States United Democracy Center
States United Democracy Center
… In these dark days of destructive politics, it is good to see an organization that tries to unite groups for important causes like fair elections, government accountability, and public safety. A look at States United’s Advisory Board reflects a truly unified effort to support a “government of the people, by the people, and for the people.” See https://
… For its January 8, 2024 presentation to Westminster City Council on “Governance Best Practices.” The presentation focused on important values like openness, transparency, fundamental fairness, as well as the fiduciary role of government officials. CIRSA’s best practices handbook (p. 13) also touched on the importance of collaboration, good leadership, and the problem of officials that are merely a “rubber stamp.”
… For instituting new training that includes officers-intervening-training with a deliberate eye on the 2022 tragic death of Christian Glass. According to the state police, as of September 2023, more than 90% of troopers attended the new program. The news inaccurately suggested that Senate Bill 20-217 created a new duty for officers to intervene in a case like Christian Glass. But the federal courts announced years before SB 20-217, “it is clearly established ‘that a law enforcement official who fails to intervene to prevent another law enforcement official’s use of excessive force may be liable under [federal law].’” Maresca v. Bernalillo County, 804 F.3d 1301, 1314 (10th Cir. 2015).
…For successfully sending civilian/clinical teams to low risk public safety calls needing clinical intervention (e.g., welfare checks, intoxicated parties, and mental health distress). Per its 2022 Mid-year report, the Denver STAR program responded to 2,837 calls for service and “never had to call for law enforcement back up due to a safety issue.” This program differs from co-responder programs where police and clinicians jointly respond to a call.
… For staying within the numerical signature requirements set in Colorado statutes for voter-initiated ballot proposals, i.e., petition signatures from at least 5% of all registered electors for municipal ballots. Lakewood voters met this requirement in 2019. In Fort Collins, assuming the usual voter turnout, the threshold is effectively lower (10% of the number of votes cast in the preceding election). Denver voters need only 2% of the number of active voters. In stark contrast to Lakewood, Thornton and Westminster charters require double the amount of the state standard, specifically, 10% of the number of registered electors (the “10% standard”). In Colorado Springs and Aurora, with a 40% or lower voter turnout, the signature requirements are lower than the 10% standard. Undoubtedly, the 10% standard substantially weakens, if not demolishes, voter-initiative power. Ironically, voters need to meet the signature requirements to change a city charter’s signature requirements. Or, in many cities, a city resident can garner just 3,000 votes or so to become a councilmember and place the signature issue on the ballot with a handful of council votes.
…For its extensive community engagement and transparent, widespread distribution of its federal ARPA funds. The county maintains a robust website and dashboard devoted to this effort. See https://www.jeffco.us/4277/American-Rescue-Plan-Act Its work was recognized by Colorado Counties, Inc. See https://ccionline.org/advocacy/jefferson-county-arpa-success-stories/ Good government leaders and staff are good public stewards of public money, fully embracing their legal duty of public accountability and complying with the funding rules.
… for unanimous City Council approval to apply to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs for a $3 million grant for a 125-unit owner-occupied affordable housing project. Reportedly, 95% of Golden workers live outside of Golden. Similarly, during my time at the Thornton City Attorney’s office of 18 employees, I can recall only two living in Thornton. Like it or not, Golden is doing more than talking about “affordable housing.”
…For having a Career Service Board that adopts and enforces rules governing the merit-based personnel system, probationary periods, grievance procedures, and adjudicates employee appeals of termination and discipline decisions. Employees with “career” or “classified” protected status (rather than “at will”) should greatly appreciate the protection from being fired or disciplined at whim without notice and justifiable, provable “cause.” Requiring a sufficient lawful “cause” should protect employees in those unfortunate times where there might be an arbitrary, discriminatory and/or retaliatory supervisor, human resource director, and/or city manager. A Career Service Board provides yet another layer of protection and prevents the accumulation of too much power in the top city executives, especially when the board (not HR) hires the hearing officers for employee appeals.
…For substantively engaging its community through its Human Relations Commission comprised of residents empowered to: recommend to city council proposals for administrative or legislative action; issue publications and investigative reports; work with other governments to eliminate prejudice, intolerance, and discrimination; make budget recommendations; promote diversity –- supported by an Office of Diversity Equity & Inclusion presently conducting a disparity study.
… For its substantive community engagement in 2022 in three ways. First, during redistricting, Commerce City created a helpful 39-minute explanatory video. See https://youtu.be/Tc3nvBOhnQ0?t=10. Second, it empowered residents with the ability to draw community of interest maps online. See https://youtu.be/Tc3nvBOhnQ0?t=1964. Third, City Council distributed a survey asking about the number of individual City Council seats, the method of election (by ward or citywide), and the mayor’s role.
… For amazing transparency and public accountability by posting online for viewing and downloading its Council meeting recordings back to 2006. Similarly, the City of Lafayette’s recordings online go back to 2008. This allows the public to freely access years of recordings without asking permission.
… For ultra-transparency and successfully conducting its government business with a city charter that nowhere authorizes closed-door “executive sessions” for council meetings. Boulder’s success shows that transparency and effective government can co-exist.
… police transparency and cultural sensitivity by posting its police policies online in English and Spanish, a visible commitment to community and diversity.
… opting for transparency on July 12, 2022, in announcing at least three finalists (rather than only one) for its vacant city manager position unlike the University of Colorado that earlier in 2022 announced only one finalist for its vacant president position.