Public Meetings - Denver, Colorado

The Budget and Policy Committee of the Denver City Council, chaired by Council President Diana Romero Campbell (District 4), met on October 26, 2026, to discuss two major proposals: a ban on algorithmic rental price-fixing and a realignment of pay for appointed charter officers. Public Comments & Testimony - No public testimony was taken during the committee meeting. Presenters noted they had consulted with the Denver Metro Tenants Union, which expressed support, and the Denver Metro Apartment Association, which asked questions without raising objections. Discussion Items 1. Prohibition on Algorithmic Rental Price Fixing Claire Kelly and Zach Burley (aides to Councilmembers Paul Cashman and Chantel Lewis) presented a proposed ordinance banning the use of algorithmic devices that rely on non-public, non-competitive data to set rental prices, targeting software like RealPage. Denver ranked 3rd nationally for the share of multi-family rentals using such software and 2nd for the average monthly cost increase attributed to algorithmic price coordination ($136 per month in 2023). Enforcement would rely on the city’s rental registry (attestation), a complaint-driven process through the Department of Local Climate Protection (DLCP), a $5,000 per violation penalty, administrative subpoena power, and a private right of action in Denver District Court. Councilmember Jamie Torres asked how tenants would detect use of the software (e.g., lease clauses). Councilmember Amanda Sawyer raised significant concerns about state preemption, noting the city cannot interfere in landlord-tenant contracts managed at the state level. Councilmember Kevin Hines discussed attestation and disclosure requirements for third-party tools. Councilmember Chantel Lewis co-sponsored the item. 2. Realignment of Appointed Charter Officer Pay Councilmember Amanda Sawyer, alongside HR Executive Director Kathy Nesbitt and Compensation Director Marissa Pacheco, presented a plan to address compensation for 12 appointed charter officer positions, whose salaries have been frozen since 2022. The plan includes an initial one-time true-up to the market median (50th percentile) using national and regional comparators, followed by a future four-year adjustment mechanism based on the lesser of CPI or career service raises. The effective goal date is January 1, 2027. Councilmember Alvidres expressed strong concern about the impact on the already tight 2027 city budget and vacancy savings, suggesting a delay to 2028. Councilmember Hines asked about executive-to-worker pay ratios and compression with career service staff. Councilmember Watson questioned whether a ceiling would apply to large salary jumps. Councilmember Torres requested the inclusion of 360-degree performance reviews in the ordinance. Key Outcomes - Item 1 (Algorithmic Pricing): Council expressed general support for the policy direction. Presenters agreed to follow up on state preemption risks (in coordination with the City Attorney’s Office) and to refine the scope of DLCP’s administrative subpoena power. The item is expected to return with revised draft language. - Item 2 (Executive Pay): The committee broadly supported the concept of a market true-up but requested detailed budget impact analysis, the underlying market study numbers, and further discussion on the effective date (2027 vs. 2028). The proposal is scheduled for the Governance Committee on November 17, 2026.

Proclamations - 26-1617 (Honoring Pete Moutzouris): Adopted 11-0. The proclamation honored the late owner of Pete's Fruits and Vegetables for 44 years of service. Councilmembers Sawyer and Gilmore shared personal reflections. John and Ted Moutzouris accepted on behalf of the family. - 26-1618 (Silica Awareness Week): Adopted 10-0 (Sawyer absent). Councilmember Hinds linked the proclamation to a forthcoming Best Value Contracting ordinance aimed at ensuring city contractors follow safety standards. Jason Wardrup of the Colorado Building and Construction Trades Council accepted, urging the council to pass the contracting reform. - 26-1539 (Opposition to Amendment 82): Adopted 11-0. The council formally opposed the state constitutional amendment that would create a right to buy and sell natural gas. Councilmembers warned it would undermine local energy codes and grant utility monopolies new powers. Call-Out Items and Separate Votes - 26-1493 (Salvation Army Homeless Services): Adopted 10-1. Councilmember Lewis was the sole dissenting vote. - 26-1435 (Automated Vehicle Identification Systems): Postponed to November 9, 2026 by a vote of 8-3. Councilmember Lewis requested the delay to clarify whether revenue would flow to the general fund or a special revenue fund. Councilmember Alvidrez raised equity concerns for low-income neighborhoods on the high-injury network. Councilmembers Flynn, Sawyer, and Romero Campbell voted against the postponement, citing strong resident support for speed enforcement. - 26-1497 (Securitas Security) and 26-1480 (Toyota Dealers Sponsorship): Postponed to November 2, 2026 by Councilmember Lewis. Consent Calendar (Block Vote) The council voted 11-0 to approve the following 21 items en bloc: - Grants of contract amendments for rapid rehousing (Volunteers of America, $852,000), rapid resolution services (Salvation Army, $40,000), Head Start slots (Volunteers of America, $1.07M; Catholic Charities, $957,199), Healthy Food for Denver's Kid contracts (SustainEd Farms, $745,706; Slow Food Denver, $718,086), asbestos abatement services (Orion Environmental, $7.5M), and reduced-capacity school transportation (HopSkipDrive, net $710,000). - Approved a revocable license for a micro-community shelter at 621 W. Wesley Avenue (Colorado Village Collaborative). - Approved a new DIA retail concession (5280 Activewear, $528,768 MAG plus 18% of gross sales, nine-year term). - Dedicated a city-owned parcel as a public alley and approved a sewer pipe rehabilitation contract (Inliner Solutions, $4.1M). - Set a public hearing for the Colfax Mayfair Business Improvement District and approved the appointment of 10 members to the Mayor's Youth Commission. Bills for Final Consideration Council placed bills on final passage en bloc (11-0) concerning the Denver Downtown Development Authority boundaries, the East Colfax Sidewalk Project condemnation authority, the Denver Health STAR program contract ($2.8M), and the Valverde Outfall System Plan IGA amendment ($217,216). Bills for Introduction - 26-1485 (Public Rights-of-Way Ordinance): Ordered published. - 26-1435 (AVIS Ordinance): Ordered published, then simultaneously postponed to November 9, 2026 (see separate vote above). Public Comments & Testimony (2027 Budget Hearing) The public hearing on the Mayor's Proposed 2027 Budget began at 5:33 PM. Justin Sykes, Director of the Budget and Management Office, delivered the staff report, noting the administration incorporated 13 of 23 council priorities into the revised budget, including new positions for 311 call-takers, park rangers, health inspectors, plus $2 million for Denver Health, and a commitment to increase Trua funding pending a Harvard study. Over 30 members of the public testified. Key themes included: - Transportation and Mobility Fund Diversion: A large group of speakers (Emily Kleinfelter, Alan Lally, Jim Abraham, June Churchill, Nicole McSpirit, Alejandra Castaneda, and others) condemned Mayor Johnston's proposal to divert $8.9 million from the Transportation and Mobility Special Revenue Fund to pay for parking operations. Speakers argued this violated the fund's original purpose of funding safe streets, bike lanes, and sidewalks, and directly undermined Vision Zero goals. Many named victims of the 94 traffic deaths recorded in 2025. The speakers demanded the council amend the budget and clarify the fund's ordinance. - Rental Assistance (TRUA) Funding: Multiple speakers from the Community Economic Defense Project (Carl Brevik, Haley DiRenzo, Angel Davila, Christina Garcia) and residents who received assistance (Enrique Del Castillo, Monique Tran, Patrick Self) urged the council to support a $5.5 million amendment to restore the Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance (TRUA) program. They argued eviction prevention is far more cost-effective than sheltering. Christina Garcia noted the average TRUA payment ($7,300) is far less than the cost of homelessness. Angel Davila noted Denver faces nearly 16,000 eviction filings annually. - Youth Homelessness Services (NEST 56): Maria Aguilar Rubio and Paige Dennis requested a $300,000 budget amendment from Councilmember Watson to sustain supportive services for 56 units of housing for young adults (ages 18-24) exiting homelessness, citing a 92% housing retention rate. - Cannabis Social Equity: Alicia Gallegos and Beatrice Carranza pointed out that cannabis businesses are excluded from the Build Denver program funded by the Herman Malone Fund, despite generating the tax revenue that supplies the fund. They requested transparency and inclusion in spending decisions. - Little Saigon Business Support: Maria Rodriguez (read by Jasmine Chu), Catherine McCord, and Joey Ha thanked the council for the Business Impact Opportunity Fund ($2M) but requested explicit eligibility for Little Saigon businesses and long-term anti-displacement protections, including a cultural center. - Returning Citizens Employment: Josh Ehrlich requested a $100,000 investment in the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), citing a 22% reduction in recidivism and a $3.30 return for every dollar invested. Discussion Items - Transportation Fund Management: Councilmember Alvidrez pushed for removing parking costs from the fund immediately. Budget Director Sykes stated the City Attorney's office deemed it allowable and that finding $8.9M elsewhere could force cuts to DOTI staffing. Alvidrez requested a detailed breakdown of the $8.9M in parking costs and committed to working on the ordinance. - AVIS Fund Direction: Councilmembers debated whether AVIS revenue should be dedicated to a Special Revenue Fund for traffic safety or the general fund. Councilmember Lewis requested the postponement to resolve the discrepancy. - Budget Priorities: Councilmembers Watson and Pro Tem Gonzales-Gutierrez emphasized that the budget reflects the city's values, with Watson stating "every line is an individual in this city." Councilmember Alvidrez raised the issue of defunding the Fair Housing Center. Key Outcomes - Votes: - Proclamations 26-1617, 26-1539 (11-0), 26-1618 (10-0). - Resolution 26-1493 (Salvation Army): Adopted 10-1. - Bill 26-1435 (AVIS): Postponed to 11/9/2026 (8-3). - Resolutions 26-1497, 26-1480: Postponed to 11/2/2026. - Consent Agenda / Block Vote: 21 items adopted 11-0. - Bills on Final Consideration: 4 items placed on final passage 11-0. - Directives: - Councilmember Alvidrez requested a detailed accounting of the parking costs in the Transportation and Mobility Fund. - Next Steps: - Council will hold its final session for budget amendments on Monday, November 2, 2026. - The final vote to adopt or reject the 2027 budget is scheduled for Monday, November 9, 2026. - Ordinance amendments regarding the Transportation and Mobility Special Revenue Fund and AVIS are expected to be heard in committee in November.

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the Denver City Council met on October 21, 2026, at 1:30 PM to consider a proposed ordinance establishing best value contracting standards (Item 26-1540), hear a briefing on a proclamation opposing Amendment 82 (Item 26-1539), and approve 17 consent agenda items. Consent Calendar - All consent items were approved unanimously without discussion. They included contracts for wastewater pipe rehabilitation (26-1506), emergency wastewater repairs (26-1509), airport radio equipment and support (26-1516, 26-1518), landing fee billing services (26-1517), Self Bag Drop system maintenance (26-1519), Wildlife Hazard Management Plan services (26-1520), Harvard Gulch drainage and flood control improvements (26-1521), and Peoria Street Vision Zero intersection rehabilitation (26-1522). The committee also approved the 2027 annual costs for eight local maintenance districts: Skyline Park (26-1523), Tennyson (26-1524), Tennyson Street II (26-1525), West 38th Avenue Phase I (26-1526), Golden Triangle (26-1527), Phase II West 38th Avenue (26-1528), 32nd and Lowell (26-1529), and West 44th Avenue & Eliot Street (26-1530). Public Comments & Testimony Public comment was held on Item 26-1540. The following individuals spoke: - Anthony Trujillo (Business Manager, LiUNA Local 720) – expressed strong support for the ordinance, emphasizing contractor accountability and worker protection. - Jim Moody (Director of Industry Relations, Colorado Contractors Association) – stated that existing safeguards are sufficient, urged clarity on health insurance language, and provided a written memo. - Chaz Tedesco (former Adams County Commissioner, Political Director for SMART Sheet Metal Workers Local 9) – spoke in favor, citing Adams County's successful experience with best value contracting. - Ali Spray (President/CEO, Hispanic Contractors of Colorado) – opposed, arguing the ordinance would create additional barriers for small and minority-owned businesses. - Zach Escobel (IBEW member, 28 years) – supported, stating Denver has delayed action for 16 years and calling for passage. - Tony Milo (CEO, Colorado Contractors Association) – expressed concerns about ambiguous language (e.g., "offer" of health insurance) and requested more time for revisions. - Jeremiah Waldrup (owner of a small contracting business) – supported, stating responsible contractors already meet the proposed standards. - Matt Hogan (Vice President, Kramer North America, board member of Colorado Contractors Association) – expressed concerns about the impact on subcontractors and the health insurance requirement. - Jason Waldrup (Business Manager, Colorado Building Trades Council) – supported, describing the requirements as a reasonable baseline. - Marlene Andrade (Owner, Chuckles Concrete; Chairwoman, Colorado Contractors Association) – opposed, citing burdens on small businesses and urging alternative language. Discussion Items - Best Value Contracting Ordinance (26-1540): Councilmembers Chris Hinds and Flor Alvidrez, co-sponsors, presented version 8 of the ordinance. They detailed the rationale for uniform best value standards, including accountability, worker safety, and alignment with city values. Concessions made during negotiations were highlighted: removal of a weighted formula, raising the contract threshold from $500,000 to $1 million, elimination of pre-certification for subcontractors, removal of apprenticeship requirements, and scaling back of health insurance offering requirements (employers must only offer, not necessarily pay, coverage). The sponsors argued that the ordinance would increase bid transparency and reduce wage theft and safety violations. - Committee and Staff Discussion: Councilmember Paul Kashmann questioned alignment with the city administration. Adreana Gibson, Executive Director of General Services, outlined remaining agency concerns: potential impacts on certified small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses; the subcontractor threshold; the need for a clear implementation timeline; and definitional clarity on terms such as "offer" of health insurance. Legislative Council attorney John Thekumparambil clarified that "offer" in legal terms implies a binding commitment, which may differ from the sponsors' intent of simply providing information. Councilmember Amanda Sandoval stated she was not prepared to move the item forward due to significant opposition from small businesses and the administration's last-minute memo. Councilmember Shontel Lewis requested a comparison document showing changes between versions. Councilmember Darren Watson expressed confidence that remaining issues could be resolved. Chair Flor Alvidrez and Councilmember Hinds urged passage with the understanding that details could be addressed through future rulemaking or at full council. - Proclamation Against Amendment 82 (26-1539): Councilmembers Kashmann and Lewis introduced a proclamation stating the city's opposition to Amendment 82, a statewide ballot initiative that would amend the Colorado Constitution to guarantee the right to purchase and sell natural gas. They argued the measure would impede Denver's climate goals, was promoted by a dark money group, and would create unintended legal consequences. No vote was required; the proclamation will be presented to the full City Council for adoption. Key Outcomes - Item 26-1540: A motion to postpone consideration to November 4, 2026, failed on a 3–3 vote (Aye: Flynn, Sandoval, Romero Campbell; Nay: Alvidrez, Hinds, Lewis; Absent: Gilmore). Because no majority voted to move the item out of committee, it remains in committee and will be placed on the next Transportation and Infrastructure Committee agenda (consent agenda for the following week). - Item 26-1539: The proclamation was briefed and will be forwarded to the full council for action. - Consent Items (26-1506 through 26-1530): All 17 items were approved by consent.

The Denver City Council Health and Safety Committee met on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 10:30 AM. Chair Darrell Watson presided. Present were Councilmembers Diana Romero Campbell, Paul Kashmann, Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, Jamie Torres, and Vice Chair Amanda Sandoval; Kevin Flynn was absent. The committee heard the annual Denver Preschool Program (DPP) update (Council Presentation 26-1538) and approved three consent resolutions. Briefing: Denver Preschool Program Annual Update - DPP's President and CEO and Vice President of Communications presented the annual update. DPP was created by a 2006 ballot initiative, originally for four-year-olds, later expanded to three-year-olds, and was permanently reauthorized in 2023 with 78% voter approval. The program celebrated its 20th anniversary on November 6, 2026. - Reported outcomes include: $272 million in tuition support, $41 million for child-care quality improvements, $20 million for the three-year-old expansion, and 83,150 students funded. The provider network grew from 41 to 267 high-quality providers; about 60% of students attend Denver Public Schools and the rest attend community-based, nonprofit, for-profit, religiously affiliated, or home-based providers. - On quality, 70% of DPP providers are rated Level 4 and 10% Level 5 under Colorado Shines, compared with 25% Level 4 and 5% Level 5 statewide. DPP has spent $3.5 million on quality improvements and $1.4 million in direct grants to providers. The current provider mix is 85 DPS providers, 175 child-care centers, and 7 family child-care homes. - DPP reported a net return on investment as high as $14 per dollar invested, 95% parent satisfaction, $42.3 million in citywide savings over four years, and one of the largest early-childhood longitudinal data systems in the country, behind only Head Start. - On affordability, DPP cited an estimated average monthly Denver tuition cost of $1,640 for a four-year-old, an average DPP tuition credit of $518, and an average UPK contribution of $627, leaving an unmet need for many families. DPP also brought about $45 million in state universal preschool funding to Denver last year as a local coordinating organization. - DPP's board has decided to expand from a preschool program to a zero-to-five organization over the next three to five years. An infant-toddler pilot at Blossom House, operated by Mahai Early Learning, has a waitlist of nearly 70 families. DPP also added a family navigation service called 'My Friend Ben.' - The CEO described demographic changes in Denver, including 1,000 fewer four-year-olds than before the pandemic, families leaving due to housing costs, and some families returning to Denver to apply for DPP because the state child-care assistance program is frozen. She said DPP is working to support family, friend, and neighbor caregivers without requiring them to become licensed small businesses. - Councilmembers asked about changing demographics, universal child care, and support for families experiencing homelessness. The CEO said DPP's three-year-old program is free up to 270% of the federal poverty level and that DPP follows families even if they move near or beyond Denver's borders. Councilmembers praised the program's 20-year record and expressed support for a more holistic, coordinated early-childhood system. - Jess Ridgway, Executive Director of the Office of Children's Affairs, described the office's close administrative relationship with DPP and said the city will retain 1% of special revenue funds to support oversight, including new program and fiscal administrator positions shared with the Prosperity Denver Fund. Consent Calendar - Council Resolution 26-1510 was approved by consent: a contract with Metro Caring for $747,718.98, ending July 31, 2029, for food and food-based education funding for youth through the Healthy Food for Denver's Kid Initiative, citywide. - Council Resolution 26-1512 was approved by consent: a $675,000 contract with Denver Health & Hospital Authority, ending May 15, 2028, to renovate and expand the Denver CARES facility into a coordinated recovery and stabilization hub meeting future Level 3.5 Residential Treatment standards, citywide. - Council Resolution 26-1513 was approved by consent: an amendment with the Mental Health Center of Denver adding $3,670,867 for a new total of $27,079,152, extending the contract 11.5 months to August 15, 2027, to operate the Behavioral Health Solutions Center, citywide. Key Outcomes - The committee heard and discussed Council Presentation 26-1538; no vote was required for the briefing. - All three consent resolutions were approved by consent. - DPP will continue planning its zero-to-five expansion and an upcoming 20th anniversary celebration; follow-up contract changes are expected later in the year.

On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the Denver City Council's Governance and Intergovernmental Relations Committee met to consider a Denver Downtown Development Authority funding agreement and an Alterra Mountain Company lease at 101 W. Colfax Avenue, to enter an executive session on litigation, and to approve a consent appointment. Minutes list the start time as 10:30 AM and show eight members present (Flynn, Gonzales-Gutierrez, Romero Campbell, Sawyer, Torres, Watson, Alvidrez, Kashmann) with Councilmember Gilmore absent. The agenda was not available. No public comment period is recorded in the minutes or transcript. The raw transcript appears to append unrelated city video content after the executive session motion, so this summary follows the official minutes. Consent Calendar - Council Resolution 26-1507, approving Solicia Lopez's appointment to the Citizen Oversight Board, was approved by consent. Discussion Items - DDA funding agreement (26-1334) and Alterra lease (26-1337): Bill Mosier of the Mayor's Office and Lisa Lumley, Director of Real Estate, presented the two items together. Mosier explained that the DDA funding agreement releases up to $7 million for tenant improvements at 101 W. Colfax, structured as a 12-year, 2% loan repaid monthly, and limited to less than 50% of the approximately $19 million in improvement costs. The assistance was available only for a tenant locating in Upper Downtown east of Arapahoe Street. Mosier said the city's priorities were to keep Alterra in RiNo, then downtown Denver, then Denver, and finally in Colorado. - Incentive package: Denver Economic Development and Opportunity (DEDO) offered up to $485,000 in performance grants over two years, based on maintained or created jobs, plus additional workforce training funds. The state of Colorado offered a package of about $3.9 million, mostly tax credits for new jobs, including a $1 million five-year, no-interest loan passed through the DDA to Alterra. Alterra planned to bring employees back into the office three days a week. - Lease terms: The lease covers 64,654 square feet on most of the seventh and eighth floors. The building contains 297,847 rentable square feet and is currently 32% occupied; adding Alterra would increase occupancy to 54%. The 12-year lease begins at $22 per square foot triple net and increases 50 cents per year. It includes one year of free rent, two years of free parking for 120 general and 10 reserved spaces, an early termination right at year five with a $1.5 million fee, and total projected revenue of $15.7 million over 12 years. Construction is expected through about October 1, 2027, with lease commencement at that point and base rent starting in October 2028. Alterra will pay building expenses, including property taxes through possessory interest. - Committee questions and concerns: Councilmember Darrell Watson said he learned about Alterra's potential move from a report and criticized the lack of communication with his office and affected improvement districts; Bill Mosier apologized and said the DDA should contact the district councilmember in the future. Councilmember Alvidrez asked about building cash flow and how much general fund support would be needed, requested accurate cash-flow statements, and worried that the package sets a precedent for future tenants. Councilmember Gonzales-Gutierrez argued that the no-rent construction period plus one year of free rent totals at least two years of free rent; staff said the construction period is not traditionally counted as free rent. Councilmember Flynn asked whether the state's $1 million counts toward the 50% cap and about lost parking revenue. Councilmember Cashman questioned whether the deal was too generous, citing the loan, free rent, free parking, and a $1.5 million termination fee. Chair Sawyer pressed for safeguards against paying incentives on rehires; DEDO staff said they verify start dates and employee counts through occupational privilege tax records and pay only after verification, though they acknowledged difficulty determining whether a worker is a rehire. - Alterra testimony: Krista Springer, Alterra's chief development officer, said Alterra currently has 275 employees moving downtown and has committed to hiring 106 new employees. She said the decision to leave Zeppelin Station was made in March after the previous CEO stepped down, and although Alterra considered moving out of state, it chose to help revitalize Upper Downtown. She said details of the Zeppelin lease termination are confidential under a non-disclosure agreement. Staff earlier described DEDO incentives as tied to 275 retained jobs and 50 net new jobs; Alterra's stated 106 new hires may reflect a different metric or time frame, and the discrepancy was not resolved. Executive Session - The committee voted 6-0 to enter executive session for the Quarterly Litigation Update (26-1542) under DRMC 2-34A367. No public action was taken. Key Outcomes - The committee voted 6-0 to approve Council Bill 26-1334 and Council Resolution 26-1337 for filing as a block, on a motion by Councilmember Torres seconded by Council President Romero Campbell. Councilmember Gilmore was absent. - The committee approved Council Resolution 26-1507 by consent. - The committee entered executive session for a quarterly litigation update. - Staff agreed to follow up with parking revenue details, lease comparables, and updated city building cash-flow information requested by members. - The committee action advances the items to the full City Council; staff projected lease commencement on October 1, 2027.

The weekly joint meeting of the Denver Mayor and City Council on October 20, 2026, consisted of council member announcements about upcoming district events, followed by a transition into closed session to discuss pending labor negotiations with city agencies. No public comment or formal legislative action occurred. Introductions - Councilmembers present: Devon Flynn (Southwest Denver District 2), Darrell Watson (District 9), and Diana Romero Campbell (Southeast Denver District 4). Councilman Alvidres also participated in announcements. Announcements - Councilman Alvidres: Recapped Saturday's Halloween parade, thanking the Broadway Jid Compost Foundation. Announced the October 24th Halloween bar crawl along Broadway, a police district three Halloween carnival on Sunday at 1 p.m., and an Athmar Park Neighborhood Association treat giveaway at 4 p.m. at Houston Lake Park. - Councilwoman Diana Romero Campbell: Announced a park improvements completion celebration at Southmore Park tomorrow at 4 p.m.; the opening of Bethesda Park on Thursday, October 22nd at 4 p.m. (described as the first park purchased with Denver Park Trust dollars, located in North University Hills); a fall fest at Thomas Jefferson High School Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a paint drop-off fundraiser by TJPTO; and a bike ride starting at 10 p.m. at Bybill Park. - Councilman Darrell Watson: Noted continuation of the triangle scenarios workshop tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. at 5004 National Western Drive; a Welton Street small business discussion with Mayor Johnston tomorrow at Spangalang from 5:30 to 7 p.m.; and the final Denver Oktoberfest weekend at the National Western Center, which he identified as October 22nd and 25th, noting an apparent discrepancy because October 22nd was earlier identified as Thursday, so the event likely falls on October 24th and 25th. Closed Session - Mayor concluded the public portion and announced the transition to a closed session to discuss pending labor negotiations with various city agencies. Key Outcomes - No votes or formal decisions were taken in public session. - The public meeting closed and a closed session began.

The Denver City Council met on Monday, October 19, 2026, at 3:30 p.m., recessed, and reconvened at 5:30 p.m. for evening hearings, adjourning at 7:58 p.m. Eleven of twelve council members were present (Councilmember Gilmore absent). The meeting included approval of the Mayor’s Proposed 2027 Budget notice, a presentation on the Colfax Marathon, two proclamations, adoption of a large consent agenda, introduction of four bills, and public hearings on a landmark designation and a rezoning. Consent Calendar - 26-1547 – Mayor’s Proposed 2027 Budget Notice: Approved 11-0 to publish public hearing notice. - 26-1543 – Minutes of October 13, 2026: Approved. - 26-1545 – Proclamation Recognizing National Lights on Afterschool Week: Adopted 11-0. - 26-1501 – Proclamation Opposing Colorado Amendment 81: Adopted 11-0 (council opposed the measure requiring law enforcement to notify ICE within 72 hours of charging someone with a crime). - 26-1546 – Proclamation Recognizing 100 Years of Hebrew Education Alliance Sisterhood: Adopted 11-0. - Block Vote (26 resolutions and 1 bill): Approved 11-0, covering: - Fire hose purchase amendment ($100,000 increase, Greening Enterprises). - Civil Service Commission appointment (Hannah Lucey, term through 2028). - Denver African American Commission reappointment (Karen Grissom, term through 2028). - STAR Program grant ($2,734,639 from Caring for Denver Foundation). - Liability claim settlement ($39,000 to Civil Rights Litigation Group for case 2025CV34006 against DPD). - 14 parks on-call contracts (total value up to $192.5 million over 5 years). - Handprint Architecture contract ($3,005,589 for Blair-Caldwell Library, Montebello Library, and Montbello Civic Center Park Cultural Plaza). - Denver International Airport contracts: Taxiway L Extension ($93,050,254 to Flatiron Dragados), BIM on-call services ($700,000 each to RNN Architects and Syn Energy), DEN New Heights Program ($1,163,664 to ServiceSource). - Revocable permit for encroachment at 3801 W 32nd Ave (Fishwater Properties). - Dedication of East Warren Avenue as public right-of-way. - Fire sprinkler system replacement ($11,266,893 to Gerald H. Phipps). - Bill 26-1394 (final passage): Relinquishing wastewater easement at East Elmendorf Drive & N Telluride Street. - Bills introduced (ordered published): - 26-1429 – Amending Downtown Development Authority boundaries. - 26-1430 – East Colfax Sidewalk Project condemnation authority. - 26-1431 – STAR program contract with Denver Health ($2,837,768). - 26-1455 – Valverde Outfall System Plan IGA amendment ($217,216 added). Public Comments & Testimony - Landmark Designation (26-1405): Joseph Massaquoi (homeowner), Jay Homstad (Historic Denver), and Jesse Parris spoke in favor; no opposition. Massaquoi described the Stonehouse’s history and their stewardship. - Rezoning (26-1302): 27 speakers total. 17 spoke in favor, including: - Bruce O’Donnell, Peter Wall, Adam Lampl (applicant/Kennedy Wilson), Blair Lichtenfels (counsel), Jamie Grimm (Family Star parent), Bonnie Stevens (teacher), Casey Dean (teacher), Miracle Sanchez (teacher), Amina Musiwa (parent), Ciro Dominguez, Andrew Weller, Erin Jones, Alejandra X. Castaneda, Jeff Jones (board chair), Lindsay McNicholas (executive director), Michael Blake (plan steering committee). - Supporters cited consistency with adopted plans, need for affordable housing, support for Family Star’s move, and alignment with transit-oriented development. - 9 spoke in opposition, including: - Rafael Espinoza (former council member), Kim Collie (Jefferson Park United Neighbors), Josh Rosenblum, Alex Rose, Jesse Parris, David Roybal, Alexandra Rabjohns, Christian Dalton, Kari-elin Mock. - Opponents argued the rezoning would effectively allow 7 stories (not just 5), loss of community-serving childcare, insufficient binding commitments, and inconsistency with neighborhood character. Discussion Items - Colfax Marathon Presentation: Andrea Dowdy (CEO) and Chris Herndon (board chair) presented the 20th anniversary results: 28,000 runners, 140 charity partners, $250,000 in annual charity awards, and a $10 million cumulative charity impact. Councilmember Watson received a partnership trophy. Questions praised the event’s health and charity benefits. - 26-1544 Settlement Call-out: Councilmember Lewis noted the $39,000 settlement brings 2026 total taxpayer-funded city settlements to $4,531,000. - 26-1452 Handprint Architecture Call-out: Councilmember Lewis highlighted that the contract begins redesign of Montbello Library (HVAC/sewer issues) and includes shade plaza at Montbello Civic Center Park. Councilmember Watson added that Blair-Caldwell Library updates protect historical artifacts. - 26-1454 Micro-community Shelter Postponement: Councilmember Alvidrez postponed consideration of the Colorado Village Collaborative revocable license agreement to October 26. - 26-1432 STAR Program Grant Questions: Council Pro Tem Gonzales-Gutierrez asked about cost coverage; Cassie Williams (DDPHE) stated Caring for Denver funds pay for 50% of clinician salaries and all wraparound services. Grant is one-year. - 26-1430 East Colfax Sidewalk Project: Councilmember Lewis expressed support for filling sidewalk gaps and requested adequate drainage and notice to residents. - Rezoning 26-1302 Deliberation: Councilmembers debated the effective height (5-story base, up to 7 with EHA incentives), protected district constraints, and whether the proposal met plan guidance. Staff confirmed EHA incentives apply citywide but are limited to 5 stories near protected districts. Developer provided a Good Neighbor Agreement with the Federal Boulevard BID, including restrictive covenants on uses, design standards, 7,500 sq ft of retail, and 24 affordable units (60% AMI). Councilmembers Sandoval, Alvidrez, Watson, Flynn, Gonzales-Gutierrez, Hinds, and Romero Campbell spoke in support, citing plan consistency and need for affordable housing along transit corridors. Key Outcomes - 26-1405 – Landmark Designation (740 N Washington St): Adopted 11-0 as a Denver landmark (Queen Anne style, Varian & Stirner architects). - 26-1302 – Rezoning to UMS-5 DO-8 (2246 N Federal Blvd): Amended 11-0 to correct a drafting error (insert “11” on line 24) and then passed as amended 11-0. The rezoning allows a 5-story mixed-use building with up to 7 stories via EHA affordable housing incentives, including ground-floor retail and a protected district height limit of 5 stories on the southern portion. - Postponement: Item 26-1454 (micro-community shelter at 621 W Wesley Ave) postponed to October 26, 2026.

The Finance and Business Committee of the Denver City Council met on October 15, 2026, chaired by Councilmember Chris Hines (District 10). Note: No agenda or minutes were available for the meeting; the official date per the system directive is October 15, 2026, although the provided transcript header references October 13, 2026. The primary action was considering an amendment to the Securitas Citywide Security Services contract (Item 26-149). General Services staff presented a detailed proposal for a nine-month contract extension and an $11 million capacity increase, framing it within broader strategic enhancements for an upcoming Request for Proposals (RFP). The committee voted unanimously to advance the item to the full City Council. Consent Calendar - An unspecified consent calendar item was moved forward to the full City Council without discussion or being called off. Public Comments & Testimony - No formal public testimony was recorded during the meeting. A representative from SEIU Local 105 was noted as present in the audience. Discussion Items - Securitas Amendment (Item 26-149): Executive Director Adrina Gibson and Cammy Joe Lee presented an amendment to extend the existing Securitas contract by nine months (through September 30, 2027) and increase its capacity by $11 million (from $71.2 million to $82.2 million). Key drivers for the extension included ensuring full transparency for bidders on the new RFP regarding the existing collective bargaining agreement with SEIU Local 105 (running through December 31, 2028) and providing continuity of service during the competitive solicitation. Additional scope updates included aligning worker pay with the CBA, increasing the monthly vehicle rate from $1,400 to $1,600 for approximately three city vehicles, and implementing a rigorous new background screening process (FBI NCIC pre-deployment and monthly CBI checks) to comply with CJIS security policies. - Strategic Enhancements for New RFP: Staff outlined a modernized approach for the upcoming security solicitation, including a complete rewrite of the scope of work, development of agency-specific contracts, and the potential to unbundle the large agreement into up to three portfolios to encourage competition and access for smaller and MWBE firms. A proposed six-month transition process (three months administrative, three months following the Worker Retention Ordinance) was detailed to ensure a smooth changeover. - Worker Benefits and Performance: The committee discussed the performance scorecard (improved from the 70s to mid-80s) and employee health benefit enrollment (approximately 40%, or 65 out of 164 employees). Staff noted employee feedback indicated costs were a barrier to health plan enrollment. The upcoming RFP will require bidders to propose tiered benefit plans suited to a multi-generational workforce. - Councilmember Feedback and Inquiries: - Councilmembers Gonzalez Kuchettis and Soyu expressed strong appreciation for the improved collaboration and relationship with SEIU Local 105. - Councilmember Sawyer praised the precision and professionalism of the General Services team and queried MWBE integration. Staff confirmed a core MWBE subcontractor is active in a mentor-protégé program and the new RFP will feature enhanced MWBE participation strategies. - Council President Romero Campbell inquired about health benefit strategies and their link to retention, and asked about the potential unbundling of the contract into up to three groups. - Chair Hines asked about the six-month transition timeline and raised a concern regarding wage parity between prime and subcontractor workers. Staff committed to following up on the wage parity issue with the current contractor. Key Outcomes - Action Item 26-149 (Securitas Amendment): The committee voted to move the contract amendment to the full City Council. The motion was made by Councilmember Watson and seconded by Councilmember Sawyer. There were no abstentions or dissensions. The presented timeline anticipates Mayor-Council review on October 20 and full council consideration on October 26, 2026. - Consent Calendar: An item on the consent calendar was also advanced to the full council without opposition.

The Denver City Council's Health and Safety Committee met on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The agenda included a briefing on a proclamation opposing a state ballot measure and an action item to align city code with state law on automated vehicle identification systems (AVIS). All consent agenda items were approved unanimously. Consent Calendar - 26-1469: Approved a $1,068,531.00 contract with Volunteers of America Colorado Branch to provide 76 Head Start and 20 Early Head Start slots citywide through June 2027. - 26-1488: Approved a $745,706.36 contract with SustainEd Farms through July 2029 for food-based education under the Healthy Food for Denver's Kids Initiative. - 26-1489: Approved a $718,086.62 contract with Slow Food Denver, Inc. through July 2029 for food-based education under the Healthy Food for Denver's Kids Initiative. - 26-1490: Approved a $7,500,000.00 five-year contract with Orion Environmental, LLC for asbestos removal, mold remediation, emergency response, and environmental litigation support. - 26-1495: Approved an amendment to a contract with HopSkipDrive, Inc. reducing the contract by $790,000.00 (new total: $710,000.00) and extending the term by two years through December 2028 for school transportation services. - 26-1498: Approved an amendment to a contract with Catholic Charities adding $957,199.00 (new total: $1,452,199.00) to provide 108 Head Start and 20 Early Head Start slots. Discussion Items - Proclamation 26-1501 (Opposing Colorado Amendment 81): Councilmember Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez and Councilmember Jamie Torres introduced a proclamation opposing Amendment 81, a ballot measure they argued would require law enforcement to check the immigration status of individuals charged with certain crimes, effectively mandating collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Councilmember Gonzales-Gutierrez stated the measure violates Denver's 2017 policy against city employees asking about documentation status. Councilmember Paul Kashmann clarified that Denver cooperates with ICE on specific major crimes and honors signed warrants, but does not engage in general immigration enforcement. Chair Darrell Watson noted the complexity of the ballot and supported making the council's position clear. - Action Item 26-1435 (Automated Vehicle Identification System): The committee considered an ordinance aligning city code with a new permissive state law. Councilmember Gonzales-Gutierrez requested a clear side-by-side comparison distinguishing mandatory from discretionary provisions. Justin Sykes (Budget Director) recommended directing initial AVIS revenue to the General Fund to cover unknown administrative costs in a pilot year, noting that a similar program in Fort Collins generated roughly half its projected $5 million. Jamila Bryant (Office of Social Equity and Innovation) stated that an equity mapping process is informing camera deployment strategies. Ted Poras (Photo Enforcement Unit) explained that the creation of AVIS corridors bridges enforcement gaps on high-injury network roads. The three-year data retention process was discussed, with Wendy Shea (Special Counsel) noting it helps identify repeat violators. A 30-day public notification requirement for new camera locations was confirmed. Key Outcomes - Proclamation 26-1501: Received committee discussion and support. It will advance to the full city council for a vote. - Action Item 26-1435: A motion to approve the ordinance for filing was made by Vice Chair Amanda Sandoval and seconded by Councilmember Jamie Torres. The motion passed unanimously via voice vote, 7-0. - Consent Agenda: All six consent resolutions (26-1469, 26-1488, 26-1489, 26-1490, 26-1495, 26-1498) were approved by consent without objection.