Department of Finance
Reference: Investment Policy and Economic Update
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Michael P. Martinez, City Manager
Prepared By: Catrina Asher, Finance Director
Date Prepared: March 10, 2026
PURPOSE
To provide City Council with an overview of the City’s Investment Policy and a general Economic Update. This update will be provided by the City’s Financial Advisor Firm, PTMA.
Note that this is an informational presentation.
BACKGROUND
Investment Policy
At any given time, the City has cash balances that can be invested to earn interest income. Investing governmental funds is an activity that should be undertaken with caution and awareness of risks associated with investing, including the potential loss of principal.
In order to ensure that local governments are investing funds appropriately, the State of Colorado has established statutes that provide a baseline for the investment of public funds. These regulations apply to localities, including the City of Brighton, and define certain criteria for financial institutions utilized as well as the quality and concentration of allowed investments.
While the State defines many of these parameters, it is also important for municipalities to establish investment guidelines for their organizations that establish authority and responsibility and overall investment objectives. Additionally, municipalities can further restrict investment options if they choose to.
The City has an investment policy approved by City Council via resolution in 2022 that authorizes staff to manage the City’s investments within a set of defined parameters. Those parameters are designed to align with State Statute and not impose any further restrictions, allowing for flexibility and responsiveness to market conditions, while always operating with the following objectives:
• Safety - The preservation of capital and protection of investment principal.
• Liquidity - The maintenance of sufficient liquidity to meet anticipated cash flow needs.
• Yield - The attainment of a market rate of return.
The City contracts with PTMA as an investment advisor for management of investments and also for review of the City’s investment policy. This policy, which should be reviewed at least every 5 years, was most recently reviewed in Q4 2025 and no updates are being recommended at this time. The resolution and policy are included with this report.
Economic Update
The staff at PTMA manage investments for a number of local governments as well as COLOTRUST, a local government investment pool. The investment advisors at the firm monitor market conditions closely and are well versed in economic analysis. The City’s Relationship Manager, Brett Parsons, will provide City Council with a general economic update covering interest rates, inflation, unemployment, GDP and other areas. This update is included in the attached presentation.
Attachments:
Ø Resolution 2022-101 - Investment Manager
Ø City of Brighton Investment Policy
Ø Presentation