Denver City Council Regular Meeting – April 1, 2025

Note on meeting time: The agenda and transcript indicate the meeting began at 3:30 PM MDT, but the provided date/time is 2025-04-01 10:30:00+00:00 (UTC). This summary uses the provided date.

The Denver City Council met on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 3:30 PM (local time) in the Cathy Reynolds City Council Chamber. The meeting was called to order by Council President Amanda P. Sandoval. Councilmembers participated in person and virtually. The agenda included a proclamation, multiple resolutions, and bills for introduction and final consideration. The most debated item was Resolution 25-0256, authorizing a $15 million contract for a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) study and design services for Peña Boulevard at Denver International Airport.

Proclamation

• 25-0426 – Honoring Week of the Young Child – Councilmember Alvidrez presented the proclamation, recognizing the 60th anniversary of the National Head Start Program and the 30th anniversary of Denver becoming a Head Start agency. The proclamation noted that Denver Great Kids Head Start served 1,459 children and families in the year ending June 30, 2024, with 100% of children demonstrating growth, 90% meeting or exceeding age expectations in social‑emotional development, and 95% having health insurance. The proclamation was adopted 11–0 (Councilmembers Hinds and Lewis absent).

Resolutions – Individual Vote

• 25-0256 – Agreement with Peak Consulting Group, LLC for Peña Boulevard NEPA and design services – This item was called out for a separate vote. Councilmembers debated the scope of the study, particularly whether it should include analysis of transit alternatives such as expanding the A‑Line. Councilmember Parady opposed the contract, arguing that excluding transit alternatives from the NEPA analysis would jeopardize climate goals and fail to provide a full picture. Councilmember Gilmore spoke in favor, emphasizing that Peña Boulevard is a vital corridor for her district and that the study is necessary to address traffic congestion, emergency response times, and community equity. Councilmember Flynn clarified that NEPA studies can only be conducted on projects a sponsor can fund and build, and that DIA cannot study RTD‑owned transit expansions. Councilmember Kashmann asked about DIA’s commitment to non‑auto modes; CEO Phil Washington affirmed DIA’s sustainability efforts and willingness to consider transit alternatives from the public. Councilmember Watson and Councilmember Gonzalez‑Gutierrez expressed conditional support, with expectations for ongoing dialogue and updates. Councilmember Lewis opposed, stating that Transportation Demand Management strategies are not a substitute for robust transit alternatives. Councilmember Pro Tem Romero Campbell abstained due to a family member’s employment with a subcontractor. Vote: 9 ayes, 2 nays (Parady, Lewis), 1 abstention (Romero Campbell). Adopted.

• 25-0336 – Revival and Amendatory Agreement with La Raza Services, Inc. (Servicios de la Raza) – This item was called out so Councilmember Gonzalez‑Gutierrez could abstain. The resolution adds $75,000 and extends the contract by 4 months for the Reskill, Upskill, New Skill (RUN) Grant. Vote: 10 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstention (Gonzalez‑Gutierrez). Adopted.

Consent Calendar (Block Vote)

The following items were approved en bloc by a vote of 12–0 (Councilmember Hinds absent):

Resolutions from Business, Arts, Workforce, Climate & Aviation Services Committee:

• 25-0348 – First Amendment with Air France for support space on Concourse A at DEN
• 25-0349 – First Amendment with Lufthansa for support space on Concourse A at DEN
• 25-0350 – Master Purchase Order with Progress Solar Solutions for solar surveillance trailers at DEN
• 25-0351 – Master Purchase Order with Batteries Plus for UPS batteries at DEN
• 25-0352 – Contract with Flatiron Dragados for Taxiway CN and Taxilane West Extension at DEN
• 25-0353 – Contract with Aramark for Foodservice/Retail Operations at Red Rocks and Denver Coliseum

Resolutions from Finance & Governance Committee:

• 25-0324 – Assignment and Third Amendatory Agreement with CONSOR North America for Smart City projects
• 25-0329 – Mayor’s appointments to the Commission on Aging (Catherine Bosin, Marci Lundy)
• 25-0330 – Mayor’s appointment to the Asian American Pacific Islander Commission (Alana Pettaway)
• 25-0331 – Reappointments and appointments to the African American Commission (Fatuma Emmad, H. Ray Keith, Fatima Thibou, Tymesha Watkins, DeVonne Austin, Dr. Angelic Cole, Shellonda Grant, Dexter Nelson II)
• 25-0332 – Master Purchase Order with Cort Business Services for Furniture and Welcome Kits under the “Street to Lease” program
• 25-0333 – City Council appointment of Helen Lee to the Housing Stability Strategic Advisors

Resolutions from Land Use, Transportation & Infrastructure Committee:

• 25-0318 – Contract with Keene Concrete for removal and replacement of deficient concrete curbs, gutters, sidewalks, etc.
• 25-0319 through 25-0323 – Assignment and amendatory agreements with CONSOR North America for various transportation and mobility on‑call contracts
• 25-0342 – Contract with Silva Construction for 2025 Citywide ADA Ramp & Concrete Repair 2
• 25-0343 – Contract with Cutler Repaving for hot‑in‑place recycling and repaving

Resolutions from Safety, Housing, Education & Homelessness Committee:

• 25-0232 – Contract with Bayaud Enterprises for shelter operations at Stay Inn Micro‑Community
• 25-0317 – Third Amendatory Agreement with Nicoletti Flater for employee support services to first responders
• 25-0340 – Second Amendatory Agreement with Summer Scholars for youth summer programs
• 25-0341 – Second Amendatory Agreement with Colorado Dream Foundation for youth summer programs

Resolutions from South Platte River Committee:

• 25-0325 – Dedicating twelve City‑owned parcels as public right‑of‑way along South Broadway and South Bannock Street
• 25-0326 – Dedicating a parcel as West Short Place

Bills for Final Consideration:

• 25-0299 – Land Acquisition Ordinance for the Buchtel and Evans Improvements Project (authorizing negotiated purchase or condemnation)
• 25-0269 – Vacating two portions of street right‑of‑way at South Newport Street/East Union Avenue and South Niagara Street/East Union Avenue
• 25-0276 – Third Amendatory Agreement with Urban Drainage and Flood Control District for Marston Lakes North at Bowles Ditch

Bills for Introduction

Three bills were ordered published without objection:

• 25-0328 – Fifth Amendment and Revival of IGA with Denver Health Medical Center (adding $6,496,442.74 for FEMA obligations)
• 25-0337 – Relinquishing sewer easement at 3800 North Xanthia Street
• 25-0334 – Changing portion of official channel of the South Platte River between West Evans Avenue and West Vassar Avenue

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 25-0256 (Peña Boulevard NEPA study) adopted with conditions: DIA committed to ongoing community engagement and consideration of transit alternatives arising from the public process.
• Resolution 25-0336 (Servicios de la Raza) adopted.
• All remaining resolutions and bills on final consideration passed via consent block vote, 12–0.
• Bills for introduction ordered published, with public hearings to be scheduled.

The meeting adjourned at 4:45 PM. The general public comment session was scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM.