Reducing the cost of building new childcare centers:

Colorado is ranked 5th most expensive in the US for early childhood education. We can make it easier for new providers to operate or expand operations in Longmont by:

1. Update Our Zoning Laws: There are limitations on where educational facilities are allowed in Longmont. Revisiting this can allow early childhood education facilities in most residential, mixed-use, and employment zones to increase the supply of local childcare options (Matthew has already secured council support to have the Planning and Zoning Commission evaluate this);

2. Condition With Future Annexations: Including early childhood education facility space as a condition in future annexation agreements for new development, where allowed; and

3. Make It Easier to Build: Offering streamlined development reviews and fee waivers for developers who partner with early childhood education providers.

Reducing the cost of getting around:

1. Create Bus Service from Longmont to DIA: Work with RTD to establish a dedicated bus line to Denver International Airport by reevaluating current bus routes and needs within Longmont and collaborating with Lafayette and Erie to offer affordable, convenient access to DIA. 

2. Expand Bike, Transit, and Rideshare Options: Owning, leasing, and maintaining vehicles are some of the most significant costs in our lives. Investing in biking infrastructure, like protected bike lanes, secure bike parking, bikeshare stations, transit routes to common destinations, and expanding RIDE Longmont not only slows traffic growth but also enables families to not need a second or third vehicle to get to work, school, or other services.

Reducing the cost of living:

1. Build More Housing Where It Makes Sense: Longmont’s 2023 housing needs assessment revealed “the median sale price of $611,421 is only affordable to 32% of Longmont households,” meaning we need both more housing and a greater variety of housing options. But where we build matters, which is why managing our growth is one of Matthew’s top priorities. These are directly related.

2. Expand Flexible Housing Options: Remove policy and financial barriers to building in-law suites and accessory housing in Longmont as a way to offer more affordable housing options without changing neighborhood character. Matthew helped amend city policy in May 2025 to remove some barriers for Longmont-based property-owners, but there’s more we can do to increase opportunities for townhomes and tiny home communities.

3. Encourage Energy & Water Efficiency: The cheapest energy is the energy you don’t have to buy at all. Increasing adoption of our Efficiency Works and water conservation programs will help residents and businesses use fewer resources and lower their energy and water bills. We can also create an Energy Efficiency Renter Task Force to work with landlords to address barriers to more comfortable, safe, and more efficient living in rental properties. Additionally, in partnership with Longmont Power & Communications, we can create modern rate structures that incentivize electricity use when it helps our grid to save residents money daily. 

4. Make Financing Energy Upgrades Simpler: More efficient appliances and other efficiency upgrades do cost money upfront. This can be a barrier to greater efficiency. We should implement an “on-bill financing” program in Longmont to allow residents and businesses to more easily access financing for efficiency and appliance upgrades directly on their electric bill to pay for upgrades as they save money.