2026 Ballot Measures

Below is an overview of the two Castle Pines measures on the ballot for the November 3, 2026 election. For more information about the election process, visit the Municipal Elections webpage.

Ballot Question 300

What it would do: Amend the City Charter so that annexations involving more than 20 acres under common ownership/control or a common development plan could not be completed without approval from Castle Pines voters. Related or successive annexations would be aggregated for purposes of the 20-acre threshold.

Potential advantages if approved

  • Adds direct voter approval for larger annexations. Registered Castle Pines voters would make the final decision on qualifying annexations rather than City Council.
  • Creates a consistent requirement. Any annexation meeting the State statute and measure’s criteria would require an election regardless of the particular development proposal or the City Council serving at the time.
  • Addresses phased or divided annexations. The aggregation language is intended to prevent related parcels from being divided into a series of smaller annexations in order to avoid the 20-acre threshold.
  • Places the requirement in the City Charter. The voter-approval requirement would become part of the City’s governing document rather than relying solely on Council-adopted ordinances, policies, or procedures.

Potential tradeoffs or concerns if approved

  • Applies the same acreage-based requirement to different types of proposals. A qualifying annexation would require voter approval, whether it primarily involved housing, commercial development, open space, public facilities, or a combination of uses.
  • Adds another step to the annexation process. A qualifying property could satisfy state requirements and receive Council approval, but still require a citywide election before annexation could occur.
  • Changes who makes the final annexation decision. Council could still evaluate a proposal, negotiate conditions, and consider fiscal, infrastructure, and community impacts, but it could not make the final approval decision for qualifying annexations without voter approval. Annexation applicants may not be interested in a negotiated agreement, knowing it will still require voter approval and rely on the yes/no of the voters, resulting in a development that may not be the best opportunity for the city.
  • Could influence where property owners pursue annexation. Property owners could choose another nearby city or town without a comparable election requirement. This could prevent the City from negotiating with the property owner for potential annexations or result in no annexation applications.

Ballot Question 301

What it would do: Amend the Charter so that any parcel over 20 acres under common ownership or control that is annexed within 180 days after the amendment takes effect must subsequently be referred to Castle Pines voters for ratification.

Potential advantages if approved

  • Provides a voter check during a defined 180-day period. Qualifying annexations occurring shortly after the measure takes effect would be subject to voter ratification.
  • Allows the provision to be removed if it is never triggered. If no qualifying annexation occurs during that period, the Council could repeal the Charter language without holding another election.
  • Could provide additional public scrutiny during the transition period. A qualifying annexation during those first 180 days would ultimately come before voters.

Potential tradeoffs or concerns if approved

  • Its effect is concentrated in a short period. Annexations occurring outside the 180-day