Brighton City Council Meeting – March 3, 2026

The Brighton City Council met on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers to consider a full agenda including budget amendments, annexation and zoning for the 88-acre Grein Property, adoption of the 2024 Model Traffic Code, updates to the city’s employee retirement and criminal codes, and a new board appointment policy. The meeting lasted until approximately 9:00 PM, followed by a study session on the 2026 Oasis season. All nine council members were present except for Mayor Pro Tem Padilla who was absent for portions.

Consent Calendar

• ID-85-26: Approved the February 3, 2026, City Council minutes.
• ID-56-26 (Final Reading): Ordinance establishing Article 2-28 of the Brighton Municipal Code to create the Brighton Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Board and set organizational details.
• ID-51-26 (Final Reading): Ordinance amending Article 15-16 to prohibit graywater treatment works and directing staff to notify the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

The consent agenda was approved unanimously (9-0).

Ceremonies

• ID-84-26: Mayor Mills proclaimed Wednesday, March 4, 2026, as the National Day of Inclusion. Michelle Rice and the Unified Kiddos accepted the proclamation on behalf of the community.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tom Lampo (non-agenda): Offered a prayer for Brighton, the nation, children, and military personnel, asking God’s guidance for leaders.
• Les Fraley (on 7B and 7C): Opposed the annexation and planned development, citing concerns about urban sprawl, traffic on Baseline Road, mineral rights, an abandoned oil/gas well, and hazardous materials. He requested combining Phases 2 and 3 and creating a buffer along Baseline.
• Jennifer Moreno (on 7C): Opposed rezoning from agricultural to low-density residential because rapid growth is outpacing school district infrastructure (27J), staffing, and test scores.
• Teresa Bowen (on 10A): Representing the Brighton Housing Authority, she asked whether the new interview policy would be retroactive and requested a clear timeline for forwarding applications to boards.

Discussion Items

6A & 6B – Budget Amendments

• 6A: Fourth amendment to the 2025 budget ($525,000) for water charges, PTO payouts, and fleet maintenance costs (unanticipated due to accounting changes and higher PTO accruals from the Target 36 program). Approved 9-0.
• 6B: First amendment to the 2026 budget ($11,926,633) funded by new revenues (grants for electric vehicles, ADU plans, Youth Link IGA), restricted funds (lodging tax for park screen and ADA improvements, impact fees for developer reimbursements, cemetery fund interest), and unassigned fund balance (watershare purchase $5.5M, Sable corridor improvements $1.6M, affordable housing fee reimbursement $200K, one-time landscaping $200K). Approved 8-0 (Mayor Pro Tem absent).

6C – Model Traffic Code (Final Reading)

• Sergeant Ago and Assistant City Attorney Davis presented the adoption of the 2024 Model Traffic Code to replace the 2020 edition, and to bring four new charges (fictitious plates, number violations, driving without license, driving with suspended/revoked license) into municipal court. Councilmember Green opposed, arguing Adams County had different charges. Approved 8-1 (Green voting no).

7A, 7B, 7C – Grein Property Annexation & Planned Development

• 7A: Eligibility resolution for annexation of 88.303 acres (27.49% contiguous with city limits). Approved 9-0.
• 7B (Public Hearing, First Reading): Ordinance to annex the Grein Property No. 2. Councilmember Green opposed due to traffic impacts on Baseline Road. Councilmember Snyder supported, noting road improvements will be required. Approved 8-1 (Green no).
• 7C (Public Hearing, First Reading): Planned Development (PD) zoning for the property with underlying R1B and R2 zones, maximum density of 5 dwelling units per acre, preservation of two historic farmhouses and established trees, wider driveways (16-24 ft), and reduced corner driveway setback (30 ft vs. 50 ft). Staff and Planning Commission (3-1) recommended approval. Council discussion included traffic studies, connectivity, school capacity, and maintenance of preserved structures. Councilmember Green and Councilmember Collins? (vote 7-2). Approved 7-2 (Green and one other no).

8A – Employee Retirement Plan Amendments

• Ordinance to update the city’s pension board structure and change employer contribution from a fixed 9% to a minimum of 9%. Approved 9-0.

8B – Criminal Code Amendments

• Amendments to align with state law and a Colorado Supreme Court ruling, adding four penalty classifications (Class 1 & 2 misdemeanors, petty offense, civil infraction) while retaining a general penalty for offenses without a state equivalent. Removed duplicative sections (e.g., refusing to aid police, theft by rental, intentional bodily injury). Trespass reorganized into degrees; theft; harassment; disorderly conduct; and firearm prohibition in council chambers clarified. Approved 9-0.

10A – Board Appointment Policy

• Updates to the policy governing appointment of members to city boards, commissions, and authorities: added/removed boards, sent applications to relevant boards for optional interview, removed requirement to attend a board meeting if none occurs within 60 days. Councilmember Wirth expressed concern the policy appeared to make council the sole interviewer for planning commission, BHA, BURA, and DDA, but was satisfied that the language ("may") allows boards to interview first. Approved 8-1 (one no).

11A – Sable Boulevard Outfall IGA Amendment

• City and Mile High Flood District each contributing an additional $1.5M for construction of an open-channel outfall to serve future development. Construction March–November 2026. Approved 9-0.

11B – CDPHE Settlement Compliance Order

• Settlement resolving alleged permit violations for brine discharge from the reverse osmosis water treatment plant. City must pay $20,570 civil penalty, submit a progress report by Dec 31, 2026, achieve substantial completion of the new water treatment plant by June 1, 2027, and terminate the discharge permit by Sept 30, 2027. Approved 9-0.

12A – Mediation Authority with Town of Lochbuie

• Authorized staff to negotiate a settlement at mediation on March 27 regarding a dispute over wastewater service obligations. Approved 8-0 (one absent).

12B – Interview Panel Selection

• Selected Councilmembers Carbajal, Collins, Padilla, and Taddeo as the pool for future board/commission interviews. Approved 7-1 (one absent, one no).

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved 9-0.
• Proclamation for National Day of Inclusion adopted.
• Budget amendments: 6A (2025) passed 9-0; 6B (2026) passed 8-0.
• Model Traffic Code adopted 8-1.
• Grein Property Annexation: Eligibility passed 9-0; Annexation ordinance passed 8-1; Planned Development passed 7-2.
• Retirement plan and criminal code amendments both passed 9-0.
• Board appointment policy passed 8-1.
• Sable Outfall IGA amendment passed 9-0.
• CDPHE settlement passed 9-0.
• Mediation authority passed 8-0.
• Interview panel selected 7-1.
• Study Session: 2026 Oasis Aquatic Park season will open June 6 (due to 27J school calendar change to June 4), extend operations into September 14, with weekend-only operations including Mondays. Staff noted 73% of 120 seasonal staff are 27J students; training remains critical. Council supported the shift.