Whether you are a rookie or a seasoned elected official or administrative staff member, you've probably tried to figure out what makes your municipal attorney tick. This presentation will attempt to explain the what’s, whys, and hows of the world of municipal attorneys.
Speakers Alison McKenney Brown, city attorney, City of Lakewood; Carrie Daggett, city attorney, City of Ft. Collins; Wynetta Massey, City Attorney & Chief Legal Officer, City of Colorado Springs and Robert Widner, attorney, Widner Juran LLP
PowerPoint
Room: River Birch B

CLE: Recent Developments in Land Use & Planning Laws
Presented by the Attorney Section
In 2024, the Colorado General Assembly considered a wide range of bills affecting how municipalities regulate and plan for the development and use of land for housing. Bills ranged from long-term planning and large-scale rezoning efforts near transit sites to smaller scale matters, like permitting accessory dwelling units, single-staircase buildings, and occupancy limits. This session will explore the inner workings, opportunities, and impacts of the ideas that became law.
Speaker: Elizabeth Garvin, attorney & planner, Clarion Associates; KC McFerson, senior planner in Division of Local Government with DOLA and Robert Sheesley, general counsel, Colorado Municipal League
PowerPoint
Room: Canyon Maple A - C

2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m.

Exhibitor Showcase
This exclusive event is an opportunity for conference attendees and registered guests to visit with exhibitors while enjoying some mid-afternoon refreshments. Our exhibitors are subject matter experts in municipal projects and services and would like to share their knowledge and how they can be of service to your municipality. CML truly appreciates all our sponsors and thanks them for their support -- their participation in the conference this year makes it extra special for our attendees. Visit the exhibit area to learn more about our sponsors and to thank them for being a part of the conference!
Room: High Meadows Ballroom

Practice Area Roundtables - Attorneys
Gather with other municipal attorneys in roundtable discussion around various practice areas.
Room: Canyon Maple A - C

3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

Mayor’s Mingle
Meet and engage with fellow mayors in this informal session with a discussion facilitated by CML Executive Director Kevin Bommer. FOR MAYORS ONLY.
Room: Pinyon Pine

Mobile Tour: City of Loveland Sculpture Garden Tour
Experience the extraordinary Benson Sculpture Garden, which boasts 178 individual works of art, donated by the Loveland High Plains Arts Council.  This park is an excellent example of a successful public-private partnership that has flourished since its inception in 1987.  The City of Loveland Art in Public Places program oversees this unique public art collection, and the Parks & Recreation Department maintains the beautiful park setting. This site is home to the largest outdoor sculpture show is North American held annually during the second weekend in August, Sculpture in the Park. Benson Sculpture Garden is a true community treasure.
Depart from West conference center doors.

4:00 p.m.-5:00p.m.

Tooting Your Own Horn - Bragging Rights for Municipal Clerks
Presented by the Clerks Section
The municipal clerk is often called the lynchpin of the municipal organization, supporting their elected officials, ensuring that deadlines, legal and otherwise, are met, and helping respond to citizen questions, even if what they do is not always obvious.  They perform many of their duties quietly behind the scenes.  In this interactive session, clerks will identify ways in which they can increase their visibility and value to all they serve, through both suggestions and real-life examples, so they can Toot Their Own Horn!
Speaker: Karen Goldman, consultant, Colorado Municipal Clerk Advisor Program
PowerPoint
Room: River Birch B

The Important Relationship Between a City/Town Manager and Chief of Police
Presented by the Police Chiefs Section
Enea Hempelmann, chief of police and Jennifer Hoffman, city manager with the City of Broomfield will cover the importance of strong relationships, setting expectations, mutual support, recruiting the right people in leadership roles, and internal and external partnerships to show the importance of this relationship in your municipality.
PowerPoint
Room: River Birch A

Pickleball is Fun! But Regulating? Not So Much
Pickleball is reportedly the fastest growing sport in the U.S. It is also the most controversial activity in terms of noise impacts on neighboring residential homes. Although a single pickleball player may enjoy the sport for a few hours each week, continual play on a pickleball court by a multitude of players can inundate adjacent residential properties with a type of noise that is scientifically proven to be harmful to humans. Balancing the fun of pickleball with the recognized harm and the impairment of the quiet enjoyment of the residential home is exceedingly challenging and a legal and public relations minefield. The City of Centennial's experience, and the city's 2023 pickleball regulations, present a comprehensive approach to address the recognized health and safety concern associated with pickleball noise with the vociferous demand for more pickleball courts.
Speaker: Neil Marciniak, community & economic development director, City of Centennial; Robert Widner, attorney, Widner Juran LLP and Jill Hassman, attorney, Widner Juran LLP
PowerPoint
Room: River Birch C

CLE: Public Comment & First Amendment
Presented by the Attorney Section
This session will provide local government attorneys and elected officials with an overview of best practices for public comment policies and procedures in order to avoid liability under the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.
Speakers: Anshul Bagga, legislative counsel, city and county of Denver and Tonya Haas-Davidson, city attorney, City of Greenwood Village.
Presentation
Room: Canyon Maple A - C

5:00 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.

Opening Welcome Reception
All registered attendees, including registered guests and sponsors, are invited to attend this great event underwritten by our generous sponsors. Great networking opportunities abound!
Room: High Meadows Ballroom, foyer and rotunda

7 a.m.- 8 a.m.

5K fun run/walk
Arranged by the City of Loveland
Run (or walk) for local government! Wake up early, stretch and join in on the 21st Annual 5K Fun Run/Walk. Download race route from conference app. Meet outside the hotel lobby, and head south across the parking lot to race start.

8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Work Zone
Print conference documents/materials. Equipment intended for the exclusive use of CML conference registrants with conference badges.
Location: Canyon Maple Hallway

Registration
Everyone in the conference center and all meeting rooms must be registered and have a name badge to enter/attend sessions and events.
Location: Conference entrance

8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m.

Continental Breakfast
Registered attendees can enjoy breakfast and coffee with sponsors and network with colleagues in the Exhibit Hall before the keynote speaker kicks off at 9 a.m.
Location: High Meadows Hallway & Ballroom

8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Exhibit Hall
Make sure you stop by our Exhibit Hall and visit with our sponsors and subject matter experts in municipal products and services.
Location: High Meadows Ballroom

9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

General Session: The Art of Active Listening: The Key to Fostering Civility & Connection
Active listening is the doorway to increased belonging, loyalty, profitability and innovation.  It also serves as the cornerstone for fostering civility, constructive dialogue, and meaningful connections within organizations.  It is the difference between thinking we understand what people want and knowing what they want.  For the last 12 years, Heather has facilitated numerous listening sessions. She has distilled that knowledge into actionable insights that equip people with the interpersonal skills they need to make others feel seen, heard, and valued in every interaction.  You will leave this compelling keynote with the understanding of how to practice active listening and approach discussions with curiosity. Additionally, you will unlock a listening process that recognizes the importance of valuing diverse perspectives that will deliver desired outcomes. Finally, you will leave with an ability to lead by example, inspiring others through civil behavior and courteously challenging disrespectful contact when encountered.  
Speaker Heather Younger, Founder & CEO of Employee Fanatix
Location: Mountain Holly

CLE: Protecting Home Rule Through Litigation
Throughout 2022 and 2023, five home rule jurisdictions successfully challenged Colorado legislation that improperly restricted their constitutional right to levy sales taxes. This is a case study of the litigation which resulted in the legislation being declared unconstitutional.
Speaker Michele Horn, city attorney, City of Denver
PowerPoint
Location: Canyon Maple A - C

10:30 a.m.-11:45 p.m.

CLE: Legislative Update
The CML advocacy and legal teams will offer highlights from the 2024 session of the Colorado General Assembly, with a special focus on new legislation that may require immediate action by municipalities.
Speakers: CML legal and advocacy team
PowerPoint
Location: Mountain Holly

Greening Your Infrastructure - It's Not as Daunting as You Think 
Presented by Public Works Section
Infrastructure can be a municipality's biggest asset in reducing climate change, tackling environmental stewardship, and building resiliency. It can seem both costly and technically challenging, but leaders are integrating green infrastructure even into maintenance projects. Public works leaders will discuss how towns are tackling this in both rural and urban settings.
Speakers: Keith Reester, president, Reester & Associates and David Skuodas, design, construction and maintenance director, Mile High Flood District
PowerPoint
Location: River Birch A

Navigating Homelessness: Courage & Compassion in Action Lessons Learned in Addressing Homelessness: Insights from two Colorado municipalities and a nonprofit
The increasing numbers of people experiencing homelessness in Colorado and throughout the nations is often in the news and in the minds of many community residents and leaders. In light of this, we are excited to invite you to a unique and insightful session focused on addressing homelessness. This session will shed light on the courageous and compassionate efforts of two Colorado municipalities and a prominent nonprofit in addressing the growing crisis of homelessness. Representatives from Loveland and Westminster will discuss the challenges faced, successes achieved, and lessons learned in navigating city codes and legal constraints, while navigating quality of life demands in their cities. Bridge House’s Ready to Work Aurora will share its insights and experiences in working collaboratively with municipalities. Learn more about their role in supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and the positive impact of their programs for municipalities. Please note that there is a follow-up roundtable session on Thursday afternoon from 3 to 4 p.m.
Speakers: Melissa Arguello-Green, CEO, Bridge House; Mark Jackson, Public Works Director, City of Loveland, and Tomas Herrera-Mishler, director of parks, recreation & libraries, City of Westminster
Location: River Birch B

Preserving the Heritage of Your Community
Many communities across Colorado have seen an influx in population. While needing to add new buildings to help serve this change, several downtown buildings are vacant. Here at History Colorado our mission is to help communities preserve and promote their history through buildings and sites. We have a couple of incentive programs that can easily be accessed by municipalities, non-profits, or private owners. We have found that most times buildings in communities sit vacant due to lack of funds; we are here to provide guidance on potential opportunities through a State Historical Fund grant or State Commercial Historic Tax Credits. We will give a quick overview of what each program has to offer and its requirements. We will then provide successful case studies such as conversions of schools to residential or vacant commercial buildings to the next community hang out. We believe that no two projects are the same and we want to help guide municipalities through historic preservation opportunities.
Speakers Sara Kappel, History Colorado and Winter Roybal, grants engagement specialist, History Colorado
PowerPoint
Location: River Birch C

NOCO Community Fiber: Achieving Universal Broadband Access
Presented by the City of Loveland.
Larimer County encompasses diverse communities across the Front Range - from rural mountain towns to dense cities nestled along the foothills. Growth in the region has emphasized the need to improve county infrastructure and ensure our communities can thrive socially and economically. Therefore, access to affordable high-speed broadband was identified as a key goal in the county's strategic plan. Building regional and community relationships to extend community-owned municipal fiber assets in well-connected areas of the region into largely rural areas is crucial for success.  In northern Colorado, a regional partnership developed called NOCO Community Fiber. Hear from the county, the City of Loveland's municipal broadband provider, Pulse, area communities; local rural electric providers and contractors have leveraged this type of relationship, community-owned assets, and level of regional collaboration into a unique partnership centered around the belief that broadband is a utility that should be accessible to all.
Speakers: Aaron Adams, town manager, Town of Timnath; Brieanna Reed-Harmel, broadband manager, PULSE; Mark Pfaffinger, Larimer County and Jerry Schleiger, operations manager, PULSE
PowerPoint
Location: Big Thompson A & B

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Meeting of the Minds Luncheon Sponsored by Swire Coca-Cola
Rarely, if ever, does someone who has walked the walk of a municipal elected official become a leader in the state legislature and then, an important voice in regional environmental policy. This year's edition of Meeting of the Minds promises to be engaging, as CML executive director Kevin Bommer welcomes EPA Region 8 Administrator, KC Becker. Becker served on the Boulder City Council and in the Colorado General Assembly, the last two years as Speaker of the House, before being appointed Region 8 administrator.  This session explores the various angles of federal, state, and local relationships.
Speaker KC Becker, Regional Administrator, Region 8, Environmental Protection Agency.
Location: Pinyon Pine

1:45 p.m.- 2:45 p.m.

CML Annual Business Meeting
If you are the voting delegate for your municipality, you must check in and pick-up your ballot between 1:45 - 2:15 p.m. Each municipality's voting delegate will elect CML Executive Board members, adopt the Leagues 202402025 Policy Statement, and consider other League Business. Delegates must be present to vote. Per the voting rules, late voting and proxy voting are not permitted.
Location: Mountain Holly

Exhibitor Showcase
This is the last chance to visit with exhibitors while enjoying some mid-afternoon refreshments.  Our conference exhibitors are subject matter experts in municipal project and services and would like to share their knowledge and how they can help your municipality.  
Location: High Meadows Ballroom

CLE: Municipal Condemnations - What To Do and Not To Do
Presented by the Attorney Section. CLE credit has been applied for.
A primer on best practices to successfully navigate eminent domain matters and condemnation litigation.
Speaker Rich Rodriguez, attorney/shareholder, Hamre, Rodriguez, Ostrander & Prescott, P.C. and Emily Ostrander, attorney, Hamre, Rodriguez, Ostrander & Prescott, P.C.P
PowerPoint
Location: Canyon Maple A - C

3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

Navigating Homelessness: Courage & Compassion in Action Lessons Learned in Addressing Homelessness: Insights from two Colorado municipalities and a nonprofit - Roundtable Follow-Up Discussion
This guided roundtable discussion follows the morning session and offers attendees the opportunity to engage with presenters, their teams, and each other.  this interactive session aims to foster collaboration and the exchange of ideas for tacking the complex issue of homelessness.
Speakers: Melissa Arguello-Green, CEO, Bridge House; Mark Jackson, Public Works Director, City of Loveland, and Tomas Herrera-Mishler, director of parks, recreation & libraries, City of Westminster
Location: Big Thompson A & B

Engaging Youth in Municipal Government
Often, some of the most powerful voices in communities are overlooked because of their age.  Involving youth in municipal government benefits not only young, developing leaders, but also municipal leaders and the communities as a whole.  There are many ways to do this, including youth commissions and workforce readiness programs. Come and explore what the City of Brighton Youth Services is doing to engage young adults through their youth commission and Growing Grads Career Readiness programs.
Speaker: Cynthia Donlucas, chair, Brighton Youth Commission; Christian Morales, senior human resources technician, City of Brighton and Tawnya Russell, manager of youth services, City of Brighton
PowerPoint
Location: River Birch A

Creating Resilience Following a Disaster
On December 30, 2021, the most destructive fire in Colorado's history swept through the City of Louisville and surrounding communities. the disaster forever changed the City of Louisville's community.  Since the fire, the City of Louisville has been committed to supporting residents who are rebuilding, reintegrating back into the community, and supporting the community through the resulting trauma from the disaster.  Join to hear how things are going two-years in and learn from our experiences.  Our diverse panel will cover topics such as energy code, use tax, politics, recovery, resiliency, and sustainability.
Speakers: Jeff Durbin, city manager; Kiana Freeman, recovery and resilience program manager; Samma Fox, deputy city manager; Chris Leh, mayor, City of Louisville and Rob Zuccaro, community development director, City of Louisville.
PowerPoint
Location: River Birch C

CLE: A New View: Liquor Licensing from Different Perspectives
Presented by the Attorney Section. CLE credits have been applied for
Liquor licensing involves many players such as licensee, licensee's agent, city clerk, city attorney, and licensee's attorney. Sometimes we get stuck viewing the process and our role from only one perspective. Changing your role and your perspective can create opportunities for learning and process improvements. Stacey Aurzada, Greeley deputy city attorney will discuss how her perspective changed while acting as the Greeley city clerk; and Cheryl Aragon, former Greeley deputy city clerk now with Cheryl Aragon Consulting, will provide insights from her experiences assisting businesses with the liquor licensing process.
Speakers Cheryl Aragon, Cheryl Aragon Consulting and Stacey Aurzada, deputy city attorney, City of Greeley
PowerPoint
Location: Canyon Maple A - C

Tiny Town Solutions
Over 60% of Colorado communities have populations of less than 2,000. These smaller communities or “tiny towns” face different challenges for getting things done.
Speakers Jason Armstrong, economic development & planning coordinator, Town of Mancos, Kylie Brown, rural program manager, DCI; Miranda Fisher, town manager, Campe Verde and Melissa Matthews, administrator/clerk, town of Red Cliff
PowerPoint
Location: River Birch B

4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.

Air Quality & What Local Governments Can Do
Clean air is essential for public health and the well-being of communities. Local governments play a pivotal role in addressing air quality issues, as they can implement policies and initiatives that directly impact the quality of the air residents breathe. This conference session will delve into the critical topic of air quality and explore actionable steps local governments can take to improve it. Through discussions, case studies, and expert insights, participants will gain valuable knowledge about the importance of air quality and practical strategies to make their communities healthier and more sustainable.
Speakers Jacob LeBure, councilmember, Lakewood; Sammy Herdman, RAQCC; Ally Johnson, councilmember, Evans; Tom Moore, RAQCC; and Dave Sabodos, RAQCC.
PowerPoint
Location: Big Thompson A & B

New Approaches to Emergency Alerting & Evacuation of Populations
Presented by the Fire Chiefs Section
Each year our nation experiences large-scale disasters that prompt evacuations, and each year we watch communities relearn the same lessons. This presentation shares how lessons learned from more than two decades of disasters both near and abroad influenced planning across Larimer County ahead of the 2020 wildfires and how those lessons were applied in response. The session will outline the actionable steps that communities can take to evaluate their current programs and leverage the partners necessary to move forward. It also touches on how these lessons can be carried to other types of disasters, both natural and human caused, and improve cooperation and collaboration between emergency response agencies.
Speakers: David Wolf, battalion chief, City of Golden and Randy Royal, fire chief, City of Colorado Springs
PowerPoint
Location: River Birch B

Bridging the Digital Divide in Colorado
Learn about how the state will bridge the digital divide through the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment and Digital Equity funding. Colorado received $1billion in funding to connect communities. The Colorado Broadband Office (CBO) will present its most recent legislative accomplishments to expand uses for state broadband grant programs and newly established programs.
Speakers Brandy Reitter, ED, CBO; Jonas Durham senior manager of broadband programs, CBO and Brian Martin, director, broadband development fund, CBO
PowerPoint
Location: River Birch C

Recruitment Struggles? Let's Get Creative!
Presented by the Human Resources Section
Had any issues with recruitment the past couple of years? Yep, same here. What do we do when we just can't fill that vacant position? The labor market has changed, and our recruitment practices can shift to meet it. This session will introduce a few out-of-the box strategies to spark new ways of thinking about staffing efforts.  What and who do we really need, and how can we ensure we fill those needs to meet organizational objectives? Topics will include internal opportunities, projects vs. positions, qualification recalibration, branding focus, and retention. This will be an interactive session aimed at breaking down the paradigm of recruitment and sharing ideas to build a new approach.
Speaker: Sarah Hayes, human resources manager, City of Lafayette
PowerPoint
Location: River Birch A

The Role of Elected Officials in Driving Economic Development
Presented by EDCC
Economic development is fundamental to the well-being and quality of life in communities across the United State. The Economic Development Council of Colorado presents how elected officials can champion policies, programs, and activities that create and retain jobs, thereby facilitating sustained economic growth and their local tax base.
PowerPoint
Location:  Mountain Holly

CLE: Home Rule Charters
Presented by the Attorney Section. CLE credit applied for.
A step-by-step guide for statutory municipalities on how to become a home rule municipality from the required election to drafting a home rule charter.  This session will also explore novel subject matters for consideration in drafting or amending the home rule charter.
Speaker: Jennifer Madsen, partner, Widner Juran LLP
PowerPoint
Location: Canyon Maple A - C

5:30 - 10:30 p.m.

Shuttles to Downtown Loveland
The City of Loveland is hosting shuttles between the Embassy Suites and Downtown Loveland from 5:30 - 10:30 pm with departures from the Embassy on the half hours beginning at 5:30 pm and departures from downtown on the hours. Please pick-up the shuttle outside of the south conference center entrance, near the Embassy Suites hotel entrance.

7:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m.

Elected Officials Breakfast, Muniversity Awards and Program: Default Empathy: Finding Civility by Knowing Your Values and When a Value Clash is at the Root of Conflict
In this session, the presenter will reframe conflict and disagreement as the intersection of opposing core values, rather than a clash of who is right and who is wrong and discuss how approaching situations with empathy by default rather than judgement can produce better outcomes with constituents, staff, and fellow elected officials. The presenter will lead participants through an exercise to identify their core values and consider when those values might result in conflict - and how to use that awareness to foster more civility in their communities.
Speaker: Anna Stout, council member, City of Grand Junction
Cost to attend - no on-site ticket sales
Location: Pinyon Pine

Managers Breakfast: Unlock Potential - Leveraging P2s for Workforce Housing Solutions 
As municipalities across Colorado face the escalating need for affordable workforce housing, leveraging the relative strengths of both private and public sectors presents a viable pathway to address this critical issue.  This discussion is designed to provide city/town managers with advanced insights into the strategic use of public-private partnerships (P3s), spotlighting the most effective partnership models and financing strategies.  Additionally, this discussion aims to showcase a diverse spectrum of projects that have been brought to fruition through P3 frameworks, focusing on the critical components for a successful project.  By dissecting these case studies, city/town managers will be equipped with the knowledge necessary to explore how a public-private partnership may provide a solution to their community's workforce housing needs.
Speakers: Melissa Buck, senior vice president, public finance group, UMB Bank n.a.; Christy Everett, ceo, Pinnacle Real Estate Development and Jared Everett, president, Pinnacle Real Estate Development
Cost to attend - no on-site ticket sales
PowerPoint
Location: Aspen Daisy / Elderberry

8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Registration

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Continental Breakfast
Location: Snowberry and main conference hallway

9:15 a.m.-10:15 a.m.

Municipal Right of Way Permitting Challenges & Opportunities
Presented by Energy Utilities Section
As Colorado begins to award broadband deployment dollars into our communities, many municipalities are seeing record requests for new broadband installations in the public right-of-way. Though we may all share the common goal of connecting every Coloradoan to high-speed internet, the unprecedented volume of new infrastructure can lead to difficulties and conflicts between the installers and our public works departments. Come hear from a panel of both industry and municipal experts as we discuss what is working, what isn't, and how we can best work together to close Colorado's digital divide while protecting public assets.
Speakers: Dan Hodges, executive director, CAMU; Brandon Dittman, attorney, Wilson Williams Fellman Dittman LLP; Deb Walker, TING and Jason Martin, construction services supervisor, City of Loveland
Location: River Birch C

Strengthen Your Community with DOLA Regional Managers
Join a panel of DOLA regional managers to hear depth recommendations on utilizing their resources to maximize benefit in your community. The managers will discuss resources beyond the well-known available grant funding and explore how you can bring more value to your community through strategic training, research, technical assistance, and funding.
Speakers: Dana Hlavac, northwest regional manager; Todd Leopold, central regional manager; Tara Marshall, southeast regional manager and Kate McIntire, northern mountains regional Manager, DOLA.
PowerPoint
Location: Mountain Holly

Water/Wastewater Utility Emergency Exercises: Cyber/Fire
Emergency management and first response is a multifaceted topic. This training will run through two emergency scenarios 1) a cyberattack 2) a prolonged drought and subsequent wild/urban fire. The exercises will focus on drinking water and wastewater operations and emergency response. Lessons learned during the exercise can be applied to other areas of municipal emergency response. Come prepared to discuss how you and your team would respond to emergencies that affect your water/wastewater systems!
Speaker Kyra Gregory, drinking water training specialist, CDPHE
PowerPoint
Location: River Birch B

Navigating Rough Waters: Musings of a Local Government Manager
Working in local government can be a challenge. With a wide range of experience, ranging from city arborist, solid waste manager, county manager, town administrator, and town trustee, and ICMA/CCMA senior advisor, Frank will share some of the key concepts, ideas and philosophies he accumulated in more than 40 years of public service. He will also sprinkle in insights gleaned as a whitewater guide on rivers throughout the West from Colorado and California to Alaska.
Speaker Frank Lancaster, ICMA/CCCMA Senior Advisor / Town Trustee
PowerPoint
Location: River Birch A

CLE: Sort of Right and Kind of Wrong? Let's Talk About Ethics
Presented by the Attorney Section. CLE credits have been applied for
If we don't talk about ethics, it is difficult to know what to do when a situation arises. This presentation will provide general guidance on conflicts of interest in a variety of areas based on state statutes, municipal codes, and independent ethics commission opinions.  The presenter will also offer scenarios that the audience can discuss in small groups with a return to the large group to summarize the discussion.  The goal is a discussion of complicated (and less complicated) ethical dilemmas to better prepare you for tough situations.
Speaker Alicia Calderon, city attorney, City of Brighton and Lena McClelland, senior assistant city attorney, City of Aurora
PowerPoint
Location: Canyon Maple A - C

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 noon

The Ties that Bind Us Transportation & Land Use
Presented by Planning Officials Section
Come join a conversation with planners and engineers to discuss the critical linkages between transportation and land use. In addition to effective development patterns, closer coordination of land use and transportation can lead to better public outcomes, including cost savings and improved access and mobility. reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and healthier communities. Examples of successful projects and policies in Northern Colorado will be showcased by this panel of experts.
Speakers: Rebecca Everette, AICP, community development director, Larimer County; Becky Karasko, AICP, transportation planning director, North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization; Nicole Hahn, city engineer, City of Loveland; and Elizabeth Relford, interim planning director, Weld County
PowerPoint 
Location: River Birch B

Revitalizing Mobile Home Parks
The revitalization of three existing deteriorated mobile home parks in Montrose will serve as a case study for how municipalities and private developers are working together to improve existing housing stock. Rich Dana from Cottonwood, San Juan and Green Acres Mobile Home Park LLC and Ann Morgenthaler, City of Montrose deputy city manager, will share information about their work together, followed by a group discussion focused on how other communities are approaching similar challenges.
Speakers Ann Morgenthaler, deputy city manager, City of Montrose and Rich Dana, private developer 
PowerPoint
Location: River Birch A

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Workplace
Presented by Employers Council
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not a thing of the future; it is here and is being widely used in a variety of applications in the workplace. This panel discussion will provide the opportunity to learn how employers are currently using AI, change management strategies for implementing AI in the workplace, and potential pitfalls employers need to be aware of to reduce their risk around AI applications in the workplace.
Speakers: Brandy Walker, human resources consultant, Employers Council; Mark Decker, staff attorney, Employers Council; Polly Gallagher, executive director, Grand County Library District; Tara Thompson, finance director, Grand County Library District and James McDonough, human resources research consultant, information services, Employers Council
PowerPoint
Location: River Birch C

CLE: Act Today to Improve Defenses in Later Municipal Contract Litigation
Presented by the Attorney Section. CLE credit has been applied for
The specific terms of municipal contracts may make or break the outcome of future litigation. In construction contracts, the terms controlling drawings and plans signed and sealed by licensed engineers have primary importance. Likewise, the terms related to verification of contract compliance and obtaining necessary building permits remain significant.  In addition, the actions and statements of municipal employees and vendors may impact how a judge and jury views the evolving facts. This session will provide a view from the litigation trenches about these and other contractual issues for municipalities.
Speaker: Paul Godec, special counsel, SGR, LLC
PowerPoint
Room: Canyon Maple A - C

11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Attorney Luncheon: Living Into Values
Justice Hart will share her experience leading the Colorado Judicial Department as they reworked their mission, vision, and values. Learn how to determine what values you or your organization want to focus on. What does it mean to live intentionally into a set of values? How, for example, can lawyers commit to civility in the face of opposing pressures?
Speaker Colorado Supreme Court Justice Melissa Hart
Presented by the Attorney Section
PowerPoint
Room: Pinyon Pine

Advance registration and ticket required.  Cost: $50. No onsite sales.