Denver City Council Regular Meeting – September 28, 2026

The Denver City Council convened on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 3:30 PM, with 11 members present (Councilmember Sandoval absent; Councilmember Sawyer arrived late). The meeting included a recess and reconvened, concluding at 7:43 PM. Key actions included adoption of proclamations, approval of a consent agenda with numerous resolutions, postponement of several airport lease agreements, and public hearings on a zoning change, a data privacy ordinance, and a new police district 6 facility.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of September 21, 2026 – Approved.
• Proclamation 26-1422 (Suicide Prevention Month) – Adopted (10-0-2 absent: Sandoval, Sawyer).
• Proclamation 26-1425 (Hispanic, Latino/a/x, and Chicano/a Heritage Month) – Adopted (10-0-2 absent).
• Proclamation 26-1421 (Honoring Dolores Huerta) – Adopted en bloc (11-0-1 absent).
• Resolution 26-1339 – Fifth Amendatory Agreement with Brothers Redevelopment, Inc. for foreclosure assistance ($400,000 addition, total $1,750,000, serving 67 households) – Adopted en bloc.
• Resolution 26-1306 – Appointment of Angel Hurtado to Housing Stability Strategic Advisors – Adopted en bloc.
• Resolution 26-1307 – Appointment of Fa’al Ali to Denver County Cultural Council – Adopted en bloc.
• Resolutions 26-1311 through 26-1316 – Mayor’s reappointments to Denver Preschool Program Board of Directors (Andrea Albo, Anne Rowe, LaKeshia Allen Horner, Lydia Prado, Nathaniel Cradle, William “Zaki” Robbins) – Adopted en bloc.
• Resolution 26-1317 – Appointment of Radha Kilaru to Denver Asian American Pacific Islander Commission – Adopted en bloc.
• Resolutions 26-1318 and 26-1319 – Appointments to Human Rights and Community Partnerships Advisory Board (Alezandro Ruvalcaba, Patrick Walton) – Adopted en bloc.
• Resolutions 26-1320 through 26-1323 – Appointments to Denver Women’s Commission (Adriana Lopez, Charlene Emory-Proctor, Jill Perks, Whitney Woods) – Adopted en bloc.
• Resolution 26-1327 – Contract with West Series of Lockton Companies, LLC for medical insurance consulting ($1,125,000, through 2031) – Adopted en bloc.
• Resolution 26-1358 – Contract with RedLine for grant program administration ($575,000, through 2031) – Adopted en bloc.
• Resolution 26-1308 – Dedicating City-owned parcel as West 38th Avenue – Adopted en bloc.
• Resolution 26-1310 – Contract with SEMA CONSTRUCTION, INC. for 5280 Trail - Acoma Street Segment ($11,383,076.41) – Adopted en bloc.
• Resolution 26-1324 – Dedicating parcels as East Hampden Avenue and South Willow Street – Adopted en bloc.
• Resolution 26-1326 – Dedicating a public alley bounded by East 7th Ave, Grant St, East 6th Ave, Sherman St – Adopted en bloc.
• Resolution 26-1328 – Amendatory agreement with INTERLOCK CONSTRUCTION CORP. for Ross-University Hills Library renovation (add $6,121,415.25, new total $6,662,151.25, new end date 4-30-2028) – Adopted en bloc.
• Resolution 26-1338 – Amendatory agreement with Waste Management for compost processing (add $2,500,000, new total $8,500,000, extend to 1-31-2029) – Adopted en bloc.
• Resolution 26-1344 – Master purchase order with Advanced Network Management, Inc. for IT infrastructure at DEN ($30,000,000, 2 years + three 1-year options) – Adopted en bloc.
• Resolution 26-1345 – Master purchase order with ePlus Technology, Inc. for IT infrastructure at DEN ($30,000,000, same terms) – Adopted en bloc.
• Resolution 26-1346 – Concession agreement with Flippit Corporation for airport mailing services (guaranteed rent $4,500 + 10% gross sales, 5 years) – Adopted en bloc.
• Resolution 26-1347 – Master purchase order with Trace3 Government, LLC for IT infrastructure at DEN ($30,000,000, same terms) – Adopted en bloc.
• Council Bill 26-1291 – Grant agreement with HUD for remediation plan at 4800/4850 Brighton Blvd ($500,000, through 8-31-2032) – Placed upon final consideration and do pass en bloc.
• Council Bill 26-1279 – Relinquishing a portion of storm water and sanitary sewer easement – Placed upon final consideration and do pass en bloc.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Required Public Hearing – Council Bill 26-1185 (Zoning change for 3418 W 14th Ave & 1371 N Julian St, West Colfax): Jesse Parris (speaking as a candidate for House District 8) spoke neither in favor nor opposition, asking about the planned development, parking, and affordability (AMI levels). No other speakers. Staff report delivered by Edson Ibanez of Community Planning and Development.
• Courtesy Public Hearing – Council Bill 26-1305 (Voluntary collection/disclosure of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression): Seven speakers expressed support: Z Williams (Director of Bread and Roses, urged passage for trans safety), Saga Romig (trans woman, clinical psych student, emphasized trust and confidentiality), Chris Cook (father of a trans daughter, feared harm if information leaked), Ashley Cordero (queer attorney, highlighted 835 anti-trans bills in 2026 and need for protection), Jamie Frederick (founder of Trans Rescue Network, noted federal targeting), Katrina Whitehead (mother of a trans daughter, sought relief for parents), and Rebekah Layton (survivor of gender-based violence, stressed preemptive protection). Two speakers opposed: Jesse Parris (argued the bill is deceptive, asserted only two genders, and claimed it ignores black community protections) and Brandy Majors (called for universal data protections rather than targeted, raised concerns about lack of verifiable evidence of misuse, and cited historical surveillance of black communities). Council sponsors Gilmore and Lewis also gave opening remarks supporting the bill.
• Combined Courtesy Public Hearing – Council Resolutions 26-1341 & 26-1342 (Police District 6 Replacement): Staff report by Kara Sequino (DOTI). Speakers: Brandy Majors spoke in favor, supporting investment but urging transparency and accountability. Frank Locantore (Executive Director, Colfax BID) spoke in opposition, criticizing the project for not including mixed-use development or maximizing the pharmacy parcel for housing; he asked for a modest increase in parcel size and for the BID to be a full partner in future redevelopment. Jesse Parris spoke in opposition, citing past misconduct by District 6 and questioning the need for a new facility without accountability. Andy Baldyga (architect, former planning board member) spoke neither for nor against, requesting council direct the project team to increase the pharmacy development parcel by about 6,000 sq ft and recognize the Colfax BID as a stakeholder.

Discussion Items

• Proclamation 26-1422 (Suicide Prevention Month): Councilmembers Lewis and Alvidrez shared personal stories; acceptance remarks from Liz Martinez Rodriguez (DDPHE), representatives from Struggle of Love Foundation, Denver Youth Programs, Dr. Sally Spencer Thomas (Second Wind Fund), and Center for African American Health. Statistics noted: 140 Denver residents died by suicide in 2025; firearms accounted for 42% of deaths; 4,505 emergency department visits for suicide ideation.
• Proclamation 26-1425 (Hispanic/Latino/a/x/Chicano/a Heritage Month): Councilmember Gonzales-Gutierrez emphasized indigenous heritage and struggle; acceptance by José Aguilar (co-chair Denver Latino Commission), Dr. Karen Jaramillo (professor), and Adrian Covarrubias (educator/mentor). Speakers urged year-round investment in Latino communities.
• Postponements Called Out: Councilmember Lewis called out and postponed 10 airline use and lease agreements (26-1348 through 26-1357) for one week to October 5, 2026, citing lack of readiness and need for better tracking of deportation flights. Councilmember Flynn postponed resolution 26-1343 (Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell legal services amendment) for one week.
• Council Bill 26-1185 (Zoning change): Councilmember Torres noted the application does not trigger the West Area memo (already zoned RH-3), would likely trigger expanding housing authority provisions, and requires protection of neighboring protected districts. The rezoning from G-RH-3 to G-MU-5 (up to 5 stories) was approved 11-0.
• Council Bill 26-1305 (Data privacy): Extensive council discussion. Councilmembers Watson, Hinds, and others spoke in support, noting the bill is a targeted protection for transgender and gender-expansive individuals amid federal attacks. The bill was ordered published (11-0) for a future public hearing.
• Council Resolutions 26-1341 & 26-1342 (Police District 6): Councilmembers Hinds, Watson, and Lewis debated the lack of community engagement and missed opportunity for housing integration. Councilmember Hinds acknowledged being part of the problem (insisting on retaining the parcel). Staff cited bond spending deadline of May 5, 2027, and IRS arbitrage risks if delayed. Councilmembers committed to involving Colfax BID in future RFQ for the pharmacy parcel. Resolutions adopted 9-1 (Kashmann nay, Gilmore and Sandoval absent).
• Proclamation 26-1423 (10 Years of Cultura Chocolate): Councilmembers Torres and Gonzales-Gutierrez praised the cultural impact. Owner Damaris accepted, highlighting the cafe’s role in Westwood and its community programs.

Key Outcomes

• Postponed: Resolutions 26-1348 through 26-1357 (airline leases) and 26-1343 (Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell) – all postponed to October 5, 2026.
• Approved en bloc: All consent calendar items (proclamations, resolutions, bills on final consideration) – 11-0 (Sandoval absent).
• Council Bill 26-1185 (Zoning): Passed 11-0.
• Council Bill 26-1305 (Data privacy): Ordered published (11-0); public hearing scheduled for October 5, 2026.
• Council Resolutions 26-1341 & 26-1342 (Police District 6): Adopted 9-1 (Kashmann nay; Gilmore and Sandoval absent).
• Bills for Introduction: Council Bills 26-1333, 26-1336, 26-1362, 26-1363, 26-1364, 26-1332, 26-1325, 26-1331 were ordered published.
• Announcements: Next meeting October 5, 2026, will include required public hearings on Council Bills 26-1362, 26-1363, and 26-1364 (prohibiting alcohol and administrative expenditures from specific tax revenues).