Erie Town Council Regular Meeting - June 9, 2026

The Erie Town Council held a regular meeting on June 9, 2026, at 1:30 PM MT. Key actions included approval of a consent agenda with eight items, passage of a landscaping ordinance, presentations from the Erie Chamber of Commerce and the We Love Erie Business Collective, and a failed motion to enter executive session. Public comment featured five speakers addressing mineral rights sales, LGBTQ+ issues, and neighborhood safety.

Consent Calendar

• Approved eight consent items unanimously: meeting minutes (May 12, 2026); lease agreement with Co-Create Erie (formerly Erie Makerspace); purchase agreement for three Colorado Big Thompson units; grant agreement with Division of Aeronautics for airport pavement maintenance; construction contract with CR Contracting for airport pavement; construction contract with Colorado Boring Company for fiber project; agreement with Traffic Signal Controls for traffic detection equipment; and first amendment to construction contract with Facilities Contracting LLC for Maintenance Storage Expansion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Stephen Drew (Collier's Hill resident) requested that any executive session topics related to consultant RFPs be discussed openly. He argued that the agreement with Alameda Minerals Partners violated contractual requirements for competitive bidding and that a $4.5 million consultant contract (Owens) appeared to be a sole-source arrangement, raising fiduciary duty concerns.
• Marcy Lord (Erie resident) expressed anxiety about selling mineral rights to SM Energy without completed environmental impact studies, questioning the long-term benefit to the community.
• Jordan S. (physician, Erie resident of 9 years) opposed flying the pride flag on city property, citing legal viewpoint discrimination risks, medical concerns about transgender participation in women's sports, and moral objections based on religious beliefs.
• Emily Brecht (Canyon Creek PUD resident) opposed the SM Energy mineral rights deal, stating it benefits SM Energy far more than Erie. She supported the pride flag, calling it unifying.
• Brianna Brown (Compass neighborhood resident) advocated for a 0.3-mile sidewalk/trail along 119th Street to safely connect Compass to schools and other areas, thanked staff for progress on Compass Park, and honored neighbors Derek and Catherine Moffat who died in a car accident two years ago.

Proclamations

• 2026 Juneteenth Proclamation – Read by Councilmember Baer. Recognized June 19, 1865, and the ongoing pursuit of equity. Councilmember Baer noted the Juneteenth flag will not be flown this year.
• Loving Day Proclamation – Read by Councilmember O'Connor. Recognized June 12, 2026 (59th anniversary of Loving v. Virginia) and celebrated the freedom to marry regardless of race.

Discussion Items

• 2026 Legislative Action Team Video – Economic Development Director Julian Joaquin presented a video highlighting the town's first legislative action team, which tracked 60 of 700+ bills, testified on 6–7 bills, and held a Day at the Capitol. Council praised the effort.
• Landscaping Ordinance (Ordinance 2720) – Sustainability Specialist Dylan King presented an ordinance amending Title 10 to align with state law: prohibiting non-functional turf, artificial turf, and invasive species on commercial, industrial, institutional, HOA common areas, and multifamily properties (12+ units). The Planning Commission recommended approval unanimously. Council approved the ordinance (unanimous vote). Effective immediately.
• Erie Chamber of Commerce 2026 Action Plan – Executive Director Pat Vero outlined events and funding: Town Fair (May 16, 12,000–14,000 attendees, 330 booths including a youth market); Balloon Festival (July 10–12, 30 balloons, tether rides, special shapes); Summer Concert (July 25, Boogie Machine, $10,000 town support); Brewfest (October 3, sold out); Parade of Lights (December 4, limit entries to 45–50); Dave Stone Scholarships (three at $2,000 each, funded by beer garden tips). Total town funding: $86,325. Council thanked the Chamber and discussed volunteer and facility needs.
• We Love Erie Business Collective 2026 Action Plan – Board members Ron DeGrassi and Victoria Meyer presented the newly rebranded group (formerly Erie Economic Development Council). Their focus is connecting Erie businesses to local customers, advocating for business-friendly policies, and creating events (e.g., Small Business Saturday, home-based business fair). They sought collaboration on the Sundance Film Festival (January 2027, Boulder overflow). Council expressed support and discussed potential liaison roles.
• Councilmember Reports – Topics: tree rebate program (up to $200, spring deadline June 15); tree walk at Reliance Dog Park (June 11); Vista Ridge detention pond remediation (ponds were not functioning; nesting migratory birds delayed work until after nesting season); Pride and Juneteenth celebrations; police awards and new officer swearing-in; I-25 interchange study findings; Arapahoe Road safety meeting; and criticism of rushed schedule for special meeting on SM Energy mineral rights contract (Councilmember Mortalero absent due to pre-planned travel, request to delay denied).

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Landscaping Ordinance (Ordinance 2720) approved unanimously.
• Executive Session Motion – Mayor Pro Tem Bell moved to enter executive session (Item 2026-372, regarding real estate negotiations). A roll call vote was requested: 4 in favor (Bell, O'Connor, Mortalero, Moore), 3 opposed (Baer, Hoback, Pesimarelli). The motion failed. Opponents cited lack of prior consultation with the town attorney on the need for executive session and community unease. After discussion, Mayor Moore adjourned the meeting, stating the item would be postponed and a process for future executive session topics would be developed.
• Next steps: The town will communicate landscaping changes through FAQs and stakeholder outreach; the Chamber and Business Collective will continue planning events; staff will re-evaluate executive session procedures.