Public Meetings - Denver, Colorado

The Governance and Intergovernmental Relations Committee of the Denver City Council met on May 19, 2026, at 5:30 PM. The committee considered a proposed charter amendment to codify the Auditor's wage enforcement powers and received a briefing from the Clerk and Recorder's office on upcoming elections. Public Comments & Testimony - Jesse Paris (President, Black Star Action Movement; candidate for House District 8) expressed support for expanding the Auditor's enforcement powers and asked whether the proposed amendment would add to existing authority. He also raised concerns about city spending under the current administration. Discussion Items Charter Amendment: Prevailing Wage, Minimum Wage, and Wage Theft Enforcement - Councilwoman Sawyer and Councilwoman Parity co-presented a proposed charter change to clarify that the Auditor's Office shall enforce wage, worker protection, and workplace rights as required by ordinance. They noted the Auditor has enforced prevailing wage since 1950, and that recent expansions (minimum wage in 2020, wage theft ordinance in 2023, subpoena power in 2024) have recovered over $10 million and served more than 15,000 workers in the last decade. - Auditor Tim O'Brien and Denver Labor Executive Director Matt Fitzmauer stated the change would make explicit what is already done, moving it from the "other duties" clause to a specific charter function. - Councilwoman Torres asked about other worker protections; Fitzmauer confirmed the office enforces prevailing wage, minimum wage, wage theft, and anti-retaliation. He noted a Rutgers study estimating $100 million annually in metro-area wage theft, and that capacity is a barrier, but revenue-neutral expansions are being explored. - Councilwoman Romero Campbell asked about barriers and budget impacts; sponsors confirmed the amendment is budget neutral and does not change current operations. - Councilwoman Sandoval praised the clarity of adding the function to the charter versus ordinance, noting it provides long-term stability. Election Briefing from the Clerk and Recorder's Office - Clerk Paul Lopez, Election Director Todd Davidson, and Deputy Clerk Sabrina Alley provided an update on the 2026 primary (June 30) and general (November 3) elections. - Key statistics: 476,726 active registered voters; preparing for 40% turnout (194,000); 48 drop boxes (24/7 for 22 days); 17 voter service and polling centers (VSPCs); 600 election judges to be hired. Unaffiliated voters are 49.9% of active voters. - Davidson emphasized drop boxes as the safest, most secure voting method, noting they are under 24/7 surveillance and protected against intimidation. He discouraged mailing ballots within 8 days of election day (last recommended mail date June 23 for primary). - The office is working to add drop boxes at East Colfax, Athmar Park Library, and near Union Station. Clerk Lopez detailed challenges with a proposed site at the ROSE on Colfax affordable housing development (stalled by Wells Fargo) and the need for ADA-compliant infrastructure. - Councilman Flynn asked about drop box fire vulnerability; Lopez stated Denver's boxes are different from those attacked elsewhere and that multiple mitigation measures are in place (details discussed offline). - Discussion covered the Denver Blue Book (Councilwoman Gonzalez-Gutierrez called it harmful/misinformation), ballot exchange across counties, and contingency funding. - Councilwoman Sandoval noted that younger voters (24-35) are increasingly voting in person on election day, often at Union Station. She suggested exploring additional drop box locations along Platte Street or near the Millennium Bridge. - Councilwoman Torres praised the office's partnership on sending voter welcome letters to new 18-year-olds. - The committee heard that any voter intimidation at vote centers or drop boxes will result in arrest and prosecution, per federal law and agreements with DPD and the city attorney. Key Outcomes - Motion to refer the charter amendment ordinance to the full City Council passed unanimously (moved by Councilwoman Torres, seconded by Councilwoman Gonzalez-Gutierrez, all committee members present signaled approval). The measure would appear on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot. - The committee received the election briefing and acknowledged the Clerk's preparations. No formal vote was taken on the briefing.

The Denver City Council convened on May 19, 2026, at 4:30 PM for a short general session with introductions, announcements, and a motion to enter executive session. Council members shared personal and community announcements before unanimously approving the closed-door session. Announcements - Councilmember (District 7) thanked the Mayor's Bicycle Advocacy Committee for a successful district bike ride and wished her son Alejandro a happy 11th birthday. - Councilmember (at-large) announced a centennial celebration for the Wellshire Golf Course, a Donald Ross-designed public course, with a community event on Friday, June 5, 2026, from 5-8 PM at the Wellshire Inn. - Councilman Watson expressed condolences for the passing of Judge Andre Rudolph and recognized the upcoming Memorial Day holiday, honoring his brother who died during Desert Storm. - Mayor added personal remarks about Judge Rudolph and encouraged checking in with court staff. Key Outcomes - The council voted unanimously (all in favor, no opposition) to enter executive session pursuant to DRMC 234A, sections 346 and 7, to discuss pending litigation against the city and the utilization of real estate by the city.

The Denver City Council convened on Monday, May 18, 2026, with 12 members present (a quorum). The meeting included council announcements, a consent calendar, public hearings on three bills, and a lengthy public comment period on a proposed data center moratorium. The council unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on new data centers, rezoned three properties for open space, approved a zoning change at 3232 Larimer Street, and adopted janitorial service contracts amid worker concerns. Consent Calendar - Approval of the minutes from May 11, 2026. - Introduction of multiple bills for ordinances, including a general fund financial status report for Q1 2026 (revenue $289,481,245 through March 31, 2026, or 17.4% of the annual projection; projected year-end unassigned fund balance $196,440,869). Public Comments & Testimony - Data Center Moratorium (Council Bill 0431): 58 individuals signed up to speak. Nearly all expressed support for the moratorium but urged the council to go further with a permanent ban. Residents from the Globeville, Elyria, and Swansea (GES) neighborhoods described living in the most polluted zip code in Colorado (80216) and cited health impacts from nearby industrial facilities. Community members opposed the Corsite data center under construction at 4751 Vine Street, noting its proximity to a senior housing complex, a clinic (Clinica Tepeyac), and a park. Concerns included water consumption (projected one million gallons per day for the three-building campus, equivalent to 19,000 Denver homes), electricity usage (75 megawatts daily, more than Denver International Airport), noise, diesel generator emissions, and grid strain. Many speakers called for an outright ban, not just a pause. Union representatives (IBEW Local 68, Plumbers Local 208, Sheet Metal Workers) argued that data centers provide good construction and maintenance jobs with family wages and benefits, and that the industry can adopt responsible technologies. The Metro Denver EDC cautioned that a moratorium could signal Denver is "not open for business." A total of 58 individuals spoke; the public comment period lasted over two hours. - Janitorial Contracts (Resolutions 0504 and 0505): Several janitors and their union representative (SEIU 105) voiced concerns about hour cuts, lack of communication, and retaliation fears under new contractors CCS and AFL. Councilmembers Gonzalez Gutierrez and Parady questioned the contractors and city officials about compliance with the 90-day retention ordinance and wage protections. - Rezoning at 3232 Larimer Street (CB 0391): Speakers from the applicant (owners of a planned bar/cafe) and a neighborhood RNO (Curtis Park Neighbors) expressed support, noting community outreach and plans for a green space. One speaker (Jesse Paris) supported the rezoning but criticized gentrification. - Rezoning to Open Space (CB 0476): One speaker (Jesse Paris) supported adding parks in GES, while another (John Diaz) withdrew. No opposition was voiced. Discussion Items - Data Center Moratorium (CB 0431): Sponsored by Councilmembers Cashman, Watson, and Gonzalez Gutierrez, the bill imposes a one-year pause on accepting applications for new data centers (effective May 21, 2026) while a working group studies regulations. The working group will include three councilmembers, two from utilities, two union representatives, one industry representative, three advocacy groups, seven community members (with a majority from the GES area per commitments from the mayor's office), one subject matter expert (not industry-aligned), and seven ex-officio city department members. Topics include noise, air quality, emergency generators, traffic, lighting, and setbacks. The group will recommend updates to the zoning code, building code, energy code, green code, and municipal code. Councilmembers Parady, Gilmore, and Sandoval expressed regret that the existing Corsite data center was permitted and advocated for a ban. Councilmember Hines noted that many existing data centers are in District 10. Councilmember Flynn supported the pause to update the zoning code. - Janitorial Contracts (Resolutions 0504 and 0505): The council debated two contracts for janitorial services: Resolution 0504 with AFL Maintenance Group and Resolution 0505 with CCS Facility Services (excluding Denver International Airport). Workers reported hour reductions and retaliation fears. CCS regional VP Jesus Guerrero stated all employees were retained with prior hours. General Services Director Adrina Gibson committed to tracking compliance via payroll records and invoices, and noted ongoing meetings with SEIU. Denver Labor (Matt Fritzmauer) outlined complaint mechanisms: an online form, email (wagecomplaints@denvergov.org), site visits, and third-party complaints. Councilmember Parady raised concerns about CCS's $1.2 million settlement for labor violations and argued the city should pursue best-value contracting. Councilmember Alvidrez cited budget cuts as a root cause of service reductions. The resolutions passed 10-0 (with Flynn and Romero Campbell recorded as 'Aye' after initial omission). - Rezoning at 3232 Larimer Street (CB 0391): Staff presented a request to rezone the 12,500-square-foot vacant lot from RMU-30 (with a 55-foot height waiver) to IMX-3 with Design Overlay 7. The applicant, Alexandra Hansen, a woman- and minority-owned business owner, described plans for a bar/cafe with indoor recreation courts and an open-air green space on the adjacent parcel. The rezoning supports Blueprint Denver's community corridor goals and the Northeast Denver Neighborhoods Plan (mixed-use industrial, up to three stories). Planning Board unanimously recommended approval. Councilmember Watson noted strong community engagement. The bill passed 12-0. - Rezoning to Open Space (CB 0476): Staff presented a request to rezone three city-owned parcels to the Open Space (OSA) district: 44th and Pearl Unnamed Park (0.6 acres, Globeville), Heron Pond (21 acres, Globeville), and Far Northeast Maintenance Facility (3.1 acres, Green Valley Ranch). The rezonings align with adopted plans (Blueprint Denver, Game Plan for a Healthy City) and facilitate park development. No public opposition was received. Councilmember Gilmore expressed concern that $5.4 million allocated for the Far Northeast facility in the RISE bond was being diverted to another district. The bill passed 12-0. Key Outcomes - Data Center Moratorium (CB 0431): Passed 13-0. A one-year moratorium on new data center applications begins May 21, 2026. A working group will develop regulations; the group must include a majority of community representatives from the GES neighborhood. Extensions are possible. - Janitorial Contracts (Resolutions 0504 and 0505): Adopted 10-0 (after initial 10-0 roll call, later noted as 12 ayes in block vote). Contracts awarded to AFL Maintenance Group and CCS Facility Services. - Rezoning at 3232 Larimer Street (CB 0391): Passed 12-0. Zoning changed to IMX-3 DO-7. - Rezoning to Open Space (CB 0476): Passed 12-0. Three parcels rezoned to OSA. - Announcements: Councilmembers criticized Governor Polis for commuting Tina Peters' sentence. Councilmember Gilmore announced an Aurora Regional Navigation Campus town hall on May 20. Councilmember Sandoval reminded that the May 25 meeting is canceled for Memorial Day; next meeting June 1, 2026. - Postponements: Council Resolution 0600 (contract with Matrix Design Group) postponed to June 1, 2026.

The South Platte River Committee of the Denver City Council met on May 13, 2026, to receive a briefing from Denver Water on the ongoing drought. Rick Marsachek, Chief Water Resource Strategy Officer, presented current conditions, historical context, the utility's response, and coordination efforts. The briefing highlighted that 2026 is the worst drought year on record (since 1936), with snowpack at historic lows and reservoirs projected to drop significantly. Council members discussed mandatory water restrictions, drought pricing, reservoir management, and community outreach. Discussion Items - Drought Conditions and Snowpack: Marsachek reported that the April 1, 2026, snowpack statewide was the lowest measured since 1936. The South Platte basin has completely melted out, and the Colorado River basin is at 2% of normal snow water equivalent. Reservoir storage is currently at 79% of capacity (normally 85% this time of year), and is projected to be between 50-60% by May 2027. The Snake River near Keystone showed no snow compared to 2019. Temperature in the South Platte basin was 5-6 degrees warmer than any prior year. - Denver Water Response: Stage 1 drought was declared by Denver Water's board on March 25, 2026, mandating no more than two days per week of outdoor watering: odd addresses on Wednesday/Saturday, even on Sunday/Thursday, and commercial/multifamily on Tuesday/Friday. Drought pricing began May 1, 2026 (billed in June), with additional charges for tiers 2 and 3. The goal is a 20% reduction in water use. Enforcement emphasizes education, but repeat offenders face warnings and fines. An online tool allows reporting of water waste. - Reservoir Management: Antero Reservoir, the highest in the South Platte system, was closed to recreation on May 13, 2026, to reduce evaporation and move water to deeper reservoirs (11 Mile and Cheesman). Colorado Parks and Wildlife will conduct fish rescue and relocation over three days. The reservoir has been drained twice in the last 25 years (2002 and 2015). - Gross Reservoir Expansion: Construction of the dam's roller-compacted concrete is expected to be complete next month, but the reservoir is not yet ready to store water due to ongoing litigation. Even if completed, there is insufficient water to fill it this year; the existing system already faces a multi-year deficit. - Landscape Transformation Program: The large-scale residential lawn removal program is fully subscribed for 2026, but free native grass seed and Garden-in-a-Box fall offerings remain available. A do-it-yourself guide is available in English and Spanish. - Regional Coordination: Denver Water has coordinated watering schedules with neighboring communities (e.g., Aurora) to avoid confusion. Emergency interconnects exist but typically exclude drought. Some customers on the recycled water system (from Metro Water Recovery) are not subject to restrictions. - Water Budgets: Large users (e.g., parks, golf courses) unable to comply with a two-day schedule can apply for a water budget set at 80% of their five-year average usage. Going over that allocation results in double charges. - Fish Concerns: Council members raised constituent concerns about fish die-off at Antero Reservoir. Marsachek explained that the bag limit was lifted, and three days are scheduled for fish relocation. - Other Topics: Vegetable gardens are exempt from the two-day watering limit, but drought pricing still applies. Rain barrels are allowed (up to two per household) under state law; Groundwork Denver offers education and requests. Council members asked about maintaining urban tree canopy; Denver Water is working with the City Forester. The Highline Canal, no longer a Denver Water waterway, is dry, presenting opportunities for maintenance. Key Outcomes - Mandatory Water Restrictions: Stage 1 restrictions remain in effect, with two-day-per-week watering and drought pricing. No vote was taken; the briefing was informational. - Antero Reservoir Closure: Recreation closed on May 13, 2026. Fish rescue efforts will proceed over three days. - Continued Coordination: Denver Water will continue weekly updates via TAP, monthly board updates, and city department coordination (Parks and Rec, City Forester). Council members expressed appreciation for ongoing communication. - No Formal Action: The committee adjourned after the briefing and one consent item (not detailed). No motions or votes were recorded. Note: No meeting minutes were available; summary derived from the agenda and transcript. All statistics and statements are attributed to Denver Water representatives or council members as identified.

The Health and Safety Committee of the Denver City Council met on May 13, 2026, to consider the municipal sentencing ordinance (the “bill”) for the sixth time. The bill aims to align Denver’s municipal sentencing with state law following the Camp decision, reduce jail time for low-level municipal-only offenses, and create a commission to review regulatory penalties. After extensive debate about the bill’s scope, late-arriving concerns from the City Attorney’s Office, and the creation of a study commission, the committee voted 7-0 to move the bill to the full council. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public testified, but the City Attorney’s Office (PACE) and the Mayor’s Office provided statements. Tim Hoffman (Mayor’s Office) acknowledged that a comprehensive list of administration concerns was not shared with sponsors until the night before, but stated that discussions are ongoing and the administration does not yet have an official position. - Marley Bordowski (City Attorney’s Office) apologized for the timing of the written concerns and thanked sponsors for incorporating many prior suggestions. She explained that the list of outstanding issues—including window peeping, threats to pets, and protection order violations—arose from element-by-element comparisons required by the Camp decision, and that her office is shorthanded. Discussion Items - Bill Overview and Changes: Sponsors Councilmember Parady and Councilmember Gonzalez Gutierrez (Councilmember Lewis absent) outlined major revisions since the last committee meeting: - Removed the “catch-all” provision that would have set all municipal-only offenses at 10 days jail/$300 fine. Instead, most regulatory offenses retain the status quo penalty (300 days/$999 fine) pending a new commission. - Added a municipal-only offense for threats to pets in domestic violence contexts, after PACE raised concerns. - Proposed a 20-member commission (to include representatives from DPD, PACE, victim rights organizations, public defender, etc.) to study appropriate penalties for regulatory offenses and recommend repeal of antiquated crimes. The commission would report within six months of bill passage. - Agency Concerns: Alex Vidal (DDPHE) requested that noise ordinance violations (used against large construction/entertainment companies) and offenses like interfering with public health officials and animal quarantining be removed from the reduced-penalty list. Molly (Excise & Licensing) confirmed that administrative citations are unaffected and supported the commission process. - Councilmember Positions: - Councilmember Flynn expressed appreciation for the many changes but stated he could not vote the bill out of committee without details on the commission’s membership and appointment process. - Councilmember Cashman criticized the administration for withholding written concerns until the night before, calling it “beyond unacceptable.” - Council President Sandoval acknowledged staff shortages but said the late-night document sent to council members but not sponsors was inappropriate. - Councilmember Sawyer raised concerns about mixed messages from PACE’s letter (e.g., whether assault, weapons, and killing police animals would drop to 10 days). Sponsors clarified those all have state law analogs and are not affected. - Councilmember Torres expressed frustration with the administration’s tactic of delaying information, but supported moving the bill to the floor, noting that pressure from a floor vote often forces cooperation. Key Outcomes - Vote: The committee voted 7-0 to move the municipal sentencing ordinance to the full City Council. (Roll call: Flynn – aye, Gonzalez Gutierrez – aye, Sandoval – aye, Sawyer – aye, Torres – aye, Watson – aye, Romero Campbell – aye.) - Next Steps: The bill will go to the full council on May 19, 2026 (with an extra week due to the holiday). Sponsors committed to finalizing commission details (membership, appointment process) before the floor vote. - Context: Sponsors noted that 75% of those prosecuted in Denver municipal courts live at or below the federal poverty line, with 12,000 prosecutions per year, and that delaying passage continues a “revolving door” costing $250 per night per inmate. The Camp decision requires alignment with state sentences, and the bill’s central change is to cap municipal-only offenses at 10 days jail, preventing loss of Medicaid for low-level offenders.

The Community Planning and Housing Committee of the Denver City Council met on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 1:30 PM MDT. The committee considered three action items: two rezoning applications and one historic landmark designation. All three items were approved unanimously by the committee for recommendation to the full City Council. No consent calendar items were discussed. Public Comments & Testimony - For the rezoning at 17671–17675 East 64th Avenue, one letter of support was received from an adjacent property owner, citing plan consistency and value of a long-term landowner. No public comments were received for the other two items. Discussion Items 1. Rezoning at 831 South Monaco Street (File 0608) - Proposal: Request to rezone from SMX-3A to SMU-3 for a 7,000 sq ft parcel currently occupied by a single-family home. The applicant, Catholic Juries Housing (represented by Justin Ratz and Megan Cranston), plans to combine this parcel with an adjacent lot to build 75 affordable housing units (AMI 30-60%) under the AHART program. The existing 26 units on the adjacent lot will be replaced, and residents will be assisted under the Uniform Relocation Act. The project is located across from a King Soopers grocery store and near transit. - Discussion: Council members noted consistency with the Near Southeast Area Plan, Blueprint Denver, and Comprehensive Plan 2040. Questions addressed resident relocation protections, unit mix (1–4 bedrooms), community space (courtyard, sport court, communal tables), and the applicant's schedule for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit applications (4% credits in August 2026, with fallback to 9% in February 2027). No public opposition was received; the Denver Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend approval. - Key Outcomes: The committee moved the item to full council. Motion by Councilmember Sawyer, second by Councilmember Torres. Passed unanimously. 2. Rezoning at 17671–17675 East 64th Avenue (File 0619) - Proposal: Request to rezone three former Chapter 59 parcels (total 114 acres) to Planned Unit Development General No. 40 (PUDG 40). The applicant, United Airlines (represented by Ryan Cordero and consultant Sean Maley), seeks to develop a phased corporate campus, starting with a flight training center. The PUD creates two sub-areas: Sub-area A (campus EI district with maximum height 110 feet) and Sub-area B (SMX-8 standards at the key intersection). Uses include lodging, retail, agriculture, and maintenance facilities; residential uses are prohibited (due to Airport Influence Overlay). Surface parking is not allowed as a primary use. Fences up to 12 feet are permitted with transparency and material requirements. - Discussion: Council members raised infrastructure concerns (water, power, transportation). The applicant confirmed coordination with Denver Water and Xcel Energy and estimated up to 5,000 jobs at full build-out. The site will build out over 20–30 years, is 100% privately funded, and aligns with the Far Northeast Area Plan and Blueprint Denver's employment growth targets. One letter of support was received. The Denver Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend approval. - Key Outcomes: The committee moved the item to full council. Motion by Councilmember Alvidres, second by Councilmember Protum. Passed unanimously. 3. Historic Landmark Designation: Wellington E. and Wilma J. Webb House (2329 North Gaylord Street) - Proposal: Designation of the 1902 four-square house as a Denver landmark under criteria B, C, and J. The residence has been owned by the Webbs since 1971 and served as a hub for civil rights activity and political campaigns. Wellington Webb served as Denver mayor (1991–2003) and Wilma Webb served in the Colorado House of Representatives (1980–1993); they are recognized for their influence on society, civil rights leadership, and contributions to Denver's growth. - Discussion: Council members expressed strong support, noting the importance of diversifying historic designations to include Black political leadership and community history. The property retains exceptional integrity and is situated in the Whittier neighborhood, an area with a rich history of Black political engagement. - Key Outcomes: The committee moved the item to full council. Motion and second were made; passed unanimously. Key Outcomes - All three agenda items were recommended for approval to the full Denver City Council by unanimous votes. - The committee adjourned after completing the three action items. Note: The meeting started at 1:30 PM MDT and ended at approximately 3:00 PM MDT.

The Finance and Business Committee of the Denver City Council met on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 5:30 PM (scheduled start). Vice Chair Paul Cashman (District 6) presided. The committee considered three agenda items: a proposed acquisition for affordable housing under the Vibrant Bond program and two ordinances related to tax increment financing (TIF) for the historic Rossonian Hotel redevelopment in Five Points. No public comments were recorded. Consent Calendar - Routine approvals and consent items were moved forward without discussion. Discussion Items - Vibrant Bond Housing Investment Process & 251 East 12th Avenue Acquisition - Molly Scarborough (Dottie), Lisa Lemley (Director of Real Estate), and Laia Mitchell (Acting Deputy Director, Housing Stability) presented an updated approval process for investing $4.5 million in bond funds to acquire the property at 251 East 12th Avenue (approximately 1 acre, 91,000 sq ft building, CMX-8 zoning). The site would be used for affordable housing through either a sale with covenants or a ground lease, with an RFP to follow. Councilmember Lewis expressed concerns about the lack of structural studies, financial viability, and whether the site risked displacement given high downtown vacancy rates. She questioned the proximity to services cited in the criteria. Councilmember Hines supported the purchase, noting the site’s proximity to Colfax BRT, services, and its location near the Capitol Complex. He highlighted that the state had other interested buyers but had prioritized the city. The committee voted to forward the item to full city council. - Rossonian Hotel TIF Project (Ordinances 26-0633 & 26-0634) - Bill Pruder (Interim Executive Director, Denver Urban Renewal Authority) presented two ordinances: an amendment to the Welton Corridor Urban Redevelopment Plan to include the Rossonian property, and a cooperation agreement for tax increment financing (TIF) of up to $15.5 million for the redevelopment. The project includes 126 hotel rooms, 12,000 sq ft of event/restaurant space, 6,400 sq ft of retail, and historic preservation of the landmark Rossonian Hotel. Councilmember Watson asked about community engagement; staff described meetings with the Curtis Park Neighbors Association and a district-wide meeting, with support from Historic Denver and the Five Points BID. The committee voted to move both ordinances to full council. Key Outcomes - Motion to forward 251 East 12th Avenue acquisition to full council: Passed unanimously (motion by Councilmember Hines, second by Councilmember Watson). - Motion to forward Rossonian TIF ordinances (26-0633 and 26-0634) to full council: Passed unanimously (motion by Councilmember Watson, second by Councilmember Romero Campbell). - Consent calendar items were approved without objection.

The weekly joint meeting of the mayor and Denver City Council convened on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at an unspecified time. The public session was brief, consisting of introductions, announcements, and a motion to enter executive session. No formal agenda or minutes were available. The transcript also includes pre-recorded interviews with council members and a separate presentation about black-footed ferrets, which appear to be extraneous to the formal meeting. Public Session - Council members introduced themselves by district: Kevin Flynn (District 2), Daryl Watson (District 9), Diana Romero Campbell (District 4), and Amanda San Ball (District 1). The mayor also participated. - Announcements: Councilman Watson promoted the Colfax Marathon weekend (May 15-17, 2026), noting he would run a half marathon. Councilman Cashman jokingly announced he would introduce an ordinance to limit Councilman Watson's caffeine intake, citing public safety and health. Executive Session Motion - A motion was made to enter executive session pursuant to DRMC 234A, sections 36 and 7, for the purpose of discussing settlement of pending litigation against the city and changes in state law and legal advice related thereto. The motion was approved unanimously by voice vote ("all in favor"). The public session then adjourned and the council entered executive session. Key Outcomes - The only formal action taken was the unanimous motion to enter executive session. No other decisions, votes, or referrals occurred during the public portion. - The transcript contains unrelated content: interviews with Councilman Flynn and Councilman Watson (covering priorities such as public safety, affordable housing, and tenant rights) and a detailed segment on black-footed ferret reintroduction in Colorado. These do not appear to be part of the May 12, 2026, joint meeting.

On May 11, 2026, the Denver City Council held a work session to consider a proposed update to the city's lobbying ordinance. The update aims to increase transparency by requiring lobbyists to disclose compensation ranges, lobbying activities, covered officials contacted, and grassroots lobbying expenditures over $5,000. The proposal also includes an 18-month cooling-off period for former elected officials and cabinet members to prevent revolving-door influence. Council members provided feedback on several key items, including the length of the cooling-off period and whether council aides should be covered. No votes were taken; the ordinance will be filed for committee on May 19. Discussion Items - Presentation by Clerk’s Office: Andy Secaris, Chief Deputy City Clerk, outlined the need for reform: current laws are dated, confusing, and fail to capture significant lobbying spending on pre-ballot influence. Proposed changes include: - Compensation disclosure: Lobbyists report compensation per client in a range per two-month period. - Lobbying activity disclosure: Disclose which covered officials were lobbied and the client represented. - Grassroots lobbying: A trigger of $5,000 in paid communications encouraging the public to contact officials. - Clarification of lobbyist definition: Includes compensated individuals earning $1,000+ per year, excluding volunteers and personal capacity lobbying. - Cooling-off period: 18 months for elected officials and cabinet members (proposed, under discussion). - Enforcement: New complaint process similar to campaign finance, with a hearing officer for violations, late fees of $50/day, and ability to revoke registration. - Council Member Feedback: - Cooling-off period: Councilmember Flynn opposed 18 months and argued it should align with the existing 6-month ethics code. Councilmember Sawyer noted the impact on aides and opposed including them. Councilmember Watson favored consistency with ethics code. Councilmember Gonzalez-Cucheras mentioned the state’s 2-year period. - Council aides: Most council members (Sawyer, Torres, Hanks, Romero Campbell, Alvides) opposed including aides in the cooling-off period due to low pay and career development. However, they supported requiring lobbyists to report meetings with aides. - Grassroots lobbying: Councilmember Hanks questioned whether it captures astroturfing campaigns. Clarified that spending must exceed $5,000 aggregated over a year. Councilmember Cashman sought clarification on what constitutes lobbying (asking for a vote vs. providing information). - Implementation: Delayed to January 1, 2027, to allow for technology development and education. A one-time supplemental appropriation of $49,524 is needed. Key Outcomes - The presentation team will circulate a revised ordinance by the end of May 12, incorporating feedback on cooling-off period length and coverage of council aides. - The ordinance will be filed for a hearing in the Community Planning and Housing Committee on May 19, with first reading scheduled for June 1 and final reading on June 8. - The committee hearing will include a 15-minute public comment period.