Historic Partnerships: The Colorado Municipal League’s Commitment to Collaboration
This is the seventh story in a series of eight celebrating the Colorado Municipal League’s dedication to serving Colorado’s municipalities over the last century.
In its century of service, the Colorado Municipal League has worked with, helped create, and influenced several organizations in the state. While the League’s influences might be expansive, its intention has always been focused—to support Colorado cities and towns.
As a representative of municipalities across the state, the League regularly partners with organizations to craft policies, create programs, and identify resources that cities and towns can use to make their communities the best they can be.
From influencing the creation of CIRSA to working with DOLA to help municipalities navigate their most difficult challenges, the League has played a role in shaping Colorado and those who help it thrive.
Navigating Risk: The Creation of CIRSA
The Colorado Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency (CIRSA) owes its origin to forward-thinking municipal officials and League staff. In the late 1970s and early ’80s, the insurance industry was far more cyclical than it is today. Municipal governments were subject to the whims of “soft” markets—when insurance was extremely cheap and accessible—and “hard” markets—when insurance became unaffordable, unavailable, or both. During “hard” markets, municipalities in Colorado and across the nation faced the prospect of operating without insurance, paying exorbitant premiums, or shutting down essential services.
To confront this challenge, CML Technical Services Coordinator Alex Brown, General Counsel Susan Griffiths, and Study Committee Chair Tim Greer strived to create “our own municipal insurance company.” With a great deal of courage and hard work, some legislative clarifications, and a commitment by 19 CML members who would become CIRSA’s first members, the intergovernmental agreement establishing CIRSA was formed in 1982.
The League’s relationship with CIRSA is unique. Instead of being part of the League as in other states, CIRSA was created as a separate entity. Though separate, CML and CIRSA collaborate often. CIRSA’s mission to provide municipal risk management services and coverage complements the League’s mission to provide advocacy, education, and outreach services to cities and towns.
CIRSA is a consistent local government supporter and is home to a staff that believes in good governance and the abilities of municipal government. The League often partners with CIRSA to bring cities and towns resources that go beyond CIRSA’s key functions. From sponsoring events like the Effective Governance Workshop and the Annual Conference to helping create publications like the Ethics, Liability, and Best Practices Handbook, CIRSA plays an enormous role in how the League supports its members.
CIRSA has been providing a broad range of stable and affordable coverage to municipal governments and municipal officials for 40 years, and today, we are 284 members strong. We value our enduring partnership with CML and look forward to serving municipalities together for the next 100 years!
CIRSA
In the video below, CIRSA Executive Director Tami Tanoue discusses CIRSA’s background and the organization’s historic partnership with the League.
Partnering with the Department of Local Affairs
As an advocate for Colorado cities and towns, the League is responsible for advocating at the state level to ensure policies are not harmful to local government and that municipalities are able to access the resources they need to help their communities flourish. This responsibility is what helped the League begin its close relationship with the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) and its key divisions like the Division of Local Government and Division of Housing.
Created in 1966, DOLA works with local governments across the state to fund projects and disaster recovery relief. Helping secure state and federal funding for disaster and critical issues like housing, DOLA is an incredibly important resource. The League works closely with DOLA to ensure municipalities are aware of the opportunities it provides; and to keep DOLA informed about the most pressing issues facing Colorado cities and towns.
Being 43 years older than DOLA, the League played a critical role in influencing its creation. In 1963, CML and its members were involved in discussions about the many problems and trends of local government in Colorado. Many CML members were then formally part of the State of Colorado’s Local Affairs Study Commission that explored these trends and challenges. This commission would eventually lead to the creation of DOLA.
“Under authorization of and funding by the Legislature, and by appointment of the Governor, some one hundred of Colorado’s leading citizens embarked in 1963 on an intensive study of the problems and trends of local government within the State. A wide range of experience, great competence, and much dedicated effort was brought to this most important task.
The study to date has resulted in much effective legislation, many challenges, and great insight into the future direction of government in Colorado.
It is with deep gratitude to the members of the Local Affairs Study Commission that I commend this report to all who are interested in the future of Colorado.
John A. Love, Governor
COVID-19 is a prime example of how this partnership serves our members. During the pandemic, cities and towns across the state scrambled for resources. While rebuilding, it was important for municipalities to be able to access state and federal funding and understand how to use it. DOLA and the League worked closely to help municipal leaders navigate the uncertainty as seamlessly as possible.
DOLA and the League also work closely to help municipalities address one of Colorado’s most complex issues: housing. DOLA implements several housing and planning grant programs to help local governments address the housing crisis. To supplement these programs, DOLA also provides training and models that cities and towns can use to develop housing programs in their communities. The League works to ensure its members are aware of these resources and that DOLA understands what resources municipalities need most.
Beyond working together during major events, the League and DOLA remain in consistent contact and aim to help municipalities develop and maintain beneficial relationships with their DOLA regional managers. From discussing unique challenges in each region at the League’s district meetings to the “What’s New at DOLA” session at the conference, the League’s partnership ensures that municipalities always understand what resources are available to them and how DOLA can help them access those resources.
Watch the video below to hear from Governor Jared Polis, who shares his insights on the League’s partnership with state agencies.
Creating Connection with CCCMA
The Colorado City and County Management Association (CCCMA) is an affiliate of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and was incorporated in 1992.
CCCMA supports local government managers and assistants by providing them with professional networking and career development opportunities. Its dedication to democratic ideals, the manager-council form of governance, and professional oversight of day-to-day operations makes it an undeniable resource to and supporter of municipal government.
The League’s partnership with CCCMA began when the organization was created. For many of CCCMA’s formative years, the League assisted with administrative functions, including hosting meetings for CCCMA. In 2010, CCCMA sought its own staff to bring a sharper focus to its work and potential for growth. When this happened, its deep ties with the League remained, as the organizations have missions and values that complement and strengthen each other. Both organizations are committed to efficient, effective local governance, and are staunch advocates of professional management and home-rule governance.
To maintain this strong partnership, the organizations work with each other closely in several capacities. For instance, CCCMA fills a section chair position for the League’s Manager’s Section and supports the Annual Conference by providing a presentation as a chair.
Beyond serving as a section chair and conference presenter, CCCMA participates in the League’s efforts to advocate for and create resources for Colorado cities and towns. In recent years, members of CCCMA and the League have worked together on home rule authority issues; created a shared vision for better communication between elected boards and managers; and have worked to support diversity, equity, and inclusion in the profession.
A belief in good governance is yet another connection between the two organizations. Both organizations have hosted conference sessions that focus on the manager’s relationship with key partners, including manager-attorney and mayor-manager relations. At the League’s 2023 Annual Conference, Grand Junction City Manager Greg Caton and Mayor Anna Stout upheld this tradition, discussing each position’s role in leading the city.
As a past president of both CCCMA and CML, I know how aligned each organization is to the goals of continuing to build great communities, expanding community dialogue, and providing technical expertise to their respective memberships. These two advocacy organizations have long partnered together to advance non-partisan solutions for the continual improvement of Colorado local governments.
Bill Ray, CCCMA Senior Advisor
In the video below, CCCMA President Jenn Ooton shares the history of CCCMA and its partnership with the League.
