Denver City Council General Session - March 23, 2026

The Denver City Council held its regular general session on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 3:30 PM, with 13 members present. The meeting included approval of minutes, council announcements, two proclamations, adoption of a block of resolutions and bills, introduction of two bills, and a courtesy public hearing on a proposed contract for an Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) system. The public hearing attracted significant testimony, and final action on the ALPR contract was postponed to March 31, 2026.

Consent Calendar

• A block vote approved 15 resolutions (26-0239 through 26-0250, 26-0231–26-0238, 26-0144, 26-0225, 26-0234) and 2 bills on final consideration (26-0205, 26-0204) without individual debate. These items covered various city contracts, including street sweeper brooms, fire trucks, server purchases, a leased office space, a child nutrition program, park maintenance, a fitness passport program, a shooting range cleaning contract, and electrical work at Boettcher Concert Hall.
• Resolution 26-0241 (amendatory agreement with Point b (e) Strategies, LLC for grant-writing services) was called out for a separate vote and adopted 13-0. Councilmember Alvidrez questioned the reduction in contract capacity; the Finance Department explained it eliminated a retainer.

Public Comments & Testimony

• During the courtesy public hearing on Resolution 26-0246 (Axon ALPR contract), 55 speakers signed up; 12 spoke in favor, 42 opposed, and 1 was neutral. Key points from supporters (including Don Ku, David Howard, Tony Frey, Sally Jones, Craig Arfsten, Seamus Johnston, Rob Collins, Derek Friedman, Dr. Robin Engel, Maria Alicia Ashar) included: the technology helps recover stolen vehicles (over 400 recovered), remove firearms (over 60), solve homicides (40% of 2025 homicides involved ALPR evidence), and is used in major cities; the contract has strong privacy safeguards (data owned by Denver, no AI training, 21-day retention, FedRAMP security). Opponents (including Katie Leonard, Dr. Lisa Calderon, Marilynn Ackermann, Dana Miller, Nate Kassa, Kristen Seidel, Lillian House, Miriam Osman, Alfonso Espino, Jesus Loayza, Elisha Roberts, Darlene Rivera, Isabella Nevin) argued: the technology constitutes mass surveillance, violates Fourth Amendment rights, risks data sharing with federal agencies under the Trump administration, Axon has a history of promoting “excited delirium” pseudoscience, the contract lacks adequate community input and a comprehensive surveillance ordinance, and ALPRs have documented inaccuracies.

Discussion Items

• Council Announcements: Members made personal and community announcements, including congratulations to the University of Denver hockey team, Denver Summit FC’s first home game, and a historic designation for Wellshire Golf Course. Councilmember Romero Campbell expressed devastation over sexual abuse allegations against Cesar Chavez, calling for broader community conversation.
• Proclamations: Two proclamations were adopted 13-0: 26-0378 recognizing “Sí Se Puede Day” (March 31) in honor of Dolores Huerta and farmworkers, and 26-0377 commemorating Nowruz (Persian New Year). Speakers shared personal connections to the farmworker movement and the Persian community.
• Resolution 26-0241 (Grant-writing contract): Called out for a separate vote. Councilmember Alvidrez asked why the contract was reduced; staff explained it eliminated a retainer. Adopted 13-0.
• Axon ALPR Contract (Resolution 26-0246): Extensive discussion after the public hearing. Councilmembers raised concerns about: data security and breach liability, lack of a comprehensive surveillance ordinance, the 21-day retention policy being in police policy rather than the contract, opt-out language that could allow future expansions, the integration of Axon’s FUSUS dashboard with other cameras (e.g., Halo, traffic cameras), and the reduction from 112 Flock cameras to 50 Axon cameras. Staff (Tim Hoffman, Chief Ron Thomas, Commander Cliff Barnes, Terra Sagura) presented the contract’s safeguards, including Denver data ownership, no AI training, limited retention, and auditing. Councilmember Parady questioned the accuracy of ALPRs (96-98% read accuracy). Councilmember Gilmore highlighted that 42 of 55 speakers opposed the contract. Councilmember Flynn invoked Rule 3.6 to postpone final action to March 31, 2026, citing the need for more time.
• Bills for Introduction: Two bills were ordered published: 25-0934 (financing for Colorado Convention Center fire alarm project via certificates of participation up to $108 million) and 26-0292 (relinquishing an easement at 2777 North Zuni Street).
• Bills for Final Consideration: Two bills were placed on final passage and passed en bloc: 26-0205 (relinquishing an easement at 2622 West 11th Avenue) and 26-0204 (relinquishing an easement at 5000 East Alameda Avenue).

Key Outcomes

• Proclamations 26-0377 and 26-0378 adopted 13-0.
• Resolution 26-0241 (Point b (e) Strategies contract) adopted 13-0.
• Consent agenda block: 15 resolutions and 2 bills adopted/placed on final passage by a 13-0 vote.
• Bills introduced: 25-0934 and 26-0292 ordered published.
• Resolution 26-0246 (Axon ALPR contract): Postponed by Rule 3.6 to the next regular council meeting on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 5:30 PM. The public hearing was closed, but council may continue questioning.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:21 PM.