Longmont City Council is moving forward in the process to design a new city flag and annex two marijuana dispensaries in Boulder County enclaves.

First, flags:

In a 5-2 vote last night, city council voted to begin the road to a new design for the City of Longmont’s flag. Councilmembers Jake Marsing and Matthew Popkin were the only ones opposed.

Why now?

The current flag design is more than 50 years old, having been designed in 1974. It was Councilmember Diane Crist’s idea to initiate the process back in February after she learned many residents didn’t know the city had a flag at all. Crist says considering 2026 marks Longmont’s 155th birthday, as well as the 250th birthday of the United States of America and 150th birthday of Colorado, it’s the perfect time to mark a period of new possibilities.

Marsing and Popkin are not big fans…

Both believe there are higher priority, more time-sensitive items that city council should focus on. Plus, the entire process would use about $5,000 of city council contingency funds — money typically earmarked for emergencies.

The process will take about 4-6 months, involve a call for designers (open to any Longmont resident), community input, and a survey on final design candidates.

Fun fact: Longmont’s flag has been to space twice. Longmont legend Vance Brand took it up during missions in 1975 and 1984.

Second, annexations:

City council voted last night to annex two marijuana establishments in Boulder County enclaves.

Councilmembers approved three separate ordinances all in 6-1 votes, with Crist being the only holdout. The annexations are aimed at Native Roots at 19 S. Sunset St. and JARS at 250 S. Main St.

Once the ordinances go into effect, the City can expect a healthy boost in revenue. Both shops will need to collect and remit Longmont’s 3.53% sales tax, the 3% special retail marijuana tax, and the share-back from Colorado’s sales tax.

But it goes to a worthy cause: