City Council - May 5, 2026

The City Council meeting of Lafayette, Colorado, held on May 5, 2026, primarily focused on the contentious issue of the Lafayette Cemetery's capacity and the proposed resolution to close it to casket burials. Extensive public input was given by numerous residents expressing opposition to the closure, citing concerns about burial rights, notification issues, and the emotional and cultural significance of the cemetery. City staff and experts presented findings from a ground penetrating radar (GPR) study indicating the cemetery is at or over capacity, with many unmarked or overlapping graves, leading to the recommendation to close the cemetery to new casket interments. The council discussed the legal, historical, and operational aspects of the cemetery, including deed stipulations and potential alternatives, but ultimately voted unanimously to postpone the resolution indefinitely to allow more community engagement and information dissemination. Additionally, the council received a detailed briefing on ranked choice voting, including its mechanics, costs, and implementation challenges, with council members expressing interest in further exploration and education on the topic. The meeting also included updates on the South Boulder Road area plan, highlighting community engagement efforts, land use, and economic analysis, and several proclamations recognizing Older Americans Month, Asian-American Heritage Month, National Public Service Recognition Week, Municipal Clerks Week, and National Police Week were unanimously approved.