Denver City Council Regular Meeting

The Denver City Council convened on Monday, September 8, 2025, for a lengthy session featuring significant announcements, public hearings, and contentious votes. The meeting included proclamations honoring public servants and awareness campaigns, the introduction of numerous bills and resolutions, and extended debates on a police collective bargaining agreement, a modified urban redevelopment plan, and amendments to the citizen-initiated 'Waste No More' recycling and composting ordinance. Key outcomes included the adoption of the police contract, approval of a revised development plan, and the advancement of the amended waste ordinance for final consideration.

Council Announcements & Proclamations

• Community Events: Members announced various district events, including park cleanups, neighborhood workshops, a discussion on the delayed Mestizo-Curtis Park pool, and a 'budget book club' series.
• Crossing Guard Proclamation: The council adopted a proclamation honoring Denver Public Schools crossing guards as frontline workers and community heroes. Several guards accepted the proclamation and shared their experiences.
• Blood Cancer Awareness Month: The council adopted a proclamation recognizing September as National Blood Cancer Awareness Month. Councilmembers Watson and Torres shared personal stories of family members affected by blood cancers.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Youth Engagement: A high school senior invited council members to a Mayor's Youth Commission dinner to discuss partnership.
• Policy Advocacy: Speakers urged council action on international issues (Palestine/Gaza genocide), local issues (homeless families, support for laid-off city workers), and called for reparations for Foundational Black Americans.
• Event Promotion: A speaker promoted a political forum featuring Zohran Mamdani.
• Spiritual Testimony: One speaker provided religious commentary on current events.

Discussion Items

• Police Collective Bargaining Agreement (Resolution 1216): A lengthy and heated debate preceded the vote on a three-year contract with the Denver Police Protective Association.
  • Positions in Favor (9 votes): Supporters (including Watson, Torres, Cashman, Sawyer, Sandoval) argued the agreement was negotiated in good faith, that the council was involved in the process, and that consistency with other CBAs was important. They emphasized support for police officers while acknowledging the need for accountability.
  • Positions Opposed (4 votes): Opponents (Gilmore, Gonzalez Gutierrez, Lewis, Parity) cited the city's budget shortfall, recent layoffs of other city employees, a lack of equity, and concerns about police misconduct and costly settlements. Councilmember Gilmore gave an extensive speech linking the vote to values of community investment over policing.
• 27th & Larimer Urban Redevelopment Plan (Bill 1137): The council considered an amended plan for a Five Points area, shifting from a mixed-use project with housing to a phased approach starting with retail, grocery, and adaptive reuse due to unfavorable market conditions.
  • Proponent Position: DURA executive director Tracy Huggins and the developer (Edens) argued the change was necessary to begin revitalization, eliminate blight, and deliver community benefits (including a future housing commitment) with a reduced TIFF request.
  • Community & Council Discussion: The Curtis Park RNO president expressed support based on community engagement. Councilmembers discussed the removal of housing, the rationale for continued tax incentives, and protections against displacement. The plan passed 10-3.
• Waste No More Implementing Ordinance (Bill 0628): The council debated a series of amendments to the administration's proposed rules for the voter-approved recycling and composting ordinance.
  • Amendment Debates:
    1. Phase-In for Construction/Demolition: Reduced the square footage thresholds for compliance after a 10-year phase-in period. Passed 11-2.
    2. Food Producer Requirements: Added posting/training rules and narrowed exemptions for food banks. Passed 8-5.
    3. Event Thresholds: Slightly lowered attendee thresholds for recycling/composting requirements at permitted events. Passed 7-6.
    4. Small Restaurant Exemption: Removed a blanket exemption for restaurants with under $2M revenue and under 25 employees, leaving a case-by-case hardship exemption. Passed 7-6 after extensive debate about regulatory burden, voter intent, and small business viability.
  • Public Support: Multiple proponents, including original petitioners and waste haulers, testified in strong support of the amendments and the ordinance, urging council to uphold the 70% voter mandate for comprehensive waste diversion.

Key Outcomes

• Votes on Major Items:
  • Police CBA (Resolution 1216): Adopted 9-4 (Ayes: Alvidrez, Flynn, Heinz, Cashman, Romero Campbell, Sawyer, Torres, Watson, Sandoval. Nays: Gilmore, Gonzalez Gutierrez, Lewis, Parity).
  • 27th & Larimer URA Amendment (Bill 1137): Passed 10-3 on final passage.
  • Waste No More Ordinance (Bill 0628): Ordered published as amended 11-2 (Nays: Flynn, Sawyer). It will be up for final passage on September 15, 2025.
• Other Legislative Actions:
  • Approved a series of consent items, including resolutions for the Globeville Library/Affordable Housing project (adopted in a block 12-0 with one abstention).
  • Postponed bills 1029 (Denver Health WIC agreement) and 1079 (39th Avenue development) to September 15, 2025.
  • Adopted proclamations honoring retiring city executives Penny May (Denver International Airport) and Andrea Albo (moving to SCFD).
  • Approved a rezoning at 2501 S. High Street (Bill 1070).
• Directives & Next Steps: The amended Waste No More ordinance moves to a final vote. Public hearings are scheduled for September 15th (Rock Drill URA) and October 6th (815th Street rezoning).