Residents of Mountain View have been stepping up to learn how the Town sets elected officials pay, our short-term and long-term budget goals, and what it means to operate under a “strong mayor” system. Here’s a good starting place with some general facts: Mayor’s Pay In Mountain View, the Mayor currently earns $37,500 per year, while
Mountain View is at its best when we celebrate the milestones—both personal and civic—that connect us. Milestones remind us how far we’ve come and what we can accomplish when we work together. Five years ago, only a handful of neighbors received the agenda packets for council meetings. Today, ninety-eight of you do! That’s a milestone
The Town of Mountain View would like to be known for its lush landscapes, verdant gardens, and the occasional rogue shrub that believes it’s a mighty oak. But lately, our beautiful botanical abundance has started to stage a silent takeover, turning our quaint sidewalks into treacherous obstacle courses and our streets into arboreal tunnels. “We
Just a few years ago, Mountain View faced real challenges. We had decades of deferred maintenance and no long-term financial plan. Alleys were overrun with weeds and trash. Town Hall staff didn’t function as the integrated team residents deserved. Our police department was dedicated but under-resourced. Residents had little support with home projects, and basic
In a small town like ours, it’s common to want to fix things up yourself—whether it’s replacing an old fence, redoing your porch, or patching a cracked sidewalk. Picture this: it’s Sunday morning, and there you are, armed with a hammer, a dream, and the sense that the YouTube tutorial you just watched can guide
One of the greatest gifts of living in a small town like Mountain View is how closely our lives are woven together. In a big city, it’s easy to feel lost in the crowd. But here, we celebrate each other’s milestones as neighbors and friends. This week, I was reminded once again of this beautiful
In the aftermath of our town’s recent recall election, it’s clear something deeper is at play than simple policy disagreements. Yes, a majority of voters chose to recall Councilmember Brent Metz, and I respect that outcome. That’s democracy. But if we treat this only as a procedural event, we miss a more important story. What
In honor of Professional Municipal Clerk’s Week, we’re proud to spotlight Town Clerk Onorina Maloney. From her passion for public service to her love of fall colors and classic movies, Onorina brings warmth, dedication, and a vibrant spirit to Mountain View every day. Onorina and her husband moved to Colorado in 2017 to be closer
Serving on the Mountain View Town Council is about more than making legislative decisions—it’s also about rolling up our sleeves and working together to make our town a wonderful place to live. In addition to participating in regional leadership through the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG)—a collaborative group of 59 cities, towns, and counties—our
Ever wondered why you can attend town council meetings, request public records, or watch government decision-making in action? It’s all thanks to Colorado’s Sunshine Laws—rules designed to keep government open, accessible, and accountable to the people. What Are Sunshine Laws? Sunshine Laws require government meetings, records, and decisions to be transparent. Citizens have a right
Have you ever wanted to share your thoughts with your local leaders but felt hesitant about speaking during a formal council meeting? You’re not alone! Many residents have told us that the structure of public comment periods—like time limits and remote participation rules—can feel restrictive. That’s why the Mayor and Council are introducing a new
I recently had the honor of participating in the Metro Mayor’s Leadership Academy with a dozen other mayors from around the state. Mayors from Arvada, Castle Pines, Frisco, Idaho Springs, Lakewood, Leadville, Lone Tree, Louisville, Mead, Minturn, Rocky Ford, and Springfield all took part, creating a fascinating mix of perspectives from municipalities of all sizes.
If there’s something strange in your neighborhood… well, we hope it’s not too strange, but if you ever need the police, you might wonder exactly who to call—and how! Mountain View residents are sometimes surprised when they dial the non-emergency number and end up speaking with someone at the Jefferson County Communication Center instead of a local officer.
We live in a time of division, a time when differences seem to overshadow our shared humanity. It is easy to see the fault lines that separate us. Ideologies, parties, backgrounds, and beliefs. But what if, instead of seeing these differences as walls, we viewed them as bridges? What if, rather than fearing what divides
If you’ve taken a stroll around town lately, you might have noticed some newly remodeled or even entirely new homes that feel… well, a bit large for our cozy lots. Maybe they tower over their older neighbors, or their design stands out in a way that sparks conversation. If so, you’re not alone in noticing.
In a town where it used to seem that the sidewalks had more cracks than a jigsaw puzzle and the curbs were waiting for a facelift longer than your grandma’s old couch, there are still some who wonder why we need a Public Works Department. A common refrain is that we never needed one in
I often hear questions about how local government works and why decisions are made the way they are. These questions reflect care for our community, and I’m grateful for that. Today, I’d like to offer some insight into how municipal governance functions and why it operates as a representative democracy, not a direct democracy. Local
Ah, the joys of town infrastructure! It is like a never-ending game of dealing with potholes, curbs, and sewers, only to rinse and repeat. Let us dive into the newest program for the Public Works Department, the 10-Year Plan, shall we? A Play of Streets, Sidewalks, and Curbs Welcome, dear residents, to the grand spectacle
We live in something of an oasis, since we are a small town with our own police force and low crime statistics, surrounded by a larger metropolitan area with higher crime statistics. The residents of our town know and appreciate this. But safety goes beyond law enforcement. And over the last three years, the Mountain
In Mountain View, your local representatives are very accessible and resident engagement is highly valued. Here are some ways to share your thoughts. We encourage respectful interactions because it is generally more productive. Thank you for being an engaged community member! More engaged voices produce better outcomes. The following is a summary of some possible
Did you know that each year, over 1500 people in the Denver metro area end up taking a trip to the emergency room due to slips and falls on icy sidewalks? That’s right folks, it’s more than your pride that potentially gets bruised when you go down like a wet sack of potatoes on an
As the winter holidays approach, and I watch people decorate their homes and plan their celebrations together, I have been thinking a lot about the meaning of community. Community includes neighbors you might know and love already, but also people who just moved in and people down the block whose loud parties or parking habits
In a recent move to ensure that everyone in Mountain View can see more clearly at intersections and driveways, the Town Council has passed a new ordinance that will have everyone seeing yellow…literally. This change involves that mystical zone called the Vision Triangle, a place where no car should be. The Vision Triangle is now
As a middle child and a professional mediator, I have always been interested in the work of building agreements between differing viewpoints. I have had the privilege of witnessing disagreements turn into solutions where both parties feel heard, understood, and respected. The heroes in these scenarios are always the people who assume best intentions, make
