Denver City Council Meeting – February 24, 2025

The Denver City Council met on Monday, February 24, 2025, at 3:30 PM in the Cathy Reynolds City Council Chamber. The meeting included proclamations, multiple consent agenda items, and three public hearings on zoning changes. Key actions included the unanimous approval of a zoning correction in Washington Virginia Vale, the approval of a contested rezoning in City Park West after mediation, and the failure of a rezoning in Platt Park due to inconsistency with adopted plans.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of February 18, 2025.
• Adopted resolutions en bloc (24 items) including contracts for Denver International Airport financial consulting (Protiviti Government Services, Inc. – $3,000,000; AvAirPros, Inc. – $5,000,000), T-Mobile/Sprint spectrum consolidation and addition ($1,305,000 added), Denver Fire Department uniform contract amendment (Skaggs Companies Inc. – $900,000 added), Infield Mix master purchase order (DuraEdge Products – $650,000), non-congregate sheltering amendment at 4849 Bannock Street (Central Lodging, LLC – $2,745,600 added), RTD grant for Federal Boulevard BRT TOD plan, several street/alley dedications, revocable permits, Empowerment Program supportive housing grant ($634,880), St. Francis Center day shelter amendment ($1,175,000 added), and others.
• Approved bills for final consideration en bloc: Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant ($2,800,387), Denver Great Kids Head Start budget ($11,571,248), Denver Downtown Development Authority agreement renewal, and Denver Golf fee schedule amendment.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General public comment session (5:00-5:30 PM): Several residents spoke on various city matters; not detailed in transcript.
• Public hearings on zoning bills:
  • 25-0097 (5401 E Dakota Ave): One speaker (Jesse Parris) spoke in favor, representing Black Star Action Movement and other groups, supporting the rezoning as consistent with criteria.
  • 25-0013 (1709 N Williams St): Two speakers: property owner Mike McAtee (available for questions), Jesse Parris opposed, expressing concerns about lack of details on use, affordability, and traffic study.
  • 25-0030 (1628-1630 S Ogden St): 18 speakers signed up. 11 spoke in favor (neighbors, applicants, community members) highlighting need for multi-generational housing, existing duplexes in area, and consistency with neighborhood character. 3 spoke in opposition (neighbors Christy Leach, Nancy Rice, John McKenna) citing concerns about density, parking, precedent, and applicant’s real estate background. Opponents noted the property has only one address in assessor’s records and the rear structure was originally a professional office.

Discussion Items

• Proclamations:
  • 25-0243: Honoring William H. Whitsell, first Black man born in Colorado. Unanimously adopted (13-0).
  • 25-0166: Celebrating Denver International Airport’s 30 years of operation. Unanimously adopted (13-0). Speakers noted DEN’s 41,000 employees, 1.5 billion passengers, 229 non-stop destinations, and its role as economic engine.
  • 25-0244: Honoring Denver’s African American libraries (Blair-Caldwell, Pauline Robinson, Ford-Warren, Bob Ragland) and their namesakes. Adopted 12-0.
  • 25-0246: Uplifting Black History Month and the fight for freedom and justice. Adopted 12-0. Councilmembers spoke about resistance to erasure, importance of DEI, and commitment to equity.
• Called-out resolutions:
  • 25-0141 (Denver Fire Dept uniforms): Councilmember Paridy asked about the $900,000 increase. Emily Locke (Public Safety) explained COVID replenishment, recruitment surge in 2023, and vendor challenges. Council President Sandoval asked about PFAS chemicals; Locke confirmed uniforms are not bunker gear and follow-up on PFAS would be provided.
  • 25-0158 (St. Francis Center day shelter): Councilmember Watson asked about contract use. Christopher Lowell (HOST) stated funds are for operational costs only, not building purchase.
• Called-out bills for introduction:
  • 25-0167 (Police EV purchase from Climate Protection Fund): Postponed to March 3, 2025, after Councilmember Lewis expressed concern about using climate funds. Two vehicles (Chevy Blazer EV police pursuit and Silverado EV) at issue.
  • 24-1312 (Auraria zoning): Postponed to March 17, 2025, at applicant’s request.
• Noise ordinance (25-0044): Passed 12-1 (Councilmember Flynn opposed). Discussion included commercial trash collection start time change from 7 AM to 6 AM. Denver Solid Waste confirmed they will not change their start time. Councilmember Hinds asked about pre-event sound checks for festivals in Cheesman Park; DDPHE and Parks agreed to coordinate.
• Zoning public hearings:
  • 25-0097 (5401 E Dakota Ave): Rezone from R-1 to E-SU-Dx to correct a clerical error in the Near Southeast Area Plan. Staff reported error; rezoning consistent with plans. Passed unanimously (12-0).
  • 25-0013 (1709 N Williams St): Rezone from B-2 WVRS to G-MS-3 for redevelopment. Staff recommended approval. Mediation with adjacent business (Weather Vane Cafe) resulted in MOU on dust control and potential business closure compensation. 22 letters of opposition (mostly about Googie architecture) were submitted before mediation. Passed unanimously (12-0).
  • 25-0030 (1628-1630 S Ogden St): Rezone from U-SU-C to U-TU-C to allow duplex. Staff recommended denial, citing inconsistency with Blueprint Denver’s guidance on two-unit uses in low residential areas (zoning pattern is single-family, despite existing two-unit use). Planning Board had recommended approval (5-1) citing need for density. Applicant had two legal single-unit dwellings on one lot; wanted to build attached duplex for multi-generational living. Protest petition signed by 45% of land area within 200 feet (exceeds 20% threshold, requiring 10 votes). Council debated plan consistency vs. housing need. Failed 2-10 (Alvidrez and Parady in favor; Flynn, Gonzales-Gutierrez, Hinds, Kashmann, Lewis, Romero Campbell, Sandoval, Sawyer, Torres, Watson opposed).

Key Outcomes

• Proclamations adopted: 25-0243 (Whitsell), 25-0166 (DEN 30 years), 25-0244 (African American libraries), 25-0246 (Black History Month) — all unanimous.
• Resolutions and bills en bloc adopted/passed: 24 items approved without objection.
• Postponements: Bill 25-0167 (police EV purchase) postponed to March 3, 2025. Bill 24-1312 (Auraria zoning) postponed to March 17, 2025.
• Noise ordinance passed: 25-0044 passed 12-1 (Flynn nay). Effective upon publication.
• Zoning approvals:
  • 25-0097 (5401 E Dakota Ave) passed 12-0.
  • 25-0013 (1709 N Williams St) passed 12-0.
• Zoning denial: 25-0030 (1628-1630 S Ogden St) failed 2-10 (needed 10 votes due to protest).
• Next meetings: March 3, 2025 (public hearing on natural medicine ordinance – 25-0132); March 17, 2025 (public hearing on Auraria rezoning – 24-1312).