Denver City Council Meeting – December 22, 2025

The Denver City Council held its final meeting in the current chamber before accessibility renovations, approving a landmark package to bring a National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) stadium to the former Gates Rubber Company site. The meeting featured extensive debate on public investment, community benefits, and equity, with councilmembers voicing both strong support and opposition. Key votes included four stadium-related bills (1552, 1553, 1554, 1850) passed 10-2, and a related rezoning (Bill 1541) passed 11-1.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the minutes of December 15, 2025, without correction.
• Bills for introduction ordered published: 25-2051 (designating 1407 East 11th Avenue for preservation), 25-2034 (entertainment district sunset repeal), 25-2036 (renaming Office of Legislative Services).
• A block of resolutions and bills on final consideration was adopted/approved 12-0, including series 1796, 2006, 2025–2031, 1971, 2033, 2032, 2017, 1808, 2021, 1978, 1974, 1976, 1989, 1975.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Community members from West East Neighborhood United (WENU) spoke during the stadium discussion. Shelby Droolis, Anita Banuelos, Jen Graeving, and Adriana (online) described their 100+ hours of volunteer work negotiating a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA). They expressed unwavering support for the stadium, highlighting a $7 million investment over 10 years, LEED certification, hundreds of new trees, and a commitment to uniting east and west neighborhoods. They urged council to vote yes.
• Sarah Ingram (14ers supporter group officer) testified that the group is independent of the team, values human rights, and sees the stadium as a historic opportunity for women’s sports and community access via public transit.
• Tim Lopez (Baker neighborhood) noted his long involvement in the Gates site redevelopment and encouraged council support.
• During public comment period at 5:00 p.m., families experiencing homelessness were present, but no formal public testimony was recorded in the transcript.

Discussion Items

• Postponement of Council Resolution 1795 (La Paz Micro Community contract with Colorado Village Collaborative) was postponed to January 5, 2026, per Councilmember Alvidrez.
• Council Resolution 2017 (CH2M Hill Engineers contract for National Western Center) – Councilmember Lewis questioned the timing and funding sources. Executive Director Mike Bouchard confirmed the contract is critical for multi-year planning and that funding sources are not yet fully defined. No vote was taken at this time.
• Council Resolution 1583 (Salvation Army shelter operations) – Councilmember Lewis called for a no vote due to lack of confidence in the organization. The resolution passed 10-2 (Lewis and Gonzalez-Gutierrez voting no; Parady also voted no? Actually vote: 10 ayes, 2 nays? The roll call shows Gilmore aye, Hines aye, Sawyer aye, Torres aye, Alvarez aye, Flynn aye, Gonzalez-Gutierrez nay, Cashman aye, Lewis nay, Parady nay, Romero-Campbell aye, Watson aye, Sandoval aye. That's 10 ayes, 2 nays. Correct.)
• Council Bill 2009 (disposable back fee fund uses) – Lewis voted no on second reading, criticizing the process. Passed 11-1.
• National Women's Soccer League Stadium Package (Bills 1552, 1553, 1554, 1850) – The main debate centered on a $70 million public investment using Elevate bond interest savings ($65 million) and other capital improvement funds. Councilmembers raised concerns about:
  • Community benefits – Many praised the CBA but questioned its scale relative to the subsidy.
  • Financial projections – City Economist Lisa Martinez-Templeton clarified that $2.2 billion in projected economic impact is largely from construction (three-quarters), with consumer spending subject to substitution effects. TIF revenue was projected at $158 million, with $133 million subject to a 90-10 split between the ownership group and the city.
  • North Bridge – Estimated at $20–25 million, with only $4 million in state grants applied for. The city may need to find additional funding.
  • Equity – Councilmember Gilmore argued that bond dollars for maintenance shops in District 11 were reduced while District 1 received more, eroding trust. Councilmember Parady called the package a subsidy that could have been used for essential infrastructure and affordable housing.
  • Support – Councilmembers Alvidrez, Flynn, Watson, Romero-Campbell, Torres, Cashman, and others highlighted the historic nature of a women’s stadium, the transformative CBA, and the potential for job creation and community unification. Council President Sandoval noted her due diligence and negotiated an improved payback waterfall, but expressed reservations about the North Bridge obligation.
• Rezoning (Bill 1541) – Changing zoning at 709 South Delaware Street to allow the stadium. The required public hearing had been held December 15; the vote was postponed to this meeting. Councilmember Gilmore voted no; passed 11-1.

Key Outcomes

• Council Resolution 1795 (La Paz Micro Community) – Postponed to January 5, 2026.
• Council Resolution 2017 (National Western Center) – No vote recorded; discussion only.
• Council Resolution 1583 (Salvation Army) – Adopted 10-2.
• Council Bill 2009 (disposable back fee fund) – Passed 11-1.
• Council Bills 1552, 1553, 1554, 1850 (NWSL stadium package) – Passed 10-2 (Lewis and Parady voting no). The package includes city land purchase, infrastructure improvements, and TIF support.
• Council Bill 1541 (rezoning) – Passed 11-1 (Gilmore voting no).
• Block of resolutions and bills – Adopted/passed 12-0.
• Next meeting: Monday, January 5, 2026, in the Parr-Widener room due to chamber renovations.