Councilman Devin Byrd, City of Thornton

07/24/2026

Many of you have reached out after reading a recent Northglenn-Thornton Sentinel article claiming City Council "voted" to ban data centers. I want to make sure you have accurate information about what actually happened.

There was no vote. Data centers are not banned in Thornton.

Tuesday, July 22 was a planning session. A working discussion where council reviews information from staff and gives direction. No ordinance was introduced, and no vote was taken. A majority of council expressed interest in exploring a moratorium while staff studies potential regulations, but any actual moratorium would require a formal ordinance and a vote at a public council meeting, with the opportunity for public comment. So contrary to the article and other council posts, this requires a formal vote and thus all residents would be aware.

I've asked the Sentinel to correct the article. In the meantime, if you have questions about what was discussed, the planning session materials are available on the city's website, and my inbox is always open.

07/15/2026

Last night, Council unanimously (well at first, but just before adjourning someone changed their vote) approved my proposal to move forward with an equal distribution of TAF funding to the 36 organizations that met the eligibility requirements. This ensures funding gets into the hands of organizations serving our community without further delay while giving us the opportunity to improve the process for future funding cycles.

I want to be clear that this was never about undermining the Thornton Assistance Fund Committee or discounting the many hours its volunteer members dedicated to reviewing applications. Their work is appreciated and does not go unnoticed. However, after reviewing the scoring, recommendations, and supporting documentation, it became clear that there was a disconnect between the scoring results and the final recommendations that needed to be addressed.

This temporary disbursement process ensures that organizations with some of the highest scores, many of which received reduced funding or no funding under the original recommendation, will now receive funding. Rather than arguing and continuing to debate this year’s recommendations, we chose a fair and equal solution that supports all organizations while we work to establish a stronger methodology.

Over the coming months we will develop a funding model that clearly ties recommendations to applicant scores, category priorities, and established funding caps. My goal is to ensure applicants understand how funding decisions are made while volunteers have clear guidance to follow and taxpayers can have confidence that every dollar is allocated through a fair and accountable process.

Big thank you to my fellow Council Members for supporting this and to the TAF Committee members for their dedication to serving our community. I know some are not happy with our decision to change the recommendations, however our role as council is to ensure that our communities taxes are utilized in a way that will benefit them and not based on ideology, bias, or political beliefs that are unconstitutional. I believe this is a positive step toward both meeting community needs and building a better process for the future.

07/08/2026

Join me for "Walk in the Ward" tonight at 6pm. We will be hanging out and having some great conversations at Skylake Ranch Park and Open Space which is located at 119th and holly.

Park

07/05/2026

What an outstanding July 4th celebration. I extend my sincere gratitude to all Thornton Staff members who contributed to its success.

07/03/2026

As we go into this weekend I want everyone to think about what it truly means for each and every one of us.

Two hundred fifty years ago, a group of men in Philadelphia signed their names to a document that would put them at the top of a king's most wanted list and in doing so, they didn't just declare a nation. They declared an idea: that ordinary people have the right to govern themselves. That idea had never fully succeeded anywhere in human history. Most people who bet on it thought they were signing their own death warrants.

"We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Quarter of a millennium later, that idea is still standing. It survived a revolution against the most powerful military, a civil war that nearly tore it apart, two world wars, a Great Depression, and every generation's own hard tests since. It's been expanded, fought over, and fought for, by people who believed it was worth the cost because a nation built on self-government has to be renewed by every generation that inherits it.

This weekend, we're also celebrating Colorado's 150th birthday and Thornton's 70th both, in their own way, part of that same story. A territory that became a state. A prairie town that became a city of 145,000. Small chapters in the same 250 year book.

None of it was free. To every soldier who fought for this country, every family who gave up someone they loved for it, and every first responder who still shows up to protect it, thank you. Two hundred fifty years is not a given. It's the sum of everyone who decided freedom was worth defending, generation after generation.

However you're celebrating this weekend, celebrate safely. Watch out for each other at the fireworks and the cookouts, drive careful if you're headed out, and take a minute to actually think about what we're celebrating.

Happy 250th and God bless America. Here's to the next 250.

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

07/02/2026

Let’s go USA!

06/30/2026

Today is Primary Election Day!

No matter your political affiliation or who you support, I encourage every eligible voter to take the time to make your voice heard. Voting is one of the most important ways we participate in our democracy and help shape the future of our community, state, and country.

Make your voice heard and vote today!

06/21/2026

Happy Father's Day, Thornton.

Being Emery's dad has taught me more than any job or title ever could. The early mornings, the questions I don't always have answers to, the way a single "watch this, Dad" can stop you in your tracks, that's the stuff that matters. It's humbling and it's the best thing I do.

Today I'm thinking about all the dads out there doing the same: the ones coaching from the sideline, packing lunches, fixing what's broken, and showing up even when they're tired. You don't get enough credit, but your kids notice. This whole community is better because of you.

To the dads, granddads, stepdads, and the father figures who stepped up when someone needed them, thank you. Hope you get a little rest, some good food, and time with your family today.

— Devin

06/20/2026

Congratulations to Billy Birch on celebrating one year in Thornton!

Small businesses are a vital part of what makes our community strong, and reaching the one-year milestone is a significant achievement. Thank you for investing in Thornton, creating local jobs, and serving our residents over the past year.

On behalf of Ward 3, I want to wish the entire team continued success and many more years in our city. If you haven’t had the opportunity to stop by yet, be sure to support this great local business.

Happy 1st Anniversary, Billy Birch!

🎉 ONE YEAR OF BILLY BIRCH 🎉

One year ago today, we opened our doors with a dream of creating a place where neighbors could gather, families could celebrate, and friends could make memories.

Over the last year we’ve shared Broncos games, birthday parties, family reunions, first dates, celebrations, and countless ordinary days that turned into great memories. We’ve laughed together, learned together, and grown together.

Through every season, your feedback, support, and enthusiasm have helped shape Billy Birch into what it is today, and for that, we are incredibly grateful.

One year. 365 days. Not a single day closed.

To everyone who has walked through our doors: thank you for making Billy Birch part of your lives.

Now it’s time to celebrate! Join us on June 27th for our 1-Year Anniversary Party with fun for the whole family.

Here’s to year one—and many more to come. 🍻❤️