Denver City Council Regular Meeting – October 19, 2026

The Denver City Council met on Monday, October 19, 2026, at 3:30 p.m., recessed, and reconvened at 5:30 p.m. for evening hearings, adjourning at 7:58 p.m. Eleven of twelve council members were present (Councilmember Gilmore absent). The meeting included approval of the Mayor’s Proposed 2027 Budget notice, a presentation on the Colfax Marathon, two proclamations, adoption of a large consent agenda, introduction of four bills, and public hearings on a landmark designation and a rezoning.

Consent Calendar

• 26-1547 – Mayor’s Proposed 2027 Budget Notice: Approved 11-0 to publish public hearing notice.
• 26-1543 – Minutes of October 13, 2026: Approved.
• 26-1545 – Proclamation Recognizing National Lights on Afterschool Week: Adopted 11-0.
• 26-1501 – Proclamation Opposing Colorado Amendment 81: Adopted 11-0 (council opposed the measure requiring law enforcement to notify ICE within 72 hours of charging someone with a crime).
• 26-1546 – Proclamation Recognizing 100 Years of Hebrew Education Alliance Sisterhood: Adopted 11-0.
• Block Vote (26 resolutions and 1 bill): Approved 11-0, covering:
  • Fire hose purchase amendment ($100,000 increase, Greening Enterprises).
  • Civil Service Commission appointment (Hannah Lucey, term through 2028).
  • Denver African American Commission reappointment (Karen Grissom, term through 2028).
  • STAR Program grant ($2,734,639 from Caring for Denver Foundation).
  • Liability claim settlement ($39,000 to Civil Rights Litigation Group for case 2025CV34006 against DPD).
  • 14 parks on-call contracts (total value up to $192.5 million over 5 years).
  • Handprint Architecture contract ($3,005,589 for Blair-Caldwell Library, Montebello Library, and Montbello Civic Center Park Cultural Plaza).
  • Denver International Airport contracts: Taxiway L Extension ($93,050,254 to Flatiron Dragados), BIM on-call services ($700,000 each to RNN Architects and Syn Energy), DEN New Heights Program ($1,163,664 to ServiceSource).
  • Revocable permit for encroachment at 3801 W 32nd Ave (Fishwater Properties).
  • Dedication of East Warren Avenue as public right-of-way.
  • Fire sprinkler system replacement ($11,266,893 to Gerald H. Phipps).
  • Bill 26-1394 (final passage): Relinquishing wastewater easement at East Elmendorf Drive & N Telluride Street.
• Bills introduced (ordered published):
  • 26-1429 – Amending Downtown Development Authority boundaries.
  • 26-1430 – East Colfax Sidewalk Project condemnation authority.
  • 26-1431 – STAR program contract with Denver Health ($2,837,768).
  • 26-1455 – Valverde Outfall System Plan IGA amendment ($217,216 added).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Landmark Designation (26-1405): Joseph Massaquoi (homeowner), Jay Homstad (Historic Denver), and Jesse Parris spoke in favor; no opposition. Massaquoi described the Stonehouse’s history and their stewardship.
• Rezoning (26-1302): 27 speakers total. 17 spoke in favor, including:
  • Bruce O’Donnell, Peter Wall, Adam Lampl (applicant/Kennedy Wilson), Blair Lichtenfels (counsel), Jamie Grimm (Family Star parent), Bonnie Stevens (teacher), Casey Dean (teacher), Miracle Sanchez (teacher), Amina Musiwa (parent), Ciro Dominguez, Andrew Weller, Erin Jones, Alejandra X. Castaneda, Jeff Jones (board chair), Lindsay McNicholas (executive director), Michael Blake (plan steering committee).
  • Supporters cited consistency with adopted plans, need for affordable housing, support for Family Star’s move, and alignment with transit-oriented development.
  • 9 spoke in opposition, including:
  • Rafael Espinoza (former council member), Kim Collie (Jefferson Park United Neighbors), Josh Rosenblum, Alex Rose, Jesse Parris, David Roybal, Alexandra Rabjohns, Christian Dalton, Kari-elin Mock.
  • Opponents argued the rezoning would effectively allow 7 stories (not just 5), loss of community-serving childcare, insufficient binding commitments, and inconsistency with neighborhood character.

Discussion Items

• Colfax Marathon Presentation: Andrea Dowdy (CEO) and Chris Herndon (board chair) presented the 20th anniversary results: 28,000 runners, 140 charity partners, $250,000 in annual charity awards, and a $10 million cumulative charity impact. Councilmember Watson received a partnership trophy. Questions praised the event’s health and charity benefits.
• 26-1544 Settlement Call-out: Councilmember Lewis noted the $39,000 settlement brings 2026 total taxpayer-funded city settlements to $4,531,000.
• 26-1452 Handprint Architecture Call-out: Councilmember Lewis highlighted that the contract begins redesign of Montbello Library (HVAC/sewer issues) and includes shade plaza at Montbello Civic Center Park. Councilmember Watson added that Blair-Caldwell Library updates protect historical artifacts.
• 26-1454 Micro-community Shelter Postponement: Councilmember Alvidrez postponed consideration of the Colorado Village Collaborative revocable license agreement to October 26.
• 26-1432 STAR Program Grant Questions: Council Pro Tem Gonzales-Gutierrez asked about cost coverage; Cassie Williams (DDPHE) stated Caring for Denver funds pay for 50% of clinician salaries and all wraparound services. Grant is one-year.
• 26-1430 East Colfax Sidewalk Project: Councilmember Lewis expressed support for filling sidewalk gaps and requested adequate drainage and notice to residents.
• Rezoning 26-1302 Deliberation: Councilmembers debated the effective height (5-story base, up to 7 with EHA incentives), protected district constraints, and whether the proposal met plan guidance. Staff confirmed EHA incentives apply citywide but are limited to 5 stories near protected districts. Developer provided a Good Neighbor Agreement with the Federal Boulevard BID, including restrictive covenants on uses, design standards, 7,500 sq ft of retail, and 24 affordable units (60% AMI). Councilmembers Sandoval, Alvidrez, Watson, Flynn, Gonzales-Gutierrez, Hinds, and Romero Campbell spoke in support, citing plan consistency and need for affordable housing along transit corridors.

Key Outcomes

• 26-1405 – Landmark Designation (740 N Washington St): Adopted 11-0 as a Denver landmark (Queen Anne style, Varian & Stirner architects).
• 26-1302 – Rezoning to UMS-5 DO-8 (2246 N Federal Blvd): Amended 11-0 to correct a drafting error (insert “11” on line 24) and then passed as amended 11-0. The rezoning allows a 5-story mixed-use building with up to 7 stories via EHA affordable housing incentives, including ground-floor retail and a protected district height limit of 5 stories on the southern portion.
• Postponement: Item 26-1454 (micro-community shelter at 621 W Wesley Ave) postponed to October 26, 2026.