Denver City Council Budget and Policy Committee Meeting — March 23, 2026

The Budget and Policy Committee of the Denver City Council met on Monday, March 23, 2026, for two briefings: (1) an update on the Registered Neighborhood Organization (RNO) Ordinance community engagement process, and (2) a concept introduction regarding single-unit development in higher-density zone districts. Councilmembers present included Kevin Flynn (District 2), Jamie Torres (District 3), Amanda Sawyer (District 5), Oscar (At-Large), Paul Cashman (District 6), Sarah Purdy (At-Large), Darren Watson (District 9), and Laura Alvidrez (District ?). No votes were taken; both items were presented for discussion.

RNO Ordinance Community Engagement Update

• Presentation: Council aides Masha Leor, Elise Bob, Sino Jorge, and Claire Kelly presented findings from the "Your City Your Voice" project, a year-long community engagement effort to inform potential changes to the RNO ordinance. The project included over 40 in-person events, approximately 1,100 survey responses, four neighborhood engagement workshops, RNO focus groups, and interviews with city departments and external partners. A report was published on March 19, 2026, identifying five community-informed considerations: (1) identity and framework (renaming RNOs, clarifying purpose, reducing overlapping boundaries), (2) membership, governance, and recognition standards, (3) outreach and communication infrastructure, (4) training, funding, equity supports, and neighborhood liaisons, and (5) accountability and collaborative conflict resolution. The next steps include four more in-person feedback sessions and an online form through April 2026, with policy drafting in April/May and a proposed ordinance in late spring/early summer.
• Councilmember Flynn expressed support for the process but raised concerns about overlapping RNO boundaries and the need to preserve neighborhood identity. He noted that statistical neighborhood boundaries are arbitrary and can cause confusion.
• Councilmember Sawyer (Amanda) highlighted that RNOs struggle with volunteer recruitment, standard operating frameworks, and city permitting for small neighborhood events (e.g., movies in the park). She stated that overly burdensome regulations have caused neighborhood events to cease and urged that these issues be prioritized as short-term fixes.
• Councilmember Alvidrez expressed disappointment that engagement was lower in some neighborhoods (e.g., Ruby Hill, Overland) and emphasized the need for equitable funding to support lower-income neighborhoods. She also noted that RNO leaders sometimes face threats and safety concerns.
• Councilmember Torres questioned whether there was an asset-based assessment of RNOs (what they do well) and asked about the implication that the city should fund RNOs. She raised concerns about non-residents creating RNOs in other districts and emphasized the need for funding to be clearly defined.
• Councilmember Watson asked about engagement with the Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation (INC). Presenters noted that staff attended INC meetings and met with INC leadership, but that INC does not equally represent all RNOs because membership fees can be a barrier (though fees can be waived). He also asked about grant-writing support for RNOs; presenters confirmed that templates and training are part of the considerations.
• Councilmember Purdy (Sarah) supported moving RNO oversight from Community Planning and Development (CPD) to the Division of Community Empowerment within Human Rights and Community Partnerships (HRCP), but expressed concern that HRCP currently has limited staff. She noted the original intent of the RNO ordinance was to empower communities in redlined areas and praised the project for returning power to the people.

Single-Unit Development in Certain Zone Districts (Concept)

• Presentation: Councilmember Flynn and Councilmember Parody introduced a concept to limit or prohibit new single-unit dwellings in zones where higher density is planned (TU, RH, MU — two-unit, rowhouse, and multi-unit zones). They presented data: since 2019, 28,000 dwelling units were built citywide; 12% (3,374) were single-family homes, and of those, 15% (247) were built in zone districts that allow higher density. Two approaches were outlined: (1) remove single-unit as a permitted use (making existing single-family homes non-conforming, which could create financing and renovation hurdles), or (2) only prohibit new single-unit dwellings after a scrape or demolition (a forward-looking approach). The presenters favored approach 2 to avoid non-conformity issues. Next steps include presenting to the Unlocking Housing Choices advisory committee and continuing to refine the concept.
• Councilmember Sawyer stated that the 15% figure shows this concept could have a greater impact than unlocking housing choices. She asked whether CPD could study the capacity to build to existing zoning. A CPD staff member (Kyle Dalton) confirmed it is possible but complex, noting constraints like historic districts and lot sizes.
• Councilmember Campbell (Pro Tem) asked about grandfathering projects already in the pipeline; presenters noted no grandfathering date has been set and the concept is still early.
• Councilmember Parody expressed concern about creating non-conforming structures and preferred approach 2. She also noted that single-family homes represent only 12% of new units, arguing that the focus on single-family zoning may be disproportionate.
• Councilmember Torres noted that along corridors like Morrison Road, large lots without alleys could lead to scraping of existing affordable homes for duplexes or rowhouses. She cautioned that the concept should not incentivize loss of affordable housing.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes or decisions were taken on either item.
• For the RNO ordinance update: The committee will continue gathering community feedback on the five considerations through April 2026. Council aides will draft policy changes for April/May and bring a proposed ordinance to committee in late spring/early summer.
• For the single-unit development concept: Councilmembers Flynn and Parody will refine the proposal, present it to the Unlocking Housing Choices advisory committee, and return to the budget and policy committee with a draft for further discussion.