Denver City Council Regular Meeting – June 1, 2026

The Denver City Council held its regular session on June 1, 2026, at 10:30 AM (UTC). The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, a land acknowledgment, and roll call (13 members present). The council approved the minutes of May 18, 2026, with a correction regarding a communication about on-call contract spending reports. Key announcements included Councilmember Parady’s resignation effective August 5, 2026, due to health reasons, and her removal as committee chair. The meeting featured a proclamation for Gun Violence Awareness Month, a block vote on numerous resolutions and bills, separate votes on several called-out items, and three public hearings on land use and redevelopment projects.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes of May 18, 2026, were approved with a correction (adding departments that reported on on-call contract spending).
• Council Communication 26-0768 (Treasury Tax Rule 007 update) was filed.
• Proclamation 26-0766 (Gun Violence Awareness Month) was adopted unanimously (13-0).
• Proclamation 26-0767 (Honoring Raabe Family Dentistry) was adopted (9-0, four absent).
• The block vote adopted 30+ resolutions and placed three bills on final passage, all with 13-0 votes. Items included funding for affordable housing at 817 W. 8th Ave., a grant for first-generation homebuyer assistance, contracts for airport design and engineering services, liability claim settlements totaling $217,500, and various intergovernmental agreements.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Landmark Designation (CB 26-0602): Five speakers (Charles Foster, Jesse Parris, Ron Sladek, John Deffenbaugh, Terri Gentry) spoke in favor of designating 3535 E. 26th Ave. Parkway as a historic structure. No opposition.
• Rezoning (CB 26-0521): One speaker (Jesse Parris) spoke in favor of rezoning 361-363 W. Evans Ave. No opposition.
• Rossonian Project TIF (CB 26-0634): Six speakers (Paul Books, Joel Noble, Jesse Parris, Robert Price, Norman Harris, John Deffenbaugh) spoke in favor of amending the Welton Corridor Urban Redevelopment Plan to add the Rossonian project and create tax increment financing districts. No opposition.

Discussion Items

• Councilmember Parady’s Resignation: Councilmember Parady announced she will resign effective August 5, 2026, to allow a special election in November. She cited chronic health challenges. Council President Sandoval expressed support and announced committee chair changes (Parady removed as Community Planning & Housing chair; Councilmember Flynn named Vice Chair of South Platte River Committee).
• Gun Violence Awareness Month Proclamation: Councilmembers Watson, Hinds, Gilmore, Romero Campbell, Parady, Kashmann, Alvidrez, and Sandoval shared remarks emphasizing the need for public health approaches, youth programming, and sustained funding to address gun violence. A representative from the Department of Public Health and Community Engagement also spoke.
• Called-Out Items:
  • Resolution 26-0622 (HUD grant for energy efficiency): Councilmember Alvidrez asked about the grant’s scope; staff clarified it targets existing multifamily affordable housing.
  • Resolution 26-0673 (HDR Engineering contract): Adopted 12-0 (Romero Campbell abstained due to family ties).
  • Resolution 26-0120 (Purchase of 251 E. 12th Ave.): Councilmember Alvidrez voiced concerns about future affordability; staff noted plans for affordable housing at ~60% AMI with deep affordability components. Adopted 12-1 (Alvidrez nay).
  • Resolution 26-0614 (Denver Health IGA for HIV/AIDS services): Councilmember Watson called for a no vote because the item was incorrectly filed as a resolution; it failed 0-13.
  • Council Bill 26-0684 (Business compliance ordinance): Councilmember Lewis introduced it, stating it affirms obligations to follow laws. No vote taken (part of block).
  • Council Bill 26-0686 (Lobbyist regulation): Postponed one week to June 8, 2026, by Councilmember Lewis for further work.
  • Council Bill 26-0328 (Criminal penalties update): Postponed to June 22, 2026, by Councilmember Alvidrez for additional stakeholder input.
  • Liability Claim Settlements (Resolutions 26-0723, 0724, 0725): Councilmember Lewis noted the combined $217,500 in settlements (Denver Police Department cases) and urged fiscal awareness.
• Public Hearings (final passage):
  • CB 26-0602 (Landmark – Harris-Cousins House): Staff report highlighted four of ten criteria met. Councilmembers Watson and Kashmann spoke in support. Adopted 10-0.
  • CB 26-0521 (Rezoning Overland): Staff confirmed consistency with adopted plans. Councilmember Alvidres supported as transit-oriented. Adopted 9-0.
  • CB 26-0634 (Rossonian TIF): Staff and developer detailed a $15.5 million TIF to rehabilitate the historic hotel, add an eight-story tower, and include community governance (advisory board, local hiring, cultural programming). Councilmembers Watson, Hinds, and Sandoval spoke in favor. Adopted 10-0.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved with correction.
• Proclamations Adopted: Gun Violence Awareness Month (13-0) and Raabe Family Dentistry (9-0).
• Called-Out Resolutions:
  • 26-0673 (HDR Engineering) adopted 12-0.
  • 26-0120 (Property purchase) adopted 12-1.
  • 26-0614 (Denver Health IGA) failed 0-13.
  • 26-0682 (Lease amendment) postponed to June 8.
• Called-Out Bills:
  • 26-0686 (Lobbyist regulation) postponed to June 8.
  • 26-0328 (Criminal penalties) postponed to June 22.
• Block Vote: All remaining resolutions adopted and three bills placed on final passage (all 13-0).
• Public Hearings:
  • CB 26-0602 (Landmark designation) adopted 10-0.
  • CB 26-0521 (Rezoning Overland) adopted 9-0.
  • CB 26-0634 (Rossonian TIF) adopted 10-0.
• Future Hearings Scheduled: June 29, 2026, for CB 26-0619 (DIA rezoning) and CB 26-0654 (Harvey Park South rezoning); protest deadline June 22.
• Councilmember Parady’s Resignation: Effective August 5, 2026; special election in November 2026. Committee chair changes effective immediately.