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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Denver City Council Meeting - September 15, 2025

City Council — Monday, September 15, 2025
BodyDenver, Colorado
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, September 15, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:35:15

Transcript — VerbatimClick a line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:00

It's time for the weekly general session of your Denver City Council.

0:08

Tonight's coverage of Denver City Council starts now.

0:27

Good afternoon, and thank you for taking time to join us for the Denver City Council's meeting.

0:32

Today is Monday, September 15th, 2025.

0:37

Tonight's meeting is being interpreted into Spanish.

0:40

Sam, would you please would you please introduce yourself and let our viewers know how to enable translation on their devices?

0:49

Yes, of course.

0:50

Thank you for having us.

0:51

Hello, everyone.

0:52

My name is Sam Guzman with the CLC.

0:55

And along with my colleague Jasmine, we will be interpreting today's meeting into Spanish.

1:00

Please allow me one minute to uh give instructions in Spanish on how to access interpretation.

1:50

Thank you very much.

1:52

Welcome to the Denver City Council meeting of Monday, September 15th, 2025.

1:57

Council members, please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:02

I pledge allegiance to the play of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands.

2:10

One nation under eye, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

2:21

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

2:28

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

2:37

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

2:44

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

3:14

Thank you.

3:15

Madam Secretary, roll call.

3:18

Council members Gilmore.

3:21

Here.

3:25

End of all.

3:28

Albitres.

3:30

Here.

3:31

Flynn.

3:31

Here.

3:33

Here.

3:36

Here.

3:37

Present.

3:38

Carity.

3:39

Here.

3:40

Torres.

3:42

Here.

3:42

Watson.

3:43

Here.

3:44

Madam Prota.

3:45

Here.

3:48

Twelve members present.

3:50

There are 12 members present.

3:51

Council has a quorum.

3:53

Approval of the minutes.

3:55

Are there any corrections to the minutes of September 8th?

4:01

Seeing none, the minute stand approved.

4:10

The minute stand approved.

4:11

Great.

4:12

Okay.

4:12

Are there any council announcements?

4:21

Waiting for some people to get in the queue.

4:23

Let's go ahead and start with Council Member Alvidres.

4:27

Thank you so much, Council Pro Tem.

4:29

I just wanted to first start off with a happy belated birthday to Councilman Flynn.

4:35

My neighboring Southwest council member, happy birthday.

4:39

35 years old, the youngest member of Denver City Council.

4:44

I also wanted to give a shout out to the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, specifically Greg Cisek, who's been doing amazing work in District 7, and really make been making a difference.

4:56

Lastly, I wanted to share something that is in Council President's district.

5:00

She's not here today, but very excited.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing███████████████15%
Community Engagement████████████12%
Procedural██████████10%
Miscellaneous█████████9%
Economic Development████████8%
Public Health Policy███████7%
Environmental Protection███████7%
Arts And Culture█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Denver City Council Meeting - September 15, 2025

The Denver City Council held its regular meeting on September 15, 2025, covering proclamations, council announcements, and legislative actions. Key topics included honoring forensic science professionals, addressing food insecurity, celebrating Hispanic heritage, and considering zoning and development agreements, notably for the Rock Drill redevelopment project. The meeting featured public participation and discussions on community benefits.

Consent Calendar

  • Routine approvals included minutes from September 8th and a block vote on multiple resolutions and bills, such as Council Bills 25-1247, 25-1248, and 25-1249 (classification and pay plan amendments), along with other consent items.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • During public hearings, community members expressed positions:
    • Rock Drill Redevelopment: Speakers like Reed Raskin (Cole RNO president) and Rachel Marion (Denver Raptor Lofts HOA president) expressed strong support, citing community engagement and benefits. Jesse Paris (Black Star Action Movement) opposed the project, citing concerns about gentrification and affordability.
    • Rezoning for 4626 East Louisiana Avenue: Jessica Paris raised questions about traffic studies, parking, and unit types, seeking clarity from the council.
    • Waste Reduction Ordinance: Public comments were not detailed in this transcript, but council discussion indicated concerns from small businesses.

Discussion Items

  • Proclamations:
    • Forensic Science Week: Councilmember Alvidres sponsored Proclamation 25-1360, honoring the Denver Crime Lab. Police Chief Thomas and Dr. Gregory LeBerge accepted, with Dr. LeBerge highlighting the lab's excellence and need for resources.
    • Hunger Action Month: Councilmembers Watson and Torres sponsored Proclamation 25-1359, recognizing food insecurity. Representatives from the Southwest Food Coalition and city agencies called for continued funding and community action.
    • Hispanic Heritage Month: Councilmembers Alvidres and Gonzalez Gutierrez sponsored Proclamation 25-1361, celebrating Hispanic arts and culture. Cultural organizations were recognized, and a mariachi group performed.
  • Legislative Items:
    • Council Resolution 25-1357: Settlement payment for a liability claim. Councilmember Lewis noted the 2025 settlement total, and Councilmember Parity emphasized transparency after case closure.
    • Council Bill 25-1237: Amendment to allow donation of impounded vehicles to educational institutions. Councilmember Torres explained the benefit for workforce training, supported by Adrena Gibson (General Services).
    • Council Bill 25-0628: Waste reduction and recycling ordinance. An amendment changed the special event threshold from 300 to 350 attendees. Council discussions included concerns from small businesses, with Councilmembers Flynn and Sawyer voting no.
    • Rock Drill Redevelopment: A series of bills (25-1071, 25-1079, 25-1222, 25-1221) involved rezoning, development agreement, urban renewal plan, and cooperation agreement. Staff reports detailed affordable housing (10% at 50% AMI), historic preservation, and tax increment financing. Councilmembers questioned community benefits, job creation, and economic development aspects.

Key Outcomes

  • Proclamations 25-1360, 25-1359, and 25-1361 were adopted unanimously.
  • Council Resolution 25-1357 was approved.
  • Council Bill 25-0628 as amended passed with a vote of 10 ayes.
  • Council Bills 25-1091 (rezoning for 4626 East Louisiana) passed with 11 ayes.
  • Council Bills 25-1071 (Rock Drill rezoning), 25-1079 (development agreement), 25-1222 (urban renewal plan), and 25-1221 (cooperation agreement) passed with votes ranging from 10 to 11 ayes.
  • Consent calendar items were approved in a block vote with 12 ayes.

Meeting Transcript

It's time for the weekly general session of your Denver City Council. Tonight's coverage of Denver City Council starts now. Good afternoon, and thank you for taking time to join us for the Denver City Council's meeting. Today is Monday, September 15th, 2025. Tonight's meeting is being interpreted into Spanish. Sam, would you please would you please introduce yourself and let our viewers know how to enable translation on their devices? Yes, of course. Thank you for having us. Hello, everyone. My name is Sam Guzman with the CLC. And along with my colleague Jasmine, we will be interpreting today's meeting into Spanish. Please allow me one minute to uh give instructions in Spanish on how to access interpretation. Thank you very much. Welcome to the Denver City Council meeting of Monday, September 15th, 2025. Council members, please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the play of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under eye, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Council members, please join Council Member Lewis 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 Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapahos 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. Thank you. Madam Secretary, roll call. Council members Gilmore. Here. End of all. Albitres. Here. Flynn. Here. Here. Here. Present. Carity. Here. Torres. Here. Watson. Here. Madam Prota. 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 September 8th? Seeing none, the minute stand approved. The minute stand approved. Great. Okay.

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