Arvada Charter

City of Arvada Charter Review

The Arvada City Charter is our most important legal document, describing the powers and essential functions of our local government. Essentially, the Charter is the City of Arvada's Constitution. A review of the City Charter is performed every ten years to ensure it evolves to meet the needs of the community.

Changes to the City Charter can only be made by a vote of Arvada citizens.

At the January 11, 2021 meeting of the Arvada City Council, the Council formed the 2021 Charter Review Committee appointing 20 Arvada citizens to perform a comprehensive review of the City Charter to make recommendations to the City Council for amendments, deletions or other changes to the Charter.

Charter Committee Meetings

The Charter Review Committee conducted several public meetings, which included public input, to determine their recommendations to Council.

  • The Charter Review Committee held the first of its virtual, public meetings on Feb. 11. View the meeting video.

  • The Charter Review Committee held its second virtual public meeting on Feb. 25. View meeting video.

  • The Charter Review Committee held its third virtual public meeting on March 11 view meeting video

  • The Charter Review Committee held its final virtual meeting on March 25 view meeting video.

Charter Committee Recommendations

  • At the April 26, 2021 city council workshop Mark McGoff, the Chair of the Charter Review Committee, presented the Final Charter Review Committee Report to City Council.

  • At a public hearing on August 16, 2021, the Arvada City Council considered and approved the Committee's choices to change the City of Arvada Charter and place four questions on the ballot for Arvada voters on Tuesday, November 2nd.

  • The results of the November 2nd election passed 3 out of the 4 proposed Arvada Charter Amendments.

Arvada Ballot Questions
for the 2021 Election

Ballot Question 3C
Council Member Employment Prohibition
Chapter IV, Section 4.3

A Yes vote would have eliminated the provision that prohibits a person who is a resident of the City of Arvada, and eligible to run for City Council, but an employee of another city, from not being allowed to run for and be elected to the Arvada City Council.

3C: Failed
See Election Results Here

Ballot Question 3D
Council Vacancies
Chapter IV, Section 4.6

Increase the time for filling a vacancy on the Arvada City Council from 30 to 45 days.

3D: Passed
See Election Results Here

Ballot Question 3E
Initiative Procedures
Chapter V, Section 5.13
Increase the time for citizens to gather signatures for an Initiative Petition from 30 to 60 days.

3E: Passed
See Election Results Here

Ballot Question 3F
Referendum Procedures
Chapter V, Section 5.14

Increase the time for citizens to gather signatures to file a Referendum Petition from 30 to 60 days.

3F: Passed
See Election Results Here

Website Version- Charter Presentation

Have questions about the
Arvada Charter Changes?

Contact Mark McGoff, Chair
2021 Arvada Charter Review Committee
Phone: 303-945-0059