What do each of the two charter amendments say?

Amendment 1: The ballot language is as follows:

SHOULD THE CITY OF CASTLE PINES HOME RULE CHARTER BE AMENDED TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING PROVISION: PROPERTY IN EXCESS OF 20 ACRES OWNED OR CONTROLLED BY A SINGLE OWNER OR OWNERSHIP GROUP OR THAT ARE PART OF A COMMON PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT OR RELATED TRANSACTIONS MAY BE ANNEXED INTO THE CITY ONLY UPON APPROVAL BY THE VOTERS AT AN ELECTION OF THE REGISTERED ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF CASTLE PINES, COLORADO, AND FOR PURPOSES OF THIS PROVISION, ANY SINGLE, SUCCESSIVE, CUMULATIVE, SERIAL OR SIMULTANEOUS ANNEXATIONS OF MULTIPLE PARCELS SHALL BE AGGREGATED AND TREATED AS A SINGLE ANNEXATION AS PROVIDED IN C.R.S. SECTION 31-12-104(1)(a)?

In short, this amendment will require any parcel of land over 20 acres to be approved by the voters of Castle Pines prior to annexation. The measure also precludes developers from bundling parcels of land less than 20 acres into a larger aggregate to be annexed.

Amendment 2: The ballot language is as follows:

SHOULD THE CITY OF CASTLE PINES HOME RULE CHARTER BE

AMENDED TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING PROVISION: ANY PARCEL OVER

20 ACRES OWNED OR CONTROLLED BY A SINGLE OWNER OR OWNERSHIP GROUP ANNEXED WITHIN 180 DAYS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE REFERRED FOR RATIFICATION AT AN ELECTION OF THE REGISTERED ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF CASTLE PINES, COLORADO, AND IF NO SUCH ANNEXATION OCCURS WITHIN SUCH 180-DAY PERIOD, THIS SECTION MAY BE REPEALED BY COUNCIL ORDINANCE WITHOUT A VOTE OF THE REGISTERED ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF CASTLE PINES, COLORADO?

In short, should any land be annexed to Castle Pines between now and election day (November 3, 2026), that annexation would need to go back to the voters of the City of Castle Pines for approval before annexation could proceed. This amendment also allows City Council to repeal this amendment if there is no annexation of land between now and November 3, 2026.

Why do we need voter approval if an annexation policy is in progress?

Having an annexation policy is something every city needs to grow in a thoughtful manner that meets the needs of its citizens. As annexation applications are received by City leadership, an annexation policy will guide leadership and the developer to bring forward thoughtful annexations. Then, if these ammendments to the City charter pass, final annexation approval will go to the voters. Voter approval will require that developers and City leaders make a good case for annexation: those that balance retail desires (revenue sources) with the ability to provide services required for our population (water, fire and police, schools, etc.)

Who is sponsoring these petitions?

A group of concerned citizens has formed a Petition Committee and is leading signature collection to have these two amendments placed on the November 3, 2026 ballot. 

What is the next step after the required number of voters have signed the petitions?

After the petitions have been circulated, notarized, and submitted to the Castle Pines City Clerk, they will appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot.