superior gains home rule after contentious election vote

In a special election held on December 10, 2024, the Colorado town of Superior voted to adopt a charter, officially switching to a home rule governance structure. This decision allows the town to exercise greater control over its local affairs, giving it more authority to regulate state laws regarding areas such as housing and sales tax collection. The voter turnout for this election was relatively low, with 1,670 votes in favor of the charter and 721 against, out of a population of more than 13,000 residents. Originally, the charter was supposed to be on the ballot in November, but a clerical error led to the rescheduling of the vote to December. Mayor Mark Lacis explained that under home rule, municipalities in Colorado can self-govern based on the powers granted by the state constitution. This status aligns Superior with over 100 other municipalities in Colorado, where roughly 93% of residents live in home rule cities and towns. Mayor Lacis highlighted that adopting this charter would enable Superior to better manage their local regulations, including the ability to collect an estimated one-time payment of around $1 million in unpaid sales tax revenues. Such financial implications underscore the potential benefits of the transition to home rule. Despite the perceived importance of the change, civic leaders, including Home Rule Commission Chair Dalton Valette, acknowledge lingering confusion among residents about what home rule entails. Valette noted their frustration with the low engagement levels and emphasized the importance of educating voters about local governance. Sensing residents’ lack of interest in what he described as a challenging topic, Valette and other officials organized informational sessions leading up to the election in hopes of clarifying how home rule would impact residents’ daily lives. While the effects of home rule may not be immediately visible to residents, the restructuring signifies a shift in local governance—the term “town trustees” will change to “town council.” This transition also opens up the possibility for the local government to address and deliberate on various state-level issues that may affect the town’s regulations moving forward. As Superior adapts to its new governance framework, residents and officials alike are looking forward to a future with increased autonomy and opportunities for self-regulation in local matters.