Former Councilor Seeks Ward 2 Seat
Pauline Christensen Looks to Serve in Temporary Capacity
Marcia Martin’s tenure as the Ward 2 representative on the Longmont City Council officially ended on December 31, 2024, leaving the seat vacant as the city prepares to select her successor to avoid the expense of a taxpayer-funded election.
The City of Longmont invited qualified Ward 2 residents to submit their applications by January 8. The vacancy has attracted significant public interest with 18 out of 22 qualified applicants in the mix.
Pauline Christensen, a 35-year resident of Ward 2 and former Longmont City Councilor at Large from 2013 to 2021, including her time as Mayor Pro Tem, is seeking to offer her extensive experience to fill the Ward 2 vacancy on an interim basis.
“I was on city council for eight years, and I want to give them a choice to choose democracy,” Christensen said.
Christensen clarified her intention to serve only for 10 months to ensure a functional and experienced council during a significant transition.
“There’s a possibility of having four new council members this November,” Christensen said. “I’m not running to be on the city council after November. I believe the citizens of Longmont should be voting for the next council member for Ward 2, not getting it handed to them by the city council.”
Reflecting on her previous council service, Christensen outlined a robust record of accomplishments.
Christensen initiated and secured the Affordable Housing Ordinance mandating 12 percent affordable housing, which she believes should eventually rise to 25 percent. “The previous council had eliminated it entirely,” she noted.
Christensen banned residential Metro Districts, which she described as a “third form of government with no oversight,” adding that this policy helped make housing more equitable and affordable.
Christensen championed the city’s composting program, pushing for universal composting despite significant resistance. “We had to do that incrementally,” she explained, detailing her collaboration with local activists and city staff. Christensen highlighted the recent progress toward establishing a Boulder County composting facility, which would eliminate the need to transport compost to Hudson.
“Composting is near and dear to my heart,” Christensen admitted with a smile, “because we cannot keep taking stuff out of the ground and not getting anything back. It’s killing the environment.”
Christensen’s commitment to sustainability is evident in her advocacy for innovative initiatives. She highlighted a project that converted sewer gas into fuel for city vehicles.
“Mayor Peck and I, along with the council, went out to see these new vehicles powered by compressed natural gas. Originally, they were going to say, ‘powered by poo,’ but decided on ‘powered by you,’” Christensen recalled with a laugh.
Under her tenure, the city council took control of the Longmont Housing Authority.
“I was on the board of the Longmont Housing Authority as a liaison, and I kept telling people, ‘they are going bankrupt. They are going bankrupt.’ We have to do something. We have to take them over,” Christensen said. “Since City Council took over, they’ve done a very good job.”
Christensen stressed her concerns about housing density and its uneven impact on the city.
“This fad for housing density is just that—it’s a fad. You have to have some variety,” Christensen said.
Christensen criticized development patterns that disproportionately affect certain areas of Longmont while leaving others untouched due to homeowners’ associations or metro districts with independent contracts.
Christensen expressed particular frustration with plans like the Bohn Farm development.
“It’s a ridiculous idea to put hundreds of homes in a small area like that, with a very narrow road and only one access road,” Christensen argued, adding that such decisions often lead to long-term issues for the community.
For Christensen, the issue of housing is deeply personal and multifaceted. She called for significant changes in housing policy, advocating for more public housing initiatives.
“No other country does this. They build the housing they need, and that’s what we need to do—build it ourselves, manage it ourselves, and stop privatizing everything,” Christensen said.
Christensen also touched on her work to combat homelessness, including the initiation of bringing the Veterans Community Project to Longmont. The project, which includes counseling and other support services, is a model Christensen believes can be expanded.
“I saw a sample house at the National League of Cities. It’s like a studio apartment, specifically designed for people who’ve been traumatized. It provides a truly safe, comfortable place for one person,” Christensen said.
Christensen emphasized the importance of collaboration when discussing her approach to city council work. She pointed out that everyone’s ideas deserve consideration because they can sometimes be valid and insightful.
“They might not be all right, but they might not be all wrong either. It might be an idea you haven’t considered before. That’s your job: to represent everybody—rich, poor, people on their last day of life, new babies, everyone,” Christensen said.
Christensen emphasized the importance of mutual respect, even when dealing with divergent perspectives.
“You just have to hear them out and approach people with respect. That’s all most of us want. As Aretha Franklin said, ‘Respect,’” Christensen quipped.
Christensen accentuated the qualities she believes make for an effective city council member.
“Don’t elect a one-trick pony,” Christensen cautioned. “Somebody who knows a lot about or claims they know a lot about one area—that’s not enough. My resume might not lead you to believe I know a lot about anything other than books, but I’ve spent my life working, marching in the streets for civil rights, and educating myself in areas I don’t know about: sustainability, climate change, composting, housing.”
She expressed mixed feelings about the state of Longmont City Council and the challenges of attracting younger, working individuals to the city council due to inadequate compensation.
“City council needs to be paid a decent amount so working people can actually afford to serve, not just wealthy retirees,” Christensen said. “I also think we need fresh ideas. That’s why I don’t want to be there forever. I want to see a new generation of people step up. But I understand that it’s difficult to ask younger people to get involved. City council is a big-time commitment, and it’s erratic. People probably think it’s two hours a week, but it’s so much more.”
Despite the challenges, Christensen remains optimistic about the city’s future.
“This council has done a lot of good things. I don’t agree with everything they’ve done, but I agree with most of it. They’re a really good bunch of people. It’s going to be a big change with new people coming in, but I hope we continue to see diverse voices and new ideas,” Christensen said.
“The goal is to build a community where everyone feels represented and respected,” Christensen said. “That’s what leadership is about: listening, learning, and leading with compassion.”
With a bevy of interested applicants having submitted applications by the January 8 deadline, the Council is set to interview applicants in a public meeting on January 21, before the swearing-in of the new representative scheduled for January 28.
Longmont residents can share their thoughts on candidates like Pauline Christensen by addressing the council by emailing them beforehand. The open forum to address the city council previously scheduled for January 21, will be replaced with an interview session of candidates and the appointment of a selected candidate.