Denver City Council Regular Meeting – July 27, 2026

The Denver City Council convened on July 27, 2026, starting at 10:30 a.m. (minutes note 3:30 p.m.) and adjourned at 9:43 p.m. after a full agenda. The meeting included the Pledge of Allegiance, land acknowledgement, roll call (12 present, 1 absent), approval of previous minutes, council announcements, and multiple proclamations. Major actions included a consent agenda approving numerous resolutions and bills, two required public hearings on zoning changes, and a combined courtesy public hearing on the Xcel Energy franchise agreement and related partnership bills. The council re-referred one bill to committee and passed three key items to final approval, with the franchise package heading to the November 2026 ballot.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of July 20, 2026 (26-1092).
• Adopted Proclamations: Honoring Phillip A. Washington (26-1099), Miss Colorado Gabrielle Burns (26-1108), the Shumaker Family (26-1109), International Human Rights Day (26-1103), and the Black Sheriff Protective Association (26-1100). All passed unanimously (11-0, with two absent).
• Adopted en bloc a series of resolutions and bills on final consideration, including: housing revenue bonds for Green Valley Vistas (not to exceed $27M) and Link and Pin Apartments (not to exceed $19.4M); purchase of 1028 N. Acoma Street ($3,019,340); various contracts for sewer parts, cab/chassis, audit assistance, pool operations, park caretaker agreements, street dedications in District 3; a revocable permit at 1730 Wynkoop Street; plat approval for Denver Connection West Filing No. 3; decommission of Skeel Reservoir dam at Wellshire Golf Course ($5,731,906); vending services at DEN; foundation rehabilitation at DEN ($25M); purchase of four tractors for DEN ($879,733); and amendments to food access (Healthy Food for Denver's Kids, adding $37,819.82), Family Connects program (extending to 2027), and a right-of-way vacation near I-25 and Santa Fe Drive. All passed 11-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comment (5:00 p.m. session): A half-hour session was held but no details were recorded in the transcript beyond the announcement.
• Required Public Hearing – 26-0776 (406 S. Quitman Street rezoning): Jesse Parris spoke in favor. Property owners Kryszelda and Andrew Gorrell were available for questions. No opposition speakers.
• Required Public Hearing – 26-0777 (4901 S. Monaco Street rezoning): Austin Kane (land use counsel) expressed support; Brian Tierney and Joshua Scott (Guardian Recovery) described the proposed behavioral health facility; Erik Carlson also spoke in favor. Jesse Parris spoke neither for nor against, raising concerns about affordability and community benefits. No other opposition speakers signed up, though 29 written comments in opposition were noted.
• Combined Courtesy Public Hearing – 26-0970/0973/0974 (Xcel Energy Franchise): 23 speakers testified.
  • In favor: Nate Bernstein (Climate Jobs Colorado), Eric Chipp (IBEW lineman), Jeremy Ross (IBEW), Mike Ferrufino (Colorado Hispanic Chamber), Kate McKenna (Ballpark GID), Susan Powers (Urban Ventures), Josef Lopez (Servicios de la Raza), Carlos Martinez (Latino Community Foundation), Ryan Aids (Greenway Foundation), Sergio Cordova (Pipefitters), Christine Morrow (medical exemption beneficiary), John Goodin (energy consultant), Lindsay Tyson (sustainability professional), Britt Diehl (Downtown Denver Partnership), Kristy Kibler (Lupus Colorado). Speakers emphasized union jobs, community engagement (e.g., Red Truck events), low-income assistance, and the need for the franchise to support development and reliability.
  • In opposition: Jeffrey Ackermann (Together Colorado, former PUC chair), Ben Meyerhoff (Together Colorado, disability advocate), Ann Karlsberg (Together Colorado), Billie Wolter (Together Colorado – expressed in excerpt), Jesse Parris (Black Star Action – said the deal does not benefit Black Denverites), Brandy Majors (disabled Aurora resident – criticized excessive bills and lack of direct help). Opponents argued the $125,000/year income-qualified assistance is inadequate, the agreement lacks visionary collaboration, and the process favored Excel's profits over community needs.

Discussion Items

• Proclamations: Two major proclamations were read and adopted individually before the consent block.
  • 26-1099 (Phillip A. Washington): Councilmember Hinds led the reading, praising Washington's military and public service career, including his roles at RTD and as CEO of Denver International Airport. Councilmembers Flynn, Watson, Lewis, and Kashmann delivered remarks. Washington accepted and challenged the council to exercise