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Record of Proceedings

Health and Safety Committee Meeting – October 7, 2026

Council Committees — Wednesday, October 7, 2026
BodyDenver, Colorado
SessionCouncil Committees
DateWednesday, October 7, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:25:38

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:01

Welcome back to this weekly meeting of the Health and Safety Committee with Denver City Council.

0:09

Coverage of the Health and Safety Committee starts now.

Speaker 2

0:21

Good morning and welcome.

0:22

This is the Health and Safety Committee meeting for October 7th.

0:24

My name is Daryl Watson.

0:25

I'm honored to serve all the residents of Define District 9 as well as the chair of the Health and Safety Committee.

0:32

Before we roll into the presentation, why don't we uh go around the room for introductions?

0:36

We'll start first in the room, and we have several council members online.

0:40

We'll come to you next.

0:42

So, first, starting on my right.

Unassigned speaker

0:44

Oh,

Speaker 3

0:44

good morning

Speaker 4

0:44

to Mandas Anagal, Northwest Denver District One.

Unassigned speaker

0:47

Good

Speaker 4

0:47

morning, Sedana Gonzalez Cochetas, Councilmember at large.

Speaker 2

0:50

Good to see you both.

0:52

And then online, uh, Council President, why don't we start?

Unassigned speaker

0:57

Uh

Speaker 5

0:57

good morning, Diana Romero Campbell, Southeast Denver, District 4.

Speaker 6

1:03

Good morning, government Southwest Denver District 2.

Speaker 2

1:08

Producer will check and see if we have any uh other council members that are signing up online.

Speaker 3

1:14

She's coming.

1:16

Hello.

Speaker 2

1:23

All right, and we have uh council members in the room.

1:25

Uh introductions on Jamie Torres, West Denver District 3.

1:30

We'll pause for a second because I know we have two other council members that are trying to sign on.

1:34

Um once you sign on, I will announce and celebrate your participation.

1:39

But until then, uh we have two items on the agenda.

1:42

We have a proclamation uh opposing Colorado Proposition 132 uh by ProTEM Gutierrez Gutierrez.

1:50

Uh Gonzalez Gutierrez.

1:52

What am I saying?

1:54

And uh Councilmember Sanaval.

1:56

Then we have an action item um for a ordinance amending the automated vehicle identification system and a public hearing, uh public comments uh today.

2:05

But let's start first with a proclamation and we'll turn it over to both of our colleagues.

Speaker 3

2:10

Good morning, everyone.

2:11

So we don't have a visual for us today.

2:14

The proclamation is online if you want to find it.

2:17

Um but councilwoman Gonzalez Gutierrez and I were talking about some of the state um propositions that are on the ballot.

2:25

And this one we felt needed action before city council because it's so egregious and it's so detrimental to some of the people the work that we do at City Council.

2:35

So Councilman Gonzalez Gutierrez and I worked with our advocates and we're taking a stance on Prop 132, the fentanyl bill, and we're asking our colleagues to vote no on this.

2:46

And so we're gonna be sending this that we'll be talking about this and the reasons why.

2:51

Um and according to our council rules, when we're taking a stance on a state proposition on a state ballot initiative, we have to come through committee and then take it to city council.

3:02

Because normally proclamations don't come to committee just for the public who are viewing.

3:06

Um, but it's our council rules that when we're taking a stance on a um ballot measure that we come to committee and have a discussion.

3:13

So instead of doing a whole PowerPoint, we just actually wanted to sit around the table and talk about what we thought about this bill and why we're asking no.

3:20

And I'll pass it over to Pro Tem.

3:22

Thank you,

Speaker 4

3:23

um, Councilman Sandoval.

3:24

So if anyone is curious to know what is in the in the proclamation, it is in Legislatar under Health and Safety right now, and then it will be there for next Tuesday when we um bring it to the full body.

3:36

Um, and I'm grateful to to be able to partner with Councilwoman Sandoval, and I know we've had some conversations one-on-one with many council members about this issue.

3:46

You know, as Councilwoman Sandoval stated, there's a number of measures that are being brought forward.

3:50

Um, it's really concerning um the number that are being brought forward by a particular group that uh uh is trying to somewhat gain the system really in in bringing forward these types of policies without actually doing the stakeholding doing the work um that is required through a legislative process.

4:11

And so it's really important that we um look at these things with that the keen eye of are they is this causing more harm to our community?

4:19

Are these types of measures that could potentially cause more harm rather than um actually help?

4:25

There have been already lots of um laws passed to address um issues as it relates to um drug addiction and fentanyl, and some of those you know people agree with and some of them they don't.

4:38

But what we do know is we want to make sure that people are being able to access the help that they need when they need it.

4:43

Um and so this does not provide an avenue for that.

4:47

And so that is why um we see it as important for city council to take a position.

Unassigned speaker

4:52

Oh,

Speaker 3

4:53

that's all I got.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Transportation Safety█████████████████████████████████████████████48%
Public Engagement██████████████15%
Public Safety█████████████14%
Public Health Policy████████9%
Procedural█████5%
Data Management█████5%
Racial Equity██2%
Budget Equity Analysis██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Health and Safety Committee Meeting – October 7, 2026

Note: The agenda and minutes list the meeting starting at 10:30 AM, but the provided timestamp indicates 5:30 PM UTC. This summary uses the timestamp given.

The Denver City Council's Health and Safety Committee convened on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, to discuss a proclamation opposing Colorado Proposition 132 (fentanyl penalties) and to consider an ordinance updating the Automated Vehicle Identification System (AVIS) for traffic enforcement. The committee also approved two consent items supporting the Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) program.

Consent Calendar

  • 26-1431: Approved a contract with Denver Health & Hospital Authority for $2,837,767.92 to provide EMTs/paramedics and vans for the STAR program through 12/31/2027 (citywide).
  • 26-1432: Approved a grant agreement with Caring for Denver Foundation for $2,734,639.00 to accept the Care Over Incarceration Grant and continue the STAR program through 7/31/2027 (citywide).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jill Locantori (Denver Streets Partnership): Expressed strong support for expanded automated enforcement, urged Council to direct revenues from AVIS fines into the Transportation and Mobility Special Revenue Fund for multimodal and safe street improvements.
  • Alejandra Castañeda (community advocate): Supported automated enforcement as a less biased strategy, emphasized the need to educate the public on the difference between AVIS and license plate readers, and requested that fines be used to redesign dangerous corridors, especially in historically disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Discussion Items

Proclamation Opposing Colorado Proposition 132 (26-1464)

  • Sponsors Councilmembers Sandoval and Gonzales-Gutierrez introduced the proclamation, arguing that Proposition 132 would impose mandatory minimum sentences, reduce judicial discretion, and fail to provide a balanced, data-informed approach to the fentanyl crisis.
  • Councilmember Torres voiced full support, calling it an unfunded mandate that would strain the sheriff’s department (currently at 65% workforce capacity) and criminalize vulnerable populations without reducing usage.
  • Council President Romero Campbell and Councilmember Kashmann echoed support, stating the proposition would harm communities and that resources should go to education, prevention, and treatment rather than harsh sentencing.
  • Chair Watson shared an example of open drug use and overdoses in his district, emphasizing that Prop 132 would not target dealers and would be an unfunded mandate for the city.
  • No vote was taken on the proclamation; under council rules, it will be read at the full council meeting on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

Automated Vehicle Identification System (AVIS) Ordinance (26-1435)

  • Angela Casias (Dept. of Safety) and other staff presented the ordinance, which aligns Denver’s code with state law (SB 152) to expand use of speed and red-light cameras, including fixed and mobile cameras in 48 enforcement corridors. Key features: civil fines (not reported to DMV), 45-day appeal process, vendor payment based on equipment (no revenue sharing), and no license plate reader data collection.
  • Councilmember Torres expressed strong support from her district, noting high-speed corridors like Federal and Colfax; she asked about camera placement and highlighted the need for state coordination.
  • Councilmember Flynn requested detailed criteria for corridor selection and asked about estimated camera count (about 80) and cost.
  • Councilmember Kashmann inquired about the fine structure for low-level speeding (1-5 mph, 6-9 mph) and whether warnings or fines would be issued. Police Chief Thomas indicated a preference for warnings initially.
  • Pro Tem Gonzales-Gutierrez asked for a side-by-side comparison of state vs. city fines, data retention policies (state law requires 3 years from final disposition), and whether data could be used for other purposes. City Attorney clarified that data is confidential and used only for violation processing, limited law enforcement investigations, or court orders.
  • Councilmember Lewis recommended that no financial penalty be imposed for second/subsequent low-level violations (6-9 mph) except in school/work zones, and urged routing AVIS revenue to the Transportation and Mobility Special Revenue Fund.
  • Council President Romero Campbell and Councilmember Sandoval expressed enthusiasm for the program as a tool to reduce speeding and free up officers, but asked about revenue allocation and data retention.
  • Several council members noted that many questions remained unanswered, leading to a motion to postpone.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent items (26-1431, 26-1432) were approved unanimously.
  • AVIS Ordinance (26-1435): A motion by Councilmember Flynn, seconded by Pro Tem Gonzales-Gutierrez, to postpone the ordinance to a date certain (next committee meeting, October 13, 2026) passed 7-0. The postponement was requested to allow additional time for council members to receive responses to pending questions.
  • Proposition 132 Proclamation: No committee vote; the proclamation will be presented to the full council on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 5:30 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Welcome back to this weekly meeting of the Health and Safety Committee with Denver City Council. Coverage of the Health and Safety Committee starts now. Good morning and welcome. This is the Health and Safety Committee meeting for October 7th. My name is Daryl Watson. I'm honored to serve all the residents of Define District 9 as well as the chair of the Health and Safety Committee. Before we roll into the presentation, why don't we uh go around the room for introductions? We'll start first in the room, and we have several council members online. We'll come to you next. So, first, starting on my right. Oh, good morning to Mandas Anagal, Northwest Denver District One. Good morning, Sedana Gonzalez Cochetas, Councilmember at large. Good to see you both. And then online, uh, Council President, why don't we start? Uh good morning, Diana Romero Campbell, Southeast Denver, District 4. Good morning, government Southwest Denver District 2. Producer will check and see if we have any uh other council members that are signing up online. She's coming. Hello. All right, and we have uh council members in the room. Uh introductions on Jamie Torres, West Denver District 3. We'll pause for a second because I know we have two other council members that are trying to sign on. Um once you sign on, I will announce and celebrate your participation. But until then, uh we have two items on the agenda. We have a proclamation uh opposing Colorado Proposition 132 uh by ProTEM Gutierrez Gutierrez. Uh Gonzalez Gutierrez. What am I saying? And uh Councilmember Sanaval. Then we have an action item um for a ordinance amending the automated vehicle identification system and a public hearing, uh public comments uh today. But let's start first with a proclamation and we'll turn it over to both of our colleagues. Good morning, everyone. So we don't have a visual for us today. The proclamation is online if you want to find it. Um but councilwoman Gonzalez Gutierrez and I were talking about some of the state um propositions that are on the ballot. And this one we felt needed action before city council because it's so egregious and it's so detrimental to some of the people the work that we do at City Council. So Councilman Gonzalez Gutierrez and I worked with our advocates and we're taking a stance on Prop 132, the fentanyl bill, and we're asking our colleagues to vote no on this. And so we're gonna be sending this that we'll be talking about this and the reasons why. Um and according to our council rules, when we're taking a stance on a state proposition on a state ballot initiative, we have to come through committee and then take it to city council. Because normally proclamations don't come to committee just for the public who are viewing. Um, but it's our council rules that when we're taking a stance on a um ballot measure that we come to committee and have a discussion. So instead of doing a whole PowerPoint, we just actually wanted to sit around the table and talk about what we thought about this bill and why we're asking no. And I'll pass it over to Pro Tem. Thank you, um, Councilman Sandoval. So if anyone is curious to know what is in the in the proclamation, it is in Legislatar under Health and Safety right now, and then it will be there for next Tuesday when we um bring it to the full body. Um, and I'm grateful to to be able to partner with Councilwoman Sandoval, and I know we've had some conversations one-on-one with many council members about this issue.

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