Denver Health and Safety Committee Meeting - July 23, 2025

The Health and Safety Committee of the Denver City Council met on July 23, 2025, at 10:30 AM. The meeting included approval of a block of 12 grant agreements for the Healthy Food for Denver’s Kids (HFDK) initiative totaling over $12 million, and a briefing from the Office of the Independent Monitor (OIM) on a proposed Education-Based Discipline (EBD) policy for the Denver Police Department. The committee also approved one consent item.

Consent Calendar

• Council Bill 25-1044: Amends a revenue agreement with the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice to add $8,376,054.13 for a new total of $16,588,725.53 and extend the end date to 9-30-2026 for continued funding of Denver Community Corrections. Approved by consent.

Healthy Food for Denver’s Kids Grant Approvals

• The committee received a presentation from DDPHE staff on the HFDK program, established by voter-approved ballot measure 302 in 2018, funded by a 0.08% sales tax (approx. $11 million/year). The program has distributed ~$86 million across five cohorts since 2020, serving over 149,000 unique families in 2024, providing over 47 million meals and snacks, creating 670 youth jobs, and distributing 34 million pounds of food. Approximately 15% of Denverites are food insecure, with higher rates among households with children.
• Staff presented 13 resolutions (25-1020 through 25-1031) for the sixth cohort (HFDK 06), totaling over $12 million. The resolutions include grants to Clayton Early Learning ($1,000,000), Colorado Food Cluster ($856,891.09), East Colfax Community Collective ($795,323.24), Frontline Farming ($989,374.82), The Hadanou Collective dba Southwest Food Coalition ($999,680.00), Hunger Free Colorado ($983,116.56), Kaizen Food Rescue ($999,999.87), The Consumption Literacy Project ($1,000,000.00), WeeCycle ($999,999.58), Denver Health and Hospital Authority ($1,000,000.00), Denver Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services ($863,500.00), and Denver Public Schools ($574,179.52). One additional resolution (CWEE) was deferred to the next week. Contracts run through 7-31-2028.
• Council members expressed strong support for the program. Councilmember Torres noted the program’s effectiveness and asked about contingency funds and administrative allowance (approx. 8-9% of 10% allowed). Councilmember Parady asked about WIC application processing times at Denver Health. Councilmember Flynn questioned why only one grantee serves District 2 and inquired about Kamoon Denver. Staff explained Kamoon is a current grantee with a contract through 2027 and that the Hadanou Collective is a fiscal sponsor for Southwest Food Coalition. Councilmember Sawyer suggested exploring future expansion to serve seniors.
• A motion by Councilmember Torres, seconded by Councilmember Sawyer, to approve resolutions 25-1020 through 25-1031 in a block carried 7-0. (Voting aye: Flynn, Gonzales-Gutierrez, Parady, Sandoval, Sawyer, Torres, Watson.)

Office of the Independent Monitor Briefing on DPD Discipline Policy

• Independent Monitor Elizabeth Perez-Castle briefed the committee on the proposed Education-Based Discipline (EBD) policy for the Denver Police Department. She stated that EBD would replace traditional discipline for certain violations (categories A-C) with training, and argued that it lacks best-practice research, reduces accountability, and undermines community trust. She noted that the policy was developed without sufficient OIM or community input, in violation of the ordinance requiring OIM review of significant policy changes. She cited oversight assessments from Washington D.C. and Los Angeles that criticized EBD. She emphasized that the current discipline matrix was developed with extensive community input over three years in 2005-2008, and that changing it unilaterally would betray that agreement.
• Council members expressed concern about the lack of DPD presence at the briefing, the process, and the need for full community input. Councilmember Sawyer requested a future meeting with DPD present for a full conversation. Councilmember Torres noted the importance of understanding charter and ordinance requirements. Councilmember Flynn requested that Chief Thomas present to the committee instead of just at Mayor-Council. Councilmember Gonzalez-Gutierrez conveyed Councilmember Cashman’s opposition to weakening OIM or citizen oversight board roles. The chair acknowledged the concerns and stated that the committee would schedule a full presentation with Chief Thomas.
• No vote was taken on the EBD policy.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Resolutions 25-1020 through 25-1031 (Healthy Food for Denver’s Kids grants) in a block vote of 7-0.
• Approved: Consent item 25-1044 (Denver Community Corrections funding amendment).
• Next Steps: The committee agreed to schedule a future meeting with Denver Police Chief Thomas to present and discuss the proposed EBD policy, with opportunity for public comment and full council dialogue.