Denver City Council Meeting - October 26, 2026

The Denver City Council convened in general session on Monday, October 26, 2026, with 11 members present and a quorum. The meeting included approval of minutes, three proclamations, several resolutions and introduced bills, and a required public hearing on the Mayor's proposed 2027 budget. No written agenda or minutes were provided; this summary is based on the meeting transcript.

Council Announcements

• Councilmember Gonzalez Gutierrez announced the 43rd annual Hiawatha Davis Jr. Senior Luncheon on December 19 at the DoubleTree Hotel on Quebec. Councilmember Alvidrez announced a Constitution book club on October 28 and constituent hours on October 29 at Athmar Park Branch Library. Councilmember Watson announced a trunk retreat on October 30 at the National Western Center. Councilmember Cashman thanked Cook Park Recreation Center staff for a trunk retreat, and Councilmember Gilmore announced park openings and a Highline Canal underpass ribbon-cutting event on October 27.

Consent Calendar

• The Council approved the minutes of October 19, 2026, with no corrections.
• A block vote was taken on 22 resolutions and bills on final consideration, and the Secretary announced 11 ayes. The block included resolutions 26-1492, 26-1495, 26-1496, 26-1470 through 26-1479, 26-1469, 26-1488 through 26-1490, 26-1498, bill 26-1454, resolutions 26-1481, 26-1491, and 26-1506.

Public Comments & Testimony

• TRUA rental assistance: Numerous speakers, including representatives and clients of the Community Economic Defense Project, urged the Council to add $5.5 million to TRUA to bring its 2027 total to $10 million. They said Denver has seen nearly 16,000 eviction filings annually over the past two years, federal homelessness prevention funding ended September 30, 2026, and state rental assistance was reduced by $5.6 million. They noted the average TRUA payment is about $7,300 and argued that preventing eviction is far less costly than responding to homelessness. Several speakers described receiving TRUA assistance and avoiding eviction.
• Transportation and Mobility Special Revenue Fund: Many residents asked the Council to remove about $8.9 million in parking operations costs from the Transportation and Mobility Special Revenue Fund and to permanently amend the fund ordinance so the money is used only for safety and mobility improvements. Speakers cited 94 traffic deaths in 2025 and roughly 55 or 56 crash deaths by late October 2026, and accused the Mayor of using the fund as a slush fund.
• Little Saigon and business support: Speakers from Colorado Asian Pacific United and community members supported the $2 million Business Impact Opportunity Fund and asked that Little Saigon businesses be eligible during Federal Boulevard BRT construction. They also asked for culturally competent outreach, zoning protections, and a possible cultural center and museum.
• Young adult homelessness: Maria Aguilar Rubio and Paige Dennis from Together NES 56 asked the Council to support a proposed $300,000 HOST amendment by Councilmember Watson to preserve supportive services for young adults ages 18 to 24. They cited 56 housing units, a 92% housing retention rate, and a recurring annual funding gap of about $300,000 starting in 2027.
• Cannabis social equity: Alicia Gallegos and Beatrice Carranza, cannabis social equity licensees, asked the Council to address the exclusion of cannabis businesses from the Build Denver program supported by the Herman Malone Fund, and to make the fund's allocations and outcomes transparent.
• Reentry workforce: Josh Ehrlich of the Center for Employment Opportunities requested $100,000 in restored funding, saying the program enrolled 175 returning citizens in the past year, placed 138 in full-time jobs at an average starting wage of $21.50 per hour, and that independent evaluations show a 22% reduction in recidivism and $3.30 returned for every $1 invested.
• Other budget critics: Jesse Paris, Brandy Majors, and David Roybaugh said the budget's overall priorities are misplaced, arguing that too much is spent on policing and not enough on housing, shelters, behavioral health, youth programs, and community services.

Proclamations

• Proclamation 26-1617 honored Pete Mazuris, founder of Pete's Fruits and Vegetables, for 44 years of service to Denver neighborhoods. It was adopted 11-0, and family members accepted.
• Proclamation 26-1618 declared the week of October 25, 2026, as Silica Awareness Week. It stated that more than two million construction workers nationwide are exposed to respirable crystalline silica and that silicosis is preventable. Councilmembers Hines and Alvidrez connected the proclamation to a proposed best value contracting ordinance. It was adopted 10-0.
• Proclamation 26-1539 opposed Colorado Amendment 82, which would create a constitutional right to purchase and sell natural gas. The Council voted 11-0 to oppose the amendment and urge a no vote.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 26-1495 (Hopskip Drive Inc.): Councilmember Alvidrez asked about the contract amendment. Staff clarified that the contract is being reduced from $1.5 million by $790,000, for a new total of $710,000, and described it as right-sizing based on current utilization.
• Resolution 26-1497 (Securitas Security Services): Postponed one week to November 2, 2026.
• Resolution 26-1480 (Denver Regional Toyota Dealer Advertising Group): Postponed one week to November 2, 2026.
• Resolution 26-1493 (Salvation Army rapid resolution services): Adopted 10-0, with Councilmember Lewis voting no.
• Valverde Outfall System Plan intergovernmental agreement with the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District: Councilmember Torres spoke in support. Councilmember Alvidrez asked about including Houston Lake; staff said the project scope is limited to the Valverde Basin, and Houston Lake is in the Sanderson Gulch Basin.
• Council Bill 26-1435 (automated vehicle identification systems): The bill was ordered published and then postponed to November 9, 2026. Councilmembers Lewis, Alvidrez, and Torres raised concerns about whether revenue would go to the general fund rather than to safety programs, and about equity for low-income neighborhoods. Councilmember Sawyer opposed the postponement, saying her residents wanted the bill to move quickly. The postponement carried with eight ayes.

2027 Budget Staff Report

• Justin Sykes, director of the Budget and Management Office, reported that the proposed budget was released September 10, 2026; City Council sent a letter to the Mayor on October 9 with 23 priorities; 13 were incorporated; and a revised budget was released October 19. He highlighted additions including three 311 call takers, two park rangers, two public health inspectors, one zoning specialist, $2 million for Denver Health, 10 additional 911 call-taker positions, and $4.5 million for TRUA with a possible increase after a Harvard study. He said details of changes are on page 254 of the revised budget.

Key Outcomes

• Three proclamations were adopted as described above.
• Resolution 26-1493 was adopted 10-0; resolutions 26-1497 and 26-1480 were postponed to November 2, 2026.
• Council Bill 26-1435 was postponed to November 9, 2026.
• The required public hearing on the Mayor's proposed 2027 budget was held and closed. Councilmembers may offer amendments on Monday, November 2, 2026, and the final vote to adopt or reject the 2027 budget is scheduled for Monday, November 9, 2026.
• Councilmembers signaled that they would continue working on amendments related to TRUA funding and the Transportation and Mobility Special Revenue Fund.