woman smiling, wearing glasses and a suit
Ann Hutchison
President & CEO

For comments and questions about this blog, please email Ann at [email protected]

Chamber Positions on 2022 Municipal Ballot Items

by | Sep 13, 2022 | From the CEO

woman smiling, wearing glasses and a suit
Ann Hutchison | President & CEO

For comments and questions about this blog, please email Ann at [email protected]

Fort Collins City Council has placed three items on the November 8, 2022 ballot: Moving the municipal election cycle to November of odd-numbered years; Increasing Council compensation; and Ranked Choice Voting. All three issues would change our City Charter.

After in-depth review by staff, the Local Legislative Affairs Committee (LLAC) and the Board, the Fort Collins Area Chamber has elected to take NO POSITION on changing the election cycle and compensation as the impact to business is considered minimal.

However, the Chamber is OPPOSING Ranked Choice Voting (RCV), providing the following rationale:

  • The Chamber believes our current system is simple, transparent and clear. It works.
  • Compared to our current plurality system (“first passed the wire”) RCV introduces a great deal more complexity, cost and political gamesmanship without providing clear benefits to the community.
  • The system has not proven to increase voter participation, which is one of the primary objectives of the proposal.

Check out our Election Hub for more in-depth understanding of the ballot issues.

The Chamber, along with the Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance partners are currently reviewing state ballot issues. Information and positions will be released at a later date.

Please note: The Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to provide education, information and analysis of local issues and candidates specifically for its members. The opinions expressed are meant to give Chamber members a perspective that advocates for the business community and the city’s overall quality of life, and to give members insight into the potential impacts of local issues and candidates. No Chamber Dues or Funds are being contributed to any of the issue campaigns.


SHOUT OUT:

Small biz shout out to Horse & Dragon Brewing Company!  They are a delightful team that believes that “beer brings people together” and I agree!  Thank you peeps for creating a wonderful product and for providing places and spaces for community. I adore and appreciate you!  #FCSmallBiz