Updates from Obi Ezeadi

So… a lot happened.

Obi Ezeadi — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 22:06:58 GMT

Today’s (Big) Agenda

Obi’s City Council Recap (July 27th and Aug 3rd)
Westminster Fire Updates (Jan through early July)
Westminster Volunteer Celebration
Westminster’s Homeowner Assistance Programs

My agenda for my final term remains to lower your cost of childcare, housing, groceries, and utilities. We have secured historic policy wins and I’ll be sharing a detailed affordability update in the coming weeks. I will also introduce to you a new opportunity to impact affordability for victims of domestic violence.

Take this Westminster childcare affordability survey before Friday August 7: bit.ly/childcare-needs.

Rest in peace to our friend Ron Montoya who passed away recently.

Obi’s City Council Recap (July 27th and August 3rd meetings)

Water rates: City Council praised a historic, first-ever reduction in water rates for essential indoor use, balancing affordability with the fiscal sustainability of operations and infrastructure. Since every resident flows through the lower tiers first, this new rate structure will ensure that everyone benefits from savings on essential indoor water use. During this significant drought, we must conserve to avoid mandatory restrictions, which requires that high irrigation users pay their fair share for excessive consumption. This recommendation resulted from the first-ever, community-led WATER Task Force, which provided diverse resident perspectives on rate design and affordability. Council voted to hold an additional study session to further evaluate rate modeling and explore whether our rate reduction extends affordability benefits to indoor use for larger families. However, we did vote to move forward with the establishment of a permanent affordability-focused Utility Advisory Board, a new 4-tier structure for residential water rates as well as a new multifamily rate structure that finally lowers costs for our multifamily residents.
New grocery store: City Council unanimously (7-0) advanced an economic development agreement to bring a 45,000-square-foot Mi Pueblo Market to 7170 Federal Boulevard. This is a critical step in addressing food deserts in Historic Westminster, providing a walkable, nutritionally abundant, and culturally relevant grocery option for our residents.
During Council Comments, I stated that I will start sharing positive stories that residents tell me about above and beyond positive interactions they have with Westminster staff. I gave praise to Paramedic Tanner Garner, commending him for his patient, sensitive care of a resident (Stephanie Pierce) and her baby during a medical emergency. I also shared how Stratford Lakes HOA residents praised city staff for timely, helpful responses to infrastructure issues like prairie dog fencing, storm sewer subsidence, and water/meter problems.
City Council unanimously (7-0) approved the comprehensive plan amendment and preliminary development plan for Northridge Senior Living. This project will provide 122 units of much-needed senior housing, utilizing a site that offers a harmonious transition between existing commercial and open space.
City Council voted 6-1 to modify the roadway improvement fee structure for non-residential users. This change ensures a more equitable distribution of costs, requiring high-traffic commercial users to pay their fair share for road maintenance rather than placing the burden on residential taxpayers.
I raised concerns regarding a property on West 73rd Avenue that has been a frequent site for police response and code enforcement issues (violence and potential drug trafficking). Staff is currently researching options to expedite a resolution for the community.
A proposed ordinance for automated enforcement cameras failed on a 2-5 vote on Second Reading. I voted NO, as I remain concerned about the expansion of surveillance infrastructure and the potential for “other law enforcement purposes” to create a slippery slope regarding resident privacy. Council approved my request for a future study session to discuss a citywide ban on specific functionalities related to Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras, including cloud plate databases and cross-jurisdictional sharing, to protect resident privacy.
Council approved Councilor Johnson’s request for a future study session to discuss municipal court practices for juvenile referrals, specifically focusing on addressing the school-to-prison pipeline.
Data center ban: City Council unanimously (7-0) adopted a resolution affirming that data centers are not a permitted use in the City of Westminster. This action protects our limited water resources, as these facilities are water-intensive and do not align with our current sustainability goals.
OurWestminster Portal: The city has launched a new portal, our.westminsterco.gov, which provides maps of construction projects, background on major city initiatives, and a transparency portal for contract awards.

Westminster Fire Updates (Jan through early July)

Through the year, the Westminster Fire Department has provided City Council and the broader community with updates on emergency responses, firefighter recruitment, wildfire deployments, regional coordination, and resident recovery efforts. As a former EMT (not for Westminster) and longtime advocate for our firefighters, I understand the urgency and importance of the work that our firefighters do to keep us safe every day:

Record firefighter recruitment: Westminster received 1,441 applications in just one week, up 38% from 1,041 applications over 3 weeks in 2025, as Westminster works to fill vacancies and hire the first 12 firefighters and firefighter-paramedics funded through 3H Paramedics and Pavement by December.
Supporting Colorado’s wildfire response: Westminster deployed a Type III engine and 4 firefighters to the Ferris Fire on June 29, followed by a 4-person crew replacement for another 14-day assignment; deployment costs are fully reimbursed, and Westminster retains sufficient local emergency coverage.
IMT Apartments Fire: A fire struck in building 4 of the IMT Apartments at 4901 W. 93rd Ave. Fire units were on scene in 3 minutes and a second alarm was called due to it being a multi-unit structure. Following the apartment fire, 22 units remain uninhabitable, with displaced residents offered alternative apartments or hotels, voluntary lease termination, and deposit and prorated-rent refunds within 24–48 hours; the Red Cross also established a multi-agency recovery center.
Extreme-heat protection: After the National Weather Service classified recent temperatures as a “Major Risk,” Westminster activated free cooling access at City libraries and recreation centers for residents needing relief, particularly vulnerable community members.
88th and Dover fire: Crews responded at 3:21 p.m. on July 9, rapidly extinguished a working house fire and eliminated hot spots; the homeowner escaped safely, and no residents or firefighters were injured.
Northpark townhome fire: A May 28 accidental fire near 100th Avenue and Federal Boulevard left one townhome uninhabitable, sent 3 residents to the hospital for evaluation and killed one of 3 family pets; rapid suppression prevented the fire from spreading to neighboring homes.
77th and Depew fire: A May 3 fire began in an outdoor trash can before spreading into a home’s attic; no residents were injured, one firefighter sustained a minor injury, and the displaced homeowner received immediate assistance through the Westminster Fire Department Burn Fund.
Fire near 144th and Huron: June 30th house fire that evacuated a neighboring home but did not spread to any other structures. Likely caused by a thunderstorm with significant lightning. A large amount of water was needed to extinguish the fire.
Faster regional emergency response: Westminster and Arvada fire leadership are pursuing a direct dispatch and resource-sharing connection with JEFFCOM, similar to Westminster’s existing real-time system with Thornton, Broomfield and ADCOM911, because the current manual assistance process can add valuable time to emergency responses.
Our firefighters host recurring “Car Seat Clinics” twice a month where certified car seat technicians help install child care seats. The next round of clinics are set for July 18, August 1, and August 15. Call 303-658-4500 to schedule your spot!

2026 Volunteer Celebration

Westminster’s Homeowner Assistance Programs

Did you know that Westminster offers a variety of programs to support homeowners with home repairs? Email me to get my newsletters: obiezeadi@gmail.com.

These assistance programs range from resolving code violations to safety home rehabilitation assistance. The sub-contractors are non-profits that have been in existence for 50+ years, who have a successful track record in implementing and running similar programs for other jurisdictions, and have been through our procurement process. Most of the funds to run these programs come from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG); only the Neighborhood Abatement program uses City funds.

They require applicants to qualify for assistance and residenrs must be at or below the 80% AMI. Residents must be either a senior resident, someone with disabilities, have a current health issue, or have a reason why they are unable to take care of the work themselves. Most of the residents served are elderly residents who are unable to keep up with home maintenance.

Our 3 Programs:

Emergency and Essential Home Repairs (In partnership with Brothers Redevelopment) in Adams County and Foothills Housing Authority in Jefferson County:
1. This program has been running successfully for 11 years in Jefferson County and 7 years in Adams County.
2. The program provides home repairs to income-qualified, owner-occupied households in Westminster.
3. Eligible repairs may include plumbing, electrical, furnace repair/replacement, water heater repair/replacement, or accessibility improvements (e.g., wheelchair ramps or hand railings).
4. This program is very important to assist our senior residents and/or residents with disabilities and allow them to age in place in their communities.
5. YTD, we have served 121 homes total through Foothills (11/year average) and 51 homes total through Brothers Redevelopment (7/year average).
Paint-a-thon (In partnership with Brothers Redevelopment):
1. This program has been running in Colorado for decades and in Westminster for many years; however, the City of Westminster partnered with Brothers in early 2025 to specifically dedicate funds to assist Westminster residents and have a larger impact in our community.
2. Per our agreement with Brothers, they are provided funding to ensure at least 4 households in Westminster can participate in the PAT program each year. YTD, we have not served any households yet, but we do have two requests currently for this summer.
3. The program provides home exterior paint and light home exterior repairs at no cost to qualifying homeowners and significantly impacts many residents ability to age in place.
4. Through this program, we aim to revitalize neighborhoods, enhance curb appeal, and improve the quality of life for homeowners who may be facing financial or physical challenges.
5. This program runs mostly during the summer months.
Neighborhood Abatement Program (In partnership with Brothers Redevelopment):
1. This program started in May 2026.
2. The goal of the program is to assist residents who have an active code violation from the Property Standards team and are unable to get the residence in compliance. The Property Standards team partners with the Economic Development team and Brothers Redevelopment to ensure residents are not solely being fined but rather working towards addressing the issue(s) and providing assistance if they qualify and need help.
3. We are in the process of assisting with the first homes under this program this summer.

About Obi Ezeadi

Obi Ezeadi is a first-generation American, City Councilor and former first responder (EMT) who champions economic, democratic, and personal freedoms for all of Westminster. He was recently re-elected to Westminster City Council with a record-breaking vote total and is prioritizing affordability in this final term. Obi came in as an outsider and delivered:

Led best-in-class Firefighter Collective Bargaining Resolution and Enhanced Firefighter Collective Bargaining Agreement
Expanded open space and parks
Led integration of Childcare as essential infrastructure in Westminster’s Strategic Plan
Established zoning by-right for Childcare providers in 2040 Comprehensive Plan
Led creation of Childcare provider property tax rebate program
Led sales tax exemption for infant formula, diapers, period products, and adult incontinence diapers
Expanded housing options (condos, townhomes, housing people can afford)
Made water more affordable and secured clean water for generations
Increased Mental health support
First-ever gun violence proclamation
First-ever Collective Bargaining Agreement for Police
Led the establishment of free transport service for seniors & disabled residents
Drove police vacancies down from a region-worst 13% to an area-leading 1%
Cut car thefts by 50%
Invested to solve unhoused crisis
Elevated transparency and accountability with our residents

Special Invitation for TONIGHT: Stratford Lakes HOA Town Hall

Obi Ezeadi — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 19:51:14 GMT

TODAY: Stratford Lakes HOA Town Hall

- When: Saturday, August 1 (6:00 to 7:30 pm)

- Where: 11400 Grove St, Westminster

- What: The next stop of my tour across the many HOAs of Westminster to hear concerns, ideas and questions from their residents. 65% of Westminster is comprised of HOAs yet we do not have a strong relationship between the city government and our HOAs.

Detailed summaries from all past HOA stops can be found on this new page: https://www.voteobi.com/obi-ezeadi-hoa-townhalls

About Obi Ezeadi

Led best-in-class Firefighter Collective Bargaining Resolution and Enhanced Firefighter Collective Bargaining Agreement
Expanded open space and parks
Led integration of Childcare as essential infrastructure in Westminster’s Strategic Plan
Established zoning by-right for Childcare providers in 2040 Comprehensive Plan
Led creation of Childcare provider property tax rebate program
Led sales tax exemption for infant formula, diapers, period products, and adult incontinence diapers
Expanded housing options (condos, townhomes, housing people can afford)
Made water more affordable and secured clean water for generations
Increased Mental health support
First-ever gun violence proclamation
First-ever Collective Bargaining Agreement for Police
Led the establishment of free transport service for seniors & disabled residents
Drove police vacancies down from a region-worst 13% to an area-leading 1%
Cut car thefts by 50%
Invested to solve unhoused crisis
Elevated transparency and accountability with our residents

PRESS RELEASE: Westminster Advances Landmark Tax Relief for Childcare and Family Essentials

Obi Ezeadi — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 12:01:31 GMT

July 20, 2026, Westminster, Colorado – The Westminster City Council unanimously advanced two of Councilmember Obi Ezeadi’s signature affordability proposals Monday night: a childcare provider property tax rebate program and a sales tax exemption for diapers, infant formula, feminine hygiene products and adult incontinence diapers.

Ezeadi was re-elected in November 2025 with more than 17,000 votes, the highest Council vote total in city history, affirming his agenda to lower the cost of childcare, housing, groceries, and utilities.

“I believe in a government centered on delivering on its promises, rather than managing expectations around why progress is impossible,” Ezeadi said. “A government bold enough to turn the page on small politics, small thinking, and small ideas.”

The first initiative is a childcare pilot that would make Westminster the first municipality in Colorado history to rebate 100% of its property tax levy for licensed childcare providers, joining Adams and Douglas counties in offering this relief. The average annual rebate from the City’s 3.65 mill levy is estimated at $2,260 for commercial centers and $110 for family childcare homes, supporting the 81 licensed providers serving Westminster.

“I am trying to expand the imagination of what a municipality can do for its people,” Ezeadi said. “We can walk and chew gum at the same time. Local government can invest in roads, public safety, and infrastructure while also lowering the daily cost of living for working families.”

Westminster faces a childcare provider shortage of thousands of infant and toddler spaces (only 81 licensed providers serving 6,900 children). While the cost of childcare is recommended to consume no more than 7% of household income, it actually consumes ~13% for the average Westminster family and 23% for low-income families.

“Teachers and working families should not have to earn $216,000 a year just to afford childcare and other basic needs,” Ezeadi said. “The childcare crisis affects parents, employers, educators, and the entire local economy. That is why I led this City Council in rewriting the role of local government, first by establishing by-right zoning for childcare across the entire city, then by making childcare affordability a formal priority in the City’s Strategic Plan.”

The second proposal would eliminate Westminster’s 4.25% sales and use tax on diapers, infant formula, adult incontinence diapers and feminine hygiene products. The exemption is projected to save Westminster households between $400,000 and $600,000 annually. Both initiatives are funded through a reallocation of capital savings from projects that came in under-budget, ensuring we prioritize strategic plan implementation for our families.

“These are necessities, not luxury items,” Ezeadi said. “Our tax code should reflect that reality and provide families with immediate, tangible relief.”

These initiatives are now on the fast track to final implementation. The childcare rebate ordinance will be finalized in the coming months, and the sales tax exemption is set for immediate adoption in the next two Council meetings.

For more information, please contact press@voteobi.com

Full Release: https://www.voteobi.com/obi-ezeadi-childcare-tax-relief-westminster

New Westminster Fire Restrictions + My Independence Day Message

Obi Ezeadi — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 16:12:16 GMT

Westminster moves forward when we turn hope into affordability, honoring America’s legacy of action, community, and a fair shot for working families.

On this 250th anniversary of the United States, marking the Semiquincenttenial of the Declaration of Independence, I’m reminded of a conversation with one of my constituents, Amy, a couple of years ago.

Amy told me that her grandparents immigrated from Italy to chase the American dream and settled in Westminster. Amy’s parents divorced, and her mother was fortunate to land a well-paying job through a personal connection, allowing her to build a comfortable life for her children.

Amy said that today, she is now part of the sandwich generation of Westminster, struggling to stay afloat while caring for both her aging parents and her young children.

After the November 2025 Westminster election, Amy called me to tell me she voted for my re-election. The next story out of her mouth sunk my heart.

Amy said that she had taken her mother to vote in-person and while waiting in line her mother asked her what the big deal was about her economic struggles, because she had been able to succeed as a single parent 30 years ago. Amy explained that the economy is different now than it was back then. Since 1980, the cost of groceries have increased 26%, daycare 110%, housing 100%, healthcare 191%, and all of that with unaffordable student loan debt and stagnant wages.

As my constituents are crushed by the cost of living, Gallup reports American pride has fallen to a 25-year low. I’m proud to be an American because we have the opportunity in Westminster to prove democracy still works by making life more affordable. Restoring American pride for my Westminster constituents probably starts with closing the gap between stagnant wages and basic costs up 100% to 400%.

We are building a local government bold enough to turn the page on small politics, small thinking, and small ideas.

My affordability agenda is centered on lowering the cost of living across childcare, housing, groceries and utilities, because affordability is the defining moral and economic fight of our time. And I will collaborate with as many partners and use every tool at our disposal to deliver on this promise.

Westminster in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions

Westminster has enacted Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, effective immediately. All fireworks are prohibited, including those that were previously listed as permissible. This includes sparklers, fountains, and ground spinners.

Not allowed:

❌ Fireworks of any kind

❌ Charcoal grills

❌ Wood-burning fire pits, chimineas, and other open flames

❌ Recreational Fires

Still allowed:

✅ Propane and natural gas grills

✅ Gas fire pits

✅ Any appliance where the fire can be “turned off” rather than “put out”

About Obi Ezeadi

Obi Ezeadi is a first-generation American, first responder (EMT) and City Councilor who champions economic, democratic, and personal freedoms for all of Westminster. He was recently re-elected to Westminster City Council with a record-breaking vote total and is prioritizing affordability in this final term. Obi came in as an outsider and delivered:

Led integration of Childcare as essential infrastructure in Westminster’s Strategic Plan
Established zoning by-right for Childcare providers in 2040 Comprehensive Plan
Expanded open space and parks
Expanded housing options (condos, townhomes, housing people can afford)
Made water more affordable and secured clean water for generations
Increased Mental health support
First-ever gun violence proclamation
First-ever Collective Bargaining Agreement for Police
Led best-in-class Firefighter Collective Bargaining Resolution and Enhanced Firefighter Collective Bargaining Agreement
Led the establishment of free transport service for seniors & disabled residents
Drove police vacancies down from a region-worst 13% to an area-leading 1%
Cut car thefts by 50%
Invested to solve unhoused crisis
Elevated transparency and accountability with our residents

Obi's 2026 Primary Election Endorsements: Vote by June 30

Obi Ezeadi — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:17:00 GMT

Obi’s 2026 Primary Election Endorsements

(and a special 2027 City Council candidate has filed)

June 28 is my birthday (!) but Election Day for the 2026 CO primaries is June 30 and you have until 7PM to return your ballots or vote in person (which began June 22). It is too late to mail your ballot.

First, a couple words about truth vs. mythology.

For decades, my constituents in Westminster were fed a mythology that government can either balance the budget or invest in the real needs of people…but not both. You’ve been told that only county, state and federal government can help lower your daily cost of living, not your local city government.

I do not subscribe to those beliefs.

I believe that policy and government must always be responsive to the evolving needs of the community.

I believe municipal government can invest in roads, open space, public safety, and core infrastructure while also taking direct, practical action to make life more affordable for working families.

The truth is that we can walk and chew gum at the same time.

I believe in a local government that stands with the working families of Westminster who are being priced out of the very city they help build.

I believe in a government centered on delivering on its promises, rather than managing expectations around why progress is impossible.

A government bold enough to turn the page on small politics, small thinking, and small ideas.

I am grateful to have earned the trust of Westminster voters in the 2025 election, where I was re-elected with over 17,000 votes, the highest Council vote total in city history. That support affirmed the affordability agenda I centered: lowering the cost of living across childcare, housing, groceries, and utilities.

Lowering the cost of living requires leaders at every level of government who are willing to fight for working families, challenge the systems making life unaffordable, and treat affordability as the defining moral and economic fight of this moment. It is a fight rooted in pothole politics, while also being bold enough to deliver transformative rental assistance, down payment assistance, and a new childcare future that treats working parents as essential to the strength of our city.

That is why I am using every tool at my disposal to deliver on this promise, including formal endorsements for the following 2026 primary candidates at all levels of government:

(Only showing endorsed candidates in contested June primaries that are actually relevant to Westminster constituents)

U.S. Senator: Julie Gonzales. I support Julie because she has already delivered on the fights I care about, from over $500 million for affordable housing to renter protections and safeguards against ICE using state databases.
Governor: Michael Bennet. Over the past year, I’ve worked directly with Michael and his team on childcare and seen how deeply he cares about Colorado’s childcare crisis, how thoughtfully he approaches it, and how serious his plan is to lower costs for families, support providers, pay workers fairly, and invest in the public education and care systems working families rely on.
Attorney General: Jena Griswold. Jena is a wonderful human with an agenda that directly targets the forces raising costs, including predatory corporate landlords, hedge funds, grocery monopolies, and illegal pricing practices.
Secretary of State: Jessie Danielson. Jessie is another incredible human with a big heart who helped build Colorado’s mail ballot system, worked on automatic voter registration, and has a real legislative record of expanding voting access.
Jefferson County Assessor: Andy Kerr. I support Andy because he brings deep property tax expertise, progressive values, and the courage to challenge the powerful Assessors Association so that families, small businesses, workers, and communities pay only their fair share in property taxes while holding those who game the system accountable.
Adams County Commissioner: Tyler Quick. Tyler has detailed a platform of specific local tools for affordability, including treating childcare as essential infrastructure, expanding childcare programs, supporting unions, and protecting renters.

Heidi Einholz Files for 2027 Westminster Municipal Election

One more thing: Heidi Einholz has officially filed for Westminster City Council in 2027, and I will be strongly supporting her candidacy. I will share more about her after this 2026 election cycle, but for now, know that she is a mom of young kids fighting from the lived reality of parents trying to keep their kids safe, afford this life, and build a city where every child can dream bigger than their circumstances. If you would like to connect early with Heidi, let me know!

About Obi Ezeadi

Led integration of Childcare as essential infrastructure in Westminster’s Strategic Plan
Established zoning by-right for Childcare providers in 2040 Comprehensive Plan
Expanded open space and parks
Expanded housing options (condos, townhomes, housing people can afford)
Made water more affordable and secured clean water for generations
Increased Mental health support
First-ever gun violence proclamation
First-ever Collective Bargaining Agreement for Police
Led best-in-class Firefighter Collective Bargaining Resolution and Enhanced Firefighter Collective Bargaining Agreement
Led the establishment of free transport service for seniors & disabled residents
Drove police vacancies down from a region-worst 13% to an area-leading 1%
Cut car thefts by 50%
Invested to solve unhoused crisis
Elevated transparency and accountability with our residents

Chicken update + Invitation to Two Special Westminster events

Obi Ezeadi — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 03:58:04 GMT

Read Obi’s Childcare Policy Update here.

Read Obi’s Housing Policy Update here.

Policy Update: the chicken ordinance!

Last week, in partnership with Councilmember Adam Barajas, I introduced a policy amendment to City Council to scale the allowable number of backyard chickens based on lot size as a small but powerful way of opening up access to cheaper local eggs in Westminster.

The proposal, now affectionately known as the “chicken ordinance,” has already been covered by multiple news outlets with playful, positive headlines, and a serious point: families need more tools to afford food.

The request to bring forward a draft resolution was approved and will be presented on June 22. Staff will lay out key questions and decision points for Council direction, then bring it forward for First Reading on July 6. If a majority of Council approves it, the second and final reading will occur on July 29.

Stay tuned!

Special Invitation #1

Westminster Community Update with City Council and our City Manager

- When: Tuesday, June 16 (5:30 to 6:30 pm)

- Where: Swim and Fitness Center (3290 W 76th Ave, Westminster).

- What: This month’s conversation will focus on the City’s roadway infrastructure including neighborhood streets, roadway maintenance, and the long-term investments needed to keep our city safe, reliable, and affordable. The meeting will cover the current condition of local roads and other critical infrastructure and share how voter‑approved Ballot Measure 3H is already making a difference, including the first 3H‑funded neighborhood paving project completed in Historic Westminster’s Appleblossom area.

Special Invitation #2

Silo Townhomes HOA Town Hall

- When: Wednesday, June 17 (6:00 to 7:30 pm)

- Where: 8100 W 90th Ave, Westminster

My detailed summary from last month’s Home Farm HOA Town Hall (with special guest Jack Johnson) can be found on this new page: https://www.voteobi.com/obi-ezeadi-hoa-townhalls

About Obi Ezeadi

Led integration of Childcare as essential infrastructure in Westminster’s Strategic Plan
Established zoning by-right for Childcare providers in 2040 Comprehensive Plan
Expanded open space and parks
Expanded housing options (condos, townhomes, housing people can afford)
Made water more affordable and secured clean water for generations
Increased Mental health support
First-ever gun violence proclamation
First-ever Collective Bargaining Agreement for Police
Led best-in-class Firefighter Collective Bargaining Resolution and Enhanced Firefighter Collective Bargaining Agreement
Led the establishment of free transport service for seniors & disabled residents
Drove police vacancies down from a region-worst 13% to an area-leading 1%
Cut car thefts by 50%
Invested to solve unhoused crisis
Elevated transparency and accountability with our residents

Food Affordability Policy: More Local Eggs for Westminster Families

Obi Ezeadi — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 21:46:48 GMT

Read Obi’s Childcare Policy Update here.

Read Obi’s Housing Policy Update here.

Today, let’s talk about groceries. Next week we’ll talk about utilities and the work we’re doing to tackle water rate affordability.

Alejandra and Cullen are residents who live on a 1.23 acre lot in Historic Westminster. They produce and sell fresh local eggs to neighbors at much lower prices compared to grocery stores. They want to provide more high quality, locally-produced eggs but current Westminster policy limits them to the same number of chickens as much smaller lots, even though they have significantly more land.

There are many residents with the same story. Government should never stand in the way of residents responsibly using their own land to feed their neighbors.

Grocery prices remain unaffordable and families are still feeling the cumulative effect of years of inflation. As egg prices continue to rise, genuinely free range and pasture raised eggs can cost $10 to $15 per dozen at nearby grocery stores, putting higher quality food out of reach for many residents.

This proposal would amend Westminster Municipal Code Section 6-7-12(I)(4) to scale the allowable number of backyard chickens based on lot size. The current ordinance allows six chickens on most residential lots under two acres and 12 chickens on lots of two acres or more. This proposal would allow six chickens per quarter acre scaling up to a maximum of 30 chickens on lots of 1+ acres.

This change would better align allowable chicken counts with the amount of available land, improve community access to lower cost and healthier eggs, support local food production, and strengthen Westminster’s resilience to inflation, supply chain disruptions, climate pressures, and energy shocks.

Decentralizing egg production in Westminster is a small yet powerful way of impacting food affordability that gives residents more tools to feed their families and support their neighbors.

Tonight, I will be proposing this policy amendment to City Council and hopefully we may be able to vote on it by the end of the month.

About Obi Ezeadi

Led integration of Childcare as essential infrastructure in Westminster’s Strategic Plan
Established zoning by-right for Childcare providers in 2040 Comprehensive Plan
Expanded open space and parks
Expanded housing options (condos, townhomes, housing people can afford)
Made water more affordable and secured clean water for generations
Increased Mental health support
First-ever gun violence proclamation
First-ever Collective Bargaining Agreement for Police
Led best-in-class Firefighter Collective Bargaining Resolution and Enhanced Firefighter Collective Bargaining Agreement
Led the establishment of free transport service for seniors & disabled residents
Drove police vacancies down from a region-worst 13% to an area-leading 1%
Cut car thefts by 50%
Invested to solve unhoused crisis
Elevated transparency and accountability with our residents

Policy Update: Housing Crisis in Westminster

Obi Ezeadi — Wed, 06 May 2026 21:54:17 GMT

I’ve been working to build a new model for local government that brings policy back to real life and expands the imagination of what a municipality can do for its residents, particularly around childcare, housing, groceries, and utilities. Most people experience government only after decisions are already made, but I believe residents deserve transparency into the actual testing, tradeoffs, and construction of policy, so I’ve been building affordability ideas in public, sharing the data, and showing residents how decisions get made.

Childcare recap: That work has helped drive one of the most ambitious childcare affordability efforts pursued by any municipality in Colorado. We have already recognized childcare as essential infrastructure, established zoning by-right for childcare providers, and embedded affordability into Westminster’s Strategic Plan. I’m advancing additional policy ideas and the community hopes these ideas are prioritized at our Budget Workshop on May 9, including:

1) exempting infant formula from grocery sales tax

2) creating a Westminster Property Tax Incentive Program

3) including childcare providers in future mixed use developments, and

4) exploring donation of vacant city owned land to childcare providers.

Read my previous “Childcare Crisis in Westminster” update here.

But today let’s focus on the housing crisis in Westminster and what we’re doing about it. Like I said, this is a long one, so grab a coffee.

Linda (67 years old), from Kings Mill neighborhood, told me she is living on a fixed income and choosing between groceries and utilities when Xcel raises rates. Last week, representatives from Xcel came before City Council and I directly challenged them on Westminster’s growing energy constraints, rising costs, and the reality that developers are increasingly struggling to build housing and economic projects because our substations are already at maximum capacity. Read this Denver Gazette article with my quotes from that consequential exchange with Xcel.

My challenge to Xcel was important because of the current housing crisis in Westminster.

Mark (34 years old), from the Sheridan Green neighborhood, told me he and his wife are considering leaving Westminster because they cannot find housing large enough for their growing family without doubling their monthly payment. Daniel (29 years old), from Westminster Station, told me he earns too much to qualify for assistance but still cannot realistically afford to buy his first home in the city where he works.

Westminster has a housing shortage and the numbers are becoming increasingly difficult for working families, young professionals, and older adults to navigate. Nearly 33% of Westminster households are housing cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. An additional 10% of Westminster households are “severely-burdened” spending 50% of their income on housing. Westminster has a 3,000-unit deficit for rental units that serve Area Median Income (AMI) levels between 30 to 50%. First-time home buyers with 120% AMI or below face significant affordability challenges. As a result, many residents are being pushed into increasingly unaffordable rents, overcrowded living situations, deferred homeownership, or housing conditions that do not match the dignity and stability they deserve.

During my re-election (over 100 days ago), I pledged to lower costs in childcare, housing, groceries, and utilities, and regarding housing, I am fighting for inclusive, income-diverse, and income-aligned options that serve people from all walks of life and life stages.

Big Housing wins so far at Westminster City Council:

We have the best staff in the state and they have already worked in partnership to already deliver major wins:

✅ Created a Housing Trust Fund to provide gap financing for the development of income-aligned housing and housing-related programs.

✅ Approved $375,000 for targeted housing stability funding to prevent evictions and keep residents housed. Up to $20,000 per household delivered through fast, accountable payments via the Community Economic Defense Project. In Westminster, ~50% of those in experiencing homelessness are newly unhoused, so the only way to reduce it is to move upstream with preventative solutions like this.

✅ Approved Blossom Commons, a $26 million senior affordable housing project that will add 50 homes for older adults earning 30%–70% AMI, and will be deed restricted for 60 years.

✅ Updated Comprehensive Plan that allows for more diversity of housing types like missing middle and Senior and special needs housing

✅ Standardized Development Assistance to include a predictable sliding scale of rebates for developers who include income-aligned units in their housing projects and establish a sliding scale of rebates for fees such as Public Land Dedication (PLD)

✅ An expedited review process for income-aligned housing projects (almost finalized)

✅ Tiny Homes are now allowed (stay tuned!!)

✅ Accessory Dwelling Units are now allowed and grant funding ($300,000) has been secured for a pilot program

✅ Discontinued Mandatory Official Development Plan (ODP) Reviews of multi-family projects by City Council to save time and money for projects

✅ Discontinued Concept Plan Reviews (CPR) for all housing projects to save time and money

✅ Implemented Right of First Refusal to purchase existing income restricted units in the city to preserve affordable housing stock

✅ Sustained and expanded the Westminster’s affordable housing preservation programs (322 units preserved with $458,000 investment)

✅ Condo defects protection (in our limited capacity vs what the state could do): Westminster is building lots of condos and we recently had one of the first condo projects in the state in at least the last 10-15 years

✅ Removed “Residential Service Commitment Competition” before the State made it illegal

✅ Opted in to Prop 123 expediting intent (CO’s push for affordable housing)

And I have continued to push for even more advancements to support Westminster families during this housing crisis. In Westminster, our Strategic Plan is a formal document that guides everything we do. In the new Strategic Plan that was finalized last month, I successfully prioritized the following housing objective:

Under Strategic Priority 1: Opportunity to Thrive

“1.1 Improve housing stability, affordability, and access, including strengthening pathways to homeownership, preserving owner occupancy, homelessness prevention strategies and supporting renter stability so Westminster residents have a secure and safe home.”

I am also embedding affordability into our current budget planning process:

I’m pushing for these Housing-specific Ideas (Pending prioritization at May 9 Budget Workshop):

Create a Westminster Downpayment Assistance Program for first-time and moderate income homebuyers (Status: TBD):
1. The test: I’m formally requesting we partner with CHFA as program administrator to pilot a new Westminster-specific down payment assistance program for first-time and moderate income homebuyers using City funds and external grants through revolving loan structures to expand homeownership and reduce displacement risk. CHFA would administer underwriting, compliance, and repayment, while Westminster contributes capital earmarked for Westminster homebuyers within the existing CHFA framework.
2. The data: TBD prioritization May 9
3. The decision: TBD
Increase income-aligned and mixed housing supply (Status: TBD):
1. The test: increase senior affordable housing and address unique needs of an aging population, predictable development assistance programs, reducing development fees and timelines, strategic use of city owned land for donation or discounted resale (to childcare providers, affordable housing providers, grocers) and mixed income neighborhood development strategies
2. The data: TBD prioritization May 9
3. The decision: TBD
Evaluate policy reforms to limit short-term rentals, including increased short term rental fees (Status: TBD):
1. The test: Amend Ordinance No. 4199 to increase license fee to $500 and increase enforcement to minimize impact on local housing.
2. The data: TBD prioritization May 9
3. The decision: TBD
Strengthen renter stability and rental housing quality:
1. The test: Rental inspection expansion, rental housing standards awareness and displacement prevention strategies
2. The data: TBD prioritization May 9
3. The decision: TBD
Are corporations pricing families out of housing in Westminster? (Status: Analysis Complete; Further Action Pending Prioritization):
1. The test: In cities and suburbs across America, out-of-state corporations are purchasing housing stock at-scale and crowding out families and first-time buyers. In Dec 2025 I asked City staff to analyze the share of Westminster housing owned by non-individual investors (e.g. Corporations), including rental properties, out-of-state ownership, and owner-occupant purchases.
2. The data: Staff contracted with a research firm (University of Colorado Boulder) and submitted the results:
3. The decision: I’m formally requesting that we update the existing “Westminster Housing Needs Assessment” every 3 years to include ownership structure analysis quantifying non-individual investor ownership, out-of-state ownership, and investor participation in short-term rentals to inform affordability strategy, geographic targeting, and program design. Housing affordability is not just about supply and prices, it is also about who owns the housing. Across the country, non-individual and out-of-state investors are buying homes at scale and crowding out families and first time buyers. We cannot design effective affordability tools without knowing if that dynamic is happening here, where it is happening, and at what price points. Updating the Housing Needs Assessment every 3 years to include ownership structure data gives us an evidence based way to target down payment assistance, assess short term rental impacts, and protect owner occupancy without over regulating or guessing.

About Obi Ezeadi

Expanded open space and parks
Expanded housing options (condos, townhomes, housing people can afford)
Made water more affordable and secured clean water for generations
Increased Mental health support
First-ever gun violence proclamation
First-ever Collective Bargaining Agreement for Police
Led best-in-class Firefighter Collective Bargaining Resolution and Enhanced Firefighter Collective Bargaining Agreement
Led the establishment of free transport service for seniors & disabled residents
Drove police vacancies down from a region-worst 13% to an area-leading 1%
Cut car thefts by 50%
Invested to solve unhoused crisis
Elevated transparency and accountability with our residents

Policy Update: Childcare Crisis in Westminster

Obi Ezeadi — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 17:00:34 GMT

You may have heard me talk about Sarah from the Countryside neighborhood in Westminster. She is 28 years old and delaying having a second child because childcare costs more than her mortgage.

Sarah is not alone.

Families have shared countless similar stories with me, and across Westminster many are being forced to delay children, leave the workforce, or rethink their future because childcare has become unaffordable.

Also, a growing share of Westminster residents are older adults, and building a strong childcare system helps create the economic stability that allows families to support loved ones while preserving independence and dignity. Many adults in Westminster are part of the sandwich generation, caring for both young children and aging parents, and unaffordable childcare reduces their ability to support older family members. Affordable childcare helps families stay in the workforce, build retirement savings, and better care for both children and aging parents.

During my re-election, I pledged to lower costs in childcare, housing, groceries, and utilities, and I am doing the uncommon thing in government by testing and building those solutions in-public, sharing updates, naming tradeoffs even when the answer is no, hopefully inspiring other municipal leaders across the state through the transparency.

Today, let’s focus on childcare.

Westminster has a childcare crisis and I’ve been fighting hard for years to address it. When we say childcare, what we mean are children between 6 weeks and 36 months, which is where the greatest need exists and also the most costly care to provide. Westminster currently has a shortage of 922 infant slots and 546 toddler slots.

A family with two children needs to make about $216,000 a year to afford childcare and other basic needs.

The official recommendation is that childcare should cost no more than 7% of household income, but in Westminster that number is 13% and climbs to 23% for low-income families.

These costs are not just impacting families, they are constraining our local economy, as the lack of affordable childcare for infants and toddlers costs Colorado nearly $3 billion annually in lost earnings, productivity, and tax revenue while pushing parents out of the workforce. A strong childcare system boosts economic growth by enabling more parents to work, and one analysis found that returning just 10,200 sidelined mothers to the workforce in Colorado could generate $3.8 billion in GDP and 29,000 jobs statewide.

Big wins so far: It has been 100 days since my re-election and we adopted a landmark 2040 Comprehensive Plan amendment recognizing childcare as essential infrastructure and established zoning by right by opening all safe zoning types to childcare providers.

And I have continued to push for even more advancements to support Westminster families during this childcare crisis. In Westminster, our Strategic Plan is a formal document that guides everything we do. In the new Strategic Plan that will be finalized this month, I successfully prioritized childcare affordability to a level we have never seen before in Westminster and one that surpasses any other municipality in Colorado. Our goal is simple: success going forward should be measured by how much we actually improve the lives of Westminster residents.

(Westminster’s Strategic Plan is scheduled for formal Council adoption on April 27)

Strategic Priority 1: Opportunity to Thrive

“1.4 Improve economic mobility by reducing essential household cost burdens, including childcare, utilities, groceries and other cost pressures, to support long-term financial stability.”

Strategic Priority 4: Vibrant and Diverse Economy

“4.1. Expand economic opportunity by strengthening the local business environment and supporting access to essential neighborhood services such as childcare, grocery access, and other community serving businesses.”

Strategic Priority 5: Resilient Infrastructure

“5.4 Sustain and strengthen infrastructure, including utilities, transportation, childcare capacity, and grocery access, to provide reliable services that support quality of life and economic participation.”

I have also embedded affordability into our current budget planning process:

Childcare-specific Ideas In Progress

Exempt infant formula from grocery sales tax (Status: TBD prioritization on May 9th):
1. The test: Infant formula is not a luxury item, yet families in Westminster still pay grocery sales tax on this critical expense. I want us to exempt infant formula to help provide immediate some relief for families.
2. The data: City Council has not had an opportunity to decide on this (or any other new idea) yet. The discussion will occur at the 2027 Budget Workshop on May 9. If a majority approves, staff will review constraints, impacts, and implementation options within our tax structure.
3. The decision: TBD
  Get ongoing policy updates from Westminster Councilmember Obi Ezeadi
Create a Westminster Property Tax Incentive Program (Status: TBD prioritization on May 9th):
1. The test: I would like to create a Westminster Property Tax Incentive Program to reduce startup and operating costs that make it difficult for childcare providers to expand, especially for infant and toddler care where the need is greatest. With Adams County recently approving a countywide incentive, my goal is to mirror their approach so providers in Westminster within Adams County could benefit from both programs, while providers in Westminster within Jefferson County would still receive meaningful local support.
2. The data: The discussion will occur at the 2027 Budget Workshop on May 9. If a majority approves, staff will review constraints, impacts, and implementation.
3. The decision: TBD
Include childcare providers in future mixed use developments (Status: TBD prioritization on May 9th):
1. The test: As Westminster grows, we have an opportunity to embed childcare directly into new developments so families can live, work, and access childcare in the same areas. We are exploring policy mechanisms to encourage or prioritize childcare providers in mixed use developments.
2. The data: The discussion will occur at the 2027 Budget Workshop on May 9. If a majority approves, staff will evaluate zoning flexibility, developer incentives, and best practices from other municipalities that have successfully integrated childcare into new developments.
3. The decision: TBD
Explore donation of vacant city owned land to childcare providers (Status: TBD prioritization on May 9th):
1. The test: Land costs are one of the largest barriers to expanding childcare capacity. I am exploring whether Westminster could donate or lease vacant city owned land to childcare providers to accelerate expansion and reduce startup costs.
2. The data: The discussion will occur at the 2027 Budget Workshop on May 9. If a majority approves, staff will identifying eligible parcels, reviewing legal constraints, and assessing long term fiscal and operational considerations.
3. The decision: TBD

Don’t forget to submit your ideas here: Westminster Affordability Survey

About Obi Ezeadi

Expanded open space and parks
Expanded housing options (condos, townhomes, housing people can afford)
Made water more affordable and secured clean water for generations
Increased Mental health support
First-ever gun violence proclamation
First-ever Collective Bargaining Agreement for Police
Led best-in-class Firefighter Collective Bargaining Resolution and Enhanced Firefighter Collective Bargaining Agreement
Led the establishment of free transport service for seniors & disabled residents
Drove police vacancies down from a region-worst 13% to an area-leading 1%
Cut car thefts by 50%
Invested to solve unhoused crisis
Elevated transparency and accountability with our residents

Westminster Drought Watch

Obi Ezeadi — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:51:38 GMT

We are leading by example in Westminster by voluntarily reducing water use across Westminster parks, facilities, and operations, and I am asking our community to join us.

Due to a historically dry winter and record low snowpack, Westminster will enact a voluntary Drought Watch beginning Wednesday, April 15 to protect Westminster’s water supply and avoid mandatory restrictions later.

This is the first step of our Westminster drought plan. While voluntary, we are asking Westminster residents and businesses to limit outdoor watering to 3 days per week and water only before 10AM or after 6PM.

How you can help:

- Limit watering to 3 days per week

- Water before 10 AM or after 6 PM

- Save money by checking for indoor leaks

- Stay informed about Westminster drought updates

- Register for Westminster conservation programs

Learn more: westy.news/drought ‼️

Don’t forget to submit your ideas here: Westminster Affordability Survey

About Obi Ezeadi

Expanded open space and parks
Expanded housing options (condos, townhomes, housing people can afford)
Made water more affordable and secured clean water for generations
Increased Mental health support
First-ever gun violence proclamation
First-ever Collective Bargaining Agreements for Police
Enhanced Collective Bargaining Agreement for Fire
Led the establishment of free transport service for seniors & disabled residents
Drove police vacancies down from a region-worst 13% to an area-leading 1%
Cut car thefts by 50%
Invested to solve unhoused crisis
Elevated transparency and accountability with our residents

Adams & Jefferson County Assembly Endorsements

Obi Ezeadi — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 15:52:23 GMT

County Assembly Endorsements

I am heading out of the country on a long overdue family vacation, but I wanted to share a few endorsements for those who have been asking for guidance. Because many affordability decisions are made across levels of government, the county assemblies happening this week in Jefferson and Adams Counties matter for Westminster families. Childcare costs, housing supply, grocery prices, utility bills, and transportation access are shaped by the leaders who advance through this process. That is why I am making these endorsements for assembly-participating statewide and county candidates who are serious about lowering the cost of living and expanding opportunity for working families:

Congressional District 7: Brittany Pettersen

Congressional District 8: Manny Rutinel

Secretary of State: Jessie Danielson

Attorney General: Jena Griswold

Adams County Commissioner: Emma Pinter

Adams County Commissioner: Tyler Quick

Jefferson County Clerk: Nicole Hensel

Jefferson County Assessor: Andy Kerr

Update on my Affordability Agenda

I promised to lower costs across childcare, housing, groceries, and utilities, and I’m choosing to do the uncommon thing in government by building this work in public via sharing updates as I test and advance each idea. Sometimes the answer will be no, but transparency about the tradeoffs is how trust is built. I also hope sharing this publicly may help inspire other electeds from municipalities across the state.

We held our Strategic Planning Workshop on February 28, 2026, and there are significant updates. My next email will give you a deep-dive into the amazing changes we are bringing to Westminster. Stay tuned!

Please click here to provide me your ideas about affordability.

About Obi Ezeadi

Expanded open space and parks
Expanded housing options (condos, townhomes, housing people can afford)
Made water more affordable and secured clean water for generations
Increased Mental health support
First-ever gun violence proclamation
First-ever Collective Bargaining Agreements for Fire and Police
Led the establishment of free transport service for seniors & disabled residents
Drove police vacancies down from a region-worst 13% to an area-leading 1%
Cut car thefts by 50%
Invested to solve unhoused crisis
Elevated transparency and accountability with our residents

Breaking: Thornton fire near Westminster

Obi Ezeadi — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 20:49:27 GMT

🚨I am providing minute-by-minute updates about this fire on this Facebook post here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AqC1T5Mb3/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Below are the updates I published so far before I sent you this email.

1:36PM update:

If you have not done so yet, make sure you sign up for emergency alerts through Lookout Alert (www.LookoutAlert.co) and Genasys Protect (www.GenasysProtect.com) to stay informed and prepared for this emergency and future ones!

1:23PM update:

Here is reporting from 9News referencing the evacuation orders: https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/wildfire/fire-thornton/73-040d1974-167e-4baf-9b08-c9abd3ad44be?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_9NEWS_(KUSA)

1:06PM update:

Below is an email from our Westminster Fire Chief to City Council: “Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, and City Councillors, There is a significant fire in Thornton near 84th and Huron. There are limited details at this time, as this is an active and rapidly growing incident. Reports indicate that the fire has involved multiple vehicles and structures, and Pinnacle High School and nearby businesses are being evacuated. Westminster Fire is on scene and assisting Thornton with fire suppression efforts.

With today’s Red Flag Warning, Westminster Fire increased staffing levels to provide for enhanced response capabilities. Westminster Fire resources are in Westminster and maintaining coverage for our community.“

Don’t forget to submit your ideas here: Westminster Affordability Survey

About Obi Ezeadi

Expanded open space and parks
Expanded housing options (condos, townhomes, housing people can afford)
Made water more affordable and secured clean water for generations
Increased Mental health support
First-ever gun violence proclamation
First-ever Collective Bargaining Agreements for Police
Enhanced Collective Bargaining Agreement for Fire
Led the establishment of free transport service for seniors & disabled residents
Drove police vacancies down from a region-worst 13% to an area-leading 1%
Cut car thefts by 50%
Invested to solve unhoused crisis
Elevated transparency and accountability with our residents

Update: Results from my Westminster Affordability Survey

Obi Ezeadi — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 04:46:25 GMT

Agenda

Westminster Resident Spotlight
Update: Results (so far) from my Westminster Affordability Survey

Westminster Resident Spotlight

Westminster has the most talented residents in the country. OK, I’m biased. But I’m going to believe that to be true. I’d like to introduce you Westminster resident Lindsay M. She has a very special talent. See below and enjoy!

And here she is playing at her own wedding!

Update: Westminster Affordability Survey

I launched a “Westminster Affordability Survey” a couple months ago to ground this work in real lived data from our community before advancing policy solutions.

So far, we have received almost 300 responses. ~80% from Westminster residents.

I want to share a few of the ideas residents offered, because the best solutions often start with the people living the problem every day.

Several residents are requesting universal childcare, like this mom:

“We pay 2K a month for full-time childcare for my 2 year old. The cost of childcare is the biggest discussion as my husband and I are deciding if we want to have more kids. While a lot of education lies in the hands of the state, perhaps some sort of city sponsored credit for child care? thinking similar to what the state of Colorado is doing for prek. There their opportunity to have city-run childcare?”

Many residents love my idea of finding out the levels of corporate ownership of housing in Westminster; such as this commuter:

“I am only a part time resident and I work in Westminster. I have no solutions to suggest but I wanted to applaud you for tackling these very pressing issues. Although the high cost of housing does not directly impact me, I can see what direction it is taking with corporations buying up most of the residential property. This has very negative implications and I beleive that if nothing is done to combat this, it will greatly hurt the middle and lower income buyers and possibly keep them from owning their own homes, ever. To my mind, this would work much like monopolies and should not be tolerated in a free country.”

The need for affordable senior housing was also a common theme:

“The cooperation between the city and private investors that allowed Vistas at Panorama Point to be built and allowed affordable housing for Seniors is a life saver for my husband and me. Can more of that become available for seniors and for families? I don't know where we could afford to live if this wasn't available.”

Westminster residents are so smart they even explored supply-side economics and loved my ideas of cutting red tape:

“I think there are a lot of interesting ideas you mention in your email. I would also humbly suggest exploring some potential ways to responsibly cut some red tape, especially around housing creation and business redevelopment. In my opinion, most of the ideas you suggested would work more on the demand side to increase affordability, which is an important part of affordability. I also think it is important to look at the supply side of goods and items too, similar to how you worked to open zoning to childcare. There are likely to be similar things that could be done for housing and business development (in a responsible way that doesn't compromise other important considerations like environment and such) that could increase the supply of houses (lowering costs) and businesses (increasing competition to lower prices). Thanks for all the work you do.”

And hundreds more ideas. Keep submitting. I will provide a more detailed update soon on all the ideas in progress. Our Westminster Strategic Planning meeting is February 28.

Don’t forget to submit your ideas here: Westminster Affordability Survey

About Obi Ezeadi

Expanded open space and parks
Expanded housing options (condos, townhomes, housing people can afford)
Made water more affordable and secured clean water for generations
Increased Mental health support
First-ever gun violence proclamation
First-ever Collective Bargaining Agreements for Police
Enhanced Collective Bargaining Agreement for Fire
Led the establishment of free transport service for seniors & disabled residents
Drove police vacancies down from a region-worst 13% to an area-leading 1%
Cut car thefts by 50%
Invested to solve unhoused crisis
Elevated transparency and accountability with our residents

What I Saw at Brittany Pettersen’s Westminster Resource Fair

Obi Ezeadi — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 04:43:33 GMT

Watch my video here:

Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen’s “Westminster Resource Fair”

As someone who has served on multiple nonprofit boards, stewarding strategy, budgets, and community partnerships, I have seen firsthand the structural fragility of the sector and the daily realities of the families it serves.

Colorado’s nonprofits are in crisis, operating in survival mode, underfunded and overstretched, quietly subsidizing public systems without the stable capital and policy alignment required to meet rising demand, even as the cost of survival for my constituents continues to rise.

Which is why I attended Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen’s “Westminster Resource Fair” and interviewed every single organization there so you can hear directly from the people doing the work, watch the video below.

Inside the Westminster City Park Recreation Center, dozens of frontline agencies were gathered in one room, giving families immediate access to healthcare, food, legal guidance, workforce support, and public benefits without having to navigate a fragmented system alone.

The event featured:

AARP: https://www.aarp.org
AARP Colorado: https://states.aarp.org/colorado
Connect for Health Colorado: https://connectforhealthco.com
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: https://www.cms.gov
Community Table: https://communitytable.org
Broomfield FISH: https://broomfieldfish.org
17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office: https://www.da17.state.co.us
Hunger Free Colorado: https://www.hungerfreecolorado.org
Elevations Credit Union: https://www.elevationscu.com
Jefferson County Business & Workforce Center: https://www.jeffco.us/1316/Business-Workforce-Center
Colorado Attorney General’s Office: https://coag.gov
STRIDE Community Health Center: https://stridechc.org
University of Denver Low Income Taxpayer Clinic: https://www.du.edu/law/low-income-taxpayer-clinic
Jefferson County Public Health: https://www.jeffco.us/1422/Public-Health
Benefits in Action: https://benefitsinaction.org
Veterans Benefits Administration: https://www.benefits.va.gov
Westminster Public Library: https://www.westminsterco.gov/library

Watch the full video here:

Don’t forget to submit your ideas here: Westminster Affordability Survey

About Obi Ezeadi

Expanded open space and parks
Expanded housing options (condos, townhomes, housing people can afford)
Made water more affordable and secured clean water for generations
Increased Mental health support
First-ever gun violence proclamation
First-ever Collective Bargaining Agreements for Police
Enhanced Collective Bargaining Agreement for Fire
Led the establishment of free transport service for seniors & disabled residents
Drove police vacancies down from a region-worst 13% to an area-leading 1%
Cut car thefts by 50%
Invested to solve unhoused crisis
Elevated transparency and accountability with our residents

Trump’s Racist Video About the Obamas Is a Warning

Obi Ezeadi — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 18:14:36 GMT

Last weekend, Donald Trump shared a video depicting former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as apes. Drawing widespread (bipartisan) criticism, he refused to apologize and the White House immediately labeled the criticism as “fake outrage”.

The ape comparison has been used to dehumanize Black and Brown people from 18th century colonial propaganda to 19th and 20th century Jim Crow imagery and into 21st century extremist violence, all to rationalize slavery, segregation, and imperial domination. In recent years, we have seen local and national coordinated efforts to undermine and discredit changemakers with attacks designed to remove and keep Black leadership out of decision-making roles.

In 2026, most Americans feel helpless watching elected officials allow Trump to systematically weaken our democracy by undermining the rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection, and civil liberties against Black and Brown people.

As efforts intensify to discredit diversity, equity, and inclusion, remember this: diversity asks who is in the room, equity asks who cannot get in, and inclusion asks whose voice is actually heard. DEI is why we have parental leave, family restrooms, captions on TV, flexible schedules, breastfeeding accommodations, ramps and curb cuts, pay transparency, workplace protections, size-inclusive medical equipment, floating holidays, disability-friendly workspaces, and even belt extenders on planes.

Action: If you’re worried about the direction of our government and want to take meaningful action today, then focus on local and donate to BIPAC, Colorado’s first fund solely dedicated to electing People of Color to office (also backing LGBTQ+ candidates). Since launching in 2023, we’ve helped elect 10 winning candidates at the city and state level.

Help us elect the next generation of diverse leaders in Colorado: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/bipac

Donate here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/bipac

Building Affordability for Westminster in Public

Obi Ezeadi — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 03:57:00 GMT

Agenda

Update on Affordability Agenda: Childcare, Groceries, Housing, Utilities

Update on Affordability Agenda

Before you continue, please click here to provide me your ideas about affordability.

It’s been 2 months since my re-election, and I’ve gotten straight to work.

Housing

Are corporations pricing families out of housing in Westminster? (Status: In Progress):
1. The test: In cities and suburbs across America, out-of-state corporations are purchasing housing stock at-scale and crowding out families and first-time buyers. In Dec 2025 I asked City staff to analyze the share of Westminster housing owned by non-individual investors (e.g. Corporations), including rental properties, out-of-state ownership, and owner-occupant purchases.
2. The data: Staff advised that such a detailed analysis requires contracting with a research firm, so on January 5 City Council approved my request for staff to source a vendor and prepare a contract for near-term Council review.
3. The decision: TBD
Other Ideas I’m still actively brainstorming: streamlining permitting and red tape; smaller lots; Tiny homes; state/county collaboration on legal aid and coordinated rental and utility assistance.

Groceries

Exempt groceries from sale tax (Status: Tested and ruled out):
1. The test: In Nov 2025, I asked City staff to analyze whether Westminster could exempt groceries from the City sales tax.
2. The data: Staff found this would reduce City revenue by roughly $24 million per year, about ~80% of our entire Fire budget. It would also risk our ability to meet debt obligations, disrupt intergovernmental agreements and revenue sharing tied to taxable sales, and more.
3. The decision: Because of the scale of the impact, this is not a responsible option to pursue. The fight for affordability continues.
Other ideas I’m still actively brainstorming: ways to lower grocery prices by reducing fixed costs and barriers to entry, including supporting grocery stores as anchors in mixed use developments to spread costs across housing and commercial uses.

Give Obi your ideas on affordability

Utilities

Water rate discounts for xeriscaping (Status: In Progress)
1. The test: In Jan 2025, I asked City staff to evaluate the feasibility and fiscal impact of offering water rate discounts for residential conservation measures, including xeriscaping and other landscape conversions, turf removal, or measurable reductions in outdoor water use.
2. The data: TBD
3. The decision: TBD
Other Ideas I’m still actively brainstorming: state-level advocacy on energy bill affordability; explore ways to lower Westminster water rates without undermining the financial stability of the system that delivers them. This may include: water tier reform, cutting capital costs faster than revenue needs to grow, and identifying alternative supplemental funding to enable water rate decreases.

Childcare

Childcare as Infrastructure (Status: Complete). Oct 2025 amendment to Westminster’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan that has opened all safe zoning types to childcare providers, removing one of the biggest barriers to supply and cost.
Other ideas I’m still actively brainstorming: Ways to activate public land or vacant buildings to lower operating costs, support providers to stabilize prices, and expand access to essential goods and resources for new parents.

Beyond City Hall

Finally, because many affordability decisions are made at the State Capitol, part of delivering on childcare, housing, groceries, and utilities means supporting leaders and policies beyond city limits that directly shape costs and funding for Westminster. I have endorsed several 2026 candidates who share this priority and more will be announced soon.
At City Council on January 5, 2026, Council approved a broad set of updates to Westminster’s Legislative Policy Statement, which directly guides the priorities of our state and federal lobbyists. Within those updates, Council approved several new affordability-focused policy principles that I proposed:
1. “Supports and advocates for funding to expand cost, quality and access of childcare”
2. “Supports and advocates for legislation that promotes affordable utilities”
3. “Supports and advocates for legislation that promotes affordable groceries”

Don’t forget to submit your ideas here: Westminster Affordability Survey

About Obi Ezeadi

Expanded open space and parks
Expanded housing options (condos, townhomes, housing people can afford)
Made water more affordable and secured clean water for generations
Increased Mental health support
First-ever gun violence proclamation
First-ever Collective Bargaining Agreements for Fire and Police
Led the establishment of free transport service for seniors & disabled residents
Drove police vacancies down from a region-worst 13% to an area-leading 1%
Cut car thefts by 50%
Invested to solve unhoused crisis
Elevated transparency and accountability with our residents

Celebrating Hanukkah, Christmas, and the Many Traditions That Make Westminster Home

Obi Ezeadi — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 17:39:20 GMT

I recognize that for many people this season can carry grief, loss, or difficult memories, and I want to honor and respect everyone, including those who do not celebrate. For those who do, I wish you a season of light, service, and community.

Congregation B’nai Torah Chanukah dinner

Last night, I was so grateful to join Congregation B’nai Torah for their Chanukah dinner and share a night of community, faith, and light. I learned so much tonight. Westminster is a tapestry of cultures, religions, and traditions, and our strength comes from honoring every thread that makes our community whole.

Historic Westminster Christmas Tree Lighting

Covenant Living Christmas Concert

Hmong New Year

About Obi Ezeadi

Expanded open space and parks
Expanded housing options (condos, townhomes, housing people can afford)
Made water more affordable and secured clean water for generations
Increased Mental health support
First-ever gun violence proclamation
First-ever Collective Bargaining Agreements for Fire and Police
Led the establishment of free transport service for seniors & disabled residents
Drove police vacancies down from a region-worst 13% to an area-leading 1%
Cut car thefts by 50%
Invested to solve unhoused crisis
Elevated transparency and accountability with our residents

Want to get involved? Give the gift of diversity

Obi Ezeadi — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 19:08:24 GMT

This holiday season you can help BIPAC - Colorado’s first political action committee solely focused on financing Black, Brown and LGBTQ+ candidates for office.

Donate here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/bipac

HD29 vacancy; Adam Barajas appointed as newest Westminster City Councilor

Obi Ezeadi — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 21:14:45 GMT

Agenda

City Council vacancy update
Other Important Updates

Westminster City Council appoints Adam Barajas to fill vacancy

After weeks of us operating with only 6 members, Westminster City Council finally filled its vacant 7th seat last Saturday, December 13. On a 4-2 vote, community servant Adam Barajas was appointed through the charter-mandated appointment process and Council Rules 7.23, which dictate vacancies must be filled within 30 days by a majority vote (4 or more) of the remaining council members using a structured interview and roll call voting process.

We reviewed applications from 20 applicants and interviewed 7 of them Saturday morning. They were all spectacular in different ways. After public interviews, council voted in rounds with candidates receiving no votes eliminated and the pool resetting after 5 rounds if no majority was reached. Each councilor had the opportunity to ask 2 questions for each candidate. The two questions that I asked every candidate were:

Westminster residents sent a clear mandate in the recent election to make affordability our top priority. What concrete steps would you take on Council to advance affordability, and how will you work collaboratively with Council and the community to deliver visible results for residents?
Tell us about a time you helped a divided group find common ground. What specific strategies did you use, and how would you apply those strategies on this Council to rebuild trust among its members moving forward?

As you all know, I will use every avenue at my disposal to tackle the affordability crisis, and this City Council vacancy process was the first step in delivering on that promise. All 7 finalists offered thoughtful responses to my affordability question, reflecting the depth of talent in our community. Two candidates stood out in particular with amazing answers: Kat Mullane and Adam Barajas.

Adam earned my support based on his clear focus on lowering costs with ideas around increasing competition for goods and services, third use and free cost opportunities, investing in public transit and walkability, expanding multi-use zoning, and a commitment to steering away from regressive taxation. He ultimately earned the required majority and was appointed to serve the remainder of the unexpired 2-year term.

I am extremely proud of Adam, because he is a dear friend and longtime community servant. His background spans education and finance, including work as a classroom teacher, financial analyst, and graduate of the University of Notre Dame’s Master of Education program. Adam brings an analytical, empathetic, and people centered approach to governance, along with essential representation for our Adams County Latino community, which makes up roughly a quarter of Westminster’s population.

Adam will be sworn-in tonight at 7PM at Westminster City Hall. With Council now whole, we are positioned to deliver serious, people focused policy in 2026.

Other Important Updates

Shannon Bird has resigned as State Representative for House District 29 (HD29) so we will soon convene a meeting of the HD29 Central Committee to fill the vacancy for the remaining portion of her term (i.e. the 2026 legislative session). As Chair of HD29 I plan on running a very transparent and fair process. Dates for the vacancy vote are not yet finalized (it will likely be on Jan 11) but will be shared very soon! We will need 50% quorum, so make sure you stay attentive. Reply to this email if you don’t think I have yours yet: obiezeadi@gmail.com. The official call for the vacancy with details will be sent by email to the HD29 distribution list soon. There will be no proxies allowed.
Who can run for the HD29 vacancy? To qualify, you must be at least 25 years old, a US citizen, a Colorado resident, and have lived in House District 29 for at least 12 months. As Chair of HD29, if you are considering running for this State Rep vacancy, please reply to this email so I can include you in the official call when it is issued. Only one candidate has stepped forward so far, and I encourage anyone else who meets the requirements and is ready to serve in the 2026 legislative session to do the same so the committee can fairly evaluate all qualified applicants.
My statement about self-care for the Holiday season: “This holiday, remember the people around your table matter more than winning an argument, doom scrolling is not the same as being informed, and slowing down to be present is how we protect our peace so we can fix what is broken and build what comes next.”
Faith Winter: 💔On December 1, City Council approved my request to draft and present a Proclamation honoring the life and legacy of Faith Winter. It will be read after the holidays once her close ones are ready to be in attendance. On December 5, the political world attended Faith’s memorial at the State Capitol. Her Celebration of Life was held the following day at the Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster. If you missed the memorial you can watch it here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17JSXartHY/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Community engagement the last couple of weeks:

About Obi Ezeadi

Expanded open space and parks
Expanded housing options (condos, townhomes, housing people can afford)
Made water more affordable and secured clean water for generations
Increased Mental health support
First-ever gun violence proclamation
First-ever Collective Bargaining Agreements for Fire and Police
Led the establishment of free transport service for seniors & disabled residents
Drove police vacancies down from a region-worst 13% to an area-leading 1%
Cut car thefts by 50%
Invested to solve unhoused crisis
Elevated transparency and accountability with our residents

PRESS RELEASE: Obi Ezeadi Wins Re-election to Westminster City Council with Record Breaking Mandate to Advance Affordability Agenda

Obi Ezeadi — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 18:20:17 GMT

November 5, 2025, Westminster, Colorado – Obi Ezeadi has been re-elected to Westminster City Council with a record breaking 13,868 votes and more still to come in, reaffirming his position as the highest voted councilor in Westminster’s history. His decisive victory came in a challenging 8-person race and reflects a clear mandate from residents to tackle his top priority of reducing the cost of living related to childcare, utilities, housing, and groceries, core issues at the center of his campaign.

“I ran on lowering the costs of childcare, utilities, housing, and groceries, and voters have given me a clear mandate to deliver,” said Ezeadi. “The frustration we saw in this election comes from real pain. Families are struggling to keep up, and my focus these next 4 years will be to lead this council in easing those financial burdens and building lasting stability for everyone in our city.”

Ezeadi’s first term was marked by tangible progress on Westminster’s most pressing challenges. He helped expand open space and parks, initiate free transport for seniors and residents with disabilities, cut car thefts by 50%, lowered police vacancies to a region leading 1%, secured clean water infrastructure for future generations, and expanded mental health and housing programs. Most recently, Ezeadi led the unanimous passage of the first city-level action to treat childcare as infrastructure, a landmark amendment to Westminster’s Comprehensive Plan.

Beyond policy, Ezeadi’s leadership in his first term was defined by his engagement efforts that reignited civic participation in local government. Through food drives, office hours, community forums, and a sophisticated data-driven multi-platform communications strategy, he built one of the most engaged resident networks in the state, making him one of the top 3 most followed elected officials across social media in Colorado.

Voters also approved Ballot Issue 3H, a measure Ezeadi championed to repair Westminster’s deteriorating streets and expand fire service capacity through the construction of new fire stations. The measure’s passage ensures faster emergency response times and safer roads citywide, especially for seniors and vulnerable residents. “This would have never happened without the leadership of Mayor Nancy McNally,” Ezeadi said, “We shall forever be indebted to her.”

“This moment is about more than winning an election,” Ezeadi said. “Our next chapter will focus on keeping Westminster safe and affordable for everyone.”

For more information, please contact press@voteobi.com

Full Release: https://www.voteobi.com/obi-ezeadi-breaks-city-voting-record