January 27, 2026: Two ordinances into city code, and a commitment won on vape shops
Updated: Sep 24
Public Safety & City Code
Moved the massage-facility licensing ordinance to final passage — Passed Made the motion to adopt Ordinance 26-01, putting the city's first rules for massage businesses into law. Owners, operators and any employee who deals with customers must now clear a fingerprint background check, renewed with the business license every two years; convictions for human trafficking, solicitation or money laundering are disqualifying. The rules answer a 2024 state law targeting illicit massage businesses and trafficking. Castle Pines has two such facilities, and both had until August 1 to comply.
Argued for keeping the rules light where the city can — On the record Pointed out during debate that neighboring communities are imposing liquor-license-style permitting on massage businesses, and that Castle Pines deliberately chose a background check instead, given how few facilities operate here — while leaving the door open to revisit it if the city grows.
Voted for final passage of the firearms opt-out — Passed Ordinance 26-02 passed unanimously on second reading, opting Castle Pines out of state Senate Bill 24-131 so that open and concealed carry are permitted in council chambers, the city manager's office and court areas. No residents signed up to speak at the second hearing. Castle Rock, Douglas County, Parker and the library have all opted out as well. The municipal judge opposes firearms in his courtroom and keeps the authority to set separate rules there.
Growth & Land Use
Won a commitment to reopen the vape-shop rule before backing the zoning package — Revisit promised Ordinance 26-03 replaced the expiring development moratorium with permanent rules for eight business types: body art allowed outright, junkyards and pawn shops prohibited, car washes, payday lenders and vehicle services allowed with 1,500-foot spacing, and vape shops prohibited. Salazar raised private property rights, moved to pull the vape-shop provision out for further discussion, then withdrew the motion after weighing burglary data from a colleague and confirming with staff that the rules will come back. Council agreed to reopen the vape-shop definition ahead of the broader land development code rewrite, rather than folding it in. “My concerns, of course, are private property rights. I’m also concerned, on the other hand, about safety for the community. … I also had a chance to talk to Director Ferguson, who said we will have a chance to review the Universal Land Development Code in the future.”
— Council Member Kori Salazar, January 27, 2026
Parks & Neighborhood Upkeep
Steering Coyote Ridge Park toward what residents actually asked for — Ongoing Reported from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board that revisions to the Coyote Ridge plan and the site designers' proposals are being shaped by what came out of community outreach, and will return to council for approval. Trail naming was held for a later meeting.
Council Governance
Backed clearer rules for how council meets — Passed Voted to adopt updated council procedures and the 2026–2027 guiding principles. Members joining remotely must now keep their cameras on, remote participation in executive sessions is no longer permitted, and city boards and commissions follow one consistent set of protocols. Salazar spoke in support, noting that colleagues appearing off-camera had made it hard to tell who was actually present.
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About this record
Every entry comes from a public Castle Pines City Council meeting; video and official minutes are available through the city clerk’s office. Ordinances take two council votes — an entry marked first reading still needed a second, confirming vote before it became law. Resolutions, emergency ordinances and contract awards take a single vote. Matters still in process are described as such rather than claimed as outcomes. Dollar figures come from the staff memo or the record; none are estimated.
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