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1. How would changing to Home Rule affect me?

• Changing to Home Rule won’t impact your daily life, but does impact citizen control, interest, involvement and pride in municipal government.

• Making the change would assist the Town with long-term planning and allow for greater flexibility in funding sources.

2. Why should Monument change to Home Rule now?

Home Rule creates a government framework that will ensure the Town grows strategically and to the standards of the community. Home Rule helps set the foundation for more government efficiency, more revenue generating options and more control over land use, which provide long-term benefits to the community.

3. What is the cost of changing to Home Rule?

• Total cost for the entire Home Rule process is less than $50,000 over a three-year period. The bulk of the expense is for managing and administering up to two special elections.

• The cost of the Charter Commission is minimal and only includes staff time to attend extra meetings and any materials the Commission may need.

4. How would Home Rule affect streets and traffic management?

As a Statutory municipality, state regulations limit the Town’s ability to regulate the use of public streets and highways. Under Home Rule, the Town would have greater flexibility, clarity and effectiveness in adopting regulations, related to:

• Speed limits and traffic regulations

• Road closures

• Oversized weight and size of vehicles

• Parking regulations and signs

• Code enforcement for parking violations

5. How would Home Rule affect zoning and development?

As a home rule municipality, the Town would have greater ability and autonomy to adopt regulations, in the following areas:

• Public notice requirements for land use and development applications

• Utilities management in public rights-of-way and on private property

• Drafting legislation to address local issues

• Sex offender registration and spacing requirements

• Zoning regulations and development approval procedures

• Downtown revitalization and economic development

6. Will changing to Home Rule make it easier for the Town to raise my taxes?

No. Any increase in taxes will still require voter approval (in accordance with TABOR laws).

By changing to Home Rule, the Town has the option to adopt different types of taxes that are not available to Statutory municipalities, such as lodging, admissions and excise taxes. However, even those tax changes would need to be approved by voters.

7. What are the limits of Home Rule?

Although going to Home Rule gives local municipalities more freedom, some laws and constitutions must still be followed:

• Federal and state constitutions still apply as they provide provisions and protections to residents

• Federal and state laws that address matters that are more of statewide or national concern still apply

• Other national and state tax-related laws such as the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) and the Gallagher Amendment still apply

8. Are there disadvantages to changing to Home Rule?

The only potential disadvantage to becoming Home Rule is if the Charter is not written well. Residents can ensure the Charter is written well by encouraging leaders in their community to serve on the Charter Commission.

9. Are there other communities that are Home Rule?

Yes – More than 93% of Colorado municipal residents live in a Home Rule community.