Local Control Matters

Local Control Matters

Centennial residents should be concerned by the State regulating specific zoning and land use within the City, as it would reduce your ability to engage in local decision-making. The State is positioning itself as the main authority to govern accessory dwelling units, parking of all sorts, and land use/zoning around light rail and certain bus corridors. 

If the following bills pass, and you find yourself in disagreement with how they impact you or your neighborhood, your recourse to appeal to Centennial’s City Council or fellow residents will be greatly diminished. Instead, you will have to address the matter with the State of Colorado or seek sponsorship from a legislator and hope a majority of state legislators and the Governor support the bill. You could also collect signatures and place an initiative on a statewide ballot and hope most Colorado voters agree with you. 

Local control matters, it’s part of the State Constitution, and cities must stand up and protect it. If you agree, please contact your representatives (contact information provided below) and ask them to vote NO on the bills below and to stand up for local control. Tell them zoning and land use decisions should be made at the local level and encourage them to explore opportunities for the State to support local initiatives. “Choose partnership over preemption!”


State Legislators Representing the City of Centennial - 74th General Assembly

 Name  District  Email  Phone Number
 State Rep. Chad Clifford   House District 37   chad.clifford.house@coleg.gov   (303) 866-5510 
 State Rep. David Ortiz   House District 38   david.ortiz.house@coleg.gov   (303) 866-2953 
 State Rep. Eliza Hamrick   House District 61  eliza.hamrick.house@coleg.gov   (303) 866-3706 
 State Sen. Chris Kolker   Senate District 16   chris.kolker.senate@coleg.gov   (303) 866-4883 
 State Sen. Tom Sullivan   Senate District 27   tom.sullivan.senate@coleg.gov   (303) 866-4873 

2024 Bills of Concern

HB24-1152 Accessory Dwelling Units

  • State law would control how ADUs would be regulated. Centennial is considering its own ADU ordinance, but State law would override local rules. As an example, the State bill prohibits cities from requiring off-street parking for ADUs; Centennial’s draft ordinance requires 1 off-street parking spot. 
  • Municipalities could not require detached units to be architecturally compatible with the existing residence. 
  • HOA covenants/by-laws would also be preempted and have no authority over ADUs.

HB24-1304 Minimum Parking Requirements

  • Prohibits municipalities from having minimum off-street parking requirements for all land use types. This means residential, commercial, industrial and places of public assembly would determine their own parking needs.
  • The City would need to create a public street parking program. ($$$)

HB24-1313 Housing in Transit-Oriented Communities

  • Mandates zoning for a minimum of 40 units per acre within 1/2 -mile of light rail stations (Arapahoe, Dry Creek and County Line Light Rail Stations all impact Centennial).
  • Failure to comply would strip cities of Highway User Tax Funds used by cities for street maintenance and operations. Centennial will receive approximately $3.8 million in 2024.

The Highway User Tax Fund (HUTF) is a fund that collects state-imposed taxes and fees related to motor vehicle operations. It is distributed monthly to the state, counties, and municipalities. The distribution is determined by statutory formulas, with the state treasurer allocating funds to CDOT, the Colorado State Patrol, the Department of Revenue, counties, and municipalities based on annual appropriations.

For municipalities, the share from the HUTF is calculated using a formula that considers the number of registered vehicles and the center line miles of streets in each municipality compared to others. Typically, 80% of the distribution is based on registered vehicles, and 20% is based on street miles. The percentage share for each municipality is recalculated annually.


History of Home Rule in Centennial

In 2001, Centennial incorporated as a statutory city governed by state laws. On November 6, 2007, Centennial’s citizens elected 21 residents to serve on the Home Rule Charter Commission to draft a Home Rule Charter. On June 10, 2008, the citizens of Centennial voted to approve a Home Rule Charter, making it possible for Centennial to have control over local matters of local concern, including sales tax collection and audit.

The approved charter serves as a “constitution” for the City. The charter allows the government to be more knowledgeable of and responsive to local needs and issues of its citizens while allowing for flexibility to grow, evolve and respond to future circumstances. 

Read the Home Rule Charter (PDF, 821KB).