Longmont Ward 2 Vacancy Draws Former City Staff
Teresa Simpkins Wants to Meet People Where They Are
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.
Among the applicants is Teresa Simpkins, a longtime resident of Ward 2 with a deep background in public service.
“I spent most of my career in public service, including seven years at the City of Longmont where I served as the marketing and communications specialist for the library, and then for Public Works and Natural Resources,” Simpkins said.
After leaving her role in public service to work in the private sector in 2022, Simpkins felt the pull of community involvement once more.
“I decided to stretch myself in a different direction when I took a marketing position at a company that develops software solutions for government,” Simpkins said. “I love the different challenges of this chapter of my career, but I also sincerely miss public service and being able to apply my experience and knowledge to my community.”
Having lived in Boulder County since 1997, Simpkins has developed a deep connection to the area. She was married for the first time at the Dickens Opera House and moved to Ward 2 in 2013. Throughout her time in Longmont, Simpkins raised two children, three stepchildren, and two foster children. This experience has only strengthened her connection with the city. Now an empty nester, she recently remarried in 2024.
“My husband and I enjoy Longmont’s bike trails, breweries, restaurants, and having the best neighbors anyone could ask for. Longmont is my home, and I love it here,” Simpkins said.
Simpkins reflected on the diversity within Ward 2 and the importance of finding common ground.
“Living in Ward 2 for 12 years and raising children here has provided me with the opportunity to appreciate the diversity of this Ward,” Simpkins said. “Ward 2 residents are indeed diverse in background and situation. Our current national political climate would like us to believe that these groups have competing and incompatible priorities, but we all choose to live in Longmont, so I tend to believe that we have more in common than what separates us. I would be looking for those commonalities.”
When it comes to staying connected with the diverse residents of Ward 2, Simpkins has a clear and effective plan.
“Connecting with this diverse community will require multiple approaches and points of contact, such as meeting with HOA boards, visiting local churches, and attending community events that attract different groups of my constituents,” Simpkins said. “The best engagement happens when you meet people where they are, rather than expecting them to go out of their way to share their opinions with you. Passively awaiting feedback is the surest way to end up in an echo chamber of ideas.”
Simpkins is well aware of the complexities of balancing local needs with the broader demands of Longmont.
“I strongly believe that the successful governing of a diverse community relies on respect, cooperation, and compromise. I also believe that if we start by identifying goals and values that we share, we can more easily find a path forward of shared agreement,” Simpkins said.
While addressing pressing issues, Simpkins identified Longmont’s rapid growth as a central challenge.
“I think the greatest challenge facing Longmont right now is continuing to answer the question of who and what we want to be amidst continued growth and the difficulties and opportunities inherent therein,” Simpkins said. “Economic development, traffic congestion, affordable housing, and public safety are all concerns that must be continually considered and addressed as Longmont evolves as a community.”
Simpkins stressed the Council’s role in facing key issues is crafting effective policies.
“I believe the Council can create policies and ordinances that vary significantly affect housing affordability, economic growth, and environmental sustainability,” Simpkins said. “The success of those actions to create the desired impacts is dependent on the Council’s understanding of the incentives, disincentives, and outcomes resulting from the policies they create. If you can more fully understand the results—both intended and unintended—of various policies, you can select the best approach for your desired impacts.”
When Simpkins reflected on her experiences with various elected officials and government leaders, she noted that while some demonstrated qualities she deeply respected, others fell short due to shortcomings in leadership or by prioritizing self-interest over effective governance.
“The ones I admired had a deep understanding of the community they represented, a dedication to serving their constituents that surpassed their personal interests and own preferences, unwavering accountability for themselves and those around them, the ability to surround themselves with smart and capable advisors, and a clear vision of the goals and the future of the community they represent,” Simpkins said.
If appointed, Simpkins intends to focus on the real-world effects of Council decisions on residents.
“My top priority would be to constantly evaluate the effects of Council decisions on Longmont residents,” Simpkins said. “My background in public policy uniquely positions me to anticipate and evaluate the intended and unintended consequences of Council policies, and help direct our energies to the solutions that drive us best toward our overall goals for the city.”
Simpkins believes that her extensive background in public service sets her apart from other candidates.
“I understand how government works, how federal funding and mandates affect all the levels of government beneath it, and how strongly municipal government can impact the character, prosperity, and overall success of the community,” Simpkins said.
Simpkins emphasized the importance of collaboration and patience in governance.
“My background in government has taught me that all progress in the public sector is incremental and demands patience, consistency, and perseverance,” Simpkins said.
Simpkins is confident that her familiarity with the issues in Longmont will allow her to hit the ground running.
“My background as a former city employee and longtime Ward 2 resident would enable a fast-learning curve on current issues before the Council and allow me to begin to contribute in a meaningful way from the start,” Simpkins said.
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 Teresa Simpkins 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.