Over the past several years, Centennial citizens have seen their local government ask for assistance in standing up for “Local Control” and “Home Rule Authority.” As I conclude my final year as Mayor of Centennial, I want to share why City Council has been standing up to protect the City’s constitutional right to govern local matters – and why it matters to you.
Article XX (Home Rule Cities and Towns) of the Colorado State Constitution allows cities and towns in Colorado to adopt home rule charters, giving them the ability to legislate on local matters (e.g. zoning, elections, taxation) without needing state approval, as long as they don’t conflict with the state constitution or laws on statewide concern.
Centennial citizens voted on November 6, 2007, to create a 21-member Home Rule Charter Commission to draft a governance structure that would dissolve the current dependence on the state legislature and ensure that decisions affecting Centennial would be made by the people who live here and understand our community. In drafting this Charter, the Charter Commissioners studied other Colorado cities’ charters, consulted with experts in city government, gathered citizen input and worked with experienced legal counsel.
The Commissioners sought to ensure that the following goals were accomplished:
- Open, transparent and responsive governance.
- Decision-making processes that allow elected officials to act quickly and responsibly.
- Checks and balances to protect citizens’ rights and ensure thorough research on decisions so citizens have recourse if they disagree with decisions made by their elected representatives.
- An efficient, effective and professional City staff.
- Flexibility for Centennial to grow, evolve and adapt to future needs.
On June 10, 2008, Centennial voters approved the Home Rule Charter, giving the City greater control over matters of local concern and serves as the City’s “constitution,” guiding how we govern and make decisions.
Recently, the rights of home rule communities, particularly those on the Front Range, have been challenged by the State Legislature and the Governor. Two bills passed during the State’s 2024 legislative session, HB21-1304 (Minimum Parking Requirements) and HB24-1313 (Housing in Transit-Oriented Communities), both override local zoning authority.
In response, six Colorado municipalities filed a lawsuit on May 19, 2025, against the State of Colorado, arguing that these laws are unconstitutional and infringe upon the home rule authority to govern zoning and land use, as protected by Article XX, Section 6 of the Colorado Constitution.
The lawsuit also challenges Executive Order D-2025-005, which penalizes municipalities that do not comply with the housing laws by placing them lower on the list for state grants, incentives, contracts, loans and tax credits.
In support of the litigation and the broader principle of home rule, City Council adopted Resolution Number 2025-R-24 on June 17, 2025. The vote was unanimous among the members present. We believe the decisions about local land use and zoning should remain with the communities directly affected by them – not dictated from the State Capitol.
Preserving this authority protects our neighborhoods, our infrastructure planning and the character of our City. It is the very reason Centennial was created 25 years ago. By supporting other home rule cities, we are safeguarding the local control that keeps Centennial unique, responsive and representative of its residents.
I encourage you to contact the Governor and your State Representatives in support of Home Rule, ensuring zoning and land use decisions are made by local government officials, where you are best represented. The argument with the State is not about the policy but where the authority resides to consider the policy.
Your voice should matter, and you should not need to rely upon a vote from a Senator on the Western Slope to determine how your community grows and evolves.
Mayor Stephanie Piko