Text reading Effective Governance

2026 Mayors' Summit Resources

 

Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors:

Summit Sponsor Logos


Thank You for Joining Us: 2026 CML Mayors’ Summit

Thank you for being part of the 2026 CML Mayors’ Summit. Over the course of this 1½-day gathering, mayors from across Colorado came together to learn, share perspectives, and strengthen the leadership skills that support effective governance and community engagement.

As chief executives of their municipalities, mayors navigate complex challenges that require strategic thinking, collaboration, and adaptability. This summit focused on practical tools, real-world insights, and peer exchange to help you lead with confidence, strengthen partnerships with councils and staff, and engage your communities with clarity and purpose.

From candid discussions to actionable takeaways, the conversations reflected the shared commitment among Colorado’s mayors to thoughtful leadership, strong relationships, and responsive local government. We hope the ideas and connections sparked during the summit continue to support your work back home.

Access Your Resources

All workshop materials, presentations, and supporting resources are now available on this page for your reference and ongoing use. We encourage you to revisit the materials, share relevant tools with your teams, and continue the conversations started at the summit.

Thank you again for your leadership and for investing in your growth as a municipal leader. CML is proud to support you and looks forward to staying connected throughout the year.

Please reach out to Denise White, dwhite@cml.org, or  Karen Rosen, krosen@cml.org if you would like us to resend this to you throughout your term.


Mayors' Summit Workshop Presentations

Strategic Planning
John Trylch, Administrative Services Director, City of Fountain
This session offers a practical approach to strategic planning, emphasizing vision, focus, and accountability—and the mayor’s role in keeping strategy visible, relevant, and moving forward.
Presentation Slides

 

Planning the State of Your City/Town Address
Mayor Jason Gray and Communications Manager, Town of Castle Rock
Mayor Dave Frank, City of Montrose
Learn how communities like Castle Rock and Montrose use their State of the City/Town addresses to build trust, combat misinformation, engage residents, and create meaningful, accessible public communications.
Presentation Slides - Town of Castle Rock
Presentation Slides - City of Montrose

 

Media Engagement Strategies
Todd Barnes, Communications Director, City of Thornton and CML Section Chair PIO
This session offers real-world tips for working effectively with the media, including when mayors should speak publicly, how to prepare for interviews, respond to difficult questions, and protect trust through clear, consistent messaging.
Presentation Slides

 

Whose Mess Is This Anyway: Five Scenarios
Tami Tanoue, Executive Director and Sam Light, Deputy Executive Director/General Counsel, CIRSA
Through five realistic case scenarios, this presentation explores how mayors can lead through high-risk governance issues by using effective process, ethics, and organizational resources.
Presentation Slides

 

Open Meetings
Robert Sheesley, CML General Counsel
Learn how mayors can apply Open Meetings Law fundamentals to lead well-run meetings, avoid common pitfalls, and strengthen transparency and public trust.
Presentation Slides

 

Navigating the Mayor/Manager Dynamic: Leadership in Action
Mayor Marissa Harmon and Seth Hoffman, City Manager, City of Lone Tree
Through real-world examples, this presentation offers practical tools for navigating the mayor–manager dynamic, setting healthy boundaries, and leading effectively within the council–manager model.
Presentation Slides