Timnath will vote on home rule

By Dan MacArthur
Fossil Creek Current

On Oct. 25, Timnath voters could set into motion the process of becoming a home rule town.

On that date the town's 130 eligible voters will decide whether to form a home rule charter commission. They at the same time will choose a nine-member commission to draft a charter, providing the first issue is approved. Voters will be able to vote on both questions regardless of whether they favor forming a charter commission.

If electors agree to proceed, the commissioners would draft a charter proposal for the voters to consider at the town's April 4 regular election.

Home rule offers cities and towns greater authority and flexibility to design a customized form of government meeting their unique needs and desires. According to the Colorado Municipal League, 91 of the state's 271 municipalities are home rule.

In contrast, statutory municipalities--as the name implies--are limited to exercising only the authority permitted by state statutes. If statutory towns and cities desire additional authority, they must persuade the legislature to grant it to them.

The election follows the Timnath trustees' positive response following a June work session in which four current and former officials familiar with home rule enthusiastically endorsed its adoption.

The election will be conducted solely through a mail ballot at an estimated cost of $150.