Denver City Council Regular Meeting – January 5, 2026

The Denver City Council held its regular session on Monday, January 5, 2026, starting at approximately 10:30 AM. The meeting included council announcements, adoption of proclamations recognizing Blood Donor Month, the National Western Stock Show, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, as well as discussion on resolutions related to cold weather sheltering and the STAR program. A public hearing was held for the landmark designation of the Gables Apartments. Several items were postponed for further review.

Council Announcements

• Councilmember Paradis wished his son Oscar a happy fourth birthday.
• Council President Sandoval noted her daughter's 27th birthday.
• Councilmember Flynn remembered his father's passing eight years ago and honored Denver police officer James Boghio (died 1919).
• Councilmember Cashman noted the passing of long-time District 6 resident Don Etter (age 91), former co-manager of Parks and Recreation.
• Councilmember Gilmore expressed alarm over Denver Health's decision to stop filling prescriptions for gender-affirming care (as of January 3, 2026) and urged the public to stay vocal.
• Councilmember Alvidrez thanked Denver Fire for handling a five-alarm fire and promoted the National Western Stock Show and a Westside Vaqueros event.
• Councilmember Watson highlighted the Stock Show's scholarship fund and announced community input on Mestizo Curtis Park Pool (over 1,000 survey responses).
• Councilmember Lewis announced a new cold weather shelter site on Peoria Street (leased after Christmas), expressing frustration that such facilities are concentrated in her district.
• Councilmember Sawyer thanked first responders for containing a five-alarm fire on Leedsdale and Forest (which destroyed a future housing building), and honored Kate Williams (former RTD director) for her cancer fight with a flag presentation.

Proclamations

Proclamation 2170 – January as Denver Blood Donor Month (adopted 12-0)

• Recognized Vitalant for its life-saving work. Noted that only about 3% of the population donates blood, and type O negative is universal. Councilmember Sawyer announced a virtual blood drive in District 5 aiming for 10 donations by January 31 (saving ~30 lives).

Proclamation 2173 – Welcoming the 120th National Western Stock Show (adopted 11-0)

• Highlights: runs January 10-25, 2026; attracts over 700,000 visitors; contributes $170 million to Colorado's economy; provides scholarships to Denver students. Councilmember Sandoval raised concerns about racist practices and lack of Indigenous recognition at the Stock Show. Justice Maldonado (Northern Arapaho) testified about her negative experience with the Westerners group and called for truthful education.

Proclamation 2174 – Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Colorado Holiday Commission and Marade (adopted 12-0)

• Marks 40th anniversary of the Marade (largest in the country, averaging 75,000 participants). Recognized the creation of the MLK African American Heritage Rodeo and the humanitarian awards. Dr. Vern Howard accepted and recited a poem.

Discussion Items (Resolutions)

Council Resolution 2113 – 5th Amendatory Agreement with La Raza Services for STAR Program (adopted 10-0, 1 abstention)

• Councilmember Gonzalez-Gutierrez abstained.

Council Resolution 2059 – Street Acceptance in Stapleton Filing 49 (postponed to January 12, 2026 by vote 12-0)

• Councilmember Lewis requested more time to review the lengthy list of street names.

Council Resolution 2070 – 7th Amendatory Agreement with U.S. Motels Denver North for Shelter (postponed one week per Rule 3.6)

• Jeff Kuczynski (Deputy Director of Housing) explained the contract funds cold weather sheltering at multiple sites, including ballrooms at 4411 Peoria (up to 80 single adults overflow) and hotels for families (e.g., 2601 Zuni, 620 Federal, 4380 Peoria). Councilmember Lewis expressed concern that sites are concentrated in her district without prior council notification. Councilmember Parady noted the new use of ballrooms. The resolution was postponed for further study.

Public Hearing: Council Bill 2051 – Landmark Designation of 1407 E 11th Ave (Gables Apartments) (passed 12-0)*

• Staff report: The Tudor Revival/Craftsman building (1914-15) meets criteria C (architectural style), D (work of recognized architect Montana Fallis and master builder Adam Stein), and G (rare adaptive reuse of two houses into a 14-unit apartment). Owner-supported. One public speaker (Jesse Paris) questioned historical racial restrictions. Historic Denver supported designation. Councilmember Flynn praised the brickwork. The bill passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Proclamations: All three adopted (Blood Donor Month, National Western Stock Show, MLK Holiday).
• Resolution 2113: Adopted (10-0-1).
• Resolution 2059: Postponed to January 12, 2026.
• Resolution 2070: Postponed one week per Rule 3.6 for further council review.
• Council Bill 2051: Passed 12-0, designating the Gables Apartments as a Denver landmark.
• Block vote: Numerous resolutions and bills adopted en bloc (12-0).
• Next meeting: Monday, January 12, 2026; general public comment sign-up begins January 8 at 5 PM.