Home Care In Littleton, CO

Littleton voters were on track Tuesday night to approve a ballot measure enshrining single-family zoning in the city’s charter, effectively blocking local officials from allowing denser forms of housing across most of the southern Denver suburb.

The measure, which appeared headed toward passage, would represent a setback for housing advocates and local leaders, who said the charter amendment would upend the city’s plans to tackle the affordability crisis, undoing years of community planning efforts to increase the supply of housing.

Ballot Question 3A was favored by 55% of voters as of 8:52 p.m.Tuesday.

The charter amendment — and a slate of mayoral and council races that also appeared on Tuesday’s ballot — were seen as a referendum on the city’s housing policies, which in recent years have sought to make it easier to build homes at more affordable prices. But local homeowners pushed back in force, complaining at City Council meetings that the pace of change threatened the community’s small town charm.

Variations of the same fight played out in communities across the state this election, with opponents of growth pushing for new restrictions on housing, even as local leaders try to increase the supply of affordable homes.

In Littleton, the dispute came to a head earlier this year, when the council attempted to allow duplexes and small townhome projects in single-family neighborhoods. In response, opposition group Rooted In Littleton launched the campaign to amend the city charter, which would take away the council’s ability to change the single-family zoning code without voter approval.

The amendment would put the city out of compliance with state law, rolling back a local ordinance allowing accessory dwelling units, or granny flats, in single-family neighborhoods. It would also make it difficult for Littleton to meet the state’s new requirements for housing density near transit.

Mayor Kyle Schlachter and most of the City Council opposed the charter amendment, arguing that it would put the city at risk of being sued by the state. This year Gov. Jared Polis also signed an executive order attempting to steer state grant dollars away from communities that don’t comply with the state’s housing rules.

Schlachter was headed toward reelection Tuesday with 57% of the vote, leading Councilman Patrick Driscoll, who was aligned with Rooted In Littleton. Among the council candidates who supported the charter amendment, none were leading as of 7:20 p.m. Tuesday.

Other housing elections

Littleton wasn’t the only place where housing took center stage on election night, as voters grapple with how to address the state’s cost of living crisis and manage growth.

In Louisville, voters overwhelmingly rejected a pair of measures that would have simultaneously required developers to build more affordable housing, while driving up the cost of construction through higher impact fees.

The measures were widely opposed by city leaders, business groups and housing advocates, including Habitat for Humanity, who said they would prevent affordable housing from being built at all, contrary to the stated goals of supporters.

Ballot Question 300 would have prohibited rezoning three local properties for residential development unless developers agreed to make 30% of the units there affordable for low-income renters. As of 8:47 p.m., 79% of voters opposed it.

Ballot Question 301 would have imposed impact fees on an array of new developments, including affordable housing projects. Voters overwhelmingly opposed it in early returns, with 77% against.

In Estes Park, voters appeared split Tuesday night over two measures brought by critics of new development.

The first, Ballot Question 300, would give nearby property owners a veto over proposed rezonings and new planned subdivisions in their area. It led with 55% of votes in favor as of 8:26 p.m.

The second, Ballot Question 301, would have repealed a local ordinance that provides incentives for developers to build attainable and workforce housing. It appeared headed for defeat with 58% opposed early Tuesday evening.

By Cassis Tingley for Denverite

Four sentences have spurred a clash over development, growth and the future of Littleton in the suburb south of Denver.

Ballot Question 3A takes up just a few lines on November’s ballot. But the proposed amendment to Littleton’s City Charter has quickly become one of the city’s hottest political debates in years, stirring controversy and confusion among residents and policymakers alike.

The referendum is led by the nonprofit Rooted in Littleton and aims to freeze the city’s zoning rules, making it much tougher to change how land can be developed and used. Organizers say their goal is to preserve the town’s character by preventing developers from buying up land and “imposing” development on Littleton residents.

Another nonprofit, Vibrant Littleton, has led opposition efforts. Its members argue 3A goes much too far and would hamper the city’s ability to adapt to future housing needs.

Even the city of Littleton itself got involved, asking a court to review the amendment for a potential conflict with state law before dropping the case earlier this month. The measure has also divided neighbors, online and in person — a recent public meeting drew heated discussion amid jeers and accusations of disinformation.

“It’s really disheartening,” said Katie McReynolds, who opposes the measure and said arguments have gotten harshly personal. “We want to keep the housing conversations going.”

If Amendment 3A passes, it would enshrine Littleton zoning law as of Jan. 1, 2025 into the city charter. Any large-scale land-use changes would have to go before Littleton voters instead of through Littleton City Council, though individual property owners could still ask council to rezone their own lots.

One of the most important effects: It would be more difficult for the city to allow denser development in new areas. And it would also roll back where accessory dwelling units (ADUs) can be built in Littleton.

Rooted members say they don’t trust the council to handle zoning after they tried to pass Ordinance 31 last winter, which would have expanded the areas where duplexes and multiplexes are permitted. Rooted organizer Joe Whitney described the council’s process as “covert” and “sneaky,” saying residents didn’t know the ordinance would affect zoning — something that city officials deny.

“It seemed like the only way we could slow this bus down was to put something on the charter that gives us at least two years protection to kind of sit down and have dialogue with people about what a good solution is,” Whitney said.

Though the city council dropped the original multifamily proposal due to public pushback, the incident prompted some residents to found Rooted in Littleton. The fight over Amendment 3A was on.

How it works

Under 3A, duplexes would continue to only be allowed in Multi-Family Residential (MFR) neighborhoods and, with a permit, Small Lot Residential (SLR) neighborhoods, in Neighborhood Commercial (NC) and Corridor Mixed-use (CM) areas, and parts of downtown.

Multiplexes would continue to be permitted in CM areas, MFR neighborhoods, and parts of downtown.

Detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are currently allowed everywhere in Littleton except in the area surrounding Main St. per last year’s state mandate. But under 3A, they would revert to only being allowed on properties backing up to alleyways.

The measure also would require the city to notify residents in the event of zoning changes, though the city council implemented a similar change independently last month.

Littleton’s past (and future)

Located just south of Denver, Littleton is a city of 45,000 that has long attracted folks looking for a small-town vibe outside the Mile High City. It has a network of nature trails and lots of open space, a Main Street with shops and restaurants, and a relatively high number of families.

Preserving Littleton’s “small-town charm” has become central to the debate about 3A.

“It's a beautiful place. People love it here and we want it to be around for the next generation too, not just, ‘Let's go do what we want with it now,’” Whitney said. “Theoretically, [3A] is forever, just like an amendment on the U.S. Constitution is forever, unless people decide they don't want it and then they vote it down and do something else. The purpose is, ‘Let's have constructive dialogue.’”

Opponents of 3A say it would endanger the town’s family-friendly community. Littleton has comparatively more families than Denver, though its population skews older — and the number of families is quickly declining, which critics blame on a lack of housing.

Littleton’s median house sale price has grown from about $370,000 in 2016 to more than $620,000 today. Rent has gone from an average of $1,303 to $2,053 per month. The town’s prices are among the highest in the Denver metro.

“The most important part of Littleton is seeing all these families walking to their neighborhood schools and that community that we have,” McReynolds said. “That’s going to go away if we continue on this projection of not attracting and retaining families, which we need to do with housing options.”

Spencer Hanks, an organizer with Vibrant Littleton, said Littleton is now much more closely intertwined with the rest of the Denver metro whether residents like it or not.

“We recognize it as a complex issue,” Hanks said. “We recognize that there's many avenues which we could take, but codifying zoning within a city charter [is] extremely restrictive and time-stamped and really shuts down all conversation and most of our ability to even begin to tackle something like affordable housing.”

The measure could have a big impact on ADUs.

The measure has some residents wondering what will happen to their own properties.

Last year, state lawmakers passed a measure requiring major cities to allow residents to build detached ADUs on their land.

In June, Littleton made that change, allowing ADUs across much more of the city. McReynolds made plans to convert her standalone garage into a home for her parents, who also live in the neighborhood and are in their 70s.

“I was really excited when all the accessory dwelling unit restrictions got lifted,” McReynolds said. “Taking care of my family and caring for my parents and giving them that dignity of old age and just aging in place, [3A] would take that away.”

When McReynolds heard about 3A, she asked the city attorney’s office what it would mean for her proposal. They informed her that if 3A passes, her detached ADU would no longer be allowed. An individual property owner could still ask the city council to rezone their specific land to allow an ADU, but that’s an expensive, lengthy and uncertain process.

Rooted organizers have pushed back. At the House District 38 meeting earlier this month, Harris told the crowd that ADUs “aren’t affected by this 3A.” Any claim that they would be restricted was a “misinterpretation” of the amendment, he said.

Harris adjusted his tone during the Q&A, telling the audience 3A “certainly was never intended to affect any ADUs.”. “If it passes, I will talk with Reid Betzing, the city attorney, the next day about how he should interpret the city's charter in that ADUs should not be affected.”

But making those changes likely wouldn’t be so simple, and McReynolds felt the 3A advocates were misleading the public by understating the impact on ADUs. Whitney declined to comment on Harris’ speech at the meeting, saying he had not listened to the recording.

If 3A passes, city zoning rules — including those concerning ADUs — could not be changed without an election. That could happen during a regularly scheduled election or in a special election, which cost Littleton $165,000 in 2023.

The change could also come with broader effects. If Littleton widely restricts ADUs, it could put the city at odds with state law — and the state has threatened to strip funding from cities that don’t comply.

Whitney emphasized that Rooted in Littleton supports detached ADUs. He said the organization had met with the city manager and attorney to discuss the city’s interpretation of 3A in the context of ADUs, but to no avail. He also said Rooted was not invited to the city’s study sessions on ADUs.

City spokesperson Jessica Bixenman confirmed that Rooted representatives met with the city manager and attorney on Jun. 5 and that 3A would freeze all Littleton land-use policy as of Jan. 1, 2025, including ADUs. She also noted that city study sessions are open to the public.

“The City Manager communicated to [Rooted] representatives that if a charter amendment was the only acceptable path to their desired land use policy outcomes, staff did not believe there was majority Council support for any path forward that would place zoning in the charter, since zoning is classically and fundamentally a city council responsibility,” Bixenman said in an email.

3A won’t be the only thing on the ballot. Littleton voters will decide whether to re-elect Mayor Kyle Schlacter and at-large Councilmember Joel Zink.

Along with races for two open seats, the results could change the majority of the city council — the leaders who will have to lead the town forward whether 3A passes or fails.

Ballots have already been mailed. Polls close at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

LITTLETON, Colo. — Academy Bank has expanded its footprint in Colorado with the opening of a new main branch in downtown Littleton. The banking center, located at 40 W. Littleton Blvd., adds to the bank’s growing network across the state and marks its 28th location in Colorado.

In Brief:

The new branch, which opened Oct. 30, offers personal, business, and commercial banking services, along with modern technology designed to enhance convenience. Features include 24-hour Smart ATMs and Interactive Teller Machines that allow customers to connect with a live banker through video for most transactions.

Community leaders joined Academy Bank representatives for a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by about 90 guests. Among those present were Littleton Mayor Kyle Schlachter, Centennial City Council Member Richard Holt, and members of the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce.

“This expansion underscores our deep commitment to supporting local businesses and delivering exceptional, relationship-driven service,” said David Choe, regional vice president at Academy Bank. “We’re excited to continue growing alongside the Littleton community and helping our clients achieve their financial goals.”

The 2,100-square-foot branch is Academy Bank’s second location in Littleton. The bank also operates in communities including Colorado Springs, Denver, Aurora, Westminster, Pueblo, Englewood, and Fort Collins.

Branch manager Matthew Diehl said the new location represents the bank’s dedication to community-focused service. “We’re grateful for the warm welcome from the Littleton community and look forward to growing together and building a stronger future,” Diehl said.

Academy Bank has operated in Colorado since 1989, when its sister institution, Armed Forces Bank, acquired Fort Carson National Bank. The company is a subsidiary of Dickinson Financial Corporation, a Kansas City-based holding company with $4.58 billion in assets.

Academy Bank was recently recognized by Fortune as one of the 2025 Most Innovative Companies, by Forbes as a Best-In-State Bank, and by ADP with its HCM Excellence Award in Talent at Work.

The Littleton branch is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Time.

A proposal to strictly limit zoning changes in Littleton is leading in early returns.

Ballot Question 3A had the support of about 55 percent of voters with just over 13,000 ballots counted as of 7 p.m.

The proposal would embed Littleton’s zoning code in its city charter. Doing so would make it impossible for the city council to make changes to development rules — for example, allowing more accessory dwelling units or increasing allowable housing densities.

“Littleton residents choose not to live in Denver for a reason,” the 3A campaign states on its website. “Pave over Littleton’s small-town charm and beauty and you start to get Denver. Replace yards for kids with more multiplexes and you start to get Denver.”

Littleton has a population of about 45,000 and sits south of Denver. It has prided itself as a small, family-friendly town with its own identity.

If 3A passes, changes to zoning rules would have to be approved by voters. Landowners could still ask the city council to change the zoning of their individual properties. But the city would be blocked from making the types of major zoning updates as other cities regularly do — unless voters agree.

Littleton City Council had recently made it easier to build ADUs across the city, but 3A would reverse that change, city officials said.

State funding at risk

The ballot measure could put Littleton at risk of losing state funding. Recent state laws require cities to broadly allow the construction of ADUs, as well as denser housing development near transit.

With its zoning code locked, Littleton could struggle to meet those requirements. (Some cities have challenged the new state laws in court.)

Who supported and opposed 3A

Supporters of 3A have organized under the name Rooted in Littleton. They say the ballot measure would protect Littleton from unwanted growth. It was spurred by a failed effort to allow duplexes and multiplexes in more parts of Littleton, with critics arguing the city did not properly engage residents as it considered the changes.

“It's a beautiful place. People love it here and we want it to be around for the next generation too,” said Joe Whitney, an organizer with Rooted in Littleton, in an earlier interview with Denverite. “Theoretically, [3A] is forever, just like an amendment on the U.S. Constitution is forever, unless people decide they don't want it and then they vote it down and do something else. The purpose is, ‘Let's have constructive dialogue.’”

Critics organized under the name Vibrant Littleton. They argued that 3A would prevent the city from responding to a housing shortage that has threatened its family-friendly reputation. Littleton home prices are among the highest in the metro, and the city has produced fewer new housing units than almost any other large municipality in the area, The Colorado Sun reported.

“We recognize it as a complex issue,” said opposition organizer Spencer Hanks in an earlier interview. “We recognize that there's many avenues which we could take, but codifying zoning within a city charter [is] extremely restrictive and time-stamped and really shuts down all conversation and most of our ability to even begin to tackle something like affordable housing.”

Turnout appears to be high. In 2021, the city counted only about 14,000 votes in total — a total that the city came close to reaching in the first round of results this year.

While Littleton voters may approve one dramatic change, they are on track to retain their mayor, Kyle Schlachter. He was leading challenger Patrick Driscoll with 57 percent of the vote.

Journalist Cassis Tingley contributed to this article.

Littleton voters have so far favored a ballot measure that disallows multiplexes and similar types of housing in single-family home neighborhoods, according to the returns posted after polls closed on Tuesday night.

The “yes” campaign led opponents by 10 points, 55% to 45%, with 13,202 total votes cast from Arapahoe, Jefferson and Douglas counties, the unofficial tally showed.

At issue is whether to alter the city’s charter to disallow development of multiplex homes – like duplexes, triplexes and quadraplexes – in neighborhoods zoned for single-family homes, part of a larger push for “density” in metro Denver.

Back in January, Littleton councilmembers considered an ordinance allowing duplexes, multiplexes, triplexes and ADU’s within single-family zoned neighborhoods. Homeowners, in response, pushed back on the city, resulting in the council indefinitely postponing the ordinance.

Littleton officials said the city the needs 6,550 more housing units over the next few decades.

Proponents of “density” argued it would provide more affordable housing options and give that decision to homeowners. Meanwhile, critics countered it would change the character of single-family homes and undercut what homebuyers expected when they first purchased their houses.

Rooted in Littleton, a group formed against the proposal, garnered enough signatures to place 3A on the ballot.

In its latest campaign finance report, the “Yes on 3A” campaign received about $38,000. Meanwhile, the No on 3A committee, raised about $8,500. Vibrant Littleton, a group that is also against 3A, raised $2,540.

Mark Harris, a spokesperson for Rooted in Littleton, expressed gratitude to voters, maintaining that 3A is not a partisan issue.

“This is about neighborhoods and homes and what you want your neighborhoods to be like in the future,” Harris told The Denver Gazette at a “Yes on 3A” watch party.

“I think 3A did break through a partisan barrier,” he said, “because I think homeowners have raised their voices here in Littleton. They like their neighborhoods, and they want them to stay the way they are. They don’t want blanket density of multiplexes throughout our town.”

LITTLETON CITY COUNCIL

Mayor

Littleton voters are set to give Kyle Schlachter a second term as mayor over challenger Patrick Driscoll, according to the early returns.

Schlachter, the incumbent mayor, led Driscoll, a councilmember, by 14 points, 57% to 43%, with 12,781 of votes tallied so far.

Four Littleton City Council positions, including the mayor’s seat, are up for grabs in a city that 45,000 people call home.

The biggest issues among the candidates are density and single-family home zoning, as encapsulated in 3A, the ballot measure.

Driscoll, during his campaign, criticized “density” in single-family home neighborhoods; Schlachter supported it.

“This victory is not just mine, it belongs to voters of Littleton who want our city to be a welcoming and forward-looking community,” Schlachter said of his unofficial re-election. “Voter engagement is vital to our democracy and is something that everyone should feel proud to take part in.”

As for Littleton 3A, Schlachter showed support for Littleton voters speaking up for themselves.

“While I did not support ballot question 3A,” Schlachter said, “I do think our community spoke loudly tonight by passing this Charter Amendment.”

“I will continue to work to promote positive change and ensure that every voice is heard in Littleton,” the mayor said.

At-large

Littleton voters appeared to be returning appointed incumbent Joel Zink over challenger David Carlton to Littleton’s at-large city council seat, the early returns showed.

Zink, who was appointed to the seat, led Carlton, a financial expert, by 12 points points, 56% to 44%.

Here are the the results of other races in Littleton:

District 1: Darren Lemorande (36%), Merrill Stillwell (64%)

District 3: Amanda Henderson (57%), Curt Samuelson (43%)

CENTENNIAL CITY COUNCIL

Centennial voters are poised to pick Councilmember Christine Sweetland over Councilmember Donald Sheehan and Bennett Rutledge for the mayor’s seat, the initial tally showed.

Sweetland led Sheehan, in second place, by 15 points, 55.83% to 40.46%, with 27.31% of Arapahoe County voters reporting, according to the second release of unofficial results Tuesday night.

Eleven Centennial City Council campaigns this year are vying for five seats in Tuesday’s election. Centennial’s council is composed of nine seats, with each four districts represented by two councilmembers.

In their campaigns, Sweetland raised $47,550.28, while Sheehan took in $66,195. Rutledge raised $524. The candidates focused on housing, business growth and affordability.

“I’m grateful to the over 200 volunteers that helped us knock over 27,000 doors, write post cards and make phone calls,” Sweetland told The Denver Gazette after hearing of Tuesday night’s results.

“We worked really hard,” she added. “I’m grateful to the voters who at the end of the day made the choice to see me lead Centennial into the next 25 years.”

Here are the results of other races in Centennial.

District 1: Robyn Carnes (45.87%), Cindy Sandhu (54.13%)

District 2: Ashish Vaidya (51.34%), Carrie Penaloza (48.66%)

District 3: Ryan Dwiggins (60.54%), Patty McKernan (39.46%)

District 4: Durrell Middleton (52.30%), Jeffrey Gilliam (47.7%)