Excerpts from the Times-Call, 10/10/25: Longmont mayoral candidates talk housing, growth, jobs at forum. Longmont Area Democrats hosted the event and retired journalist Nicollette Toussaint moderated —
Hidalgo-Fahring works as a third-grade teacher in the St. Vrain Valley School District. Having served on City Council since 2019, most recently elected to her Ward 3 seat in 2023, she said her leadership style is rooted in community connection and public service. “My husband and I raised our three children here in the community over 20 years ago,” she said.
She said her approach as mayor would focus on “balancing the budget, looking at what priorities we want to pursue to keep our community vibrant, but also to ensure sustainability of our infrastructure, our streets, our roads, our water — safe and clean water — and make sure that our growth is manageable and meeting the needs of our community.”
When asked how they would reach residents who rarely participate in city processes, candidates described approaches that ranged from personal outreach to social media. Hidalgo-Fahring said she has hosted small neighborhood meetings and attended community events across the city, including areas with underrepresented populations. “Invite me, I’ll show up,” she said. “It’s building that bridge and breaking down those barriers.”
The discussion then turned to how the city should handle growth over the next decade.
Hidalgo-Fahring said development should prioritize reuse of existing properties, such as the former sugar factory site or empty retail lots, rather than undeveloped open space. “We need to be thoughtful and cognizant of the types of builds we put there to not weigh heavy on our infrastructure, our roads, our transportation mechanisms, as well as water,” she said.
Hidalgo-Fahring said she wants closer collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce and local business associations to understand what small business owners need to stay open and pay their employees living wages. She brought up the city’s recent “fishbowl” style discussion in which small business owners shared their difficulties with remaining profitable amidst a larger discussion of potentially raising the minimum wage. “It’s important that we are in tune with what’s happening in our neighborhood with our businesses,” she said.
Susie wins the 2019 City of Longmont Ward 3 race with 54.84% of the vote!
Susie volunteering time with community activists to keep our creek clean
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Susie Hidalgo-Fahring for Longmont Mayor 