Post-Election Update!
The unofficial results are in, and I'm beyond grateful to receive ~54% of the vote.
I want to genuinely thank Teresa Simpkins for her time and effort in this campaign over the past 5 months. She challenged me on multiple decisions I made, which led to productive and clarifying conversations across Ward 2. I also want to thank Meg Thornbury for her passion and advocacy in the race this summer. Healthy competition is both necessary for holding our representatives and candidates accountable and an antidote to apathy in our community and in a democracy.
While Teresa and I disagreed on a few issues, we agreed on many priorities too. Regardless of whether you voted for me, I will work to represent all of Ward 2 to help Longmont thrive despite the challenges ahead. We may not always agree, but I will continue to listen, learn, lead with facts, and be transparent about my decisions. I will do my best to earn your trust and advance our shared priorities for a stronger, more prosperous Longmont.
Throughout this campaign, I’ve met so many incredible people who have welcomed me into their homes, engaged thoughtfully, and shared their concerns, hopes, and dreams about Longmont’s future. To all the neighbors, volunteers, and donors who supported my campaign, thank you. And a special thanks to my core team of advisors, my campaign manager, Andrew, my wife and treasurer, Eleonora, and my very patient pup, Pippin.
It truly takes a village to make a village—I couldn’t have done this without all your support.
Now the next chapter begins. The decisions that the next City Council will make will shape Longmont for decades to come. Congratulations to Mayor-Elect Susie Hidalgo-Fahring and Councilmembers-Elect Crystal Prieto and Jake Marsing—I look forward to working with you all and Councilmembers Crist and McCoy to make Longmont the best version of itself.
To receive periodic updates on specific topics, please sign up here. For questions, comments, or concerns going forward, you can reach out to me at matthew.popkin@longmontcolorado.gov.
With gratitude and humility,
Matthew
A ‘city nerd’ who gets things done
Longmont faces serious challenges now and in the future. Despite these challenges, Matthew wants Longmont to thrive with practical policies and innovative solutions driven by people who know how to get things done. Matthew brings fresh ideas, a proactive approach, and a longstanding professional and volunteer track record dedicated to effective government and sustainable communities—building on over 15 years working with cities and counties across the country. That’s why he is running for his first full term to continue doing the work and advocating for Ward 2 on City Council with these top priorities:
Managing how and where the city grows by prioritizing sustainable redevelopment in our old industrial areas and ensuring we expand, support, and offer safe and convenient transportation options for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Increasing affordability by managing costs for residents and families, including reducing the cost of building new early childhood education facilities, reducing the cost of getting around, and reducing the cost of living.
Preparing Longmont for a safe, resilient future by planning for extreme weather, embracing community-oriented public safety strategies, planning ahead for the Sundance Film Festival to Boulder in 2027, and investing in a modern airport.
These priorities are based on feedback from residents and businesses—and directly respond to concerns about growth, quality of life, economic opportunity, and safety.
Matthew is the city nerd who shows up, who listens and responds to residents and businesses, and who invests his time and energy into making Longmont a stronger, more prosperous community and more effective and transparent government—even in the face of unprecedented state and federal challenges.
Proactive leadership at a critical time
This is a pivotal moment for Longmont. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reactivate the Sugar Mill and Lower Downtown, creating a new transit hub and downtown that will enable us to manage growth alongside new housing, reduce development pressure on existing neighborhoods, and give current and future residents a place to be proud of. At the same time, Longmont faces increasing threats from extreme weather and air pollution. We need to ensure our utilities are held accountable, maintain affordable services, and position Longmont for a sustainable future.
No other candidate for Mayor or City Council brings professional expertise in reactivating our old industrial sites or implementing renewable energy goals. These are two of the most critical system-wide issues facing Longmont today.
Additionally, Matthew offers over a decade of experience helping cities and counties work with the Obama, Trump, and Biden Administrations to secure funding, weigh tradeoffs of federal requirements, and deliver results. Doing this strategically is more critical now than ever before.
Residents deserve leadership rooted in respect, accountability, problem-solving, public service, and integrity. Character matters. Effective government matters. Your vote matters.
Matthew does the work and is already achieving results for Longmont
In just 9 months, Matthew’s held over 300 meetings with residents, homeowners association and local businesses and organizations; chaired Longmont’s Urban Renewal Authority to advance multiple downtown redevelopment projects; and actively served on the Longmont Housing Authority, Brownfield Advisory Committee, Senior Citizens Advisory Board, Sustainability Advisory Board, Airport Advisory Board, and the Colorado Municipal League’s Policy Committee. From reopening trails, expanding our Open Space, and creating more flexible, for-sale housing, Matthew is making real progress and tangible change.
Pints & Perspectives Forum for Ward 2 Candidates
Check out this live recording from the September 18, 2025 forum with topics including Envision Longmont and managing growth, critical thinking, challenging trade-offs, what sustainability means to me, and effective community engagement. And if you’ve never seen a candidate forum use a chess clock, defintely watch—this discussion was thoughtful and fun!