The Weld District Court ruled late Thursday that a citizens’ initiative aimed at repealing funding for the Catalyst entertainment district in Greeley, Colorado, will not appear on the ballot this November. The initiative, known as Greeley Deserves Better, sought to overturn an ordinance that authorized a financing mechanism for predevelopment and design work for the project.
During an emergency preliminary hearing, District Judge Allison Esser upheld the decision made by hearing officer Karen Goldman, who had determined that the initiative could not proceed because the ordinance was administrative in nature. Testimony from Greeley Finance Director Robert Miller reinforced this classification, indicating that the ordinance’s structure prevented it from being the subject of a public vote.
The ordinance includes a no-repeal clause that activates once the city secures $115 million in funding. This means that even if a vote were to take place, it would not be able to cancel the ordinance as intended by the petitioners.
Attorney Suzanne Taheri, representing Greeley Deserves Better, expressed disappointment over the court’s decision, stating, “We are disappointed that the court failed to understand how much is at stake for Greeley.” She highlighted concerns that the city plans to mortgage various public properties, including City Hall and police stations, to secure the funds necessary for an ice arena.
Despite the setback in the ballot initiative, Greeley Deserves Better continues to pursue a separate lawsuit against the city. They allege that the financing mechanism violates the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights laws, a critical point of contention in the ongoing debate over the Catalyst project.
With the court’s ruling, the prospect of a public vote in November has been eliminated, raising questions about the future of the Catalyst entertainment district and its financial implications for Greeley residents. The situation remains dynamic as the citizens’ group navigates its legal options in response to the court’s decision.
