Westminster City Council

The Westminster City Council is the legislative body for the City of Westminster, Colorado, a home-rule municipality in Adams and Jefferson counties ^[1][1] City of Westminster. "City Charter." westminsterco.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://www.westminsterco.gov/Government/CityCharter.. The Council consists of a Mayor and six City Councilors elected at-large to four-year terms ^[2][2] City of Westminster. "Council Meetings." westminsterco.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://www.westminsterco.gov/159/Council-Meetings.. Under its Council-Manager form of government, the body sets policy, adopts the municipal budget, and enacts local laws while the City Manager handles daily operations ^[1][1] City of Westminster. "City Charter." westminsterco.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://www.westminsterco.gov/Government/CityCharter.. The Council directly oversees the City Manager, City Attorney, and Municipal Court Judge ^[3][3] City of Westminster. "City Manager's Office." westminsterco.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://www.westminsterco.gov/Government/CityManager.. For the 2026 fiscal year, the Council manages a total expenditure budget of approximately $371.6 million ^[4][4] City of Westminster. "2026 Budget-in-Brief." westminsterco.gov, Published: 2025-10-13, https://www.westminsterco.gov/Government/Budget/Adopted2026Budget.. The Council meets at Westminster City Hall on the second and fourth Monday of each month ^[2][2] City of Westminster. "Council Meetings." westminsterco.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://www.westminsterco.gov/159/Council-Meetings..

Historical Background

Westminster originated in 1870 when Pleasant DeSpain filed a homestead claim, but it did not incorporate as a town until 1911 ^[5][5] City of Westminster. "Westminster History." westminsterco.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://www.westminsterco.gov/Government/WestminsterHistory.. The town officially became a home-rule city in 1958 with the adoption of its City Charter ^[6][6] Ballotpedia. "Westminster, Colorado." ballotpedia.org, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://ballotpedia.org/Westminster,_Colorado.. In 1961, the city faced a major scandal when four council members and the city administrator were jailed for accepting bribes to abandon an annexation effort ^[7][7] Los Angeles Times. "DOWN ON ITS LUCK : Westminster's Saddled With a Corrupt Past and Uncertain Future." latimes.com, 1986-10-19, https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-10-19-me-6265-story.html.. Modern history was defined by a significant water rate controversy in 2020 and 2021 ^[8][8] Ballotpedia. "Mayor and city council recall, Westminster, Colorado (2020-2021)." ballotpedia.org, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://ballotpedia.org/Mayor_and_city_council_recall,_Westminster,_Colorado_(2020-2021).. High summer water bills led to a recall effort against Mayor Herb Atchison and three council members ^[8][8] Ballotpedia. "Mayor and city council recall, Westminster, Colorado (2020-2021)." ballotpedia.org, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://ballotpedia.org/Mayor_and_city_council_recall,_Westminster,_Colorado_(2020-2021).. Atchison resigned in May 2021 before the vote, but voters ultimately defeated the recall of Councilor Jon Voelz in July 2021 ^[8][8] Ballotpedia. "Mayor and city council recall, Westminster, Colorado (2020-2021)." ballotpedia.org, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://ballotpedia.org/Mayor_and_city_council_recall,_Westminster,_Colorado_(2020-2021)..

Current Events

In early 2026, the City Council focused on implementing the 2026 budget and capital program adopted in late 2025 ^[4][4] City of Westminster. "2026 Budget-in-Brief." westminsterco.gov, Published: 2025-10-13, https://www.westminsterco.gov/Government/Budget/Adopted2026Budget.. A key 2026 priority is the use of a 0.4 percent sales and use tax increase, approved by voters as Ballot Issue 3H, to fund a new fire station and improve emergency response times ^[4][4] City of Westminster. "2026 Budget-in-Brief." westminsterco.gov, Published: 2025-10-13, https://www.westminsterco.gov/Government/Budget/Adopted2026Budget.. During the February 9, 2026 meeting, the Council reviewed economic development agreements for the Red Lotus Den in Downtown Westminster and discussed new codes of conduct for officials ^[11][11] YouTube. "Westminster City Council Meeting | February 9, 2026." youtube.com, 2026-02-10, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4JWv0neOkg.. In March 2026, the Council held study sessions to address legislative affairs and community engagement strategies ^[2][2] City of Westminster. "Council Meetings." westminsterco.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://www.westminsterco.gov/159/Council-Meetings.. Recent legislative actions include updates to the 2040 Comprehensive Plan regarding childcare and rezoning for the Han Hewitt property ^[10][10] Citizen Portal. "Westminster Council adopts 2026 budget, approves fire-station purchases." citizenportal.ai, 2025-10-12, https://citizenportal.ai/co/westminster/city-council/2025-10-13/..