Denver City Council Meeting Summary – June 9, 2025

The Denver City Council convened on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 3:30 PM in the Cathy Reynolds City Council Chamber. The meeting included proclamations, multiple consent agenda items, board appointments, and a public hearing for a zoning change. Council member Stacie Gilmore was absent, with 12 members present.

Consent Calendar

• Resolutions Approved En Bloc: Council adopted a block of resolutions including:

  • SkyWest Airlines Lease (25-0766): Lease of 8,067.7 sq. ft. on Concourse B at Denver International Airport through 12/31/2027, with two one-year options.
  • Millstone Weber Contract (25-0767): $43,133,300 construction contract for the South Worldport Lot relocation at DIA.
  • Enterprise Rent-A-Car Amendment (25-0768): Added $5,493,790 to consolidate rental car exhibits and add 2.7 acres; new total $124,021,930.
  • Michaels Energy Amendment (25-0777): Extended contract one year (to 6/30/2026) for rebate program administration; no cost change.
  • Board Appointments (25-0746, 25-0763, 25-0764, 25-0765, 25-0769 through 25-0775): Reappointed Tinsley Ore to DOTI Advisory Board; appointed Jolon Clark to Metro Water Recovery Board; appointed Judi Díaz Bonacquisti and Stephen Kurtz to Prosperity Denver Fund Board; appointed Eboni Coleman, Alex Diorio, Dr. tara jae, Austin Montoya, Andrew Miller, Nastassja 'Stas' Schmiedt, and Tony Lucero to the Denver LGBTQ Commission.
  • Street/Alley Dedications (25-0754, 25-0755, 25-0756, 25-0778, 25-0753): Dedicated city-owned parcels as public rights-of-way in Districts 1, 3, 7, and 8.
  • Contract Amendments (25-0758, 25-0760, 25-0779): Modified Habitat for Humanity agreement (no cost change); added $200,000 to Cyracom for 911 interpretation services (new total $695,000); added $300,000 to Catholic Charities for shelter services (new total $16,731,246).
  • Liability Claim Settlements (25-0857 through 25-0860, 25-0863): Approved five settlements totaling $399,000 (made payable to Baumgartner Law, LLC Trust Account and Newman McNulty LLC COLTAF Account) related to Shavonne Blades et al. v. City and County of Denver, Case No. 22-cv-1300.

• Bills for Introduction Published: Bills included: creating a wage trust fund for wage theft revenues (25-0744); amending classification and pay plans (25-0762, 25-0780); donating a historical police vehicle to the Denver Police Museum (25-0608); and expanding the Ask CAM TRAIL phone line (25-0761).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Late Filing Vote – Salvation Army Agreement (25-0713): A motion to suspend rules to allow late filing of a resolution amending the Salvation Army shelter contract (adding $4,550,000) failed (10 ayes, 2 nays – Councilmembers Lewis and Parady opposed) because it did not receive unanimous approval.
• Zoning Public Hearing – 1060 South Emporia Street (Bill 25-0579):
  • Jesse Paris (representing multiple groups, including Black Star Action Movement and Unity Party of Colorado) spoke in opposition, questioning the future use of the property (referencing a possible bathhouse) and the reduction of review criteria from five to three.
  • Patty Lollis (virtual) – no remarks were made after she was promoted.
  • No other speakers registered.

Discussion Items

• Council Announcements: Councilmembers made statements regarding:

  • The passing of Jack Scratton (LGBTQIA+ advocacy).
  • A rally on the city steps concerning ICE raids, the arrest of SEIU California president David Huerta (later released on $50,000 bond), and a whistleblower lawsuit alleging Colorado Governor Polis' administration shared personal information with ICE.
  • Upcoming community events (play date, yoga, Juneteenth celebration).

• Proclamations Adopted:

  • 25-0861 – Authentic Recovery Homes: Honored the organization for culturally responsive, peer-led sober living and recovery support.
  • 25-0862 – Black Pride Colorado: Affirmed Black LGBTQIA+ community leaders; recognized the work of Youth Scene and Black Pride Colorado.

• Bills on Final Consideration – Approved En Bloc:

  • Harvard Gulch Flood Control (25-0697): Added $2,050,000 in Mile High Flood District funds (new total $10,719,205) for drainage improvements downstream of Colorado Boulevard in District 6.
  • Harvard Gulch and DeBoer Park Bridge (25-0727): Added $740,000 city funds and $750,000 MHFD funds (new total $1,600,000) for flood control and pedestrian bridge replacement.
  • Building and Fire Codes (25-0735): Adopted 2024 national codes and reduced Denver-specific amendments.
  • Alley Vacation (25-0740): Vacated a portion of alley in District 1.
  • Globeville Levee Project (25-0696): Added $1,000,000 MHFD funds and $8,000,000 city funds (new total $29,718,816.59) for levee improvements from 31st to East 50th Avenue in District 9.

• Zoning Change – 1060 South Emporia Street (Bill 25-0579): Councilmember Amanda Sawyer (District 5) explained that the city purchased the vacant lot from a private owner. The land will be rezoned from OS-B (private open space) to OS-A (public open space) to create a park using Parks Legacy funds ($75,000 from Denver Parks Trust). The property is currently vacant; the previous plan for a private swim club fell through. Council noted that there is no park within a 10-minute walk in the neighborhood.

Key Outcomes

• Zoning Change Approved: Council Bill 25-0579 was adopted unanimously (12-0), rezoning 1060 South Emporia Street from OS-B to OS-A.
• Bills on Final Consideration Passed: All six bills (25-0697, 25-0727, 25-0735, 25-0740, 25-0696) were placed upon final consideration and passed en bloc with a 12-0 vote.
• Late Filing Rejected: The motion to late-file the Salvation Army agreement (25-0713) failed to achieve unanimous consent (10-2).
• Consent Agenda Adopted: All resolutions and appointments on the consent agenda were approved en bloc (12-0), including the liability settlements totaling $399,000.
• Meeting Adjourned: The meeting was adjourned at 5:56 PM after the public hearing and final vote.