Health and Safety Committee Briefings – January 14, 2026

The Health and Safety Committee of the Denver City Council, chaired by Councilmember Darrell Watson (District 9), held two briefings: an update from the Prosperity Denver Fund and a presentation on the implementation of the flavored tobacco ban from the Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE). No votes or consent items were taken.

Prosperity Denver Fund Update

• Rebecca Arno (CEO), board chair Teresa Pena, and chair-elect Felicia Houston presented the fund’s progress since its 2019 inception.
• Key statistics: 89 partner organizations, over 15,000 scholarships, 1,100 credentials, 47,000 high school students served, and $65 million distributed. In 2023–24, $16.3 million was disbursed; the first cycle of 2024–25 already reached $16.6 million.
• Programs: college/technical school scholarships, career training (apprenticeships/credentials), and high school support services (mentorship, financial aid, family connection, academic support, mental health).
• Fund balance: Approximately $30 million in 2024, with $2.6 million spent in the past year. The board projects full expenditure by fiscal year 2027. A commitment reserve was established to support current students through college in case the program sunsets in 2030 without reauthorization.
• Outcomes: Investment increased college attendance and graduation rates in Denver by 8% per year. The Denver Scholarship Foundation increased scholarships by 41% and the amount per scholarship by 28%.
• Future plans: Expand partner organizations, create evaluation cohorts to measure student outcomes (especially for small nonprofits), conduct an economic impact study, and strengthen the post-secondary ecosystem through a learning community.
• Discussion: Councilmember Cashman asked about high school support services; Arno explained the five focus areas. Council President Pro Tem Romero Campbell praised the acceleration of funding distribution and the commitment to students. Council President Sandoval questioned whether the ordinance requires a vote of the people for reauthorization, citing the Denver Preschool Program’s experience with a council-sponsored ordinance to remove sunset. She advised the fund to exhaust all options before pursuing a ballot measure. Teresa Pena noted a separate reauthorization committee is being formed.

Flavored Tobacco Ban Implementation

• Teddy Montoya (Tobacco Program Manager) and Brendan Gentry (Tobacco Program Supervisor) presented on the enforcement of the flavored tobacco ban, effective January 1, 2026, after 70.5% of Denver voters approved Referendum 310 in November 2025.
• Evidence base: CDC recommends comprehensive bans (including menthol) to reduce youth initiation. Flavors mask harsh tastes, and menthol increases addiction. Disproportionate targeting of Black, Latino, and LGBTQ communities.
• Youth data: Past 30-day vaping dropped from 19.5% (2019) to 6.5% (2023); flavored product use declined from 27% to 19%. However, menthol use remains around 30% among youth (statewide). Retail compliance is a concern: youth not refused when purchasing rose from 72% to 87% (2023).
• Enforcement: DDPHE conducts undercover age inspections (two to four per retailer annually; ~578 retailers). Updated fine schedule (April 2025) treats flavored tobacco sales as a critical violation. If sold to a minor, two violations apply: $1,000 and $2,000 fines plus a 30-day suspension. A look-back period expands from 12 months (2026) to 24 months (2027) to 36 months (2028).
• Retailer education: Bulletins, FAQs, direct mail, window clings, point-of-sale decals, and a forthcoming compliance video. In-person outreach will resume after a pause in Q3 2025.
• Discussion: Councilmember Sawyer reported that her teenager purchased flavored vapes from the back of a store on Colfax, highlighting continued black-market sales. She asked how to report (311) and if the ordinance language may need tightening; DDPHE agreed to return with recommendations. Council President Pro Tem Romero Campbell asked about measuring youth reduction; DDPHE noted reliance on biennial Healthy Kids Colorado data (lagging) and a pilot vape waste diversion program with five Denver high schools (tracking brands and flavors). Daniel Neiman explained the environmental hazards of discarded vapes.

Key Outcomes

• The committee received both briefings as information items; no formal votes were taken.
• Prosperity Denver Fund will continue individual district meetings with council members and provide newsletter content.
• DDPHE will deliver an annual evaluation report on the flavored tobacco ban to the council in June or July 2026.
• Councilmember Sawyer and staff will follow up with DDPHE on potential ordinance amendments to address enforcement gaps.
• The committee chair, Darrell Watson, thanked co-sponsors of the flavored tobacco ordinance (Sawyer, Gonzalez-Gutierrez, Lewis) and the supporting agencies.