Castle Pines voters approve annexation measure requiring public vote

Castle Pines voters approved a ballot measure requiring voter approval for annexations larger than 20 acres. The citizen-led initiative emerged in response to the proposed Crowsnest development, which drew significant opposition from residents earlier this year.

As of Thursday, the measure had received 5,943 votes in favor, or 71.22%, and 2,402 votes against, or 28.78%.

Supporters argued that major annexation decisions should ultimately be decided by voters.

“We feel it will bring additional transparency to the process of annexation and encourage careful evaluation of future city growth with respect to not only the character of our city, but our very limited natural resources and the fragile habitat that surrounds us,” Donna Packard, one of the organizers of the petition, told The Denver Gazette.

The vote comes after several annexation-related actions by city leaders this year.

In March, the city enacted a moratorium on annexations following public scrutiny of the Crowsnest development. In August, the City Council adopted the city’s first annexation policy and passed a motion formally opposing the ballot measure.

Councilmembers argued the measure’s 20-acre threshold was too low and would limit the city’s flexibility when considering future annexation proposals. They also said residents who oppose a specific annexation already have the option of pursuing a separate ballot initiative and noted that the newly adopted annexation policy provides a framework for public engagement and decision-making.

Under the new annexation policy, the city gives preference to annexation proposals that support long-term community goals, are contiguous with existing city limits, provide a public benefit, preserve at least 30% open space and include extensive public engagement.

The policy also discourages annexations that are solely residential. Applicants must submit an independent fiscal analysis demonstrating the proposal would not create negative long-term financial impacts for the city.

Opponents of the approved ballot measure argued that existing safeguards already provide residents with significant opportunities for input.

Whitney Shank, executive director of the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce, told the council before the election that requiring voter approval for annexations over 20 acres could make the process more cumbersome and potentially hinder economic development opportunities.

“We believe our elected City Council needs to maintain the ability to evaluate these proposals individually and make decisions based on what is best for Castle Pines as a whole,” Shank said during a City Council meeting. “Requiring an election simply because a property exceeds a certain acreage could make the process significantly more complicated and could limit the city’s ability to respond when economic development opportunities come our way.”

Supporters of the measure, however, maintained that requiring a public vote on larger annexations gives residents a direct voice in determining how the city grows in the future.