Election Official

We have a coordinated election with the County. For any general election questions please contact the Fremont County Election Department at:

Fremont County Administration Building
615 Macon Avenue, Cañon City, CO 81212
719.276.7340

Election Date

Tuesday, November 8, 2022 - Election Day

Designated Election Official

Cindy Foster Owens, City Clerk
128 Main Street, P.O. Box 1460
Cañon City, CO 81215-1460
719.276.5242

2022 Ballot Measure Fact Sheet

There are four proposed amendments to the City of Cañon City’s Charter. Ballot issues #2A, #2B, and #2D are to bring the City Charter into compliance with Colorado Law. Ballot issue #2C has to do with public parks and how they can be dedicated to the City. Material to be deleted from the charter is shown by strike through and material to be added to the charter is shown by CAPITALS.

Issue #2A
Article III, Section 5 – Quorum, Open Meetings

Ballot Question
Shall Article III, Section 5 of the City of Cañon City Charter be amended so that the language regarding City Council meetings is consistent with the Colorado Open Meetings Law?

Charter language changes
Four (4) voting members shall constitute a quorum to conduct business. All Council meetings at which legislative matters are discussed or passed upon shall at all times be open to the public; and all records and minutes of the meetings of the Council and of all actions taken therein shall be matters of public record, and shall be open at all times during office hours to the inspection of the public.

Why the suggested language change? 
A portion of the language in this Section is inconsistent with the Colorado Open Meetings Law, as it suggests only Council meetings where legislative matters are discussed or passed upon shall be open to the public. The proposed amendment clarifies that all City meetings are public.

Issue #2B
Article V, Section 5 – All Others Are Employees

Ballot Question
Shall Article V, Section 5 of the City of Cañon City Charter be amended to clarify and ensure the Charter is compliant with state and federal law governing City employees and their employment?

Charter language changes
All other persons serving the City in any capacity, whether designated as a foreman, supervisor, laborer or member of a board, commission or bureau, or whether performing professional, scientific or specific services for and on behalf of the City are hereby declared to be employees and not officers and shall hold their office or employment at the pleasure of the Council.

Why the suggested language change?
The current Charter language is inconsistent with state and federal laws because it says employees serve solely at the pleasure of the City Council, without any procedural rights or protections.

Issue #2C
Article XIV, Section 1 – Public Parks, Playgrounds, Golf Courses, Swimming Pools, and Recreational Places & Areas

Ballot Question
Shall Article XIV, Section 1 of the City of Cañon City Charter be amended to permit the City to accept land to be used as parks or playgrounds with approval by ordinance of Council after a duly noticed public hearing?

Charter language changes
The City shall maintain, operate, care for and improve from time to time, as necessity requires, the Royal Gorge Park, the Skyline Drive, Magdalene Park, Margaret Park, Rudd Park, Greydene Park, West River Street Park, and all other parks and recreational places and areas owned by the City, upon the effective date of this Charter, and all other publicly owned parks, playgrounds, golf courses, swimming pools and recreational places and areas which it may acquire; and if the revenues from any such public property be insufficient to maintain, care for and operate the same, the Council shall appropriate funds out of the Park Improvement Fund for such purposes, provided that revenues shall also be appropriated out of the general fund for such purposes when the moneys in the Park Improvement Fund shall be insufficient. Provided, that no such park, playground, golf course, swimming pool, recreational place or area, shall, after the effective date of this Charter, be acquired by the City by purchase or gift, unless the acquisition be authorized by ordinance, approved by the electors of the City at a general or special election at which the approval of such ordinance shall be voted upon by the electors, and such ordinance shall set forth the purchase price, if any, thereof, and the estimated annual cost of maintaining, caring for, and improving the same, and the contemplated revenues from the operation of any such park, playground, golf course, swimming pool, recreational place or area.  THE ACQUISITION OF ANY PARK OR PLAYGROUND SHALL BE APPROVED BY ORDINANCE OF COUNCIL, AFTER A DULY NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING.

Why the suggested language change?
The current language restricts the ability of the City to accept public parks as an amenity for the City without voter approval.

Issue #2D

Article XV, Section 3 – Penalty for Violation

Ballot Question
Shall Article XV, Section 3 of the City of Cañon City Charter be amended to permit the Municipal Court to impose fines and imprisonment in accordance with Colorado law and to remove reference to the City jail?

Charter language changes
Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this Charter for the violation of which no punishment has been provided herein, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one hundred ($100.00) dollars, or by imprisonment UP TO THE AMOUNT AUTHORIZED BY LAW FOR MUNICIPAL COURTS OF RECORD in the City jail not exceeding three months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

Why the suggested language change?
This provision has a very low fine, and is inconsistent with state law authority given to Municipal Courts. State law provides for a fine of $2,650.00, subsequently adjusted by inflation each year.