Mayor and Denver City Council Meeting - January 9, 2024

This weekly session of the mayor and Denver City Council began with introductions and featured two major briefings: a coordinated public safety effort launched on January 8, 2024, and an update on the migrant crisis. The meeting concluded with a motion to move into an executive session to discuss ongoing litigation.

Discussion Items

Coordinated Public Safety Effort (Downtown Clean & Safe)

• Mayor announced a multi-partner initiative launched on January 8, 2024, focusing on downtown Denver. Key components include:
  • Clear Streets & Safe Sidewalks: 1,135 people moved into housing; all major downtown encampments closed. The city aims to prevent re-encampment by connecting individuals to housing.
  • Safe & Clean Denver App: A partnership with the Downtown Denver Partnership allowing residents to report issues (trash, safety concerns) directly to a central dispatch, which routes to the appropriate responder (e.g., STAR van, co-responder, DPD, public works).
  • Denver Ambassadors Program: A unified yellow vest system for all outreach partners (nonprofits, private security, city staff) to provide a recognizable point of contact for help. The Dream Center (a nonprofit serving formerly unsheltered and justice-impacted individuals) is a key partner.
  • Activation Grants: Dynamic downtown Denver Grants for events like mariachi bands, Shakespeare in the parking lot, and badminton to bring joy and activity downtown.
• Councilmember Watson (District 9) expressed strong support for the Dream Center's role, highlighting their trust and relationship-building with unsheltered individuals.
• Councilmember Hines (District 10) endorsed the yellow vest identification, noting it helps residents and taxpayers see their funding in action.
• Councilmember Cash (District 6) asked about volunteer opportunities; Mayor responded that currently all ambassadors are trained contracted staff, but the city will explore adding a volunteer framework.
• Mayor emphasized that the approach shifts the first point of contact from police to community ambassadors, preserving police resources for actual safety risks.

Migrant Status Update & Budget Crisis

• Mayor reported that the number of migrants in shelter has risen from 400 in July 2023 to 4,800 as of January 9, 2024 — a 12-fold increase. The city has filled all shelter space (hotels and two congregate sites) and lacks capacity to add more.
• Budget Impact: The 2024 projection for migrant support is $180 million, representing 10–15% of the city's total budget. Department heads have been asked to prepare for 10–15% cuts across departments to absorb this cost.
• Housing Strategy: The city has accelerated housing clinics, with over 400 housing applications submitted between Christmas and New Year’s. However, many migrants lack work authorization (due to asylum processing delays of 6–8 months), making it difficult to secure income verification for housing. The city is using $345,000 in council discretionary funds for deposits and first month's rent.
• Process Improvement: Councilmember Gonzalez-Gutierrez (at-large) requested a detailed process plan for intake and integration. Chief of Staff John Redder noted that a new position (Newcomers Coordinator) has been posted within Denver Human Services to coordinate the response.
• Councilmember Alvidres (District 7) stressed the need to support all undocumented workers, not just recent migrants, and noted that many have been without work authorization for years.
• Councilmember Sawyer (District 5) highlighted Denver's wage theft ordinance, which allows third-party complaints for undocumented workers through the Auditor’s Office (via 311).
• Councilmember Parity (at-large) asked about the RFP process for restructuring migrant services and about inter-city coordination. Mayor stated he is working with other mayors on a coordinated entry system and will discuss at the National Conference of Mayors. He also welcomed council-to-council outreach to push mayors in other cities.
• Council President Pro Tem Sandoval (District 1) emphasized the need for clear language (e.g., “onward travel” confusing) and noted that Denver is expensive, so migrants should be informed of other affordable destinations.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken on the public safety or migrant topics.
• The council unanimously approved a motion to enter executive session pursuant to DRMC 234A3N6 to discuss settlement of ongoing litigation against the city. The motion was moved, seconded, and passed by voice vote with all in favor.
• Next steps: Department heads will return with budget cut proposals; the mayor will continue inter-city coordination; council members will have one-on-one meetings with the mayor's office to discuss budget implications and migrant strategy.