Denver City Council Regular Meeting – December 15, 2025
Denver City Council Regular Meeting – December 15, 2025
The Denver City Council convened on Monday, December 15, 2025, for a regular session with 13 members present. The meeting included council announcements, votes on resolutions and bills, a proclamation honoring former Mayor Wellington E. Webb, and a public hearing on a rezoning to allow a National Women's Soccer League stadium. Several items generated extensive debate, including a cold weather shelter contract, a ground lease for an airline involved in deportation flights, and collective bargaining amendments for city employees. The final vote on the stadium rezoning was postponed to December 22.
Consent Calendar
- The Council approved the minutes of December 8th and adopted a block of routine resolutions and bills (series 25- items) with an 11-0 vote.
Council Announcements
- Councilmembers announced community events, holiday programs, library closures, and health reminders, including snow angel volunteering, a District 5 survey, and annual physicals.
Discussion Items
- Cold Weather Shelter (Resolution 25-1958) – Councilmember Alvidrez voiced strong concerns about the shelter at 375 S. Zuni Street, criticizing the administration's lack of genuine outreach and the concentration of shelters in low-income neighborhoods. She cited a personal incident involving a person in crisis but voted yes to save lives. The resolution passed 13-0.
- Salvation Army Family Shelter (Resolution 25-1585) – Councilmember Lewis voted no, criticizing the pattern of shelter placements. The resolution passed 10-3.
- Bag Fee Fund Amendment (Bill 25-2009) – Councilmember Lewis questioned the budget process, noting the ordinance was necessary to allow a transfer already authorized in the budget. Councilmember Parity expressed shock at budgeting contingent on future code changes. Council President Sandoval acknowledged the committee work. The bill was ordered published 11-0.
- Key Lime Air Ground Lease (Resolution 25-1938) – Councilmembers Gilmore, Parity, Lewis, Torres, Watson, Gonzalez-Gutierrez, Alvidrez, and Sandoval opposed the lease due to Key Lime Air's involvement in deportation flights, calling it inconsistent with city values. Councilmember Flynn argued voting down the lease would only let the company use the space for free. The resolution failed with 11 nays and 1 aye.
- Collective Bargaining for City Employees (Bill 25-1556) – Three amendments were adopted. Amendment 3, requiring employee information to be shared with unions (opt-out), passed 9-4 after debate about privacy. Councilmembers Sawyer and Watson opposed, citing safety and doxxing concerns. The bill as amended passed unanimously 13-0.
Proclamation
- Proclamation 25-2082 – Honored former Mayor Wellington E. Webb for his transformative leadership. Councilmembers shared personal stories, and Mayor Webb spoke about his career and family. The proclamation was adopted unanimously.
Public Hearing – Rezoning for Women's Soccer Stadium (Council Bill 25-1541)
- Staff presented a Planned Unit Development (PUD) for 709 S. Delaware Street (Santa Fe Yards) to permit a stadium for Denver Summit FC (National Women's Soccer League). Over 30 public speakers testified. The majority, including neighborhood association leaders and small business owners, expressed strong support, citing a community benefits agreement (CBA) worth $7 million, sustainability commitments, and economic revitalization. A few speakers raised concerns about traffic, environmental remediation, and potential displacement. Councilmembers asked about fire access, transit integration, and CBA details. The public hearing was closed, and the final vote was postponed to December 22 to align with related financing bills.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution 25-1958 adopted (13-0).
- Resolution 25-1585 adopted (10-3).
- Bill 25-2009 ordered published (11-0).
- Resolution 25-1938 failed (11 nays, 1 aye).
- Bill 25-1556 adopted as amended (13-0).
- Proclamation 25-2082 adopted.
- Council Bill 25-1541 public hearing held; vote postponed to December 22, 2025.
- All other routine items in the block vote adopted (11-0).
Meeting Transcript
For the weekly general session of your Denver City Council. Tonight's coverage of Denver City Council starts now. Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for taking the time to join us for the Denver City Council's meeting. Today is Monday, December 15th, 2025. Tonight's meeting is being interpreted into Spanish. Sam or Jasmine? Sam. Sam, 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. Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Sam Guzman with the COC joining you virtually through Zoom. And along with my colleague Jasmine, we will be interpreting today's meeting into Spanish. Please allow me a quick minute while I give instructions in Spanish as to how to access interpretation. Thank you very much. Thank you very much, Sam. Oops. Welcome to the Denver City Council meeting on Monday, December 15th, 2025. Council members, please join Councilmember Flynn in the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members, please join Council Member Flynn as they lead us into the uh 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 Arapaho 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. May this acknowledgement demonstrate a commitment to working to dismantle ongoing legacies of oppression and inequities, and recognize the current and future contributions of indigenous communities in Denver. Thank you, Councilmember. Madam Secretary, we'll call. Council members Heinz. Here. Romero Campbell. Here. Torres. Here. Albitres. Here. Flynn here. Gilmore. Gonzalez Gutierrez. Here. Cashman. Here. Lewis. Present. Parity. Here. Sawyer. Here. Watson. Here. Madam President Sandoval.
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