Loveland City Council, July 8: water-use and marijuana tax ordinances advance as council enters massage-facility executive session

At its July 8 meeting, the Loveland City Council approved final code updates on water use and marijuana taxation and later moved into executive session for legal advice on massage-facility regulation.

On the consent agenda, council unanimously adopted two second-reading ordinances without pulling either item for separate debate.

One of those measures, Ordinance No. 6839, gives final approval to updates to the city’s water-efficiency and water-use rules, including clarifying water-waste rules, expanding the city’s authority to restrict potable water use during shortages or emergencies, and revising the Hydrozone Program. The changes are intended to align city code with Loveland’s 2020 Water Efficiency Plan and take effect July 21. Council also finalized Ordinance No. 6840, updating municipal code so retail marijuana businesses must collect and remit the city’s marijuana excise tax along with applicable sales tax.

Later in the meeting, council voted 8-1 to enter an executive session on massage-facility mandates for legal advice on how Loveland should respond to new state requirements affecting operators, owners and employees. City materials described the changes under Senate Bill 25-146 and House Bill 26-1257 as unfunded mandates, and Council Member Zeke Cortez cast the lone no vote.