4. Local Improvement Districts 6. Foreclosures Support legislation to amend state Support a clean-up bill to include statutes governing local improvement several procedures, provide property districts that levy a sales tax to: owners with more complete and timely • Allow for properties outside the LID to information, and standardize some forms. opt into the district The economic downturn has revealed the need for changes in foreclosure statutes. • Allow for more flexible use of LID Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, funds 7. Human Services Denver, Douglas, Jefferson Colorado statute provides no mechanism Child Welfare: Give CDHS authority to to add properties to a sales tax LID, even expand the number of counties utilizing when property owners want to be added, the differential response model, while 2012 therefore limiting economic development maintaining the methodology and integrity potential for the district. Sales tax-funded of the research model for the current pilot KEY PRINCIPLES LIDs are an important tool for supporting counties. local businesses and communities while & advancing business and economic develop- Barriers To Permanency For Foster Care: ment efforts. Support legislation to remove statutory LEGISLATIVE disincentives to permanency and include support for efforts to find permanent PRIORITIES 5. Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) homes for developmentally disabled youth Support legislation to clarify conflicting in foster care. law and prohibit voted ballots from disclosing a voter’s identity outside of the The Metro Area County public election process as a result of the Commissioners, formed in 2003, is availability of other public information on a unified positive force comprised individual voters. of seven Denver metropolitan area Counties have received CORA requests counties. Representing 2.8 million for voted ballots, which are resulting people, the MACC works together to in litigation and costs due to statutory accomplish common goals. Arvada, Aurora, Bennett, Boulder, Bow Mar, conflicts and confusing regulations. Brighton, Broomfield, Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Protection of the voted ballot is a The Metro Mayors Caucus, formed Centennial, Cherry Hills Village, fundamental cornerstone of democracy in 1993 is a collaborative organization Columbine Valley, Commerce City, Dacono, Denver, and secures elections against intimidation comprised of 40 Denver area mayors. Edgewater, Englewood, Erie, Representing 2.2 million Coloradans, Federal Heights, Firestone, Foxfield, and corruption. Without it, voter Frederick, Glendale, Golden, Greenwood Village, confidence and participation is decreased. the MMC provides a forum for Lafayette, Lakewood, Littleton, Lone Tree, continued relationship building and development Longmont, Louisville, Morrison, Nederland, of regional approaches to shared goals. Northglenn, Parker, Sheridan, Superior, Thornton, Westminster & Wheat Ridge KEY PRINCIPLES & LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES As elected officials in trying economic times, 2. Transportation and Mobility we share a common goal of providing a high • Implement the Colorado Transportation quality of life while maximizing effective- Finance Implementation Panel recom- ness and efficiency in our service delivery mendations to resolve the estimated and provision of vital infrastructure. Col- $1.5B annual shortfall for multi-modal laboration and communication among city, transportation needs statewide. county & state officials are critical to achiev- ing this common goal. To this end, MACC & • Support innovative models for state and MMC have joined forces to identify shared local financing and regional efforts to principles and priorities for 2012. secure the funding necessary to build out FasTracks by 2020. PRINCIPLES Transportation and mobility are critical Respect Local Control issues for Colorado and have consistently Cities and counties need local control to been among the top priorities for both of respond to local challenges in an efficient, our organizations. Please consider us to be cost effective and timely manner. We will your partners as you deal with the chal- support legislation that expands our capac- lenge of identifying equitable and sustain- ity to address local challenges and oppose able approaches to funding our transporta- tion and mobility needs. any that preempts or unduly restricts our Colorado State Capital Building, Denver power to address local concerns. 3. Government Investments PRIORITIES Honor Prohibition Support a change to the statute to allow of Unfunded Mandates 1. Ballot Reform the purchase of the senior debt of the Despite an executive order, statutory Support reform that raises the threshold U.S. Government Agencies. prohibition & TABOR, each year new laws, for amending Colorado’s Constitution On August 5, 2011 Standard & Poor’s rules and regulations are imposed with- and adds protections for voter approved downgraded the U.S. Government debt out implementation funding. Please don’t statutory initiatives. from the AAA to AA. This caused many impose unfunded mandates on cities & Support legislation referring a measure governments in Colorado to no longer counties. to voters that (i) requires constitutional purchase U.S. Government Agency debt. Provide Early Dialogue & amendments to win 60% of the vote, (ii) The State Treasurer’s office and Colorado Meaningful Involvement keeps a simple majority threshold for County Treasurer’s Association have joined When considering legislation with a distinctly statutory amendments and stipulates that together to request this statutory change. local or Denver metropolitan impact, MACC legislative changes in first 3 years require a This “change” will preserve the status quo, & MMC should have a seat at the table. Early 60% supermajority and, (iii) requires that which has served Colorado governments involvement is critical to addressing our petition signatures be collected in each so well over the past several decades. shared challenges in a way that respects our state congressional district to qualify for continued on reverse side local needs and decision making. the ballot.