Westminster Council Wards Initiative

On August 19, 2024, City Council voted 6-1 to reconsider Councillor’s Bill 26 which was the bill that was initially discussed on August 12. Council then voted 5-2 to pass Councillor’s Bill 26 which will create three representative wards with two councillors per ward. The mayor will continue to be an at-large position.

Westminster residents will now vote on the ballot measure during the upcoming November 2024 election. Should the ballot item pass, the process for determining boundaries will begin in 2025. Residents should expect to see the following ballot language during the November 2024 election:

Shall the Charter of the City of Westminster, Colorado, be amended to create three (3) geographic wards, each represented by two (2) City Councillors residing in such wards, elected to staggered four-year terms, and establish rules for their election, service, and recall, to be fully implemented no later than 2027, by amending Sections 3.2, 3.3, 3.18, 5.1, and 5.2, and adding a new section 18.9?

A "Yes" vote will support the creation of wards for Westminster. A "No" vote will mean that City Councillors will continue to be elected at large.

Council also gave direction to staff to draft a ballot question for the 2025 municipal election for residents to consider creating an additional two at-large councillor seats to create a nine-person city council. Councillor's Bill 27, which would have included proposed changes in Councillor's Bill 26 and expanded the number of council seats by two, was tabled indefinitely.

On August 12, 2024, City Council directed staff to make edits to the current proposal creating representative wards in Westminster. The updated plan will still call for transitioning Westminster to three geographic wards represented by two councillors each, and a mayor that is elected at large. However, Council has requested to see an updated proposal adding two additional at-large councillors increasing the size of City Council to nine seats total. City Council will hold a first reading of the updated proposal during a meeting Monday, August 19.

Should City Council approve the proposed ordinance during their regular meeting Monday, August 26, Westminster residents will have the opportunity to vote on the ballot measure during the November 2024 election. Should the ballot item pass, the process for determining boundaries will begin in 2025.

On August 12, 2024, City Council will consider creating representative wards for Westminster.  The proposed plan will begin transitioning Westminster to three geographic wards with two councillors each, and a mayor that is elected at large. Westminster’s City Council is currently elected citywide. 

The proposed ordinance includes ward boundaries with balanced populations that are within 10 percent of each other, and boundaries will be adjusted every 10 years in alignment with the U.S. Census. Should population deviate beyond 10%, the City may adjust boundaries mid-decade.  

Should City Council approve the proposed ordinance, Westminster residents will have the opportunity to vote on the ballot measure during the November 2024 election. Should the ballot item pass, the process for determining boundaries will begin in 2025.  

During the 2025 municipal election, the three current at-large councillor seats that will be up for election will be converted to ward-based councillor seats. Current term-limit rules and residency requirements are preserved. Councillors may only serve two consecutive terms and are required to live in their respective ward for at least one year prior to running for office and maintain residency within the ward throughout their term.  

On July 22, 2024, City Council directed staff to move forward with a recommendation from the Wards Advisory Committee to create a system of geographic council wards or districts in Westminster. The committee's recommendation includes:

• A City Council comprised of a mayor that is elected at-large and six city councillors
• Three wards with two councillors elected from each ward. Councillors will no longer be elected at-large.

City staff is developing ballot language to make the proposed changes to the city charter for Council's review during the August 5, 2024 meeting. City Council will also discuss a transition plan to phase in wards that is aligned to City Council's terms of service.

Should City Council approve of the proposed changes to the city charter in August, Westminster residents will have the opportunity to vote on the ballot measure during the November 2024 election. Should the ballot item pass, the process for determining boundaries will begin in 2025. Staff does not anticipate implementation of council wards until the 2026 election.

On May 20, 2024, City Council approved Councillor’s Bill 15, establishing a Wards Advisory Committee to advise on:  

• The number of wards or districts; and
• The number of Councillors per ward/district and at-large, if any, including a Mayor elected at-large.

Members of the Wards Advisory Committee, who were appointed by City Council, will meet on July 2 and July 9 to consider the two questions above and develop a recommendation for Council’s consideration. These meetings will be open to the public. Space is limited. As part of our commitment to transparency, the meetings will be recorded and posted to this page and the City’s YouTube the following day. 

In a public meeting later this year, City Council will consider the Wards Advisory Committee’s recommendation and may choose to adopt or amend a ward systems ballot question for the 2024 General Election ballot. Should the ballot question receive popular support from the community, City Council and staff will engage the community to develop ward boundaries and other resultant changes ahead of the November 2025 Municipal Election. 

In the event City Council does not move forward with a ballot question, it may instruct City staff to bring forward an alternate ballot proposal for voter consideration or table the question for a later date.