Media Center

Media FAQs

Who should I contact if I would like input from CML for a story I'm working on?

The CML website contains extensive background information on various topics. If you are unable to find the answer to your question, call the office at 303-831-6411 to be directed to the appropriate staff person.

How many CML Executive Board members are there? What is the purpose of the board?

The CML Executive Board is composed of 21 elected officials and key municipal staff members who are elected by the membership at the annual business meeting for two-year overlapping terms. The board is responsible for overall finances, management and policy affairs of the League.

How many people live in Colorado?

According to 2016 estimates:
State: 5,538,180
Municipal: 4,099,458
Municipal as percent of state: 74%

What is the smallest municipality in Colorado? The largest?

According to 2015 estimates:
Lakeside is the smallest with 8 people.
Denver is the largest with 693,292 people.

How does CML develop its positions on issues?

The CML Policy Committee provides recommendations to the CML Executive Board, which finalizes all of the Leagues legislative positions.

How does CML get its funding?

A large portion of funding CML’s operations comes from membership dues from our member municipalities. Membership with CML is completely voluntary.

How many people work for CML? What are their roles?

CML employees a staff of 17 people. They include our executive director, who is responsible for executing the policies and programs of the League, supervising staff members, managing and coordinating activities and operations and recommending and developing organization policies and programs; four legislative and policy advocates who represent the interests of municipal government at the Capitol during the legislative session and year-round; a general counsel, associate counsel, and law clerk who provide valuable information to municipal members on topics including bonds, employment law, and TABOR; a four-person engagement and communications team that coordinates trainings, produces publications, and conducts research for members; and a four-person administrative team that manages the CML finances, information systems, and ensures the efficient operation of CML. (The total is more than 17 employees because some employees serve dual roles within the organization.)

CML Facts

About CML

The Colorado Municipal League (CML) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization established in 1923, represents more than 99 percent of the municipal population in the state and is widely recognized as the official voice of municipal government in Colorado. CML’s daily operations revolve around three areas of service to our members: Advocacy, Information and Training.

Membership

270 of Colorado's 272 cities and towns

Executive Officers

President: Robert "Bob" Widner, Centennial city attorney
Vice-President: Kathi Meyer, Steamboat Springs council president pro tem
Secretary-Treasurer: Dale Hall, Greeley mayor pro tem
Immediate Past President: Liz Hensley, Alamosa councilmember

Executive Director

Kevin Bommer has been with CML since 1999 and is responsible for executing the policies and programs of the League, supervising staff members, managing and coordinating activities and operations and recommending and developing organization policies and programs.

Services

Advocacy: CML watches out for municipal interests where it counts and serves as municipal government’s eyes, ears and voice when it comes to state and federal legislation and appellate court cases. The League monitors the daily events of the Colorado Legislature for proposals that would affect municipalities and works to pass, defeat or amend legislation in accordance with general municipal interests and membership direction. As appropriate, the staff plays a major role in writing legislation beneficial to Colorado municipalities. As elections approach, statewide ballot issues draw CML’s attention. Significant issues are analyzed, communicated and advocated on behalf of municipalities. National legislation and the work of federal agencies are scrutinized for issues of significant municipal interest. CML represents the collective municipal view on issues of high priority. CML is an active member of the National League of Cities. The League participates as amicus curiae (friend of the court) in state and federal appellate court cases that involve issues important to municipalities.

Information: CML works to keep members informed and up-to-date on important issues. Each year, staffers respond to individual inquiries on hundreds of local government questions. CML periodicals and books capture important technical and legal research.

Training: CML provides opportunities for municipal officials to increase their knowledge and skill through workshops, training sessions, and the annual conference. The sessions and meetings attract more than 1,000 participants from throughout Colorado every year.

Background

CML was organized in Boulder on April 28, 1923, at the close of a three-day conference of municipal officials at the University of Colorado. Thirty-five delegates representing 15 municipalities attended the conference.

The League was formed as an agency for the cooperation of Colorado cities and towns in improving municipal government; to secure the enactment of legislation beneficial to cities and towns and oppose legislation injurious thereto; and to hold conferences at which city and town officials might exchange views and experiences.

Topics on the first annual conference program were: City planning and zoning, the city manager movement, municipal accounting, business methods in government, capital profit in street railway investment, the relation of municipal administration to the public health and leagues of municipalities.

The League’s constitution in its first year provided for annual dues for each city or town, based on population, ranging from $5 for towns under 1,000 population to $40 for cities of over 50,000 population. It also provided for annual dues of $2 for any commercial or civic club, library, other organization or individual.

Membership was initially made up of 15 municipalities; this has built up to the 270 cities and towns that the League represents today.

In April 1925, the League published volume 1, number 1 of friend of the court in the case pending between Englewood and Denver. One issue concerned the jurisdiction of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission over municipally owned water systems. In 1951, the Court upheld the contention of CML that the Public Utilities Commission has no jurisdiction over municipally owned water service.

A marked increase in interest in home rule and charter modernization took place during 1957.

Janet Roberts, Boulder councilmember, was the first woman to serve on CML’s Executive Board in 1964.

In 1971, nearly 1,000 people attended the League’s 49th annual conference held in Colorado Springs. At the largest luncheon in League history, 655 people listened as consumer crusader Ralph Nader chided private industry for not doing more to fight pollution.

In March 1974, the CML Executive Board named Kenneth G. Bueche as Executive Director. He replaced Curtis Blyth, who had resigned earlier in the year. Ken previously served as general counsel for the League since December 1968.

In 1991, CML launched MUNIversity, our elected officials’ training certificate program.

In 2005, CML’s longtime Executive Director Ken Bueche retired from the League and the CML building was renamed the “Kenneth G. Bueche Municipal League Building” in honor of his 30+ years of service.

In 2005, Sam Mamet, who had been with the League since 1979, was named Executive Director by the Executive Board.

In 2019, Kevin Bommer, who has been with the League since 1999, was named Executive Director by the Executive Board.

Mission and Vision

Mission: Advocacy, information, and training supporting exceptional municipal governance.

Vision: Empowered Cities and Towns, United for a Strong Colorado.

Learn more