Denver City Council Regular Meeting – August 24, 2026

The Denver City Council convened on Monday, August 24, 2026, at 3:30 PM in the Cathy Reynolds City Council Chamber. The meeting included proclamations, resolutions, and bills for introduction and final consideration. Three proclamations were scheduled; one was pulled. Council members made several announcements about community events. The meeting featured discussion on a pedestrian bridge grant, senior center renovations, youth services, and a citywide towing contract. All items except one resolution received unanimous support.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes from August 17, 2026, were approved without correction.
• Block Vote for Resolutions and Bills: All resolutions and bills not previously called out for separate discussion were adopted in a single block vote. This included 26-1188 (housing loan agreement), 26-1155 (Fastenal purchase order amendment), 26-1156 and 26-1157 (on-call framing and drywall contracts), 26-1158 (Zion Senior Center renovation), 26-1159 (Project Voyce lease amendment), 26-1160 (Globeville Levee revocable license), 26-1164 (appointment to Board of Transportation and Infrastructure), 26-1165 (reappointment to arbitrator panel), 26-1167 (Baker Tilly airport audit amendment), 26-1150 (street dedication West 38th Ave), 26-1148 and 26-1149 (street and alley dedications in District 3), 26-1151 (Contour Airlines facilities lease at DEN), 26-1152 (purchase of Chevrolet Silverados), 26-1153 (purchase of passenger buses), 26-1154 (purchase order for plumbing pumps), 26-1125 (RTD LiVE program amendatory agreement), 26-1123 (Theatre at Loretto Heights IGA), and 26-1124 (Colorado Symphony funding agreement). The block vote passed 12–0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments or testimony were offered during this meeting.

Discussion Items

Proclamations

• Proclamation 26-1229 (National Historic Preservation Act) was pulled from the agenda due to an administrative change.
• Proclamation 26-1230 – Honoring Vibes in the Park: Councilmembers Lewis and Torres read the proclamation. Councilmember Lewis praised the founders for their perseverance, community engagement, and behind-the-scenes work. Councilmember Torres noted the cultural significance of the event at Sunken Gardens Park, linking it to the 1969 West High Blowouts. The proclamation was adopted 12–0. Founders Tiffany and Gabrielle accepted and thanked the city for support.
• Proclamation 26-1231 – Honoring John Simonet: Councilmember Flynn read the proclamation detailing Simonet's career as a former priest, corrections director, and manager of safety. Multiple speakers, including Councilmember Flynn, Councilmember Kashmann, Sheriff Diggins, and former Mayor Federico Peña, expressed admiration for Simonet's compassion, integrity, and leadership in the Denver Sheriff's Department. The proclamation was adopted 12–0. Simonet's daughter, Judge Fran Simonet, accepted on his behalf.

Called-Out Resolutions and Bills

• Resolution 26-1166 – Broadway Station Pedestrian Bridge Grant: Councilmember Alvidrez spoke in support, noting the bridge's importance for transit-oriented development at Santa Fe Yards. She also expressed deep concern about the proposed widening of Santa Fe Drive, stating it would create division and risk for pedestrians and bicyclists.
• Resolution 26-1158 – Zion Senior Center Renovation: Councilmember Lewis congratulated the center on receiving $695,000 in CDBG funds for critical facility upgrades, including fire alarms, plumbing, electrical, and ADA improvements. She highlighted the center's role as a multi-generational community hub.
• Resolution 26-1159 – Project Voyce Lease Amendment: Councilmember Lewis commended the organization (Voices of Youth Creating Equity) for its work empowering youth aged 10–26 and noted the importance of investing in future leaders. The amendment adds $3,600 and extends the lease through December 31, 2026.
• Resolution 26-1169 – Towing Contract Amendment (Ferkam Inc.): Councilmember Sawyer called out the item, announcing she would vote no due to a personal traumatic experience with a tow truck driver and ongoing concerns about accountability and customer service metrics. She noted the contract is a single-bidder agreement and that General Services is working on improvements for the next RFP. The resolution passed 11–1 (Sawyer dissenting).
• Bill 26-1123 – Theatre at Loretto Heights IGA: Councilmember Flynn expressed support, noting that the theater was originally built as a teaching facility by the Sisters of Loretto and that the partnership with Community College of Denver brings it full circle as a community teaching space.
• Bill 26-1125 – RTD LiVE Program Amendment: Councilmember Lewis spoke in favor, highlighting the program's 50% fare discount for low-income riders across all RTD services.

Key Outcomes

• Proclamations Adopted: Two proclamations were adopted unanimously (12–0 each).
• Towing Contract Approved: Resolution 26-1169 was adopted 11–1, with General Services committing to seek improved metrics and competitive bidding for the next contract cycle.
• All Other Resolutions and Bills Passed: All remaining agenda items were approved by a 12–0 block vote, including funding for the Broadway Station Pedestrian Bridge ($5,333,333 from DOLA), Zion Senior Center renovations ($695,000), and the Theatre at Loretto Heights operational partnership ($2,500,000 over three years).
• Next Meeting: The meeting adjourned with no further business. The next regularly scheduled council meeting is September 14, 2026, per the agenda's 30-day review period references.