OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Denver City Council Meeting May 5, 2025: Contracts, Proclamation, and Zoning Actions

City Council — Monday, May 5, 2025
BodyDenver, Colorado
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, May 5, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:30:56

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Welcome to the Denver City Council meeting of Monday, May 5th, 2025.

0:06

Council members, please rise as you are able and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:28

Council members, please join Council Member Parity as they lead us in the Denver City Council land acknowledgement.

0:37

The Denver City Council honors and acknowledges that the land on which we reside is the traditional territory of the Ut Cheyenne and Arapahoe peoples.

0:45

We also recognize the 48 contemporary tribal nations that are historically tied to the lands that make up the state of Colorado.

0:51

We honor elders, past, present, and future, and those who have stewarded this land throughout generations.

0:56

We also recognize that government, academic, and cultural institutions were founded upon and continue to enact exclusions and erasures of indigenous peoples.

1:04

May this acknowledgement demonstrate a commitment to working to dismantle ongoing legacies of oppression and inequities and to recognizing the current and future contributions of Indigenous communities in Denver.

1:16

Thank you.

1:17

Madam Secretary, roll call.

1:22

Alvidres here.

1:24

Flynn?

1:25

Here.

1:25

Gilmore?

1:26

Here.

1:27

Gonzalez Gutierrez.

1:29

Here.

1:29

Heinz.

1:30

Here.

1:31

Cashman.

1:32

Here.

1:32

Lewis.

1:33

Present.

1:34

Parity.

1:35

Here.

1:37

Sawyer.

1:38

Here.

1:39

Torres?

1:40

Here.

1:41

Watson.

1:42

Here.

1:43

President Sandoval.

1:45

Madam Pro Tem here.

1:49

Twelve members present.

1:51

There are 12 members present.

1:53

Council has a quorum.

1:55

Approval of the minutes.

1:56

Are there any corrections to the minutes of April 28th?

2:02

Seeing none, the minute stand approved.

2:10

Council announcements.

2:11

Are there any announcements?

2:22

Okay, why don't we get started?

2:24

Councilwoman Alvidres.

2:26

Thank you so much.

2:28

I wanted to start out today by wishing everyone a happy Cinco de Mayo.

2:33

And take a moment to recognize why this date holds a significance not just to Mexico, but for American history as well.

2:41

Some may think that Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day, but it actually commemorates the Batalla de Puebla from 1862, when everyday Mexican people and farmers defeated the much larger and better equipped French army.

2:55

This victory had a surprising and important connection to the United States.

2:59

You see, at the time, the US was in the midst of the civil war.

3:04

France, under Napoleon III, had plans to establish a monarchy in Mexico and support the Confederate cause.

3:12

Mexico's victory at Puebla delayed French ambitions in the Americas.

3:18

This bought time for the Union Army to strengthen and ultimately prevail.

3:22

Without the Mexican resistance at Puebla, France may have succeeded in aiding the Confederacy, which could have dramatically altered the course of the Civil War.

3:33

Cinco de Mayo is also a day that honors resiliency, unity, and the fight against oppression.

3:39

I also want to note that the president of Mexico at the time was President Benito Juarez, the first indigenous president of Mexico and a remarkable indigenous Zapotec leader.

3:51

Juarez was committed to both Mexican sovereignty and the principles of liberty.

3:56

His government, uh his government's victory in Puebla delayed the French ambitions.

4:02

And what many don't realize is that Juarez quietly supported the Union cause.

4:07

His government sent gold to the Union Army, helping fund its efforts against the Confederacy.

4:12

His resistance to the French Empire and solidarity with the United States not only shaped the outcomes of Mexico's fight for sovereignty, but also played a key role in preserving the union and ending slavery.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Technology and Innovation██████████████████████22%
Contracts And Procurement████████████████16%
Public Safety█████████████13%
Procedural███████████11%
Language Access██████████10%
Community Engagement██████6%
Homelessness█████5%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Pending Litigation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Denver City Council Meeting Summary - May 5, 2025

The Denver City Council convened on Monday, May 5, 2025, at 3:30 PM in the Cathy Reynolds City Council Chamber (1437 Bannock Street, Room 450) with 12 of 13 members present (President Sandoval absent). The meeting included a proclamation, several contract resolutions (including two that were voted down), bill introductions, and a final consideration of a marijuana ordinance. The meeting recessed for public comment and adjourned at 5:40 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the minutes of April 28, 2025 (Item 25-0633) by acclamation.
  • Adopted Proclamation 25-0654 recognizing National Interpreter Appreciation Day (unanimous 12-0).
  • Approved the following resolutions en bloc (vote 11-0, with Gonzales-Gutierrez and Sandoval absent):
    • 25-0542: Agreement with BEN Colorado, Inc. for the Inclusive Impact Catalyst Program ($1,119,465)
    • 25-0544: Purchase order for an EV Paint Truck at Denver International Airport ($1,271,803.09)
    • 25-0518: Reappointment of Christina Carlson to the Caring for Denver Board
    • 25-0522: Chilled water service amendment at the Webb Municipal Building
    • 25-0525: Standard Insurance Company employee benefits contract ($78,000,000)
    • 25-0526 and 25-0529: Master purchase orders for aggregate materials for asphalt plant (Martin Marietta and Holcim, each $15,000,000)
    • 25-0539: Legal counsel contract amendment with Garnett Powell Maximon Barlow & Farbes
    • 25-0543: Skillsoft Percipio Compliance Suite software contract ($1,562,398)
    • 25-0552: Criminal Justice Early Intervention Grant agreement ($1,660,696.90)
    • 25-0523, 25-0530, 25-0531, 25-0528: Dedication of public alleys/streets in various districts
    • 25-0524: Purchase of a robotic system truck ($543,887.92)
    • 25-0532: Caretaker agreement for 987 Lookout Mountain Road
    • 25-0533 and 25-0534: Pool repair and maintenance amendments (Aquatic Chemical Solutions and CEM Sales & Service, each +$800,000)
    • 25-0535: Athmar Park Neighborhood Association agreement for solar lighting and art in the Tennessee Utility Corridor
    • 25-0537: SEMA Construction amendment for emergency wastewater repairs
    • 25-0527: Center for African American Health grant amendment
    • 25-0541: Dream Center Denver outreach contract amendment (+$693,000)
    • 25-0547: Colorado Health Network HIV/AIDS services amendment (+$1,455,453)
    • 25-0650, 25-0651, 25-0652: Liability claim settlements ($40,000, $20,000, and $200,000 respectively) involving Denver Police Department cases
    • 25-0528: Alley dedication bounded by 30th, Larimer, 29th, and Walnut Streets

Public Comments & Testimony

No public comments are recorded in the provided transcript or minutes. A general public comment session was held during the recess, but the content was not included in the supplied materials.

Discussion Items

  • Flock License Plate Recognition Cameras (Resolution 25-0413): Failed. Council members Parady, Flynn, Lewis, Gonzalez-Gutierrez, and Hinds spoke against the $666,000 contract amendment, citing concerns about mass surveillance, data sharing with other agencies (including ICE), lack of transparency, and potential civil liberties violations. Councilmember Parady noted that “less than 4% of car thefts solved by DPD in 2024” had a contribution from Flock. The mayor’s office reversed its position and asked for a no vote; the resolution failed 0-12.
  • Suncor Energy Asphalt Contract (Resolution 25-0538): Failed. Councilmembers Sawyer, Lewis, Torres, and Hinds opposed the $25,000,000 master purchase order for liquid asphalt, citing Suncor’s environmental and public health harms to Denver communities. Street Maintenance Interim Director John Essex explained that Suncor was the lowest responsive bidder, and the next bidder (Husky) would cost an additional $60,000 per year. The resolution failed 0-12.
  • Towing Services Contract (Resolution 25-0556): Passed. The amendment added $10,000,000 to an existing contract with Ferkam Inc., raising the total to $21,500,000. Councilmembers Lewis and Parady voted no, expressing concerns about towing of RVs and lack of oversight on whether vehicles are inhabited. Councilmembers Flynn and Hinds defended the contract, noting it serves all city agencies and is essential for accident clearance. The resolution passed 10-2, with Lewis and Parady dissenting.
  • Athmar Park Neighborhood Association Amendment (Resolution 25-0535): Discussed. Councilmember Alvidrez asked about maintenance responsibilities. Jessica Anderson (Denver Parks and Recreation) clarified that the neighborhood association would not handle mowing; Parks and Xcel Energy would remain responsible. The item was approved en bloc later.
  • Liability Claim Settlements (25-0650, 25-0651, 25-0652): Councilmember Parady expressed interest in learning from claimants about their experiences. Councilmember Lewis noted the total 2025 settlement expenditures would reach $4,687,500.
  • Park Hill Golf Course Property Exchange and Rezoning (Bills 25-0589 and 25-0234): Councilmember Lewis highlighted the importance of these steps for creating a community-driven park, and cautioned against displacement and gentrification.

Proclamation

  • Proclamation 25-0654 recognized May 7, 2025, as National Interpreter Appreciation Day. Speakers from the Division of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services accepted the proclamation. Councilmembers Torres and Hinds praised the city’s progress on language access.

Bills for Introduction

All bills were ordered published:

  • 25-0520: Reappointment of Jane Feldman to the Denver Board of Ethics
  • 25-0550: Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds for The Rose on Colfax Project (up to $8,500,000)
  • 25-0551: Amendment to correct fund name for capital equipment purchase
  • 25-0553: Add Medical and Dental Self Insurance funds to Municipal Code
  • 25-0589: Property exchange with ACM Park Hill JV VII LLC
  • 25-0234: Rezoning 4141 East 35th Avenue from OS-B to OS-A (future public hearing on June 2, 2025)
  • 24-1728: Denver Public Schools behavioral health programming contract amendment
  • 25-0546: University of Colorado Hospital Authority HIV/AIDS services amendment
  • 25-0549: New fund for National Western Center Revenue Projects
  • 25-0555: Intergovernmental Agreement with Broadway Station Metropolitan District No. 1

Bills for Final Consideration

  • 25-0500: Ordinance amending Chapters 6 and 32 to modernize marijuana licensing regulations and clarify receiver requirements. Passed en bloc (11-0, Gonzales-Gutierrez and Sandoval absent).

Key Outcomes

  • Failed Resolutions: 25-0413 (Flock) and 25-0538 (Suncor) both failed 0-12.
  • Passed Resolutions: 25-0556 (towing) passed 10-2; all other resolutions on the consent calendar passed 11-0.
  • Proclamation Adopted: Unanimously.
  • Bills Introduced: All bills were ordered published, with a required public hearing for 25-0234 scheduled for June 2, 2025. Protests must be filed by noon on May 27, 2025.
  • Final Consideration: 25-0500 passed.
  • Adjournment: Meeting ended at 5:40 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Welcome to the Denver City Council meeting of Monday, May 5th, 2025. Council members, please rise as you are able and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members, please join Council Member Parity as they lead us in the Denver City Council land acknowledgement. The Denver City Council honors and acknowledges that the land on which we reside is the traditional territory of the Ut Cheyenne and Arapahoe peoples. We also recognize the 48 contemporary tribal nations that are historically tied to the lands that make up the state of Colorado. We honor elders, past, present, and future, and those who have stewarded this land throughout generations. We also recognize that government, academic, and cultural institutions were founded upon and continue to enact exclusions and erasures of indigenous peoples. May this acknowledgement demonstrate a commitment to working to dismantle ongoing legacies of oppression and inequities and to recognizing the current and future contributions of Indigenous communities in Denver. Thank you. Madam Secretary, roll call. Alvidres here. Flynn? Here. Gilmore? Here. Gonzalez Gutierrez. Here. Heinz. Here. Cashman. Here. Lewis. Present. Parity. Here. Sawyer. Here. Torres? Here. Watson. Here. President Sandoval. Madam Pro Tem here. Twelve members present. There are 12 members present. Council has a quorum. Approval of the minutes. Are there any corrections to the minutes of April 28th? Seeing none, the minute stand approved. Council announcements. Are there any announcements? Okay, why don't we get started? Councilwoman Alvidres. Thank you so much. I wanted to start out today by wishing everyone a happy Cinco de Mayo. And take a moment to recognize why this date holds a significance not just to Mexico, but for American history as well. Some may think that Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day, but it actually commemorates the Batalla de Puebla from 1862, when everyday Mexican people and farmers defeated the much larger and better equipped French army. This victory had a surprising and important connection to the United States. You see, at the time, the US was in the midst of the civil war. France, under Napoleon III, had plans to establish a monarchy in Mexico and support the Confederate cause.

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