Conference Sessions & Programs

Advance registration and ticket required. Cost: $45

 

Tuesday, June 18

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 

Registration 
Take advantage of special pre–conference sessions, tours, our Welcome Reception, and stop by and pick up your registration materials early. Everyone in the conference center and all meeting rooms must be registered and have a name badge to enter and/or attend sessions and events.

2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Pre-Conference Session: Municipal Finance & Budgeting 101 for Elected Officials
Elected officials have an obligation to manage taxpayers' resources wisely. Understanding financial reports, budgets, and the associated terminology can be overwhelming, especially for newly elected officials. This session will teach the basics of fund accounting, financial management, and municipal budgeting from the early stages through final adoption, with an emphasis on the elected officials' role throughout the process.
Speaker Jeff Hansen, Finance Director of City of Golden

Pre-Conference Session: Effective Governance
There is a lot to know about serving as a municipal elected official. As a new council member or trustee, it is important to understand the basics as you begin your term. This session provides an overview of important topics such as parliamentary procedures, public official liability, staff–council relations, open meetings, ethics, conflict of interest, tax and fiscal policy, and more. Seasoned elected officials also are welcome to attend.

Mobile Tours

The tours are no cost to attend but you must pre-register. Space is limited. Please only register for one tour.

Chimney Hollow Reservoir 
Arranged by the City of Loveland
Learn about the Chimney Hollow Reservoir Project, a $670 million collaborative effort developed by 12 Northeastern Colorado water providers to improve the reliability of the Windy Gap Project. Visits are conducted from the Chimney Hollow Reservoir Overlook, which will provide a full view of the valley and the main dam construction. Staff will be present to provide insight on several components of the reservoir construction, including the main dam, coffer dam, quarry, asphalt and concrete plant and more.

Habitat for Humanity Project - Hope Springs
Presented by the City of Greeley.
Through a historic private/public partnership, Alquist received almost $4 million in incentives to establish their 3D printing headquarters in Greeley.  Their technology is revolutionizing the construction industry.  They can build homes that are affordable, more efficient, and do so more quickly than traditional construction methods.  Alquist has also established a certificate program at AIMS College that trains students in 3D printing technology for construction and upon graduation students will have a job with the company.  Come and see their technology in action at Hope Springs - a Habitat for Humanity community where Alquist is using 3D printing to construct some of the homes.

Mobile Tour: Fort Collins - TBA
Presented by the City of Fort Collins


4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Welcome to the CML Annual Conference
This session, while ideal for those new to the conference to get tips on making the most of the experience, will be valuable for all municipal officials who want to kick off their week by meeting new members and hearing new ideas.

5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Welcome Reception Connection Lab
After the short welcome to the conference session, stop by for a drink at the Embassy Suites lobby and make plans with colleagues to enjoy dinner at one of the great restaurants in Loveland. Get ready for an early start to the conference on Wednesday. Cash bar.

 


Schedule: Wednesday, June 19

7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.

Morning Wellness - Sunrise Yoga
Arranged by the City of Loveland. All registered conference attendees and registered guests are invited to refresh and renew with this morning wellness program. Registered guests under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult.
Advance registration required by June 18. This is a free event.

7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Registration
Everyone in the conference center and all meeting rooms must be registered and have a name badge to enter/attend sessions and events.

7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Exhibit Hall

Make sure you stop by our Exhibit Hall to visit with sponsors and subject matter experts in municipal products and services.


9 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

General Session:  Greatness Grows Best in the Shadows: A Story of Perseverance and Hope
Sponsored by CIRSA
Welcome to the 102nd CML annual conference. Join us for the opening general session featuring keynote speaker Justin Forsett.
Justin is a product of persistence. You’ve heard the expression, “It's not how many times you get knocked down that count; it's how many times you get back up.” Now imagine getting “knocked down,” eight times in nine years… AND STILL coming out at the top of your game. In his riveting presentation, you’ll learn the tools you need not only to overcome just about any obstacle, but also thrive through it and come out a winner.
Speaker Justin Forsett, NFL Pro Bowler, entrepreneur, broadcaster, and philanthropist

 

10:45 a.m.-11:45a.m.

DCI - Understanding TIF Markets + Legislation | The Past, Present & Future
Colorado communities are looking to develop and redevelop parcels and buildings to maintain housing, jobs, and quality of life.
Whether the community is small or large, rural or urban, savvy or new to the game, tax increment financing (TIF) is a dynamic tool that can help communities achieve their vision. However, the TIF tool is not a simple concept and has often been part of lively debates. Recent changes to the market, legislation, and state and local discussions have created an unpredictable environment for TIF. Join us as we navigate the factors and players in the markets and legislature that affect our ability to use this tool effectively.
Speakers:  Troy Bernberg, Northland Public Finance; Katherine Correll, executive director, Downtown Colorado, Inc,; and Carolynne White, attorney, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, P.C.

Creating a Culture of Cyber Awareness
As cyber criminals continue to become more sophisticated and targeted with their attacks, City of Greenwood Village believes the most powerful protection against these crimes is its employees. The city has established an education and awareness program that puts personal responsibility at the forefront of our cybersecurity strategy, giving all employees an active role in protecting the organization from attacks with engaging activities and incentive programs.
Speaker Mike Edwards, IT Manager, City of Greenwood Village 

Building Consensus for Affordable Housing in a Small Town
The Town of Ignacio has worked through a series of grants and programs to set the stage for an affordable housing project which broke ground in fall of 2023. The project will include a mix of single-family and multi-family homes. The project was initiated with a DOLA funded land purchase after the town revised their land use code and completed a housing study.

CIRSA Session - TBA
Session presented by CIRSA


Awareness, Avoidance & Action Part 2

Mayor Pro Tem Shannon Lukeman-Hiromasa is back by demand to present Part 2 of Awareness, Avoidance & Action. Based on overwhelming feedback from participants in 2023 asking for a repeat presentation and part 2 to the training. Shannon will build on how to practice situational awareness and avoidance taking a deeper dive into teaching attendees how to read body language for indicators of stress and danger, what is involved in threat assessment and target hardening. This session will be an interactive, scenario-based training.
Speaker Shannon Lukeman-Hiromasa, mayor pro tem, City of Northglenn

12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.

Welcome Luncheon & Sam Mamet Award Presentation
Sponsored by Xcel Energy

Visit with colleagues at this popular lunch and enjoy the presentation this year's Sam Mamet Good Governance Awards.  Advance registration and ticket required. Limited seating. No on-site sales.

1:45 p.m.-2:45 p.m.

Case Study on Housing Advocacy in Five Cities in Jefferson County
What happens when philanthropy and municipal government join forces to tackle one of the most pressing and complex issues of our time? In this session, a panel of elected officials and civic, business, and citizen stakeholders will share their experiences and insights on a public education and advocacy initiative to increase the supply of affordable and workforce housing.
Presented by PIO Section

Decentralized or Centralized Colorado State Cooperatives is an Ally
Presented by the Procurement Section.
Let’s talk about de-centralized or centralized purchasing and how they differ while serving specific needs and circumstances. This session will consider both models. A great source for either purchase model is the State of Colorado Cooperatives. We will explore the Colorado State Price Agreements and learn about new enhancements. Please bring your experiences, comments, and questions to share.
Speakers John Chapman, state purchasing manager, State of Colorado, Cindy Scymanski CPPB, purchasing administrator, City of Loveland and Pam Roeding, ISM-CPM, CPSD, procurement specialist, City of Longmont

Ensuring Disability is a Part of Your EDI Efforts
Equity Diversity and Inclusion is a hot topic right now, but has your city included disability in those efforts? Corrine Gray famously said, "If you embrace diversity but ignore disability, you're doing it wrong." This session will help you identify places to consider disability issues and embrace disability inclusion as something that will benefit your entire municipality.
Speakers Alison Butler, Director, Division of Disability Rights, City of Denve

DOLA - What's New at DOLA
Presented by DOLA
Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) leadership will discuss recent developments in funding programs, strategic services provision, and policy initiatives. DOLA will address the agency's structure and function, how to access resources, and collaborative opportunities with local governments. 

Demystifying the Role of the Municipal Attorney
Whether you are a rookie or a seasoned elected official or administrative staff member, you've probably tried to figure out what makes your municipal attorney tick. This presentation will attempt to explain the what’s, whys, and hows of the world of municipal attorneys.
Speakers Alison McKenney Brown, city attorney, City of Lakewood; Carrie Daggett, city attorney, City of Ft. Collins; Wynetta Massey, City Attorney & Chief Legal Officer, City of Colorado Springs and Robert Widner, attorney, Widner Juran LLP

CLE: Recent Developments in Land Use & Planning Laws
Presented by the Attorney Section
Speaker: Robert Sheesley, general counsel, Colorado Municipal League

2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m.

Exhibitor Showcase
This exclusive event is an opportunity for conference attendees and registered guests to visit with exhibitors while enjoying some mid-afternoon refreshments. Our exhibitors are subject matter experts in municipal projects and services and would like to share their knowledge and how they can be of service to your municipality. CML truly appreciates all our sponsors and thanks them for their support -- their participation in the conference this year makes it extra special for our attendees. Visit the exhibit area to learn more about our sponsors and to thank them for being a part of the conference!

Practice Area Roundtables - Attorneys
Gather with other municipal attorneys in roundtable discussion around various practice areas.

3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

Mayor’s Mingle
Meet and engage with fellow mayors in this informal session with a discussion facilitated by CML Executive Director Kevin Bommer. FOR MAYORS ONLY.

Mobile Tour: City of Loveland Sculpture Garden Tour
Experience the extraordinary Benson Sculpture Garden, which boasts 178 individual works of art, donated by the Loveland High Plains Arts Council.  This park is an excellent example of a successful public-private partnership that has flourished since its inception in 1987.  The City of Loveland Art in Public Places program oversees this unique public art collection, and the Parks & Recreation Department maintains the beautiful park setting. This site is home to the largest outdoor sculpture show is North American held annually during the second weekend in August, Sculpture in the Park. Benson Sculpture Garden is a true community treasure.
No cost to attend but you must pre-register. Space limited to 45 people.

4:00 p.m.-5:00p.m.

Hair on Fire
The clerks want their elected officials to more fully understand the responsibilities which are a part of clerks' daily work, the vast variety of state statutes which clerks need to be familiar with, and the role they play in making municipal operations run smoothly and in helping the elected officials to do their work effectively and efficiently. The clerks also want to encourage elected officials to provide funding for clerks' education so that they can become even more valuable to their municipalities.
Presented by the Clerks Section

The Important Relationship Between a City/Town Manager and Chief of Police
Presented by the Police Chiefs Section
Enea Hempelmann, chief of police and Jennifer Hoffman, city manager with the City of Broomfield will cover the importance of strong relationships, setting expectations, mutual support, recruiting the right people in leadership roles, and internal and external partnerships to show the importance of this relationship in your municipality.

EDCC - TBA
Presented by the Economic Development Council of Colorado (EDCC) 

Pickleball is Fun! But Regulating? Not So Much
Pickleball is reportedly the fastest growing sport in the U.S. It is also the most controversial activity in terms of noise impacts on neighboring residential homes. Although a single pickleball player may enjoy the sport for a few hours each week, continual play on a pickleball court by a multitude of players can inundate adjacent residential properties with a type of noise that is scientifically proven to be harmful to humans. Balancing the fun of pickleball with the recognized harm and the impairment of the quiet enjoyment of the residential home is exceedingly challenging and a legal and public relations minefield. The City of Centennial's experience, and the city's 2023 pickleball regulations, present a comprehensive approach to address the recognized health and safety concern associated with pickleball noise with the vociferous demand for more pickleball courts.
Speaker Robert Widner, attorney, Widner Juran LLP and Jill Hassman, attorney, Widner Juran LLP

CLE: Public Comment & First Amendment
Presented by the Attorney Section
Speakers: Anshul Baga, legislative counsel, city and county of Denver and Tonya Haas-Davidson, city attorney, City of Greenwood Village.

 

5:00 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.

Opening Welcome Reception
All registered attendees, including registered guests and sponsors, are invited to attend this great event underwritten by our generous sponsors. Great networking opportunities abound!

Schedule: Thursday, June 20

7 a.m.- 8 a.m.

5K fun run/walk
Arranged by the City of Loveland
Run (or walk) for local government! Wake up early, stretch and join in on the 21st Annual 5K Fun Run/Walk. Route and start location details to follow.
Advanced registration required. Fun Run registration made after May 17th will not receive a t-shirt. Fee: $25

8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Work Zone
Print conference documents/materials. Equipment intended for the exclusive use of CML conference registrants with conference badges.

Registration
Everyone in the conference center and all meeting rooms must be registered and have a name badge to enter/attend sessions and events.

8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m.

Continental Breakfast
Registered attendees can enjoy breakfast and coffee with sponsors and network with colleagues in the Exhibit Hall before the keynote speaker kicks off at 9 a.m.

8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Exhibit Hall
Make sure you stop by our Exhibit Hall and visit with our sponsors and subject matter experts in municipal products and services.


9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

General Session: The Art of Caring Leadership
Speaker Heather Younger, Founder & CEO of Employee Fanatix

CLE: Protecting Home Rule Through Litigation
Throughout 2022 and 2023, five home rule jurisdictions successfully challenged Colorado legislation that improperly restricted their constitutional right to levy sales taxes. This is a case study of the litigation which resulted in the legislation being declared unconstitutional.
Speaker Michele Horn, city attorney, City of Denver

10:30 a.m.-11:45 p.m.

CLE: Legislative Update
The CML advocacy and legal teams will offer highlights from the 2024 session of the Colorado General Assembly, with a special focus on new legislation that may require immediate action by municipalities.

Greening Your Infrastructure - It's Not as Daunting as You Thin
Presented by Public Works Section
Infrastructure can be a municipality's biggest asset in reducing climate change, tackling environmental stewardship, and building resiliency. It can seem both costly and technically challenging, but leaders are integrating green infrastructure even into maintenance projects. Public works leaders will discuss how towns are tackling this in both rural and urban settings.

Navigating Homelessness: Courage & Compassion in Action Lessons Learned in Addressing Homelessness: Insights from two Colorado municipalities and a nonprofit
The increasing numbers of people experiencing homelessness in Colorado and throughout the nations is often in the news and in the minds of many community residents and leaders. In light of this, we are excited to invite you to a unique and insightful session focused on addressing homelessness. This session will shed light on the courageous and compassionate efforts of two Colorado municipalities and a prominent nonprofit in addressing the growing crisis of homelessness. Representatives from Loveland and Westminster will discuss the challenges faced, successes achieved, and lessons learned in navigating city codes and legal constraints, while navigating quality of life demands in their cities. Bridge House’s Ready to Work Aurora will share its insights and experiences in working collaboratively with municipalities. Learn more about their role in supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and the positive impact of their programs for municipalities. Please note that there is a follow-up roundtable session on Thursday afternoon from 3 to 4 p.m.

Speakers: Melissa Arguello-Green, CEO, Bridge House; Mark Jackson, Public Works Director, City of Loveland, and Tomas Herrera-Mishler, director of parks, recreation & libraries, City of Westminster

Preserving the Heritage of Your Community
Many communities across Colorado have seen an influx in population. While needing to add new buildings to help serve this change, several downtown buildings are vacant. Here at History Colorado our mission is to help communities preserve and promote their history through buildings and sites. We have a couple of incentive programs that can easily be accessed by municipalities, non-profits, or private owners. We have found that most times buildings in communities sit vacant due to lack of funds; we are here to provide guidance on potential opportunities through a State Historical Fund grant or State Commercial Historic Tax Credits. We will give a quick overview of what each program has to offer and its requirements. We will then provide successful case studies such as conversions of schools to residential or vacant commercial buildings to the next community hang out. We believe that no two projects are the same and we want to help guide municipalities through historic preservation opportunities.

Speakers Sara Kappel, History Colorado and Andres Borunda, History Colorado

HR Section Session
Watch for more details soon.

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Meeting of the Minds Luncheon Sponsored by Swire Coca-Cola
Rarely, if ever, does someone who has walked the walk of a municipal elected official become a leader in the state legislature and then, an important voice in regional environmental policy. This year's edition of Meeting of the Minds promises to be engaging, as CML executive director Kevin Bommer welcomes EPA Region 8 Administrator, KC Becker. Becker served on the Boulder City Council and in the Colorado General Assembly, the last two years as Speaker of the House, before being appointed Region 8 administrator.  This session explores the various angles of federal, state, and local relationships.
Speaker KC Becker, Regional Administrator, Region 8, Environmental Protection Agency.

Advance registration and ticket required. Limited seating. No on-site sales.

1:45 p.m.- 2:45 p.m.

CML Annual Business Meeting
If you are the voting delegate for your municipality, you must check in and pick-up your ballot between 1:45 - 2:15 p.m. Each municipality's voting delegate will elect CML Executive Board members, adopt the Leagues 202402025 Policy Statement, and consider other League Business. Delegates must be present to vote. Per the voting rules, late voting and proxy voting are not permitted.

Exhibitor ShowcaseThis is the last chance to visit with exhibitors while enjoying some mid-afternoon refreshments.  Our conference exhibitors are subject matter experts in municipal project and services and would like to share their knowledge and how they can help your municipality.  

CLE: Municipal Condemnations - What To Do and Not To Do
Presented by the Attorney Section. CLE credit has been applied for.
A primer on best practices to successfully navigate eminent domain matters and condemnation litigation.
Speaker Rich Rodriguez, attorney/shareholder, Hamre, Rodriguez, Ostrander & Prescott, P.C.


3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

Air Quality & What Local Governments Can Do
Clean air is essential for public health and the well-being of communities. Local governments play a pivotal role in addressing air quality issues, as they can implement policies and initiatives that directly impact the quality of the air residents breathe. This conference session will delve into the critical topic of air quality and explore actionable steps local governments can take to improve it. Through discussions, case studies, and expert insights, participants will gain valuable knowledge about the importance of air quality and practical strategies to make their communities healthier and more sustainable.
Speakers Jacob LeBure, RAQCC; Mike Silverstein, RAQCC; Dave Sabodos, RAQCC; and Kelsey Simpkins, RAQCC 

Navigating Homelessness: Courage & Compassion in Action Lessons Learned in Addressing Homelessness: Insights from two Colorado municipalities and a nonprofit - Roundtable Follow-Up Discussion
This guided roundtable discussion follows the morning session and offers attendees the opportunity to engage with presenters, their teams, and each other.  this interactive session aims to foster collaboration and the exchange of ideas for tacking the complex issue of homelessness.
Speakers: Melissa Arguello-Green, CEO, Bridge House; Mark Jackson, Public Works Director, City of Loveland, and Tomas Herrera-Mishler, director of parks, recreation & libraries, City of Westminster

Engaging Youth in Municipal Government
Often, some of the most powerful voices in communities are overlooked because of their age.  Involving youth in municipal government benefits not only young, developing leaders, but also municipal leaders and the communities as a whole.  There are many ways to do this, including youth commissions and workforce readiness programs. Come and explore what the City of Brighton Youth Services is doing to engage young adults through their youth commission and Growing Grads Career Readiness programs.
Speaker: Tawnya Russell, manager of youth services, City of Brighton

Creating Resilience Following a Disaster
On December 30, 2021, the most destructive fire in Colorado's history swept through the City of Louisville and surrounding communities. the disaster forever changed the City of Louisville's community.  Since the fire, the City of Louisville has been committed to supporting residents who are rebuilding, reintegrating back into the community, and supporting the community through the resulting trauma from the disaster.  Join to hear how things are going two-years in and learn from our experiences.  Our diverse panel will cover topics such as energy code, use tax, politics, recovery, resiliency, and sustainability.
Speakers: Kayla Betzold, sustainability program manager; Jeff Durbin, city manager; Kiana Freeman, recovery and resilience program manager; Samma Fox, deputy city manager and Rob Zuccaro, community development director, City of Louisville.

NOCO Community Fiber: Achieving Universal Broadband Access - City of Loveland Session
Larimer County encompasses diverse communities across the Front Range – from rural mountain towns to dense cities nestled along the foothills. Growth in the region has emphasized the need to improve county infrastructure and ensure our communities can thrive socially and economically. Therefore, access to affordable high-speed broadband was identified as a key goal in the county’s strategic plan. Building regional and community relationships to extend community-owned municipal fiber assets in well-connected areas of the region into largely rural areas is crucial for success. In northern Colorado, a regional partnership was developed called NOCO Community Fiber. Hear how the county; the City of Loveland municipal broadband provider, Pulse; area communities; local rural electric providers; and contractors have leveraged this type of relationship, community-owned assets, and regional collaboration into a unique partnership centered around the belief that broadband is a utility that should be accessible to all.
Speakers Mark Pfaffinger, Larimer County CIO, Brieana Reed-Harmel, broadband manager, Pulse

CLE: A New View: Liquor Licensing from Different Perspectives
Presented by the Attorney Section. CLE credits have been applied for
Liquor licensing involves many players such as licensee, licensee's agent, city clerk, city attorney, and licensee's attorney. Sometimes we get stuck viewing the process and our role from only one perspective. Changing your role and your perspective can create opportunities for learning and process improvements. Stacey Aurzada, Greeley deputy city attorney will discuss how her perspective changed while acting as the Greeley city clerk; and Cheryl Aragon, former Greeley deputy city clerk now with Cheryl Aragon Consulting, will provide insights from her experiences assisting businesses with the liquor licensing process.
Speakers Cheryl Aragon, Cheryl Aragon Consulting and Stacey Aurzada, deputy city attorney, City of Greeley

Tiny Town Solutions
Over 60% of Colorado communities have populations of less than 2,000. These smaller communities or “tiny towns” face different challenges for getting things done.
Speakers Jason Armstrong, economic development & planning coordinator, Town of Mancos, Kylie Brown, rural program manager, DCI; Susan Sanderford, town manager, Town of San Luis, and town of Red Cliff

New Approaches to Emergency Alerting & Evacuation of Populations
Presented by the Fire Chiefs Section

Bridging the Digital Divide in Colorado
Learn about how the state will bridge the digital divide through the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment and Digital Equity funding. Colorado received $1billion in funding to connect communities. The Colorado Broadband Office (CBO) will present its most recent legislative accomplishments to expand uses for state broadband grant programs and newly established programs.
Speakers Brandy Reitter, ED, CBO 

Emerging Issues
This session is reserved for current issues affecting municipalities.

CLE: Home Rule Charters
Presented by the Attorney Section. CLE credit applied for.

 


 

Schedule: Friday, June 21

7:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m.

Elected Officials Breakfast, Muniversity Awards and Special Program: TBA
Advance registration and ticket required. No on-site ticket sales.

Managers Breakfast: Program TBDAdvance registration and ticket required. Cost: $40. No on-site ticket sales.

 

8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Registration

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Continental Breakfast


9 a.m.-10:15 a.m.

Municipal Right of Way Permitting Challenges & Opportunities
Presented by Energy Utilities Section
More details coming soon.

Strengthen Your Community with DOLA Regional Managers
Join a panel of DOLA regional managers to hear depth recommendations on utilizing their resources to maximize benefit in your community. The managers will discuss resources beyond the well-known available grant funding and explore how you can bring more value to your community through strategic training, research, technical assistance, and funding.

Water/Wastewater Utility Emergency Exercises: Cyber/Fire
Emergency management and first response is a multifaceted topic. This training will run through two emergency scenarios 1) a cyberattack 2) a prolonged drought and subsequent wild/urban fire. The exercises will focus on drinking water and wastewater operations and emergency response. Lessons learned during the exercise can be applied to other areas of municipal emergency response. Come prepared to discuss how you and your team would respond to emergencies that affect your water/wastewater systems!
Speaker Kyra Gregory, drinking water training specialist, CDPHE

Navigating Rough Waters: Musings of a Local Government Manager
Working in local government can be a challenge. With a wide range of experience, ranging from city arborist, solid waste manager, county manager, town administrator, and town trustee, and ICMA/CCMA senior advisor, Frank will share some of the key concepts, ideas and philosophies he accumulated in more than 40 years of public service. He will also sprinkle in insights gleaned as a whitewater guide on rivers throughout the West from Colorado and California to Alaska.
Speaker Frank Lancaster, ICMA/CCCMA Senior Advisor / Town Trustee

CLE: Sort of Right and Kind of Wrong? Let's Talk About Ethics
Presented by the Attorney Section. CLE credits have been applied for
If we don't talk about ethics, it is difficult to know what to do when a situation arises. This presentation will provide general guidance on conflicts of interest in a variety of areas based on state statutes, municipal codes, and independent ethics commission opinions.  The presenter will also offer scenarios that the audience can discuss in small groups with a return to the large group to summarize the discussion.  The goal is a discussion of complicated (and less complicated) ethical dilemmas to better prepare you for tough situations.
Speaker Alicia Calderon, city attorney, City of Brighton

 

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 noon

The Ties that Bind Us Transportation & Land Use
Presented by Planning Officials Section
Come join a conversation with planners and engineers to discuss the critical linkages between transportation and land use. In addition to effective development patterns, closer coordination of land use and transportation can lead to better public outcomes, including cost savings and improved access and mobility. reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and healthier communities. Examples of successful projects and policies in Northern Colorado will be showcased by this panel of experts.
Speakers: Rebecca Everette, AICP, community development director, Larimer County; Becky Karasko, AICP, transportation planning director, North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization; Nicole Hahn, city engineer, City of Loveland; and Elizabeth Relford, interim planning director, Weld County 

Revitalizing Mobile Home Parks
The revitalization of three existing deteriorated mobile home parks in Montrose will serve as a case study for how municipalities and private developers are working together to improve existing housing stock. Rich Dana from Cottonwood, San Juan and Green Acres Mobile Home Park LLC and Ann Morgenthaler, City of Montrose deputy city manager, will share information about their work together, followed by a group discussion focused on how other communities are approaching similar challenges.
Speakers Ann Morgenthaler, deputy city manager, City of Montrose and Rich Dana, private developer 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Workplace
Presented by Employers Council
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not a thing of the future; it is here and is being widely used in a variety of applications in the workplace. This panel discussion will provide the opportunity to learn how employers are currently using AI, change management strategies for implementing AI in the workplace, and potential pitfalls employers need to be aware of to reduce their risk around AI applications in the workplace.
Speaker Brandy Walker, Employers Council

Emerging Issues
This session is reserved for current issues affecting municipalities.

CLE: Act Today to Improve Defenses in Later Municipal Contract Litigation
Presented by the Attorney Section. CLE credit has been applied for
The specific terms of municipal contracts may make or break the outcome of future litigation. In construction contracts, the terms controlling drawings and plans signed and sealed by licensed engineers have primary importance. Likewise, the terms related to verification of contract compliance and obtaining necessary building permits remain significant.  In addition, the actions and statements of municipal employees and vendors may impact how a judge and jury views the evolving facts. This session will provide a view from the litigation trenches about these and other contractual issues for municipalities.
Speaker Paul Godec, of counsel, SGR, LLC

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Attorney Luncheon: Environmental Justice: The Civil Rights Act in the Environmental Context
Presented by the Attorney Section

Advance registration and ticket required.  Cost: $50. No onsite sales.