Denver City Council Meeting – June 2, 2025

The Denver City Council convened on Monday, June 2, 2025, at 3:30 PM in the Cathy Reynolds City Council Chamber, recessed at approximately 5:00 PM for public comment, and reconvened to finish the agenda, adjourning at 7:25 PM. The meeting included proclamations, the adoption of several resolutions and ordinances, and three public hearings on park and zoning matters. All 13 council members were present (Councilmember Watson attended virtually).

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of May 19, 2025 (25-0781) – Approved.
• Proclamation 25-0837 – Affirming City Council’s adoption of a Greener By Default Policy (non-animal products at a 2:1 ratio for internal meetings) – Adopted en bloc.
• Resolutions en bloc (25-0688 through 25-0741, 25-0653 through 25-0677, 25-0698, 25-0700, 25-0729, 25-0736, 25-0737, 25-0741, 25-0643, 25-0645, 25-0646, 25-0660, 25-0710, 25-0734, 25-0722, 25-0738) – Approved unanimously (13-0). These included contracts for Denver International Airport snow equipment, sewer jetting, janitorial services, window cleaning, a Project Management Information System, a United Airlines incentive for Winnipeg service, a Little Finch Coffee concession, fleet auto parts, language interpretation services, LeaveSource software, golf cart GPS tablets, multiple street dedications, revocable permits, the Loretto Heights Theater design amendment, telematics hardware, traffic signal/ITS contracts, the Echo Lake Lodge caretaker agreement, flow monitoring, sidewalk repair, Ellie Caulkins Opera House seating, and affordable housing loan amendments for Rose on Colfax, 1565 California Street, and Denver Dry Goods Preservation.
• Bills for final consideration en bloc (25-0592, 25-0635, 25-0636, 25-0614, 25-0549) – Passed unanimously (13-0). These set the salary for the Manager of Human Rights and Community Partnerships, authorized land acquisition for the University Blvd Sidewalk Gap and 5280 Trail projects, amended an HIV/AIDS services agreement with Denver Health, and established a new fund for National Western Center revenue projects.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comment (5:00–5:30 PM) – Several residents spoke on various city matters; no specific agenda items were addressed. The next general public comment session is scheduled for June 9, 2025.
• Public Hearing – Mestizo-Curtis Bathhouse (CB 25-0629) – Jesse Paris (representing multiple community organizations) and Brandy Majors spoke in opposition, arguing the project benefits gentrifiers rather than the historic Black community. No one spoke in favor. Brandy Majors questioned whether the bathhouse would be similar to the Denver Swim Club (a private men’s club).
• Public Hearing – Park Hill Golf Course Rezoning (CB 25-0234) – Penfield Tate (SOS Denver) and Woody Garnett spoke in support, noting the eight-year effort to preserve the land as open space. Jesse Paris and Brandy Majors opposed, with Paris stating the process ignored the foundational Black American community and Majors citing environmental concerns and lack of community benefit.
• Public Hearing – 4634 & 4638 North York Street Rezoning (CB 25-0335) – Jesse Paris opposed, questioning affordability and community benefit. Brandy Majors asked about environmental studies given the area’s industrial history. The GES Coalition and Tierra Colectiva did not oppose the rezoning but requested an affordability commitment.

Discussion Items

• Healthy Food for Denver Kids Proclamation (25-0834) – Councilmembers Romero Campbell, Kashmann, and Torres highlighted the program’s impact: $85 million distributed to over 100 organizations, reaching 149,000 families and serving 40 million healthy meals. The program operates in 33 languages. The proclamation was adopted 13-0.
• Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Contract (25-0545) – Councilmember Watson opposed the $1,176,265 contract for health services at non-congregate shelters, citing lack of outcome data and a non-competitive process. Councilmember Parady supported, noting the contract’s move from housing to public health department would improve services. The resolution passed 10-3 (Watson, Lewis, Hinds voting no).
• Brothers Redevelopment Property Tax Relief (25-0708) – $1,200,000 for 745 households. Councilmember Hinds abstained due to a prior personal relationship. Adopted 12-0-1.
• U.S. Motels Non-Congregate Shelter (25-0712) – $1,077,900 amendment for emergency overflow shelter units. Councilmember Lewis clarified the contract is for individual motel rooms on a per-night basis, not leased property. Adopted 13-0.
• National Western Center Equestrian Center PSA (25-0548) – Extensive debate over whether 2C funds (from the voter-approved lodgers tax extension) could be used for community-directed projects. Councilmember Parady proposed holding back $16 million to allow community input; the City Attorney’s Office stated 2C funds must follow procurement rules and cannot be directly given to the Community Investment Fund (CIF). Councilmember Watson and others argued the PSA unlocks broader community benefits and that the project includes workforce housing, a community building, and multimodal connections. The resolution passed 9-4 (Gonzales-Gutierrez, Lewis, Parady, Torres voting no).
• Scrap Metal Regulation (25-0600) – Prohibits cash payments for scrap metal under $300 to combat theft. Councilmembers Lewis and Parady opposed the cash restriction, citing impacts on unbanked residents. Bill passed 11-2.

Key Outcomes

• Proclamations Adopted: Healthy Food for Denver Kids (25-0834) and STAR Program 5-Year Anniversary (25-0835) – both unanimous.
• Contracts Approved: All airport-related contracts, city services, and affordable housing loan amendments passed en bloc (13-0).
• National Western Center Agreement Approved: Resolution 25-0548 adopted 9-4, authorizing up to $800 million in 2C funds over 35 years for the equestrian center, hotel, parking, workforce housing, and community space.
• Scrap Metal Ordinance Passed: Bill 25-0600 passed 11-2, with restrictions on cash payments to reduce metal theft.
• Park Building Plan Approved: Mestizo-Curtis Bathhouse (CB 25-0629) passed 13-0, authorizing a $14.5 million pool replacement in Council District 9.
• Park Hill Rezoning Approved: 4141 East 35th Avenue rezoned from OS-B to OS-A (CB 25-0234) passed 12-0 (Councilmember Watson absent), facilitating the city’s acquisition of the former golf course for a public park.
• Elyria Swansea Rezoning Approved: 4634 & 4638 North York Street rezoned from E-TU-B to U-RH-2.5 (CB 25-0335) passed 13-0, allowing up to six rowhomes.
• Next Steps: The Vibrant Denver bond measure (expected in November) may include funding for Park Hill Park; the small area plan for the golf course will be replaced by the Northeast Planning Initiative (NPI) in 2027–2028. The National Western Center authority will proceed with the project support agreement.