On Monday, May 19, the City of Westminster, along with the cities of Aurora, Arvada, Glendale, Greenwood Village and Lafayette, filed a lawsuit against the State of Colorado and Governor Jared Polis. The lawsuit challenges two recently passed state laws — House Bills 24-1313 and 24-1304 — on the grounds that they may conflict with the constitutional rights of home rule municipalities to manage land use within their jurisdictions.
The cities involved assert that the new laws impact long-standing local planning efforts. Westminster officials point to the city’s Comprehensive Plan, which is designed to guide development through 2040 and takes into account factors such as water supply, utility infrastructure, transportation systems, parks and recreational facilities, public safety services and schools.
Westminster has highlighted its involvement in housing development, including projects such as Downtown Westminster and Westminster Station, as part of its broader land use strategy. City representatives express concern that the new legislation does not include requirements for affordable housing and limits the role of local governments in reviewing and approving high-density residential developments. They also note that the laws may reduce opportunities for public input and environmental or community impact assessments.
The lawsuit seeks to affirm the cities’ ability to regulate land use policies at the local level, particularly as the region continues to experience growth. Westminster officials state that they will continue to update residents as the legal process unfolds.
