Hey Denver, it's time for the weekly general session of your Denver City Council.

Tonight's coverage of Denver City Council starts now.

For the foreseeable future, probably till July.

So, if you have any questions, comments, feedback, have patience with us while we do our first

council meeting here.

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

Today is Monday, January 5th, 2026.

Tonight's meeting is being interpreted into Spanish.

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

Yes, of course. Feliz Año Nuevo. Happy New Year. Hello, everyone.

My name is Sam Guzman, the CLC, 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 on how to access interpretation.

of listening to Spanish.

If you join us in the new camera,

please seek a assistant

who can give you headphones

to be able to listen to Spanish.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Sam.

Happy New Year to you.

Wow, that rings different on your line.

Welcome to the Denver City Council meeting of Monday, January 5th, 2026.

Happy New Year, everyone.

Council members, please join Council Member Cashman in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for

which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you. Council members, please join Councilmember Cashman 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 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.

We also recognize that government, academic, and cultural institutions were founded upon and continue to enact exclusions and erasures of indigenous peoples.

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 so much, Council Member Cashman.

Madam Secretary, roll call.

Council Member Alderweire here.

Flynn.

Here.

Gilmore.

Here.

Gonzalez Gutierrez? Here.

Hines?

Cashman? Here.

Lewis? Here.

Parity? Here.

Romero-Campo? Here.

Sawyer? Here.

Torres? Here.

Watson? Here.

Madam President Sandoval? Here.

12 members present.

12 members present. City Council has a quorum.

Madam Secretary, or producers, we might have to bump it up a little bit.

it's really hard for us to hear the council secretary.

I don't know if that was just me or if that's everybody else,

but I imagine a lot of us were having a hard time.

So we'll have to adjust some of that moving forward.

Thank you. Approval of the minutes.

Are there any corrections to the minutes of December 22nd?

Seeing none, the minutes stand approved.

Council announcements. Are there any council announcements?

And council members, remember you use your little computer to get into the queue, your little Dell.

Council member Paradis, start us off.

Yeah, just on the one.

This is our wonderful privilege.

I would love to make this announcement on December 22nd, which would have been my first chance.

And it's just to wish my son, Oscar, a happy fourth birthday.

He's doing a great job being so still and quiet.

Bum in the chair.

But thank you, madam.

Thank you, Council President.

I actually also have a birthday.

My daughter is turning 27 tomorrow and just thrilled and love her and wish her a very happy birthday.

Thank you.

Councilmember Flynn?

Thank you, Madam President. It's our first meeting in here on my desk in the dais. I usually have my father's funeral card under the glass, but my father passed away eight years ago. So it's a hard day for me and for my brother.

I also want to make note of 106 years ago today, a Denver police officer, James Boghio, was shot and died three days later, executing a warrant on a homicide suspect up in the Sunnyside neighborhood on 46th Avenue.

and he passed away on January 8th

and some of the descendants of his nieces and nephews

because he had no children

have been gathered and will be present in Denver

with the Denver Peace Museum to erect a sign at the site

that has occurred on the 8th

which is on Thursday

so I just wanted to make a note about this six years ago today

thank you

thank you

Councilmember Cashman

Thank you, Madam President. A moment of personal privilege. I need to note the passing of a great dendrite, long-time District 6 resident, Don Etter.

Don was 91 years old when he passed away on the winter solstice, December 21.

from Yale University in 1955 and his JD from Harvard in 58.

He married his wife, Carolyn, in 1957.

And I had to know the two of them

to really know what truly wonderful match they were.

Don was an attorney joining Holland and Harden in 1958

when he practiced law for some 30 years.

Following his retirement from active practice, Don and his partner made history, Don and Carolyn, serving our city jointly as co-managers of the Department of Parks and Recreation from 1987 to 1991 under then Mayor Federico Pena.

He and Carolyn saw major improvements past the $60 million bond package,

rec center upgrades, expanded handicap accessibility,

and made major strides in increasing Denver's urban forest.

Don was a student of history in architecture,

an advocate for the protection and preservation of both architectural

and landscape resources along the way.

His work was acknowledged with the stewardship,

excellent award from the Trust for Public Land.

A memorial service will be held this Friday,

the 9th at 2 p.m. at University Park Methodist Church

at 2180 South University.

It'll be live streamed, a bio link,

that will be available in the next few days.

Don was truly a good man, devoted heart and soul to Denver, its landscape, and its people who will surely be sorely missed.

Thank you.

Sending condolences to the family.

Thank you, Council Member Cashman.

Council Member Gilmore.

Thank you, Council President.

I wanted to make sure that folks are aware of the intimidation tactics that are going on regarding gender-affirming care at our local hospitals, Denver Health and Children's Hospital.

You notice that Denver Health will stop filling prescriptions for folks on Saturday, January 3rd.

So that has already passed.

And it's very troubling.

and I encourage the city council and members of the public who are watching this,

the only way that this doesn't happen is if we stay noisy and loud

about why gender-affirming care is very important,

especially to those who are 18 years old and younger,

because the sooner that folks can access gender-affirming care,

the sooner that they are out of harm's way for suicide.

or drug abuse or alcoholism. Thank you, Council President. Thank you. Council Member Albedris.

Thank you, Council President. I wanted to start with a huge fire. Thank you to Denver Fire for

the amazing work that they did. I think we all saw in the news that there was a five alarm fire

in Denver this past week, and it was very concerning. One of my aides happened to be in

the area. They shut up down power. It was a huge, something that we're not used to seeing in the

city. So I wanted to shout out the Denver Fire Department for that. I also wanted to share that,

well, one, obviously based on my non-normal dress to council, excited about the National

Western Stock Show kicking off this week. One of our most iconic traditions. We'll be kicking off

January 8th with the parade downtown at 11 30 a.m. and in District 7 we are having our own Westside

Vaqueros event in the same spirit of the stock show and the entire community is invited. We're

hosting Westside Vaqueros celebration. The gathering is to kick off the National Western

Stock Show. It will be celebrated Thursday January 8th from 5 30 to 8 30 p.m. at Desert Social

located at 1312 South Broadway. We will have food, music, and some tickets to the

stock show, as well as a tequila tasting and a curated cocktail menu, and a chance

to win tickets to the National Western Stock Show. The event is free, everyone's

welcome to attend, and we hope you'll join us for an evening of culture, history,

and connection. You can RSVP at the link using our Instagram bio at

Denver's Lucky District 7. Another event that we've been working on next week

we'll have our 2026 wellness event.

Wednesday the 14th, we'll be having a pre-expo wellness kickoff

from 6 to 8 p.m. at 66 South Lincoln Street.

Stop by for a chance to meet local wellness professionals,

enjoy free sips, snacks, and music,

and learn about tools and resources to support your mental health

and overall well-being.

Again, that link will be at Denver's Lucky District 7 Instagram page.

You can also email us at district7 at denvergov.org for any of these events.

And then since everyone's doing birthday wishes, both of my parents had birthdays over the break a couple days apart.

So I get mom's birthday, Christmas, dad's birthday.

So mom and dad, happy birthday, whatever camera's looking at me right now.

Hi, mom and dad, happy birthday.

And they're also celebrating their anniversary this week, which is in the 40s, almost 50-year anniversary.

So working their way up there.

Thank you, Senator.

Thank you.

House member Watson.

Thank you, Council President. I want to say thank you to Councilmember Cashman for acknowledging Edders. I met them in the early 2000s when I was chair of the Parks and Rec Advisory Board.

and they provided me such great advice and counsel as to what the role and importance of that board is.

Their stewardship of our parks continued long after they were no longer the executive directors.

And so I was not aware of that until my condolences goes out to them and their family and all those who love them.

And so on a different topic, Council Member Alvizras, thank you so much for wearing a hat.

I was going to bring my cowboy hat today, but I left it at home, so I'll wear it for some business.

You'll see me in mine, but I wanted to welcome all of Denver to Define District 9.

National Western Stock Show begins on the 8th this Thursday, and it continues until the 26th, January 8th through the 26th.

The thing that I love the most, and I may share a little bit about it today,

we're going to do a proclamation for them is that there is a scholarship fund that the National Western Scholarship Trust

that provides over $500,000 in funds to students.

So the National Western events are amazing.

They're great community traditions and also is a great investment into community.

And one other community point over the last several weeks, actually several months,

members of Five Points community have been engaged in discussions on Mestizo Curtis Park pool.

We just received notice.

Our surveys closed as of yesterday.

Over 1,000 folks communicated what they would like to see for that pool,

and we look forward to seeing the outcomes of that and bringing that to council

and bringing it to everyone else to see really what the community is asking for for that pool.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

House member Lewis?

Thank you.

I have a few, but I wanted to start with thanking Council Member Gilmore for raising that because I think it's so important.

And I was really disappointed to hear about those updates with Denver Health and their compliance with whatever is happening with this federal administration.

I think this is a really good time for us to really plan in our values and our morals.

And so thank you for bringing attention to that.

I also wanted to thank Bree, who you all know is in my office.

She was my chief of staff.

And I want to wish her the best in her move to Australia.

I'm really sad about it.

Brie was instrumental in engaging in community through efforts like the Corvette Corridor

Task Force, the Budget Book Club Series.

She was always curious.

She was always conscientious and I hope that she thrives in her next chapter and she will

be sorely missed.

She's one of my favorite kids in the world.

Also I wanted to thank Tamara Hudson for the work that she was able to do in our office

as well.

She created beautiful materials, most notably the Budget Book Club Series as well as stepping

And then to provide support with our sponsorships for the Hiawatha Davis budget.

And then 1 more announcement is last month, I flagged for you all as council members as well as the general public.

The city had acquired a site on Peoria street in my district for cold weather sheltering at that time. I flagged my disappointment with the process, which is overwhelmingly concentrated.

in my district with these types of facilities.

On the day after Christmas, I was noticed by that the city has leased yet another site in my district

on the same street for uses for cold weather sheltering.

And I would love for the mayor's office and that administration and city agencies

and city council to figure out how we better distribute these necessary burdens

so that they are not landing primarily in my constituents.

So this is yet another one.

I've said it.

I'm more president, I think.

Thank you.

Councilmember Sawyer.

Thank you, Madam President.

I want to just start by saying thank you to our first responders and Denver Fire for the extraordinary work that they did on Friday night with the fire on Leedsdale and Forest.

So that has been reported it's in Glendale.

It's actually in District 5.

And it's such a shame that we lost that building.

that was going to be several hundred units of housing were set to open in May, which is really

sad. But what is extraordinary is that that is a huge building. It's a huge property. There are 18

properties adjacent to it. And while there was some damage, obviously there was, there was no,

it didn't spread at all. This is a five alarm fire that did not spread. And that was specific

to the hard work of Denver Fire, our firefighters, and the firefighters from South Denver Metro

and other areas that came in, Aurora, Glendale, that came in to help support Denver Fire in this.

So I just want to give them all a huge shout out, say thank you to all of them for the

extraordinary work that they did, because this was a huge fire, but it could have been

an absolute disaster. And it wasn't because of their quick response and all of the support that

they received and all of the wonderful work that they did. So I want to just start by giving them

a round of applause. Thank you. And then secondly, we have a proclamation coming up, but I want to

just acknowledge my friend and former RTD director for District A, Kate Williams, who is in the

audience today. For those of you who know Kate, she spent seven years as an RTD director and was

a really active and wonderful part of RTD. She is the reason that Free Fair for Youth exists at all

in the city and county of Denver and within the RTD system. I'm going to try not to cry as I say

this. So several years ago, Kate was diagnosed with terminal cancer. And we had a proclamation

for her as city council, and we thought that perhaps that was going to be maybe one of the

last times that we saw her. And so this is a celebration of Kate's amazing perseverance,

her spirit, and her willingness to fight this awful disease. Because she's here with us today,

two years later. And that is really, really extraordinary. And I want to acknowledge that.

And I want to say thank you to Mike Hess and Denver Police Foundation because I have a little surprise for Kate in celebration of her two years of fighting cancer and the joy that she is still with us.

Mike and the team flew this flag over the Colorado State Capitol in honor of Kate Williams and all of her work in our community over the last several years.

And so Kate, if you don't mind coming up to the podium,

I'm gonna give this to you.

And let's give Kate a round of applause for her.

Woo!

You sure do.

I just want to say thank you.

You are more than welcome to.

I want to give a shout out while everybody's giving shout outs to Anschutz Cancer Center

for the amazing stuff that they do and the support that they have given me.

And I want to give you all a shout out for all of the days and hours and nights that

you work on behalf of the people of Denver to make this one of the best places to live.

Thank you all.

Thank you, Councilwoman.

What a nice way to start the year.

So for those who may have their Christmas tree still up,

Denver recycles Christmas trees.

You could take it to Sloan's Lake.

I still have mine up.

And they have a tree drop, so if you want to go and drop off

and recycle your Christmas tree, please do.

It turns into wonderful mulch in the spring.

And on this Sunday, January 11th at 10 a.m. at 3700 La Pan, Highland United Neighbors is doing a cleanup.

So if you want to join and start doing a cleanup and start your year, maybe it's a resolution to get involved in community.

Please join the Highland United Neighbors at 10 a.m. at 3700 La Pan Street.

and I'll just end with a moment of personal privilege.

Tomorrow is my son's 22nd birthday

and happy birthday to Alexander

and glad he's home safe from Europe.

It's weird having older kids when you have them

traveling all over.

All right, see no other members.

Oh, Council Member Torres.

Oh, thank you.

I could have skipped.

Mine is less personal

and much more of just observing what's happening globally and our role in it and expressing

my shock at the military action to capture the president of Venezuela and his wife without

congressional approval. I don't know any Venezuelan with affection for Maduro, but seeing the

government kidnap him for obvious and exclusive interests in the oil resources of the country

and not in the interests of the citizens of Venezuela makes me sick.

Denver knows more than most that Maduro has been a horrific dictator.

We saw the lengths that citizens would go to to seek safety.

Denver saw over 40,000 people, and they are part of the hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans

who have tried to make their home in the United States of America and seek safety.

But it doesn't make the action right or even legal, and just wanted to share that.

Thank you.

Seeing that no other members in the queue, there are no presentations, there are no communications.

There is one proclamation being read this afternoon.

Council Member Sawyer, please read Proclamation 2170.

Thank you, Madam President.

Sorry, I'm working on the screens here, so I got a lot going on.

Okay, I'm ready.

But I don't have my reading glasses, you guys, so wait for me.

I can see it from here.

Proclamation 25-2170, recognizing January as Denver Blood Donor Month and recognizing Vitalant for its life-saving work.

Whereas the need for volunteer blood, platelet, and plasma donations is constant to meet everyday patient needs for traumas, surgeries, cancer treatments, and more.

And whereas Vitalant, the nation's largest independent nonprofit blood services provider,

is exclusively focused on providing life-saving blood and comprehensive transfusion medicine

services for 95% of their hospitals and patients in Colorado.

And whereas millions of people in communities throughout the country depend on generous

volunteer blood donors and Vitalant's dedicated team to make sure life-saving blood is available

when and where it is needed.

And whereas each year in the U.S. approximately 610,000 volunteer donors give about 1.2 million

pints of blood, 300,000 platelets, and 200,000 plasma donations.

These donations are processed into more than 2 million blood components for patients in

need.

And whereas currently all blood types are needed, especially type O blood donations.

Type O negative blood is the universal blood donor type.

Our doctors reach for it first to help stabilize patients before their blood type is known.

And whereas, blood donations come solely from generous volunteer donors and cannot be replicated in a lab.

Whereas, the majority of the population is eligible to donate, yet only about 3% actually do.

And whereas, the month of January is recognized as National Blood Donor Month,

and a time to encourage and recognize volunteer blood donors.

Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by Denver City Council.

Section 1, that Denver City Council hereby recognizes Vitalant for its work to meet every patient need, wherever possible and whenever it arises.

Section 2, that the Denver City Council shares in the efforts to raise awareness about the ongoing need,

and hereby joins in the national celebration by proclaiming January 2025 as Blood Donor Month.

And Section 3, that the Clerk of the City and County of Denver

shall affix the seal of the City and County of Denver to this proclamation

and a copy be transmitted to Vitalant.

Thank you.

I move that Proclamation 21-25-2170 be adopted.

It has been moved and seconded.

Comments by members of Council. Council Member Sawyer.

Thank you, Madam President.

And so this is the sixth year in a row that we have done a blood donation in District 5 in the month of January.

We started this during COVID, and Kate Williams sitting over there was one of the elected officials.

Councilmember Cashman was with us, Councilmember Hines.

We all kind of got together and said, let's do a Southeast Denver Gives Blood blood drive during COVID.

The need for blood has not dissipated since COVID.

You know, there are just fewer people giving blood donations.

And we're really proud in District 5 that we've got Vitalant's main Colorado campus

located in Lowry, right by the Great Lawn.

So I wanted to say thank you.

Our goal this month is to get 10 donations by January 31st, which would save about 30

lives.

And, you know, we know that fewer people donate during the holiday season than any other time

of year.

really important. So that's why January is National Blood Donor Month and we are really

proud to participate in this as well. So with that, you don't have to wait to donate after

receiving your seasonal flu or COVID-19 vaccine if you meet all of the eligibility requirements.

So please go to our website where you can find the link to sign up for our blood drive

and join us this month.

I'm signing up.

I've got the link in my email right now

to donate blood myself.

So get out there and help us out.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Someone is a recipient got really sick

for those who don't know

and I had seven pints of blood given to me.

So I always am so thankful for people

who I think my doctor said

that I had no, none of my original blood in me. I had only donated blood at one point in my life

and I was ineligible to donate for so long. It was almost, it was years. I was like, I think

seven years that I couldn't keep wanting to donate and last year was the first day, year I was able

to donate blood so I will be donating this year again as somebody who is a, has been a recipient

of it and a good dear friend of mine almost passed away last year and he was a recipient and I went

and donated blood in his honor.

So whoever can, please donate blood

because I would not be sitting here

had somebody not donated blood.

I literally probably would have died.

So thank you Council Member Sawyer for bringing this forward.

Council Member Pro Temer-Mira Campbell.

Thank you Madam President.

And thank you for bringing this forward.

Both my parents, when they were going

through their cancer treatment and then also,

it was life saving.

We both received multiple transfusions

and we are universal donors,

and so I just appreciate you bringing this forward,

and in Southeast Denver,

I will definitely put it in our newsletter

to people to call and donate one as well.

Thank you.

Thank you.

See no other members in the queue.

Madam Secretary, roll call.

Council members, Albedez.

Aye.

Flynn.

Aye.

Gilmore.

Aye.

Gonzalez-Petierrez.

Aye.

Cashman.

Aye.

Lewis.

Aye.

Carity.

Aye.

Romero-Campel.

Aye.

Sawyer.

Aye.

Suarez.

Aye.

Watson.

Aye.

Madam Secretary, close the voting, announce the results.

12 ayes.

12 ayes.

Proclamation 2170 has been adopted.

We have time for the proclamation acceptance.

Councilmember Sawyer, who would you like to invite up to accept the proclamation?

Thank you, Madam President.

So I would like to welcome Vitalant Communications Manager for Colorado and Wyoming, Brooke.

Brooke, your last name changed.

Congratulations on getting married.

Come on up.

Thank you.

Yeah, my new name's Brooke Derleshon.

It's harder than way, so that's unfortunate.

I was like, wait a minute.

But thanks for having us.

And the sixth year, I can't believe it.

I've been with Vitalon now for more than six years.

So we've been doing this as long as I've been with the company.

And I just thank all of you, especially Councilwoman Sawyer, for making sure this continues to happen every single year.

As she explained very well, the holidays are the lowest time for blood donation.

Those two weeks for Christmas and then New Year are the slowest two weeks for us.

And we lose many, many units because people are traveling.

They're celebrating.

They're not coming in to give.

So what's great about this drive she has every year

is it's a virtual blood drive.

That's what came out of COVID, which was the only silver

lining, I would say, for the blood donation community.

But so you can give when and where it's convenient for you.

You don't have to wait for one blood drive day or event.

You can sign up near your local center blood drive

and give when you can.

So I think we could do more than 10 donations, I hope.

But thank you, Madam President, for sharing your story as well.

And Kate, I'm so glad to see you're doing well.

So many people rely on transfusions for so many reasons.

So I really appreciate you doing this and recognizing Denver and encouraging them to come out.

This is the first year that the state legislature is actually recognizing this as well.

So for your work, I think that helped make that happen too.

So thank you. We appreciate you.

Thank you.

Madam Secretary, please read the bills for introduction.

Dash 2106, a bill for an ordinance to correct ordinance number 1768, series of 2025,

approving a proposed land acquisition between the city and county of Denver,

the Florida Avenue, and Quebec Way mini roundabout project

designating certain properties as being required for public use and granting the authority to acquire through negotiated purchase or condemnation

all or any portion of any property interest as needed for installment.

From the Governance and Intergovernmental Relations Committee, 25-2056, a bill for an ordinance approving the proposed agreement between the City and County of Denver

and Regional Transportation District to offer qualified Denver employees the RTD Eagle Pass.

and from the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee 25-2084,

a bill for an ordinance approving a proposed intergovernmental agreement

between the City and County of Denver and Colorado Department of Transportation

to reimburse the City for maintenance of state highways in five locations

within the jurisdiction of the City and County of Denver citywide.

Thank you.

Council Members, this is your last opportunity to call out an item.

Council Member Cashman, will you make the motions for us this evening?

Yes, Council President.

Thank you.

I'll do a recap.

Under resolutions, resolution 2113 has been called out for a vote by Council Member Gonzalez Gutierrez.

Council resolution 2059 has been called out for postponement by Council Member Lewis.

And resolution 2070 has been called out for questions by Council Member Lewis.

Under bills for introductions, no items have been called out.

Under bills for final consideration, no items have been called out.

under pending.

No items have been called out.

Madam Secretary, please put the first item on our screens.

Council Resolution 2113,

a resolution approving a proposed fifth and mandatory agreement

between the city and county of Denver

and La Raza Services Incorporated

to continue to provide culturally appropriate case management

and follow-up services

for the Support Team Assistant Response Program,

STAR, citywide.

Council Member Cashman, will you please put Council Resolution 2113 on the floor for adoption?

I need the Council Resolution 25-2113 be adopted.

It has been moved and seconded.

Comments by members of Council?

Council Member Gonzalez Gutierrez?

Thank you, Madam President.

I called this out because I need to abstain on this, as always.

Madam Secretary roll call on council resolution 2113.

Council members Alvarez.

Aye.

Flynn.

Aye.

Gilmore.

Aye.

Gonzalez-Pedirez.

Abstain.

Cashman.

Aye.

Lewis.

Aye.

Parity.

Aye.

Romero-Campel.

Aye.

Sawyer.

Torres.

Aye.

Watson.

Aye.

Madam President Sandoval.

Aye.

Madam Secretary close the voting and announce the results.

10 ayes 10 eyes council resolution 2113 has been adopted madam secretary please put the next item

on our screens council resolution 2059 a resolution laying out opening and establishing as part of the

city street parcels of land located in stapleton filing number 49 subdivision as public right-of-way

as 1, North Spruce Street, 2, East 54th Place, 3, East Perry Meadow Drive, 4, North Trenton Street,

5, East 53rd Drive, 6, North Tamarack Street, 7, East 54th Place, 8, North Tamarack Way,

9, East 54th Drive, 10, East 55th Avenue, 11, North Uinta Street, 12, East 55th Place,

13 East 55th Avenue, 14 North Nguenta Street, North Nguenta Way,

18 East Perry Meadow Drive, 16 North Valencia Street,

17 East 54th Place, 18 East 54th Place, 19 North Valencia Street,

20, North Valentia Court, 2021, 21, North Verbena Street, 22, East 54th, 54th Drive, 23, East 54th Place, 24, North Verbena Way, 25, North Wabash Way, 26, North Wabash Street, 27, East 54th Avenue, 28, East 54th Place,

29 East 55th Avenue, 30 North Willow Street, 31 East 55th Drive, 32 North Exenia Street,

33 North Exenia Court, 34 North Exenia Street, 35 East 53rd Avenue, 36 North Willow Way,

37 North Akron Street, 38 East 52nd Avenue Place, 38 East 52nd Avenue Place, 39 North

Xenia Street, 40 North Willow Way, 41 North Yosemite Way, 42 East 52nd Avenue, 43 East

Perry Meadow Drive, and 44th North Verbena Street.

Council Member Lewis, please go ahead with your questions and comments on Council Resolution

2059.

Thank you so much.

I had questions about this item that I was unable to bring to the answers that were provided

to me, and so I needed a little more time on this item, and I would like to postpone

this item for one week going to rule 3.6. I mean I'd like to postpone this to the next

regular council meeting which is Monday January 12th 2026. Thank you. Madam Secretary or John

can we postpone this rule via rule 3.6? No it has to be postponed to a date certain which

requires a vote.

Got it.

Council Member Lewis,

what would you like to do

with Council Resolution 2059?

I'd like to postpone this

to a date certain

to January 12, 2026.

It has been moved.

And seconded.

You need to make

any other statements?

Are you good?

I just wanted to be able

to dig into it more.

I mean, I think you could

see from me all of this.

It's pretty interesting.

Just turn your roll call

on the postponement

and council resolution 2059.

Council members Albitrez.

Aye.

Flynn.

Aye.

Gilmore.

Aye.

Gonzalez Gutierrez.

Aye.

Cashman.

Aye.

Lewis.

Aye.

Parity.

Aye.

Romero-Campo.

Aye.

Sawyer.

Aye.

Torres.

Aye.

Watson.

Aye.

Madam President Sandoval.

Aye.

Madam Secretary, close vote and announce the results.

12 ayes.

12 ayes.

2059 has been postponed to a date certain, which is next week, January 12th.

Madam Secretary, please put the next item on our screens.

Council Resolution 2070, a resolution approving a proposed 7th amendatory agreement between

the City and County of Denver and U.S. Motels Denver North, Inc. to provide units for the

support team assisted program, STAR program, and non-congregate shelter, as well as congregate

shelter spaces for individuals and families when the city's emergency shelter beds are full through

the established non-congregate shelter program citywide. Council member Lewis, please go ahead

with your questions and comments on council resolution 2070. We have a few, but I'll start with

two right now. So does this item come before us tonight, authorize the use of these funds

with city-owned ballrooms for cold-weather sheltering?

Good afternoon, Jeff Kuczynski, Deputy Director of Host.

No, this is authorizing us to use both hotel rooms and ballrooms owned by the U.S. Motels Company.

And what are the number of hotels that are owned by U.S.,

and where the locations that are eligible.

Sure.

Okay.

I've got the list right here.

So 4849 Bannock in District 9 is a hotel that we would only use

in the event of an emergency.

It would be for overflow, cold weather shelter for up

to 80 individuals in the event that our other sites are full.

2601 Zuni Street in District 1 is a hotel that we use for family cold weather sheltering.

We both issue hotel vouchers at that location and then use that location as a hotel site.

How many? I believe the total number of beds at that site is about 140.

Thank you.

Then there is the comfort suites at 620 Federal Boulevard in District 3,

which is also used for family cold weather sheltering, about 100 hotel units available there,

as well as the comfort Peoria at 4380 Peoria, which is also used for cold weather sheltering for families.

I believe it is also about 100 rooms are available to us, although it's flexible.

We add the rooms as we need them.

And then 4411 Peoria Street is a hotel in which we can, again, just use a ballroom for a cold weather shelter for single adults in the event that we need additional beds.

So the 4411 Peoria, is that the one that was just recently announced for cold weather sheltering?

It's the one that we recently needed to use during the last activation.

The day after Christmas?

Yes.

So then these dollars would be able to provide funding for cold weather sheltering and that

would not need to come back to council members you would just open cold weather sheltering

wherever you all decided based on your methodology and then we would just have to deal with what

that looks like yeah i mean that that's correct we open up um and and again this is the very similar

contract to what we had uh last year um we're just adding additional funding to that contract

As cold weather shelter demands increase, we utilize non-city owned sites as necessary.

And then for families, because we're providing them with a non-congregate option for cold weather,

we use those hotels, again, expanding as we need to based on the demand for cold weather shelter.

Okay, so that's helpful because then we are leasing the Peoria sites for weather sheltering.

Yes, we did use it during the last activation and the ballrooms that we use just to clarify

are also not available 24-7.

They're overflow overnight only cold weather shelter.

All right, that's helpful.

Those are the only questions I have.

I would actually like to see if I can talk to the attorneys to see if I can postpone this one.

Because I'd like to dig into this one a bit more.

Considering that I just learned that I had another shelter in my district.

And I think this is the method in which the administration is able to just dig a bunch of these in the district without having conversations with the council member.

And concentrating these in my district that I'd like to figure out if we could postpone this.

so that I could learn just a bit more about

what this methodology is and what the vision is

in terms of opening cold weather sheltering.

This resolution can be postponed to 3.6.

Okay.

So this 0,

14, 70,

be postponed to next week,

you have rule 3.6, city council rule 3.6.

Got it.

And council president I was losing

Thank you to also ask a question.

Councilmember Perry, go ahead.

Councilmember Perry, thank you so much.

I just had a really quick follow-up question, Jeff, because I was listening to what you're

saying and thank you so much.

I didn't catch the number of people that could be at 4411 Peoria, Max.

I'm sorry if you said it.

80.

Okay.

And then did I hear you right that both 4849 Bannock and 4411 Peoria are just cold weather

single adults in the ballrooms?

Sorry, say again, 48, 49, and 44, 11?

Yeah.

Yeah, that's correct.

And the rest of them are renting rooms for family overflow?

That is correct.

So do we just lease a ballroom, a standalone?

Like, is that the arrangement?

That is correct, yeah, when it's available to us.

It may not be available on every single night.

We're just, again, trying to have as big of a footprint as we possibly can

to meet the demands for cold weather shelter.

Okay.

That caught my ear because I don't remember.

That sounds like a new thing to me that we've got an arrangement with a hotel where we're just running out the bubble room for old cold weather overflow.

And I'm interested to hear that because it seems like a new strategy.

Yeah, well, it's a necessary tactic given the fact that Stone Creek was not able to be used again given construction at that location.

and we've anticipated a 15% to 20% increase in demand.

We don't know that there's going to be that,

but we want to make sure that no matter what,

we have enough space and we don't have to turn anybody away ever.

So we have quite a few more sites than we had last year,

kind of out of necessity.

Real estate started searching for sites last April,

and it's been a challenge, and this is what we were able to come up with.

Yeah, thank you. I'm not getting at anything specific. I just was curious because it did seem like a new thing that we were doing to try to meet because we saw such an unbelievable need last year.

So it just perked my ears up because I was curious how we were meeting that.

And then you said also these are leases where the ballroom may not be available on a particular cold night.

That's correct.

Or flexing between different spaces depending on what is.

Yes.

I think it could be, this is a bit of a sidebar, but I think it could be really, really helpful

knowing that this has been evolving for us all to just see the full span of like potential

cold weather sites as it exists right now because it has changed a lot for you all.

So just to follow up.

Yeah, we can email you all tomorrow with the list of sites, the addresses, the exact

number of people that they can serve.

Yeah, that would be amazing.

And hopefully we will keep not having too much cold weather.

Like, we'll just, you know.

All right.

Thank you.

That was all.

I believe all of us should have an email from Cole asking if you want a briefing for a cold weather shelter.

So if you could all respond.

I think it got sent out late last week.

So I would encourage everyone to take a briefing if you need an update on the cold weather sheltering plan.

I think you just got sent out.

Council Member Lewis.

Thank you.

And I have my briefing already scheduled with Cole for this week.

I'm curious, Jeff.

When you, in the email that I received, it said leasing.

Are you, so when you all are saying leasing, are you mean leasing with U.S. motels or actual, can you explain that to me?

Yeah, that is correct.

I'm not sure the use of the word leasing was the right, I'm not sure what the word would be actually.

It's kind of a, you know, we're renting rooms on a per night basis as available.

But not necessarily leasing out the hotel.

That's correct.

Yeah, we're not master leasing any of these hotels, nor do we have control over, we have to call U.S. motels when we think we're going to activate and give them an estimate of what our demand is going to be, both in the individual units and the ballrooms.

Thank you.

Thank you.

No motion is required and Council Resolution 2070 has been postponed one week pursuant to Rule 3.6.

This concludes the items to be called out.

All bills for introduction are ordered published.

Council members, remember that this is a consent or block vote and you will need to vote aye.

Otherwise, this is your last chance to call out an item for a separate vote.

Council Member Cashman,

will you please put the resolutions for adoption

and the bills on final consideration

for final passage on the floor?

Yes, I move that the resolutions be adopted

and bills on final consideration

be placed upon final consideration

and do pass in a block for the following items,

all series of 2025, 2022, 2023,

2022 2023 screen move like lightning 2069 21 10 2035 157 2102 2103 2104 2105 2058 2063

2090, 2091, 2092, 2093, 2094, 2095, 2096, that's right folks 2097, 2115, 2116, 2117, 2118,

21 19 21 20 21 21 21 22 21 23 21 24 21 25 1983 1984 19 excuse me 20 89 21 14

1795 2088 2060 2061 2064 2065 2066 2067 2068 2083 2087 2098 2099 2100

2034-2036.

Thank you.

It has been moved and seconded.

Madam Secretary, roll call.

Council members Alvarez.

Aye.

Flynn.

Aye.

Gilmore.

Aye.

Gonzalez Gutierrez.

Aye.

Cashman.

Aye.

Lewis.

Aye.

Parity.

Aye.

Romero Campbell.

Aye.

Sawyer.

Aye.

Torres.

Aye.

Watson.

Aye.

Madam President Sandoval.

Aye.

Madam Secretary, close the voting.

Announce the results.

Twelve ayes.

Twelve ayes.

The resolutions have been adopted

and the bills have been placed upon final consideration

and do pass.

Tonight there will be a required public hearing

on Council Bill 2051

designating 1407 East 11th Avenue

as a structure for preservation.

If there are no objections from members of council,

we will recess until 5 p.m.

before convening the regular meeting,

and City Council will provide a half-hour general public comment session

to hear from the public on city matters,

except for any matter that is scheduled for a legally required public hearing.

The general public comment session will begin at 5 p.m.

Here's what's happening in Denver this week.

Welcome to Industry Night, an event that allows theater creatives to gather under one roof and present their work to each other, get feedback, and just get to see each other on a regular basis.

This event is perfect for anyone that wants to connect with the theater community or needs a platform that will allow them to present their work to a live audience.

Tonight, that concludes our general public comment session.

If we did not get to you today, please join us next week or submit your comments in writing.

The next session will be held on Monday, January 12th.

Sign up begins at 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 8th.

We look forward to hearing from you again and thank you for attending.

Council will now reconvene from our earlier session.

There is no unfinished business from the earlier session.

There are two proclamations being read this evening.

Council Member Watson, please read Proclamation 2173.

Thank you, Council President. Proclamation number 252173, welcoming the 120th National Western Stock Show, Rodeo and Horse Show to Denver.

Whereas the 120th National Western Stock Show, Rodeo and Horse Show opens in Denver on January 10th, 2026 and runs through January 25th, 2026.

and whereas the National Western Stock Show celebrates the Western heritage of Denver and Colorado

and showcases the diversity of the Western culture through the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza

and MLK Junior African American Heritage Rodeo.

And whereas the campus will be an international center of excellence in agriculture,

in agricultural innovation, education, research, and technology and entertainment,

serving the needs of urban and rural Colorado.

And whereas the National Stock Show, known as the Super Bowl of Livestock Shows, attracts more than 700,000 visitors from all 50 states and over 30 countries and contributes $170 million to Colorado's economy.

and whereas the Denver National Western Stock Show

has established a Denver scholarship program

for Denver students to educate the next generation

of leaders in traditional and emerging fields

in agriculture to address local and global issues.

And whereas the National Western Stock Show Scholarship Trust

is deeply rooted in the organization's core mission

and 120 scholarships annually are provided

to Colorado universities and additional 20 scholarships

provided to students graduating from Denver area high schools, studying in the field of agriculture,

and whereas 2026 will feature over 100 events over the 16-day run, including rodeos,

Colorado's largest western trade show, folkloric dancers, animal exhibitions,

and judging, horse shows, children's farmyard, and much more.

now therefore be proclaimed by the denver city council section one the denver city council

welcomes the 120th national western stock show rodeo and horse show to denver and residents are

encouraged to saddle up and enjoy the entertaining and educational events at the show section two the

clerk and recorder of the city and county of denver shall affix the seal of the city and county of

denver to this proclamation and that a copy be transmitted to the western stock show association

Thank you. Council Member Watson, your motion to adopt.

Madam President, I move that proclamation 252173 be adopted.

It has been moved and seconded.

Comments by members of council. Council Member Watson.

Thank you, Council President. This being the 128th anniversary of Western Stock Show,

I want to welcome the residents of Denver to the fine District 9, all of the communities.

I think one of the things that I am most proud of for the stock show is the way that this stock show raises money for scholarships for young people throughout the city and county of Denver.

We highlighted some of those impacts to communities, not just on the east side, but throughout Denver.

And I want to thank the leadership of Denver Western Stock Show, all the community members, the young kids that come and participate and learn the importance of agriculture,

and all the participation of the members of council here throughout the years in celebrating National Western.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

Council Member Sandoval?

Thank you, Council President Sandoval.

I appreciate my colleague sponsoring this proclamation.

And over the holiday break, I had the opportunity to attend a gathering at the Denver American Indian Center

and Dr. Terry Bissonette, Dr. Tink Tinker, and Mr. Rick Williams hosted a winter solstice meeting.

And I had the opportunity to learn and learn quite a bit about the 250-150 commemoration.

It's the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 150th anniversary of the state of Colorado.

And as I'm reminded a lot by the American Indian community, that you don't have any cowboys unless you have Indians.

And I've talked to the Stock Show many, many times about how on that National Western Stock Show campus,

there could be better signage. There could be better investment in American Indian children,

families, scholarships to CSU for veterinary science. There are many more things that could

be done. And I did bring up to them a particular issue that I have and I know others have around

the Westerners. And there was an article in the newspaper last year about some young children

that wanted to be part of the Westerners, grew up loving horses. And there are some practices

that are still going on today, possibly on the city and county of Denver at National Western

that are very racist, that celebrate a past of genocide, massacre, and the continuance of that.

And so I wanted to ask, I met at that gathering an amazing young woman, Justice Maldonado and her grandmother Marjorie.

And after she spoke very eloquently in front of a lot of elders, a lot of people.

So it's a smaller group here, Justice.

We're all friends here.

But in the interest of supporting a young woman activist who has a story and who has some experience that she wants to share,

I would like to, I'll wrap up my comments.

And please ask Justice Maldonado to come up here to the podium.

If you would like your grandmother to stand with you, totally good.

You can adjust the microphone there, Justice, but we're all ears.

Habeth Nasitna, Justice Molinato, Inanana, Nuna'e.

Hello, my name is Justice Molinato.

I am Northern Arapaho.

I can still hear the sounds from Wind River, birds chirping, the grass getting pushed by the wind.

with the cold breeze and the sun barely rising.

Step by step, I get older, stronger, bigger, and smarter.

Every step was away.

I know my story of a kid moving away from Wind River off to Colorado.

I was only six, and I never forgot what it sounds like and looks like.

I would watch the sun grow till it reached the sky,

But now buildings are in the way.

Now the only way to watch the sun rise is when it reached the sky with pride.

As a native living in Colorado, it is loud.

The sounds can sometimes be crazy, out of control sometimes.

My life has been difficult.

I've been thinking about what this used to look like.

I drive around with my Nawa, and I tell her, this whole area was filled with grass.

Now it's filled with buildings.

I can picture the past.

Colorado can be love, but when it's quiet, all your bad memories fade away.

You just need to feel the good, not the bad.

For me, it is to feel the pride and leave the negative.

Confidence, believe in yourself, trust.

People say that I am Mexican.

I have been called that a lot.

But I know I am Native American, and as long as I know that, I am fine.

People say, respect your elders.

I forget that all the time.

And a lot of time, I regret what I say to my neighbor.

My grandma is the best adult I have right now.

And I need to respect that.

But I always feel like I never had the time.

Leaving the Wind River Reservation was hard, but eventually I realized that my

people lived on this land, so I'm not separated. And I realized that my

community is big and strong, just like my family. I was introduced into the power

circle here in Denver, and I became a jingle dress dancer. My sister and I

danced for a woman who was very ill. I wanted her to remember the sounds of the

confidence and not be afraid. I got involved with horses. I joined Westerners.

I was hoping to learn more about horses and ride and have fun. Not see people

dressing up like Native Americans, not having to watch the Calvary ride around the arena

with confidence and acting like they were the heroes when they were not.

Me and my sister spoke up for our people.

We tried to tell them how we felt and asked them to change, but they didn't listen, so

we left.

I won't stick around where I'm not respected.

After leaving Westerners, we found relatives on Wind River Reservation who were horse people.

They taught us about our true connections with horses.

And we rode in the Montana with Cheyenne and Lakota and Arapaho

to remember the Battle of Little Bighorn.

The true heroes were the natives, not the cavalry.

Lacrosse is another part of my people.

It gives me energy, and I don't see it as a sport.

I see it as medicine.

I'm trying to learn my language, Northern Arapaho, so it doesn't fade away.

My sisters are learning Spanish. I know by that.

I want people to know that we have been here for 11,000 years.

I listened to the podcast of Rick Williams a bunch of times so I can understand it.

I want people to know that we are still here, and we are not costumes and characters.

Why don't teachers teach about us?

Why don't we read more books by Native authors?

Why don't we learn the truth in school?

I have a lot more to say, but I said what I needed to say for now.

Just know that everything I write is taken from my heart and the time.

These words were born from the heart, not the mind or the rush.

Thank you.

Thank you so much. We appreciate it. Thank you for being here. We appreciate it, Justice.

Marjorie, did you want to say anything else? Are you good?

She said it.

Thank you, Justice. I appreciate you participating in the civic process. If you want to take a seat,

you can hear what the folks from the National Western Stock Show will say.

Thank you. Thank you, Council President Sandoval.

Thank you, Council President. Thank you, Councilor Nealmore, for such a beautiful

and thank you Justice. That was really beautiful. I don't think I would have been able to do that

at your age and I hope you do it more often. We need to hear from people like yourself.

That's something I have also been thinking about how interweat woven so many cultures are in the

city and just doing a little bit of research myself there and I think that from my experience

going to the stock show there has been acknowledgement of how they're trying to do

better and make some moves forward. One of the things that I learned was that one in four

cowboys was black. That wasn't something that I ever knew. And I'm glad that we have even the

black rodeo. We have the Mexican extravaganza, but definitely want to highlight Councilman

Gilmore's concern about needing some space for indigenous histories and people 100%.

Also thinking about how the Asian community constructed the railroads that helped connect

all of this and irrigation systems that are all part of our farmlands and ranch lifestyle that's

going away I think about my family history which my my father grew up on a ranch in Mexico and I

grew up hearing stories about how all the family got to live together on a hacienda and we would

get together and roast the corn and the end of the day and how the indigenous people would come down

from the mountain and teach my grandma how to make some of their things.

And he no longer, because of how he feels, was betrayed by his country and that there

was no more water for his family's ranch, had to come and seek refuge in this country,

just like other people that came at public comment today that have sought refuge in this

country.

And this country has welcomed my family.

And I'm so grateful for that.

And I'm grateful for the opportunity to celebrate that culture.

and remember those things.

And my father, my grandfather passed away in 2013.

And it's a very special memory

because it was one of the only times

that we got to talk about what his life was like

and his family history.

And so I just want to highlight that,

especially for me, the Mexican extravaganza

is something really special that I got to experience.

And our history is complicated and painful,

and it was harmful,

and I hope to work together with all of us to make it better, especially with you, Justice.

So thank you for being great enough to speak today.

Thank you, Council President.

Thank you.

Council Member Watson.

And very quickly, Council Member Gilmore, thank you so much for bringing this forward

and thank you for continuing to be rooted in the truth as how we not only depict but celebrate Indigenous peoples.

And Justice, thank you very much.

I know I'll be reaching out to you and your family through Council Member Gilmore.

to see in what ways as a city council member where the Western, National Western is located at,

one of the things that we can continue to do, not only to elevate your voice,

but actually to execute on the things that you're asking for.

I know as a city council member, a black man, I look at National Western to ensure that my people are represented in a way that elevates and celebrates us.

And I heard your voice and I hear what you're saying as to what you're feeling.

I look forward to reaching out to you and working with CEO Allison and the others within National Western.

Councilmember Gilmore, would you talk through, really, what are the ways you are looking and seeing things that can be done differently and how we can work with each other?

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

I didn't see no other members in the queue.

Secretary, roll call.

Council Members Sawyer.

Aye.

Albedrez.

Aye.

Aye.

Flynn?

Aye.

Gilmore?

Aye.

Gonzalez-Petierrez?

Aye.

Cashman?

Aye.

Lewis?

Aye.

Parity?

Aye.

Romero-Campbell?

Aye.

Torres?

Aye.

Watson?

Aye.

Madam President Sandoval?

Aye.

Madam Secretary, close the voting and announce the results.

11 ayes.

11 ayes, Proclamation 2173 has been adopted.

Council Member Watson, we now have time for the proclamation acceptance.

Who would you like to call and invite up to accept the proclamation?

Thank you, Madam President.

I'd like to ask CEO Allison to please come forward, if you don't mind introducing yourself.

And you have five minutes.

Don't knock it off.

Thank you, Councilman Watson.

Thank you, President Sandoval.

Thank you to the council members for supporting us.

I also want to thank Justice, because I do believe that we all have a place at the National Western.

and I've been here seven months.

And so as a kid who grew up and got to come here many, many years ago,

it is a place that I believe that all of us can belong.

And so for me, Wes Allison, and my wife Jennifer, and my daughter Brinley,

we come as a family.

And I think that's so important that we embrace that across our entire community

because there's an opportunity there.

And seven months in, still drinking out of a fire hose,

But I know that we can continue to move this forward.

I will share with you just a few highlights and some things that should make you very proud to lead our community and our county.

You know, you built a beautiful building in the Livestock Center.

And because of that, and just like the Field of Dreams, we see our entries increase 14% year over year.

Everybody is coming to Denver for the Super Bowl of livestock shows.

And it should make us all proud that there's an opportunity for us to showcase agriculture

in a beautiful destination like we have there.

And, you know, as we grow and continue to commit to each other the opportunities to raise up all communities

and see that that destination that is the National Western Center

and the home of the National Western Stock Show as a place of heritage and history

and a place where we should celebrate all.

And so we are very proud of the fact and the opportunity that through that investment in that facility

and the continued investment from the stock show and our leadership,

we can truly create a 365-day-a-year destination that is open to all.

it is a great honor for me because i shared that just a minute ago that i was a little kid and got

to run around in the yards and to be back here and be on this side and be able to help and be a

partner with you is so um so humbling to me and so i want to extend a special invitation for you

to join us january 10th through the 25th the kickoff parade right here in downtown denver

on January 8th.

And just like all of you have shared,

there's so many great events,

over 100 of those that will celebrate

our history and heritage.

And so I invite you to come out and join us

in all of Denver to be a part of this great institution

and this great event.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Council Member Watson,

please read Proclamation 2174.

PROCLAMATION NUMBER 252174, HONORING DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., COLORADO HOLIDAY COMMISSION

AND MARAID. WHEREAS APRIL 4, 1968, THE DAY THAT DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.,

WORLDWIDE HUMANITARIAN, WAS ASSASSINATED, SPURRED AN UNSTOPPABLE AND UNAPOLOGETIC MOVEMENT

TO HONOR DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. WITH A HOLIDAY IN THE UNITED STATES. AND WHEREAS,

the Colorado black community, clergy, civil rights organizations, elected officials, freedom

fighters and people from all walks of life, launched an effort toward this great American

to be so honored because of his ability to change our nation and the world. And whereas,

this legal holiday in March would not only be an opportunity for remembrance, but also an

opportunity to protest and confront the historic and institutionalized racism, sexism and prejudice

that persists and continue to persist in our institutions and our society.

As an opportunity to continue Dr. King's legacy to fight for a more perfect union,

and whereas the path to accomplish a legal holiday in Colorado

was championed by leaders in the Colorado General Assembly,

who over the years included Colorado State Senator George W. Brown,

Colorado State Representative and former Mayor Wellington E. Webb,

Colorado State Representative King M. Trimble,

Colorado State Representative Ari P. Taylor,

and the ultimate Colorado State Representative and First Lady Wilma J. Webb.

And whereas in 1984, State Representative Wilma J. Webb successfully introduced and carried House Bill 1201,

which was adopted by Colorado 54th General Assembly on March 26, 1984,

and was signed into law on April 4, 1984, commemorating and observing the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

And whereas the first Martin Luther King Jr. Colorado Holiday Commission was established over 79 members appointed by Governor Richard Lamb.

Representative Wilma J. Webb was appointed by Governor Lamb as the commission's chairperson.

Working very closely with Mrs. Corrada Scott King in planning for the inaugural holiday to take place in January 1986.

and whereas Representative Wilma Webb and the Commission planned an inaugural celebration

to be for six days leading up to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day,

which was to be celebrated on every third Monday of each year thereafter.

In 1986, the first official celebration was on Monday, January 20, 1986,

and whereas on Monday, January 20, 1986, an estimated crowd of 15,000 Coloradans

Coloradans gathered at the Martin Luther King Jr. Sculpture in Denver City Park for the Martin Luther

King Marade. The term marade was coined by commission chairperson Representative Wilma Webb

whose meaning is to parade and celebrate the victories achieved in combating injustices

that have occurred and march non-violently to always confront injustices in the future wherever

they may be. And whereas after five years of commemorating the Dr. King holiday in Colorado,

the Honorable Wilma J. Webb created the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Awards in conjunction

with the Denver Symphony Orchestra and now the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. And whereas people

from all works of life to come together for an evening of culture and awards. On Tuesday, January

9th, 1991 inaugural humanitarian awards were presented at Betcher Concert Hall. For 35 years,

this event has been free to all attendees. This year's event is on Tuesday, January 13th, 7.30

p.m. at Betcher Concert Hall. And whereas, as part of the inaugural Martin Luther King Jr.

six-day celebration, the Greater Metropolitan Denver Ministerial Alliance and the faith-based

community came together with a 350-member community choir that boasted standing room only

Adventure Concert Hall, consisting of folks from all races, cultures, creeds, and economic

backgrounds to commemorate the Dr. King holiday. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the

interfaith and ecumenical service held on Sunday, January 18th, 4 p.m. at Park Hill United Methodist

Church. Say that twice. Whereas in 2006, National Western Stock Show, Lou Vaison and Dr. Martin

Luther King Jr. Holiday Colorado Holiday Commission collaborated to bring the Dr. Martin Luther

King Black American Heritage Rodeo of Champions to the Denver Coliseum with the inaugural event

being on Monday, January 16, 2006. This year's MLK Jr. African American Heritage Rodeo is on

Monday, January 19th at 6 p.m. at the Denver Coliseum. Whereas the parade has been held every

year to the present and is the largest march and parade in the country celebrating Dr. King,

averaging 75,000 people every year in the freezing weather in January.

And whereas pioneers and extraordinarily dedicated believers in Dr. King

and the idea that all men and women and all people are created equal,

having worked favorably to assure that generations to come

will have the benefit of the legacy of Dr. King.

And whereas this year will mark the 40th parade on Monday, January 19th, 2026,

starting at a Denver City Park and ending at Colorado State Capitol.

Now therefore be proclaimed by Denver City Council,

Section 1, that Denver City Council honors and celebrates the history and legacy

of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Colorado Holiday Commission and Maraid.

And Section 2, that a clerk and recorder of the city and county of Denver

shall affix the seal of the city and county of Denver to this proclamation

and that a copy be transmitted to Dr. Vern L. Howard,

Chairman of the Dr. Margaret King Jr. Holiday Commission. Thank you Councilmember Watson your

motion to adopt. I move that proclamation 252174 be adopted. It has been moved and seconded.

Comments by members of council Councilmember Watson. Thank you Madam President. I'll be

brief because it was a long proclamation. First and foremost I appreciate the work of the Holiday

Commission. I was honored many decades ago to serve on that commission and serve under on

Reverend Dr. Vern Howard and his amazing team of folks that ensure that we continue to elevate

the voices of the African-American community in celebrating not just the memory of the Reverend

Dr. Martin Luther King, but also looking forward to the ways in which together in solidarity,

we continue to fight to make sure that our people, our rights, our civil rights,

and our families and communities are supported, celebrated, and we are continuing to move forward.

So thank you and all the folks I've seen in the audience that I've been working with for decades,

I thank you for the good work that you continue to do,

and this year's work, even more importantly,

in the time that we are facing.

Thank you.

Councilmember Lewis.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Watson,

for bringing this proclamation forward

and for the work that you all do.

I just wanted to invite folks to the symphony

because it was really, really good last year.

And so if you want to see an amazing show,

I would encourage you to go.

Oh my God.

Yeah.

Okay.

Yeah, you're welcome.

I see no other members in the queue. Madam Secretary, roll call.

Council members Sawyer. Aye.

Alvarez. Aye. Flynn. Aye.

Gilmore. Aye.

Gonzalez Gutierrez. Aye.

Cashman. Aye.

Lewis. Aye.

Haratee. Aye.

Romero-Campel. Aye.

I'm secretary close the voting out the results.

12 eyes.

12 eyes proclamation 2174 has been adopted.

Now have five minutes for the proclamation acceptance.

Council member Watson would you like to invite up to accept the proclamation.

Dr.

Verne Howard even though I made you an official reverend today you have only five minutes.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you to Denver City Council.

And Wes, thank you.

You and I are supposed to be having lunch, actually.

I'm going to make this brief.

The 100th anniversary of the National Western Stock Show,

we got together with Marvin Witt

and created the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Rodeo.

And the producer of that rodeo was the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo.

And I received a phone call.

I was in Louisiana, and it was an emergency phone call.

I called an emergency meeting.

They said they wouldn't be doing the rodeo.

My heart dropped because it's the 20th anniversary.

I arrived at Denver on Wednesday.

On Thursday morning, Leon Vick called me, and I'm going to show you how Mr. Allison's leadership works.

And he said, and I quote, there is no way the National Western would not have either a Dr. Martin Luther King or a Black Heritage Rodeo.

That's what Vick said, and I presume those were your words.

So I just want to say thank you for that.

when we first started marching, I've been doing this 47 years,

because we started marching with Corky Gonzalez

to make the holiday a reality.

And once the holiday passed, the very first year,

we thought that we were going to have this big celebration,

but the holiday was passed in 84 with the caveat

that we wouldn't start celebrating until 86.

Well, we were young and dumb and we didn't hear that part.

However, this year our theme is I am the dream.

My co-chair of the Maraid, Christian Stewart, wrote this beautiful poem.

Let him bring it on in.

All right.

In honor of the theme, I am the dream.

This is the name of the poem.

I am the dream Maraid 2026.

So dream is an acronym.

East Anza will have a D or R.

A-A-M.

I am the dream.

I am the reason.

I am the effort.

I am the allegory.

I am the mean.

I am the dream.

I am the responsibility.

I am the evolution.

I am the allegiance.

I am meaningful.

I am the dream.

I am resourceful.

I am encouraging.

I am aligned.

I say what I mean.

I am the dream. I am the revolutionary. I am empowering. I am aware. I represent those who

are missing. I am the double dare. I am the result. I am the extreme. I am the ancestor.

I am the movement of the in-between. I am the dream. I am the resolution. I am the esteem.

I am the actor betraying freedom. I am the mountaintop, and until we see it, I am the dream.

I am the restitution. I am the epitome of everything. I am the actualization of warrior songs.

I am the marches out of martial law. I am the dream. I am the revision. I am the energy.

I am the author scripting details of battle.

I am the Molotov cocktail until we prevail.

I am the deeds from the resistance living in the shadows.

I am the embarrassment of those falsely jailed.

I am the empirical defeat of accusations not meant for me.

In the chaos, I shall have peace.

I am the dream.

I am the return of justice.

I am the energy.

I am the ammunition of love.

I can shut down this machine.

I am the dream.

I am the renaissance.

I am the emotions of the truly free.

I am more than the ambiance.

I am the meeting of minds until the injustice is gone.

There is no stopping me.

And more importantly, there is no stopping we.

I am the dream.

We are the dream.

Thank you.

Thank you all.

And so one thing, the humanitarian awards,

as Councilwoman Lewis mentioned,

is this Tuesday night.

It's still free in partnership

with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra,

and we have a great list of honorees,

which just escaped me.

So please, it's at your venue,

Denver Center Performing Arts, be there.

Yes, Tuesday the 13th.

Okay.

Yes.

Thank you all.

We have one public hearing tonight.

As a reminder, council members need to turn on their video during the vote.

For those participating in person, when called upon, please come to the podium.

On the presentation monitor on the wall, you will see your time counting down.

For those participating virtually when called upon, please wait until our meeting host promotes you to speaker.

When you are promoted, please accept the promotion, turn on your camera if you have one, and your microphone.

All speakers should begin their remarks by telling the council their names and cities of residence,

and if they feel comfortable doing so, their home addresses.

If you have signed up to answer questions only, state your name and note that you are available for questions of council.

Speakers will have three minutes.

There is no yielding of time.

If translation is needed, you will be given an additional three minutes for your comments to be interpreted.

Speakers must stay on topic of the hearing and must direct their comments to council as a whole.

Please refrain from profane or obscene speech and refrain from individual or personal attacks.

Council Member Cashman, will you please put Council Bill 2501, the bill for an ordinance

designating 1401 East 11th Avenue as a structure for preservation on the floor for final passage?

Yes, I move that Council Bill 25-2051 be placed upon final consideration and do pass.

It has been moved and seconded.

The required public hearing for Council Bill 2501 is open.

May we please have the staff report.

Of course. Thank you, Councilwoman Sandoval.

The designation before you is for the Gables, an apartment building located at 1407 East 11th Avenue.

This is on the corner of Lafayette and 11th Avenue.

This is in Council District 10 in the Cheeseman Park neighborhood.

This is an owner-supported designation.

Sorry, I'm going to.

It worked a little while.

That's where the right arrow should work.

There you go, great.

Here's the proposed boundaries for the designation site.

As you can see, it goes lot line to lot line.

So in order to be a Denver landmark, structures must have at least meet the following criteria.

They need to maintain their historic integrity.

They need to be more than 30 years of age or be of exceptional importance.

They need to meet at least three of 10 significance criteria, and the Landmark Preservation Commission

should consider its historic context.

The criteria highlighted here, criteria C, D, and G, are the criteria that this application

brings forward for this structure, and we'll go through each of them in turn.

So to start off, this building embodies the distinctive visual characteristics of an

architectural style or type.

The Gables Apartments is an example of the Tudor Revival style.

Built in 1914 to 1915, the three-story brick building embraces a style that was popular

in Colorado during the 1910s and 1920s.

Distinguishing features of the style that are exhibited by the property include masonry

construction, half-timbering with stucco infill on the upper levels, multiple prominent cross

gables, a tower, and a prominent porch with a masonry arch.

Additionally, the building has notable craftsmen elements, a style that emerged from the arts and crafts movement in the early 20th century.

These include wide overhanging eaves, exposed rafters, triangular knee braces, and porches with brick columns.

Several of the original windows have multiple panes over a sash with one large glass pane.

The building also meets criterion D as a significant example of the work of a recognized architect

and as the work of a recognized master builder. The building was designed by prominent Denver

architect Montana S. Fallis. Fallis first began practicing architecture in Denver in the late

1800s when he was hired by Frank Edbrook's architectural firm. None of Fallis's other

known works were designed in this Tudor revival or craftsman style, making this an uncommon and

highly significant design for him. Phallus is associated with the design of a number of

properties listed both on the National Register and local Denver landmarks. These include the

Broadway Baptist Church at 2nd and Lincoln, the Ideal Building, which is located in the downtown

Denver Historic District, the annex to the Oxford Hotel, as well as the iconic 1930 Art Deco Mayan

Theater in Denver, which is also a local landmark. The building is also associated with master builder

Adam M. Stein. Early in his career, Stein was a carpenter, and he amassed the skills and knowledge

to head up the construction of many projects shortly thereafter. He was a charter member of

the Master Builder Association, and Denver Building Permits from 1889 to 1914, Liz Stein

is the builder associated with over 27 projects. Finally, this property promotes understanding

and appreciation of the urban environment by means of distinctive physical characteristics

and rarity. The Gables is a rare early example of adaptive reuse in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.

Rather than being a purpose-built apartment,

Fallis combined two single-family houses into one apartment.

You can see this on the two maps on the screen.

The upper map is a Sanborn map from 1904,

showing the two individual structures.

And then the lower map is from 1925,

showing those two structures have sort of been subsumed by this new design.

This was a very uncommon design in Denver,

which makes it quite a rare, unique resource. By this time in Capitol Hill, single-family homes

were either being subdivided inside to make multiple units with few or no changes to the

exterior of the building, or they were simply demolished to make way for new apartment buildings.

Apartment construction at the time was straightforward, as evidenced by extant

apartment buildings all around the area. And although it became commonplace for large single-family

homes to be divided into multiple units, it seems that instances of two such buildings

being combined into one overall building was quite rare, and especially given that it was

designed by a master architect and executed by a master builder.

The Gables is an example of early and intentional adaptive reuse that, rather than demolishing

both houses and building an entirely new apartment, both were incorporated into this new 14-unit

design.

When we look at historic buildings and whether they qualify as Denver landmarks, we also ask ourselves, does the building have historic integrity?

And one office-sided rule of thumb for this is, would the prior residents be able to recognize the property if they walked by today?

And the seven qualities that in various combinations define historic integrity are location, setting, design, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association.

This property retains a high degree of integrity related to its period of significance, so

the period that is identified with why the building is significant.

This period of significance is 1914 to 1915, which is during the change over to the multifamily

dwelling unit.

The property is still in the same location, and the neighborhood is still multifamily

residential in nature, retaining both integrity of location and setting.

the integrity of design, materials, and workmanship are excellent, and the continued use as a

multifamily residence help retain a strong sense of feeling and association.

And then finally, the Landmark Preservation Commission, when they're reviewing these

designation applications, look to see if the building is associated to a historic context.

This property does retain relates to the historic changing development patterns of Capitol Hill neighborhood,

which evolved from upper middle class single family homes and mansions to multi-unit apartment buildings

and subdivided multi-unit homes for middle and lower class workers.

The period of significance, as I mentioned, is from 1914 to 1915.

While many Denver landmarks often have a much longer period of significance,

The application here emphasizes the significance of this structure for its conversion from single-family to multifamily dwelling.

So this period of significance is directly correlated with that conversion period.

As of December 31st, Community Planning Development has received one letter in support of the designation from Neighbors for Greater Capitol Hill.

We also received two public comments in support of the designation at the Landmark Preservation Commission public hearing from Brad Cameron with Neighbors for Greater Capitol Hill and from Historic Denver.

This designation application was reviewed by the Landmark Preservation Commission at their November 4th meeting.

The application was approved unanimously.

At the time, the commission asked for some additional photographs and maps to be added

to the designation application, highlighting the transition from the original single-family

structures that make up the base of this apartment building.

Those have been included and are included in your copy of the designation.

So as this property meets the designation criteria laid out in Chapter 30 of the Denver

Revised Musical Code, Denver Landmark staff is recommending that this designation be

be approved. Thank you so much. We have two public

individuals signed, two speakers signed up to speak this evening. If you are here in

person after your name is called, please make your way up to the front bench.

If you are on Zoom, please accept the promotion when called upon. First up, we

have Jesse Paris.

Thank you producer.

See.

Yeah, good evening members of council those watching at home those in the council chambers.

My name is Jesse with Sean Paris and I'm represent for black star action movement for self defense.

Positive actually come in for social change as well as the unity party of Colorado, the

northeast denver residence council frontline black news shabaka's black experience enhanced

the revolutionary agenda and i reside at the brooch and bed bug infested cch owned legacy loss

in historically district of five points historically black district of five points

in councilman daryl watson's district um i'm for this preservation this doesn't seem like something

that we need to preserve.

So I don't have no pushback.

The only thing I would like to know

is who was allowed to live in this residence

because this was in the 1900s

and a lot of Black people were redlined

all throughout this city.

So my question is,

were Black people allowed to live at this residence?

Have Black people ever been allowed

to live at this residence?

And yeah, that's my only question.

So that's all I have for y'all tonight.

Happy New Year and I'll see you all next week.

Next up we have Jay Homestead.

Council President and members of City Council, my name is Jay Homestead.

I serve as Senior Director of Preservation Advocacy at Historic Denver, located at 1420 Ogden Street, Denver, Colorado, 80218.

For more than 50 years, Historic Denver has worked to protect the places and spaces that tell our city's story, and we were proud to support the landmark designation of the Gables Apartments.

Constructed in 1914 to 1915, the Gables is an early and remarkably thoughtful example of adaptive reuse in Denver.

Rather than demolishing two existing single-family homes, architect Montana Phallus and master builder Adam Stein reimagined them into a cohesive 14-unit apartment building.

This approach was innovative for its time and remains deeply relevant today as Denver looks for ways to add housing through gentle density, walkable neighborhoods, and reinvestment in existing buildings.

The Gables is also a rare residential example of Fallis' work, blending Tudor Revival and Craftsman influences and maintaining a high degree of integrity and historical residential use.

Beyond its architecture, the building tells a broader story about Denver's evolution,

when neighborhoods like Capitol Hill adapted to the growth through reuse rather than replacement.

That lesson remains critical today.

Preservation and housing goals are not in conflict,

but can work together to support inclusive, resilient communities.

So Historic Denver believes the Gables clearly meets designation criteria C, D, and G,

and we respectfully urge City Council to approve this landmark designation.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Thank you.

Do we have any questions from members of Council on Council Bill 2051?

Also, the property owner is online as well.

Marilee Anberg and Amy Klein.

Do you see them online, producers?

If you could raise your hand if you're online.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thanks Becca.

Yeah, go ahead.

Hi, this is Marilee Annenberg speaking.

I am currently the owner of the Gables apartment building.

I met the Gables a long time ago in 1949 when my parents purchased the building.

I was lucky to be part of many conversations as a small child and planning moments for how to best take care of the property.

and what a wonderful location it was.

And we enjoyed our times walking over to Cheeseman Park

as part of visiting the Gables.

And I just, I think it's wonderful

that you are considering helping preserve

these kinds of buildings currently in Denver

to tell the story of what the past was like

and to help us look into the future

of how we can continue to appreciate where we've been

as well as where we're going.

And I certainly appreciate your listening to our story

and considering helping us save the Gables for the future.

And so it can still be a part of my life

and a part of my family

and something that my daughter will enjoy

helping take care of into the future.

And thank you very much.

Thank you.

I see no other comments, speakers, questions.

Councilmember Flynn.

Thank you, Madam President.

Becca, just a couple things that might be interesting to know and understand about the building.

On the Sanborn map, the original one that showed the two single-family homes, they appeared to be on the same parcel.

Do we know if the one in the back by the alley was a carriage house?

It was a separately owned primary unit.

Do you know this?

That's a great question.

And sandboard maps don't always illustrate parcel ownership.

So it's hard to say.

They may have been owned by two separate people.

I think they're both substantial enough that they wouldn't have been carriage houses.

I think they were two standalone buildings.

Were you going to find or locate photos of those individual houses before they were joined?

No, unfortunately not.

The consultant who wrote the designation application spent a lot of time looking for those and could not locate any.

No Google Street View or anything?

Unfortunately not from 1913.

Because what I'm curious about, and maybe you don't know this or we couldn't have found out,

did the original structures in any way foretell the Tudor's style,

or did the architect completely redo them when he added, when he joined them together?

Do we know this?

I believe based on the photographs that we have today, they probably, at least the brick cladding was there, unless they reclad the whole structure.

But given that it was 1914, you know, so right when the Trudor revival style was really coming into vogue, I think this would have been a new expression of those buildings.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President.

I'm interested to know if we get that information.

Yeah, no problem.

All right.

Seeing no other questions by members of council.

Public hearing is closed.

We have comments by members of council on council bill 2051.

Council member Flynn.

Well, thank you.

Council member Hines not being heard.

I think this is in his district.

I'm going to resume to speak for him.

What I wanted to point out was how I could feel almost a personal pulling toward this building in the presentation

because my mother's father, my maternal grandfather, was a union bricklayer back at the teens and early 20s.

And the house that he built for his own family, the artistry in that work on that building just evokes so much of what my grandfather did in his career.

is a German bricklayer.

And the artistry in that brickwork

is just beyond remarkable

and very notable.

Thank you.

Councilmember Lewis.

I miss what you said about your grandfather.

I was going to say the artistry is absolutely beautiful.

And to be able to see it's preserved is very exciting.

Thank you for the presentation.

I always love when people are proactive

and bring applicant-driven.

The hardest decisions I've made are sitting here when its owner opposed.

And so any proactive application,

I'm always interested in learning about the history of Denver

and how important an apartment like this played at that time,

especially combining two houses.

And I believe it meets all the criteria,

and I will be supporting it this evening.

Seeing no other comments from members of council,

Madam Secretary, roll call on Council Bill 2051.

Council Members Sawyer?

Aye.

Alpidrez?

Aye.

Flynn?

Aye.

Gilmore?

Aye.

Gonzalez Gutierrez?

Aye.

Cashman?

Aye.

Lewis?

Aye.

Harady?

Aye.

Romero Campbell?

Aye.

Torres?

Aye.

Watson?

Aye.

Madam President Sandoval?

Aye.

Madam Secretary, close the voting.

Announce the results.

12 ayes.

12 ayes council bill 2051 has passed.

There will be no further business before this body.

This meeting is adjourned.

Thank you all colleagues.

Clue.