City Council - Regular Meeting

Hey, Denver, it's time for the weekly general session of your Denver City Council. Tonight's coverage of Denver City Council starts now.

Good afternoon. Thank you for taking time to join us for Denver City Council meeting. Today is Monday, September 14th, 2026. Tonight's meeting is being interpreted into Spanish. Sam or Jasmine, will you please introduce yourself and let our viewers know how to enable translation on their devices.

Yes, of course. Thank you. Hello, everyone. My name is Sam Guzman with the CLC. Joining you virtually through Zoom and along with my colleague, Jasmine, we'll be interpreting today's meeting into Spanish. Please allow me a quick moment while I give instructions in Spanish on how to access interpretation. Buenas tardes a todos. Mi nombre es Samuel Guzman con la CLC. Y juntamente con mi colega, Jasmine, estaremos interpretando la reunión de hoy al español. Si se une con nosotros virtualmente, por favor busque en su pantalla un icono de globo que dice interpretación. Oprime ese botón y de ahí seleccione la opción de escuchar en español. Si se une con nosotros presencialmente y está ahorita en la cámara, por favor busque a un asistente que le podrá dar audífonos para poder escuchar en español. Muchas gracias and thank you very much.

Thank you very much. Welcome to the Denver City Council meeting of Monday, September 14th, 2026. Council members, please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Council members, please join Council Pro Tem Gonzalez Gutierrez as they lead us in the Denver City Council Land Acknowledgement.

The Denver City Council honors and acknowledges that the land on which we reside is the traditional territory of the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho peoples. We also recognize the 48 contemporary tribal nations that are historically tied to the lands that make up the state of Colorado. We honor elders past, present, and future, and those who have stewarded this land throughout generations. We also recognize that government, academic, and cultural institutions were founded upon and continue to enact exclusions and erasures of indigenous peoples. May this acknowledgement demonstrate a commitment to working to dismantle ongoing legacies of oppression and inequities and recognize the current and future contributions of indigenous communities in Denver. Madam Secretary, roll call.

Councilmembers Cashman. Alvidrez. Here. Flynn.

Here.

Gilmore.

Here.

Gonzalez-Gutierrez. Here. Hines. Here. Lewis. Sandoval? Here. Sawyer? Here. Torres? Here. Watson? Here. Madam President Romero-Campbell? Here. Ten members present.

There are ten members present. Council has a quorum. Approval of the minutes. Are there any corrections to the minutes of August 31st? Seeing none, the minutes stand to approve. Council announcements. Are there any announcements from council members? Okay, let's go ahead and get started with Council Member Sawyer.

Thanks, Madam President. Just wanted to remind residents of District 5 two things. First of all, Community Cleanup Day is coming up. It's Sunday, September 27th, so you can go onto any of our social medias, find the link, join us. We'll meet at 8.30 a.m. at Montclair Rec Center where you will get breakfast and your supplies and then head out into the community to clean up some of our parks and bus stops in District 5. And then second, just want to remind everyone, every fall we send our annual survey to our community. This is a postcard survey that goes out to about 25,000 households in District 5 so that we can hear. from our residents about the issues that matter to you. It helps us shape our work plan for the following year. And so really appreciate everyone filling that out. You can do it until the end of the year, December 31st. So this is not the last time that you're going to hear about it from us, but you can either check your mailboxes and find that annual mailer, or you can find the link online. Thanks. Thank you.

Council Member Alvarez. Thank you, Council President. I just wanted to share that we're really excited and grateful for our partners at Denver Water and Denver Parks and Rec to be part of our Houston Lake Town Hall this week. This Thursday, we'll be hosting a town hall to talk about the state of Houston Lake. For those of you who do not know, Houston Lake has dried up completely due to the severe drought we are experiencing. Understandably, our neighbors are very concerned about the condition of the lake, its health, and the health of the surrounding environment and want to know when we can expect the lake to be filled. Our partners at Denver Water and Denver Parks and Rec will be stopping by to answer questions and explain the broader implication of the current challenges that we're facing, not just with water, but with having lakes in Denver. We'll be hosting this town hall at Habitat for Humanity headquarters in District 7, 430 South Navajo this Thursday, September 17th from 6 to 8 p.m. We will see you there and we're looking forward to it. And I also want to invite people to attend. We will be having a District 7... large candidate forum that is hosted by all of our RNOs in cooperation with the JID. It will be at Bar 404 off Broadway next week on September 22nd from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. This will be a great opportunity to hear from those candidates who have put their hat in the ring. Thank you so much, Council President.

Thank you. I would like to just take a moment to recognize Councilman Cashman, who is online with us today.

Council Member Gonzales Gutierrez, you're next. Thank you. Thank you, Council President. I have a couple of announcements. So this week marks the celebration of independence of several countries across Latin America, not just Mexico. Denver is a city with immigrants from so many places around the world. And there is no celebrating the independence of so many countries on this continent without recognizing what they had to do to make themselves independent from violent colonization. Independence is not just a day for these countries that people gather and eat tacos. It's a celebration of people who fought to make themselves free. Some may even say that this week we are celebrating many American Independence Days because America is not a country, America is a continent. So I want to give a shout out to Bad Bunny for lifting this up as we saw as he highlighted. So I want to wish a happy Independence Day to the countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, which are on September 15th, Mexico is September 16th, and Chile is September 18th. So may our city continue to do the work to welcome immigrants, celebrate our Latino history, and make a city that works for people from all parts of the world who call Denver home. My second announcement is about the Budget Book Club. So I'm excited to join Councilwoman Lewis, Councilwoman Sandoval, Councilman Hines, and Cashman for this year's City Budget Book Club. This is an event that allows us to get meaningful public engagement on what is or is not in the budget. And as community panelists, we would love to have you all attend. So this year's schedule for the event is as follows. So this Thursday, Thursday, September 17th, is a virtual event from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. It's a city budget 101. It's a 30-minute crash course on how Denver's budget functions, followed by 30 minutes of open community Q&A. On Friday, September 25th, so next Friday, at Flight Tower in District 8 from 5.30 to 7 is the budget happy hour. So this is more of an informal session reviewing what council members heard during agency hearings. So this will come on the heels of the budget hearings, taking in constituent questions and feedback. It is free to attend, but we ask that folks please sign up beforehand just so that we can make sure we know what attendance is going to look like. And then finally on Saturday, October 3rd, an in-person event, we are still determining the location from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on October 3rd, will be the community convening and workshop. So we'll rotate through topics based topic-based tables to workshop specific budget proposals and amendments directly with council members and staff. Folks can sign up for these events and find materials and resources related to the budget book club online at Councilwoman Lewis's link tree at linktree.slash Chantel M. Lewis. So please feel free to sign up if you're interested. And we did this last year. It was a great turnout that we had at all these events. So we'd love to see people come through again. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you. Councilman Flynn.

Thank you, Madam President. Just briefly, I found out yesterday, I want to make note of the loss of a longtime Bear Valley activist and constituent, Rita Baumgartner, who for many, many years was on the board of the Bear Valley Improvement Association, the RNO down there. I had gotten to know her when I first took office. in 2015. You would see her everywhere around Bear Valley, very active in her community and the type of constituent I think we all hope to have in our service here. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you. Councilmember Sandoval.

Thank you, Madam President. If everyone could come to Northwest Denver and join my staff and I for a park cleanup at Berkeley Park this Saturday from 10 to 11. We'll offer free coffee, free snacks, and if you help us clean up, you'll get a ticket to the Oriental or Federal Theater, and they always have great vans. And then that same day, this coming Saturday, is the Jammin' on the Jetty at Sloan's Lake from 1 to 8 p.m. So come listen to some great music and jam out at Sloan's Lake with us. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you. Council Member Torres. Thank you, Madam President. Two events coming up in Council District 3. On Saturday, the Vibrant Denver Bonds American Indian Cultural Embassy Committee is, or Council is holding a listening session from 2 to 4 o'clock at the Denver Indian Center. That's at 4407 Morrison Road. So folks remember, Council approved $20 million voters acknowledged and approved that bond item to create a cultural embassy. This is part of a multi-month effort to gather community feedback and community input on what that embassy should be. So hope to see folks there for that. And then the Mid-Autumn Festival takes place this coming Saturday at the Far East Center. This is from 2 o'clock to 10 o'clock p.m. Right at the intersection of Alameda and Federal, you'll find the Far East Center. My office is a sponsor, as well as that large councilwoman, Serena Gonzalez Gutierrez, and the Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency, among many others. But hope to see folks there. It's a wonderful time. Thank you.

Thank you. Council Member Gilmour. Thank you, Council President. I was really honored to carry forward the American Indian Cultural Embassy as it was referred to the Vibrant Denver Bond. And so wanting to also share with my constituents that that listening session, as was mentioned, will be held at the Indian Center. There are also plans to hold numerous listening sessions throughout the city and as a reminder, District 11 received the least amount of the Vibrant Denver allocation. It was 24.96 million, 20 million of that being the entire American Indian Cultural Embassy. And so if that embassy moves out of District 11, it will be a historic loss of bond dollars in District 11. received less than $5 million. And so, again, I encourage the mayor and all involved with the Vibrant Denver Bond to follow the voice of the constituents and the voters and put it in District 11 where we advocated for it or give us $20 million as a backfill to build a library there. But what we're hearing now is that they're just gonna move it out of the district. And that is in just District 11. Montbello is the number one most diverse community in the city, 80239, about 70% Latino, followed very closely by African American. This is in my announcement.

Well, I was just going to say, if we're going to do debate, I just want to make sure that we have that in committee or another time as well.

Speaking the facts, I believe. I don't believe anything that I'm saying right now is not factual. And so just, again, asking for that courtesy that folks in Montbello and Green Valley Ranch have justice and a site to go to as well. My actual second announcement is that for too long this council has ignored the human trafficking that is going on out at Denver International Airport. Some folks have been hearing about Key Lime in the news recently, but there are many other companies that move people out of Denver International Airport. And just on September 13th, it was shown that the 122nd ICE flight had left Denver International Airport. And so again, ask Mayor Johnston to actually protect folks and protect their constitutional rights and due process instead of ignoring those deportation flights. Thank you, Council President.

Thank you. Council Member Hines.

Thank you, Madam President. I've got two announcements for you. The first is the South City Park and Neighborhood Association is coordinating with other RNOs surrounding City Park on a candidate-slash-ballot-issue open house on Wednesday, September 16th, from 7 to 8.30 p.m. at Montview Manor. That's 1663 Steel Street. All the candidates, Democrat plus Republican, with advertised email addresses and groups will be there. And they're also trying to find as many supporters and opposition to ballot initiatives on the November 2026 ballot. So if you have interest and you want to learn more about what's on the November ballot, please do consider going to the South City Park Neighborhood Association Election Open House. The second, we'll hear more about this in a minute, but I want to separate the proclamation from two events. The Clyfford Still Museum is celebrating its 15th anniversary. I've been on the board for seven years, and I haven't ever gotten them to say this. 15 years still here was my hope for the tagline, but I understand that Clyfford Still and his name has been used a lot already in the last 15 years. is a celebration and fundraiser on Thursday. And if you are not already interested in or not already there, please do consider the Clyfford Still Anniversary and Fundraiser. And actually, if you want to help raise funds, you don't even have to go. The only place you have to go is to the Clyfford Still Museum website to get more information about the event and how to contribute. The second is on the 19th, also in commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the Clyfford Still, there's a community celebration which is from 10 to 5. It's basically all day and you're Welcome to stop by. It is a free day as well from the Science and Cultural Facilities District. So please feel free to explore the museum for free all day during this SEFT free day. And even better, 15 years, it's still here. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you. Councilman Watson.

Thank you so much, Council President. I want to share, I returned last night from what my husband describes, and I agree with him, was a well-deserved 14-day road trip and camping trip. Yes, I'm one of those folks that drive across country and camp throughout. I love tent camping. It was amazing. I completely unplugged. No emails. Limited social media because you can't get away from it all And my wonderful husband appreciated What happens when you're a city council member and you unplug for 14 days is that life does not end? While you're not responding to emails so in my absence There's been community questions on two proposals from the Department of Housing Stability, and I wanted to speak very specifically to both of those and where I stand on those so I don't have to send out 300 emails and respond to social media posts to everyone, but I will do as much as I can. The first proposal was a possible proposal for a 400 capacity shelter at the former Colorado Village Collaborative Monroe site in the Swansea neighborhood bordering the Clayton neighborhood. I do not support building a 400 capacity shelter at this site. I've sent out those emails today. I wanted to put it on the record as to where I stand. I met with host and administration to communicate my opposition to that proposal. The administration spoke to me prior to me leaving town about a proposal for cold weather shelter at that site. I encouraged them to share this information at a Clayton community neighborhood meeting that they were attending. I believe that was on the third of this month, and I know that they did. Some facts, over 60,000 residents were provided shelter from winter cold last year. That proposal for cold weather sheltering for this site was around possibly 150 to 200 people will be able to be sheltered on this site. I look forward to engaging in discussion with community on that proposal. The second proposal was pertaining to proposed family shelter at 4180 Columbine Street. For over a decade, I mean over a year, well over a decade, but over a year specifically, Denver City Council has been discussing about the need for increasing shelter space for families. Close to 1,380 homeless minors have been identified, and we know that number is an undercount. We know that we have families living today on the streets, and it might be a nice fake fall day today, but winter is coming. We know that this number, as I said, is an undercount. I support providing families currently living in our streets an opportunity for dignified shelter and wraparound service to support them moving to stable housing. Both proposals support communities that are often ignored. These proposals won't fill the gap for cold weather shelter or family housing. What it does is provide the opportunity for more individuals to get on the path to more stable housing in Denver. I look forward to hearing community voice throughout these separate processes. I look forward to discussion with community tomorrow night and the discussion concerning family housing. In closing, I wanted to applaud the consent item that's on consent 261260, a resolution approving a proposed revocable license agreement between the City and County of Denver and Colorado Village Collaborative for their site at 3815 Norch. Steel Street. I want to say congratulations to Colorado Village Collaborative and their leadership, the communities they serve, and the good work that they have been doing for quite a while within our communities. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you. Council Member Alvidrez.

Thank you so much, Council President. I just wanted to take a moment to wish Councilman Flynn happy birthday. Thank you.

That's very nice.

Thank you. I do have an announcement. So we do our summer series for our South by Southeast concerts in the park. We had a concert that was canceled at Bible Park in the middle of August. And guess what? This Saturday, we are scheduled to have another concert at the park. And everything is predicting torrential rains and lightning and all of the good stuff. So We love the moisture and we need it and we need the rain. So we are going to pivot. Potential thunderstorms, watch it, not rain, just because we're going to cancel. But what we are going to do is we are canceling our Eisenhower Park concert in the park this Saturday, but we are planning a fall fun fest October 24th, and we will have more details to come in the Scoop newsletter. We will keep you posted. We would really like to bring everybody together in Southeast Denver and in the district, but we also know that we need to pivot when necessary. That was my announcement. Also, Councilman Gilmour, I realize that your comments were your comments and not a debate, and so I just wanted to acknowledge that to continue your comments. With that, there are no presentations. There are no communications. There is one proclamation being read this afternoon. Council Member Hines, please read Proclamation 26-1366. Thank you, Madam President.

Proclamation number 26-1366, a proclamation celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Clyfford Still Museum. Whereas, Clyfford Still, from 1904 to 1980, was among the first generation of abstract expressionist painters who forged a new and powerful approach to American art in the years following World War II and was regarded as one of the most important artists of the 20th century and, whereas, still refused to compromise his artistic vision for fame, recognition, or financial gain and directed in his will that his life's work be entrusted in its entirety to an American city willing to build a museum dedicated solely to its preservation, study, and exhibition. And whereas in 2004, Patricia Still selected the city and county of Denver to receive the Clyfford Still estate, and in 2005 bequeathed her own estate, including the artist's complete archives, an extraordinary act of generosity that made Denver the preeminent home of approximately 3,125 works representing some 93% of the artist's lifetime output. And whereas the Clifford Still Museum opened its doors on November 18th, 2011, in the Golden Triangle Creative District within Denver's Civic Center Cultural Complex, in an award-winning building designed by Brad Klopfel of Allied Works Architecture, explicitly to house Still's art, becoming home to the most the world's most intact public collection of a major american artist and whereas for 15 years the museum has invited all people to explore the potential of individual creative endeavor displaying over 1 100 unique works of art by clifford still welcoming visitor visitors from across denver and around the world expanding access through scfd free days as I mentioned earlier, and pay what you wish admission, advancing scholarship through the institute, establishing the museum as a leader in early learning, and earning honors from the American Alliance of Museums in 2026 for exemplary work in the museum field, and... Whereas the museum marks this milestone with a celebration, the exhibition celebrating 15 years, 15 new paintings in 15 months, unveiling 15 works never before seen by the public. With 15 years of the still, an anniversary celebration on September 17, 2026, and with a free 15th anniversary community celebration and SCFD Free Day on September 19, 2026, opening its galleries to all in appreciation of the residents whose support of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District sustains Denver's cultural life. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed... by the Denver City Council. Section 1, that the Denver City Council celebrates the 15th anniversary of the Clyfford Still Museum, expresses its gratitude to the museum's board, staff, volunteers, and supporters, and encourages all residents to visit this singular institution that Clyfford and Patricia Still entrusted to our city. Section 2, that the clerk of the City and County of Denver shall attest and affix the seal of the City and County of Denver to this proclamation. and that a copy hereof be transmitted to the Clyfford Still Museum.

Thank you, Council Member Hines. Your motion to adopt.

I move that we adopt Proclamation 26-1366.

It has been moved and seconded. Comments by members of Council. Council Member Hines.

Thank you, Madam President. Too many windows open. and my microphone's on, so that's part of the record. Okay, thank you, and congratulations to the entire Clyfford Still Museum family. I wanna add a personal note here. I serve on the museum's board, and I've seen firsthand what makes this institution different. When Clyfford Still wrote that clause into his will, refusing to let his work be scattered piece by piece into private collections, he was betting on a city he'd never lived in to honor a vision most museums Most museums would never take on one artist, one collection, one building forever. What's remarkable is how much that bet is still being paid out today. Even 15 years in, roughly two-thirds of Still's collection has never been exhibited. That's not a shortfall. That's the whole point. This museum was built to hold an artist's complete body of work in trust, not to rush it down to the walls. This year alone, the Still is unveiling 15 paintings the public has never seen, one a month through next September. And the museum keeps finding new ways to open that trust up to our community. Last year, children from the Colville Confederated Tribes in Washington co-curated an exhibition across all nine galleries, bringing in their own perspective to Still's depictions of their ancestral home. On November 18th, the actual 15th anniversary of opening day, the museum launches its first Dr. Morris Sussman Luminary Lecture. Sorry, it was really exciting to serve with Dr. Sussman on the Clyfford Still Board until very recently. And this year, the American Alliance of Museums recognized the Still for exemplary work in the field, national recognition for a museum built around a single artist in the Golden Triangle. Denver didn't just inherit a collection in 2004, we took on a responsibility. And 15 years later, this museum is proof that a city can actually keep a promise like that. Please join me in thanking the museum's board, staff, and volunteers, and I hope to see many of you at the Free Community Day on September 19th. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you. Madam Secretary, roll call.

I'm sorry, I just recorded a vote without me doing anything. Just one moment, please.

Sorry about that. Councilmembers Cashman? Alvitrez? Aye. Flynn?

Aye.

Gilmour? Aye. Gonzalez-Gutierrez? Aye. Hines? Aye. Sandoval? Aye. Sawyer? Aye. Torres? Aye. Watson?

Aye.

Madam President Romero-Campbell? Aye. Madam Secretary, close the voting and announce the results. Ten ayes. Ten ayes. Proclamation 261366 has been adopted. We have five minutes for the proclamation acceptance. Councilmember Hines, who would you like to invite up to accept the proclamation?

Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to invite Director Tsai and anyone else that you might want to invite from the museum, including Deputy Director Boatwright.

I want to thank the City and County of Denver for really kind of doing the renegade thing of pursuing this extraordinary gift. I think we should remind ourselves that this was a collection that we pursued not once but twice, and it really speaks to our persistence and our belief that great art is something that can be not only a cultural asset, but a civic asset as well. We're grateful to be here for 15 years, but the relationship with the City and County of Denver extended even before when we opened our doors. So we're grateful for the support of the community, for the City and County of Denver, and for Councilman Hines' service as well. Thank you.

Jen Morris, I'm Chief of Staff for Denver Arts and Venues, and we have the great pleasure of overseeing the contract for the Clyfford Still Museum. And we are just lucky as a city to have such an amazing, unique collection in our city, but also to have Joyce and the team really running this museum. So I just want to say thank City Council and thank the team.

Madam Secretary, please read the bills for introduction.

From the Community Planning and Housing Committee, 26-1252, a bill for an ordinance changing the zoning classification for 76 North Hazel Court, 8390 North 8th Street, and 4519 West 3rd Avenue in Barnum and Barnum West. 26-1253, a bill for an ordinance amending requirements related to the strategic plan created by the Department of Housing Stability. From the Finance and Business Committee, 26-1216, a bill for an ordinance amending and revising Articles 3, 5, and 7 of Chapter 28 of the Denver Revised Municipal Code by repealing and reenacting a new Article 3 and a new Article 5, establishing a minority and women business enterprise contracting ordinance in furtherance of non-discrimination in city contracts and purchase orders, and repealing and reenacting a new Article 7, establishing a small business enterprise ordinance related to city contracting. 26-1259, a bill for an ordinance approving a proposed amendatory lease agreement between the City and County of Denver and the State of Colorado for general office space for the Division of Motor Vehicles at 4685 Peoria Street, Denver, Colorado, 80239 Northeast Denver in Council District 8. From the Governance and Intergovernmental Relations Committee, 26-1190, a bill for an ordinance amending the classification and pay plan for employees in the career service and for certain employees not in the career service. 26-1245, a bill for an ordinance approving and providing for the execution of a proposed grant agreement between the City and County of Denver and the State of Colorado concerning the UASI Fiscal Year 25 program and the funding, therefore, and authorizing the purchase of capital equipment items from the UASI Fiscal Year 25 Special Revenue Fund budget. 26-1251. A bill for an ordinance amending the classification and pay plan for employees in the career service and for certain employees not in the career service. From the Health and Safety Committee, 26-1127, a bill for an ordinance revising Article 8, Division 2 of Chapter 2 of the Revised Municipal Code. 26-1206, a bill for an ordinance approving proposed contract between the City and County of Denver and Denver Health and Hospital Authority to provide health, dental, and mental health services to children and their families as a vendor of Denver Great Kids Head Start, DGKHS, citywide. From the Parks, Art and Culture Committee, 26-1261, a bill for an ordinance naming an unnamed park at 47th Ave and North Telluride Street, Fox Run Park. From the South Platte River Committee, 26-1210, a bill for an ordinance approving a proposed sixth amendatory agreement between the City and County of Denver. and Urban Drainage and Flood Control District to design and construct drainage and flood control improvements for the Globeville Levee Project, 31st Street to East 50th Avenue, no change to IGA term in Council District 9, and from the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, 26-1236, a bill for an ordinance relinquishing a portion of the access easement established in the easement agreement recorded with the Denver Clerk and Recorder at reception number 2004183369 located at 4991 North Telluride Street.

Okay. Councilmembers, this is your last opportunity to call out an item. Council Pro Tem Gonzalez Gutierrez, would you make the motions for us this evening? Yes, Council President Romero-Campbell. Now, I will do a recap. Under resolutions, Council Resolution 26-1256 and 26-1257 have been called out for comments by Councilmember Watson. Council Resolution 26-2663 has been called out for questions and comments by Councilmember Alvarez. Council Resolution 26-1217 has been called out for questions and comments by Council Protem Gonzales Gutierrez. And Council Resolution 26-1176 has been called out for questions and a vote by Councilmember Gilmour. Under Bills for Introduction, Council Bill 26-1261 has been called out for comments by Councilmember Gilmour. Council Bill 26-1253 has been called out for a vote by Council Member Alvidrez, and Council Bill 26-1216 has been called out for a vote by Council Member Alvidrez. Under bills for final consideration, no items have been called out. Under pending, no items have been called out. Madam Secretary, please put the first item on our screens. Council Resolution, this one says 25-1256, is it 26? Okay, 26-1256, a resolution approving a proposed funding and assignment agreement between City Council, the City and County of Denver, and the Denver Zoological Foundation to provide vibrant Denver bond proceeds for capital maintenance and or improvements such as the Guest Experience Hub hub in Council District 9, Council Resolution 26-1257, a resolution approving a proposed funding and assignment agreement between the City and County of Denver and the Colorado Museum of Nature and Science, also doing business as the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, to provide vibrant Denver bond proceeds to update life safety systems, including fire alarm, fire suppression, and repair, and replace HHVAC equipment throughout the museum. In Council District 9. Council Member Watson, please go ahead with your comments on Council Resolution 26-1256 and 26-1257.

Thank you so much, Council President. I wonder if I change that amount from $3 million to $30 million, does that increase the amount that we receive in District 9? It doesn't. That was a joke.

I was like, oh dear, did I read that in my breath?

Just wanted to make a comment. I am so ecstatic to serve all the residents of Fine District 9, especially these two amazing facilities that provide service and support for many of our young families at low to no cost. These bond dollars provide opportunities for updates to both of these institutions to ensure that more of our families and the people that live not just in District 9, but across the city and really across the world that come to Denver, that they can come and see world-class facilities here in our city vibrant bond works your votes matter and this bond will go to good use to the people in Sydney County of Denver so thank you so much Madam President

Thank you. Madam Secretary, please put the next item on our screens. Council Resolution 261263, a resolution approving and providing for the execution of a proposed grant agreement between the City and County of Denver and the United States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration concerning the Sanderson Gulch Resiliency Project and funding therefor. Councilmember Alvarez, please go ahead with your questions and comments on Council Resolution 261263.

Thank you so much, Council President. I just had a couple questions that came from community. We're really excited about this project and the potential that it has, and I know that this is some important funding that we can't risk, but is this funding contingent on the project remaining the same as it designed at this moment? Can someone speak to that? I don't know if Dottie, Mile High Flood, or DPR? can speak to that question.

Good afternoon. This is Arantia Community Engagement Specialist with Denver Parks and Recreation. I believe we have Jim Coakley online who would be able to respond to the question.

Great, thank you.

Okay, Jim, can you hear us?

Hello, this is Jim.

Hi, Jim. Do you need me to repeat the question?

No, no, I heard. I just was unable to access it. There has been extensive... Can you introduce yourself first, please? Thank you. Yes, of course. Yeah. I'm Jim Coakley with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure. I've been with the wastewater group for nine years. The project manager for DOTI on this project, helping deliver it and coordinate with the Federal Highways on this grant agreement. We've put in extensive work coordinating the design and I think we would have to work out any changes with them. I don't think it's out of bounds to make any changes. There are floodplain requirements and as well as these grant requirements that would kind of take us back to the drawing board. I understand where you're coming from. The community is concerned about the habitat in the work zone. We are going to meet with them tomorrow and see what their concerns are and try and work things out. We are not This allowed from making any changes. I'm hopeful that the changes be minimal. I think if they're extensive, it's it could put the grants in question. That helps.

That's very helpful. That's all I had, and I really appreciate your time to be here. I wish I could have got this question to you sooner, but it came from community recently. I'll just share for those in the audience or anyone watching is that the Ruby Hill Neighborhood Association has extensively worked to bring life back to this gulch, including the recent revisitation of the beaver. And so the concern is that will this construction chase out some of the life that has come back to the Gulch and so I appreciate that you all are coming tomorrow to the Ruby Hill meeting and That there could be room to make changes and other boats ahead of time So I will be a yes on this tonight, and I appreciate all of your time. Thank you. Thank you committee president. Thank you

Council President. Thank you. Madam Secretary, please put the next item on our screens. Council Resolution 26-12-17, a resolution approving a proposed secondary agreement between the City and County of Denver and Sound Thinking Inc. to continue providing approximately 14 miles of gunshot detection in the Denver area. Council Pro Tem Gonzalez Gutierrez, please go ahead with your questions and comments on Council Resolution 26-12-17.

Thank you, Madam President. I believe Commander Barnes is online and so I'm hoping he's promoted and ready to engage. I know we had talked a little bit about this in committee and I just wanted to make sure perhaps we can get a little more clear answer. Did the change in shot spotter call prioritization, or sorry, did it change the shot spotter call prioritization? So from every alert being a top priority call to only three alerts or corresponding 911 call being a top priority. With that change in the prioritization, did it increase patrol capacity?

Good afternoon, council members, Cliff Barnes, Denver Police Commander. And just to clarify, you're asking if there was a change in priority to responding to shot spotter alerts?

I'm sorry, Commander. Yes, so there was a change in the prioritization. I think that's what we talked about in committee. And so we're just curious if that increased the patrol capacity for officers with that change in response.

I do not have an answer for that now. I can research that and I can definitely get back to you with the answer on that.

Okay, thank you. So the other question that I have is, and I hope that this is something you could answer, one of the things that we talked about in committee as well was that this would kind of be put on pause. And so my hope is that the department will commit to transparency and ongoing communication with council regarding what vendors that might be considered as you evaluate the technology in this coming year. Is that something that the department can commit to?

Absolutely, we're going to be in full alignment with director Gardner's position that this will involve community feedback and collaboration and that in 2027, we're going to use that period of time to do research and make sure that whatever technology suggestion is put forth is in line with the most current and effective tools.

Thank you so much for that and I appreciate you being available this evening. I appreciate the department reevaluating this technology and being transparent about the reasons for reducing the coverage and then letting the contract end at the end of this year. We heard in committee that shot spotter system was low yield, meaning the majority of alerts lead to officers not finding anything on the scene. We know from the data that over 85% of shot spotter alerts had no corresponding 911 call. And in the last couple of years, that 20% or less of shot spotter incidents had any shell casings found on the scene. This is concerning as someone who is closely monitoring surveillance technology use in the city, that this technology was not effective at directing our law enforcement resources to where they are needed. So over the last 10 years, we've spent around just over $9 million on this technology. The city... Sorry, slipped up there. I'm glad that the city has saved money by scaling down this contract, but we could have saved even more had we canceled this tech a little bit early, which is allowable under the contract. Not spending the money on this contract going forward is not just about saving money. However, it gives us an opportunity to evaluate and determine that there are many ways that we can invest in safety. As our city continues to navigate extremely tight budget years, we need to be incredibly clear about where our values stand. Our communities are asking for investment in people's basic needs, not additional unproven surveillance technologies. Functioning libraries with extended hours. These are just examples of things. Making sure that our rec centers are accessible and available to youth, that we have youth sports programs and after school programs make us safer. Access to healthy foods and thriving community spaces also can make us safer. So I'm grateful that the department is doing this and I look forward to the ongoing collaboration. Thank you.

Thank you. Madam Secretary, please put the next item on our screens. Council Resolution 261176, a resolution approving a proposed amendatory agreement between the City and County of Denver and Mark Young Construction LLC to complete construction of a new office facility maintenance building and yard for the new DPR Northwest facility at Cuernavaca Park in District 1. Council Pro Tem Gonzales-Piteras, would you please put Council Resolution 261176 on the floor for adoption?

I move that Council Resolution 26116 be adopted.

It has been moved and seconded. Questions and comments by members of Council on Council Resolution 261176? Council Member Gilmour.

Thank you, Council President. I wanted to see if there's somebody from Parks here to answer some questions.

There is. Again, Jesus Arantia, community engagement specialist. We have both park staff and DOTI staff to respond to any questions.

Okay, great, thank you. My first question is, why are you constructing an office facility that will see over 70 workers in cubicles with the RISE bond? And the RISE bond was only approving park maintenance jobs.

Good afternoon. My name is Nathan Mirabile. I am with Parks and Rec and my position is the Director of Park Operations. The reason that we have scoped this to be space for 70 people is because we are currently planning on having 40 plus maintenance staff from downtown park operations, northwest park operations, as well as 30-plus ranger staff that all currently work out of the Park Avenue facility that we will have to vacate once this building is built. So this building is built to staff 70-plus people.

Okay, as a follow-up question to that, I think that there's only currently around 50 rangers now. So if you're going to have 30 park rangers, that's about 60% of the rangers across the whole city. You're going to have 60% of the park rangers downtown.

So currently, the park rangers, the majority of those staff office out of a centralized location at the Park Avenue headquarters. We also have park rangers that work in the districts. But the current breakdown of what's serviced out of the Park Avenue facility and this upcoming Northwest facility, headquarters facility will be the downtown park rangers, park rangers that service the trail corridors, park rangers that do recreation center support, and our night operations park rangers.

What are the current staffing numbers for park rangers past Havana because you're mentioning the Central Park shop?

I don't have that answer at this time, Councilmember.

All right, great. My next question is, can we get a firm commitment that parks and rec workers are not gonna be moved to the facility in Cuernavaca, thereby moving administrative staff out of the post building or out of the web building?

The Cuernavaca maintenance facility is only specced for current maintenance and ranger staff. There is no staff from other buildings, administrative staff moving to Cuernavaca.

all right um and so um we know that um well i'll set it for say it for the record that um on the rise bond this was um one line item that was um for a maintenance shop in district one and a maintenance shop in district 11 The intent, as I understood it, was that that was supposed to be split equally. I would have never agreed to District 11 getting less than half, but anywho, it was not split equally. And so there were a diversion of $5.4 million out of the Green Valley Ranch Parks Maintenance Shop to the Cornavaca Office Facility Complex. And if you subtract 13.3 million, which is what you said the Cuernavaca is going to cost, you subtract that, it leaves a balance of 2.6 million dollars, albeit that the maintenance shop in Green Valley Ranch is only going to cost 2.5 million. net dollars now versus the original amount. So where's that $2.6 million going to go? Is it going to stay in Green Valley Ranch, in District 11, or what happens to that money?

I think we'll let Dottie speak to that and how the funding will be allocated.

Good evening. The $2.6 million is a little bit skewed because those are hard dollars, construction dollars. So the $2.6 million, that does not include soft costs, which are permit fees, $90,000 for permit fees, furniture, fixtures and equipment, FF&E, that's $350,000 that we have to, you know, for the staff members. Commissioning is 35 grand to commission the building after we're done with it. The technology alone for that building is going to be a quarter million dollars, so $250,000. Fiber network coming in there is another $125,000. A survey, we had to do a land survey, that's $25,000 for that. Geotech is about $10,000, and there were some staff charges in there for about $28,000. So realistically, that $2.6 million comes down to about $1.6, and that will stay in as contingency. We don't have one shovel in the ground yet, so we don't even know what we're going to get into when we start digging. So that $1.6 will stay as contingency until the project is done. And then when the project is done, Finance will tell us what to do with that money.

So I appreciate you listing out the costs and everything. I was under the idea that bonds are only to be used for design and construction. Bonds are not to be used for soft costs like furniture.

I don't think that's true. I would have to have a bond person here. I can't answer that to be honest with you. I get X amount of dollars, I'd have to design it and build it. Where those dollars come from, that's the bond team.

Okay, all right, very good. That helps me out there, so appreciate it. I'll let you all go on that right now. Appreciate you providing some of this information for the record. I don't have any other questions of you all. I will be voting no on this tonight. For obvious reasons. There was $17.8 million put into a bond to build two maintenance shops. Excuse me, $15 million to build two maintenance shops. There has been a diversion of $5.4 million from the Green Valley Ranch community. We have numerous parks coming up. We have numerous irrigated acres that are coming online. The residents of District 11 would love to see park rangers in our community. We would love to see them in our rec centers, on our trails, etc. With 60% of them being housed downtown, that makes that impossible. And so I appreciate you all being here tonight to get this on the record. I do, for those listening, I would like a legal opinion from the bond folks, Department of Finance. Can soft costs be used for bond? Because it's, again, my understanding that they can only be used for design and construction. So if it's going to be used for soft costs, that's a diversion of funds. And I think must be rectified by the bond committee and not taking it from other spots. So thank you, Council President.

Thank you. Madam Secretary, roll call on Council Resolution 26-1176.

Council Members Cashman?

Aye.

Alvidrez? Aye. Flynn?

Aye.

Gilmour? Nay. Gonzalez-Gutierrez? Aye. Hines? Aye. Sandoval? Aye. Sawyer? Aye. Torres? Aye. Watson? Aye. Madam President Romero-Campbell?

Aye. Madam Secretary, close the voting and announce the results. Ten ayes. Ten ayes. Council Resolution 261176 has been adopted. Madam Secretary, please put the next item on our screens. Council Bill 26-1261, a bill for an ordinance naming an unnamed park at 47th Avenue and North Telluride Street, Fox Run Park. Council Member Gilmour, please go ahead with your comments on Council Bill 26-1261.

Thank you, Council President. As I mentioned in my former remarks, I'm very, very grateful and happy about us getting new parkland out in Council District 11 after many, many years. This is one of those parks that has been promised to the community for decades. Folks have raised their children, their children are now adults, and they now have grandchildren that are going to this park. It is named Fox Run Park. Again, very grateful. We've got a whole slate of parks in District 11 that are only cross street. names, but again, I raise the questions. We have new irrigated land in the far northeast. We need park rangers. We unfortunately had a horrible incident at the beginning of the summer at the Montbello Rec Center. I cannot... leave it unsaid that having parks rangers in our facilities and on our parks creates a level of safety for children and families they have someone to go ask for help from but if we're going to have those park rangers all downtown and leaving us without those i fear that we might have more of that same cycle of violence because we do not have the proper amenities in a majority community of color. As I was saying, the Montbello demographics are about 70% Latino, 80239. The other zip code that I represent is Green Valley Ranch, 80249. It is the second most diverse racially neighborhood in the entire city. And so I ask again, why are we allowing this administration to systematically divert funds out of the suburban neighborhoods into the urban core, leaving us without proper infrastructure and amenities? Thank you, Council President.

Madam Secretary, please put the next item on our screens, Council Bill 26-1253, a bill for an ordinance amending requirements related to the strategic plan created by the Department of Housing Stability. Council Pro Tem Gonzales Gutierrez, will you please put Council Bill 26-1253 on the floor for publication? I move that Council Bill 26-1253 be ordered published. It has been moved and seconded. Questions and comments by members of Council on Council Bill 26-1253. Council Member Alvarez.

Thank you, Council President. I just wanted to comment that I'll be voting no on this because extending the exact same goals instead of refocusing on the areas that were failing is a concern to me. That's all. Thank you.

Madam Secretary, roll call on Council Bill 26-1253.

Council Members Cashman? Aye. Alvidrez? Nay. Flynn? Aye. Gilmour? Aye. Gonzalez-Cotilleras? Aye. Hines? Aye. Sandoval? Aye. Sawyer? Aye. Torres? Aye. Watson? Aye. Madam President Romero-Campbell? Aye. Madam Secretary, close the voting and announce the results.

Ten ayes. Ten ayes. Council Bill 26-1253 has been ordered published. Madam Secretary, please put the next item on our screens. Council Bill 26-1216, a bill for an ordinance amending the revised and revising Articles 3, 5, and 7 of Chapter 28 in the revised Municipal Code by repealing and reenacting a new Article 3 and a new Article 5 establishing a minority in women business enterprise contracting ordinance in furtherance of non-discrimination in city contracts and purchasing orders and repealing and reenacting a new article 7 establishing a small business enterprises ordinance related to city contracting. Council pro tem Gonzales Gutierrez, will you please put council bill 26 1216 on the floor for publication?

I move that Council Bill 26-1216 be ordered published.

It has been moved and seconded. Questions and comments by members of Council on Council Bill 26-1216.

Council Member Alvarez. Thank you, Council President. I just wanted to explain why I'm not prepared to move this forward today. This is not in opposition in any way to equity and contracting as a former small business owner. I understand how important these programs are. I don't feel that there was proper time for me or to get the proper input that I needed. And I appreciate that the department provided additional answers to me just earlier today. But the memorandum that I received today confirms my concerns. It states plainly that DSBO has not historically imposed sanctions for noncompliance and is now developing the structure to do so. It also shows that nearly one-third of closed contracts outside of DEN did not meet their commitments, yet we still do not know the dollar value of those shortfalls, which agencies and contractors repeatedly underperformed, whether goals were modified or what occurred at the task order level and on-call contracts. The memorandum was materially updated with data prepared September 11, then provided to me today while I have been in consecutive meetings on the same day as first reading. So I cannot responsibly evaluate the new performance data and compare it with the disparity study. I also did have concerns with the disparity study that I haven't had time to get my second briefing in. So I am uncomfortable moving this forward tonight. So I'll be in on it. Thank you.

Thank you. Madam Secretary, roll call on Council Bill 26-1216.

Council Members Cashman. Aye. Alvidrez. Nay. Flynn. Aye. Gilmour. Aye. Gonzalez-Gutierrez. Aye. Hines. Aye. Sandoval. Aye. Sawyer. Aye. Torres. Aye. Watson. Aye. Madam President Romero-Campbell. Aye. Madam Secretary, close the voting and announce the results.

10 ayes. 10 ayes. Council Bill 26-1216 has been ordered published. This concludes the items to be called out. All bills for introduction are ordered published. Council members, remember that this is a consent or block vote, and you will need to vote aye. Otherwise, this is your last chance to call out an item for a separate vote. Council pro tem Gonzales Gutierrez, will you please put the resolutions and proclamations for adoption and the bills on final consideration for final passage on the floor?

I move that the resolutions and proclamations be adopted and bills on final consideration be placed upon final consideration and do pass in a block for the following items. Series of 26. 1304, 1213, 1211, 1260, 1201, 1241, 1242, 1243, 1244, 1246, 1247, 1248, 1249, 1250, 1262, 1217, 1212, 1255, 1256, 1257, 1258, 1263, 1174, 1209, 1214, 1215, 1237, 1238, 1239, 1240, 1187, 1186, That's it.

Great. It has been moved and seconded. Madam Secretary, roll call.

Council members, Cashman? Aye. Alvidrez? Aye. Flynn? Aye. Gilmour? Aye. Gonzalez-Gutierrez? Aye. Hines? Aye. Sandoval?

Aye.

Sawyer? Aye. Torres? Aye. Watson? Aye.

Madam President Romero-Campbell? Aye. Madam Secretary, close the voting and announce the results. Eleven ayes. Eleven ayes. The resolutions and proclamations have been adopted and the bills have been placed upon final consideration and do pass. Tonight, there will be a required public hearing on Council Bill 26-1111, changing the zoning classification for 3201 North Spirit Boulevard in West Highland. If there are no objections from members of Council, we will recess until 5.30 p.m. before convening the regular meeting. City Council will provide a half-hour public comment session to hear from the public on city matters, except for any matter that is scheduled for a legally required public hearing. The general public comment session will begin at 5 p.m.

Hey, Denver, here's what's happening around the Mile High this week. Celebrate the launch of Fino's Outdoor Wine Garden with its inaugural Fino Funky Crush Wine Festival. Enjoy Funky Crush courses, producer-hosted tastings, chef...

Thank you for attending. Council will now reconvene from our earlier session. There is no unfinished business from our earlier session. There is one proclamation being read this evening. Council Member Hines, please read Proclamation 26-1367.

Thank you, Madam President. Proclamation number 26-1367, recognizing September 2026 as National Service Dog Month. Whereas September is recognized as National Service Dog Month, honoring the joyful, transformative power of the human-canine bond and the vital work service dogs perform for people with disabilities and... Whereas service dogs are individually trained to perform specific tests that mitigate the effects of a disability, enabling their handlers to live with greater independence, safety, and dignity. And whereas more than 70 million Americans live with a disability, yet only 16,000 service dogs from accredited training programs exist nationwide, underscoring the continued need for awareness, training resources, and public support. And Whereas Denver residents rely on service dogs to assist with a wide range of conditions, including mobility impairments, blindness and low vision, deafness and hearing loss, diabetes, seizure disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder, and organizations such as Canine Companions provide expertly trained service dogs and ongoing support to ensure lasting quality partnerships and, whereas federal and Colorado law protect the right of individuals with disabilities to be accompanied by their service dogs in public spaces, businesses, and public accommodations throughout the City and County of Denver, and public understanding of proper etiquette around working service dogs help these teams do their jobs safely. And whereas in the 250th year of our nation, the partnership between a service dog and handler reflects years of specialized training, and a foundation of trust that deserves the recognition of an inclusive Denver community that embraces all citizens and non-citizens and their trained service dogs. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Denver City Council, Section 1, that the Denver City Council recognizes September 2026 as National Service Dog Month in the City and County of Denver. Section 2, that the Clerk and Recorder of the City and County of Denver shall affix the seal of the city and county of Denver to this proclamation and that a copy be transmitted to canine companions.

Thank you. Councilmember Hines, your motion to adopt?

I move that we adopt proclamation number 26-1367.

It has been moved and seconded. Comments by members of council. Councilmember Hines.

Thank you, Madam President. I have sponsored this proclamation I think every year that I've been in office. The first time I was in office, I was able to have this proclamation with my canine companion service dog at my side. Porthos was a fabulous critter. He was my best friend, the dog's man's best friend, but he was also more than that. He helped me navigate through life in a way that only a service dog can. But what strikes me about Service Dogs is the sheer amount of unpaid, unseen work that goes into every single one before a handler ever meets their partner. Organizations like Canine Companions, whose Rocky Mountain chapter is based right here in Denver, and we've got some of the chapter members here in the audience, uh... spend roughly two years training each dog before match is made and they provide that dog in a lifetime of follow-up support completely free of charge to the person who receives it. Canine Companions has been doing this work since 1975 and today it's the largest nonprofit provider of service dogs in the country. None of that happens without volunteers. Puppy raisers, often families, students, even college clubs like the one at Colorado State University, take these dogs in as puppies and spend a year or more on basic training and socialization before the dogs go on to their specialized work. We have a couple service dogs in training right here in the audience tonight. It's a community effort long before it's ever a one-on-one partnership. And the impact goes beyond mobility and vision assistance. These organizations also place facility dogs with health care workers, courtrooms, and schools right here in Denver. The district attorney's office has a facility dog, and I want to say we have another facility dog somewhere in the city. Oh, police department. has a facility dog as well, and I believe both are from Kenyon Companions. These dogs, they're trained to bring calm to a child testifying in a difficult case, or comfort to a patient in a hospital room. That's a side of this work most of us never see. So when we recognize National Service Dog Month, we're not just honoring the dogs. We're honoring the puppy raisers, the trainers, and the handlers who together make independence possible for their neighbors. I'd encourage everyone interested to look into puppy raising here in Denver. It's one of the more meaningful ways to volunteer in this city. Although, full disclosure, the day that you... Give up your service dogs. There's a whole lot of waterworks, even from those who are not surrendering dogs that day. Thank you to Canine Companions and every organization doing this work in Colorado. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you. Council Member Flynn.

Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Councilman Hines, for this. I know this is an annual proclamation that we do, but it's appropriate to bring attention to it. I had the opportunity to become acquainted with the world of service dogs when my wife's older son, Jerry, was dating Mary, his future wife. who was a surgical nurse at Lutheran Hospital in Wheat Ridge, and Jerry was a respiratory therapist who made visits there. And they dated and fell in love, and they wanted to get married. And Mary was not only a nurse, but she was a... a musician, well-accomplished keyboard player, singer. In fact, she was part of the repertory company out at Heritage Square Opera House, if anybody remembers that facility out in Heritage Square out in Golden, acting in a lot of their shows. And at some point, as they were dating, she lost her sight because of the impact of pancreatic flu while she was in high school. So she lost her sight, and she told Jerry We can't get married because you need to find someone else." And they were miserable when they parted. They got back together and they said—Jerry said, no, you're the love of my life. And they got married, and Mary had a service dog, a black lab, that just blew me away. I was never acquainted with the world of service animals until then. And Frasier was such a remarkable, intelligent animal. They were out at Colorado Mills one day. Harriet drove her out in her Jeep, and Frazier took them in. She parked way out at the end of the parking lot, and they went into the Colorado Mills, and that's a huge, huge indoor shopping mall. And Frazier walked her around all the stores, and they ate lunch. And when they got to the door, time to go, she said, Frazier, find the car. And Frazier found my wife's Jeep and took Mary right to the passenger door in the far reaches of the parking lot. I have no idea. It's smarter than a lot of people I've met. It was just incredible. And on New Year's Day of 2008, Mary went upstairs. She didn't feel well. She went upstairs, told Jerry, I'm not feeling well. And she fell. He heard her fall, and he went up, and she was probably already gone. She was 47. And we knew Mary wasn't going to die of old age, but it was unexpected when it came. And so Mary was cremated and she was buried. Her ashes were interred out at Calvary Episcopal in Golden where they were married. And when Frasier... passed away, Frasier was cremated, and the Episcopal Church allowed Frasier's ashes to be commingled with Mary's out at the columbarium. And we just love the fact that they're both out there. So this proclamation hits very close to my heart. Councilman, thank you.

Thank you.

Madam Secretary, roll call. Council Members Cashman.

Aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.

Aye.

Aye. Sandoval? Aye. Torres? Aye. Watson? Aye. Madam President Romero-Campbell? Aye.

Madam Secretary, close the voting and announce the results. Ten ayes. Ten ayes. Proclamation 26-1367 has been adopted. We have five minutes for the proclamation acceptance. Councilmember Hines, who would you like to invite up to accept the proclamation?

Thank you, Madam President. It's not every day that we have a dignitary in the audience. I'd love for Canadian Companions to come up and if you'd like to say a few words, you're welcome to as well. And if you will, you come up to the microphone and then we'll have you. Yeah, yeah, go for it.

Didn't have a crown though.

And while they're coming up, Council Member Flynn, that was unfair. I was not expecting to cry tonight in Council. That's really nice.

Sure. Council, thank you for having us. I'm Adriana Morrison. I am Mrs. Colorado American 2026, and I am extremely honored and proud to be a part of Canine Companions. I have been a part of the organization for a few years now, and all thanks to this amazing woman, Dr. Susan Ryan, who is to my left. And I'm part of the IND committee out of the Southwest Division, and we are extremely honored to be before you and explain... and explain in detail how much this organization means to create that outreach for so many in our communities that need to be aware of the service dogs that our organization has. And we're thrilled to be able to have more conversations, the ability for our communities to know our service dogs and the incredible impact that it has on those families who are deserving of a service dog.

So I'm Dr. Susan Ryan, and I really appreciate your time and allowing us, Chris, to come and talk to you about this amazing recognition of our Service Dog Awareness Month. I am a practicing emergency physician, and for the past 28 years, I've been at Rose Medical Center. And I have the privilege of having a facility service dog at my side. Her name's Peppy. She did win Westward's Best Dog, for whatever that's worth. So one of the things that I've really appreciated through this process of both raising three and then getting one that's a permanent dog is just seeing the benefit to my career. The ER is full of a lot of stress. There's a lot of sounds, noises, smells, a lot of heartbreak. Nobody expected to meet me or have whatever happened. be forced upon them in that day. And then there's the paramedics and the doctors and the nurses who have to carry that cumulative stress and so that's where Pepe really steps in. She doesn't alter the diagnosis and she doesn't change the tragedy that's taken place but she changes the moment because she helps us reground ourselves and have a moment of playfulness or just laying with her and it does give us a break from that trauma. What makes her so effective as a six-year-old Labrador is the rigorous breeding that's created this calm. I can't tell you how important it is that I don't have to think twice about what Pepe will do when someone screams or runs. She's just calmly present and that's what all of these puppy raisers focus their time on is trying to create that foundation so that when they go in for their training, They'll be escalated to the next level and be placed. We have reliable skills and they train us as well when we're matched to handle the dog. The vest is not the thing that defines the dog. It could have any brand, it could be any color, but when you see the behaviors, you know it's a trained service dog. And that distinction matters because a beloved pet or an emotional support animal, a facility dog and a skilled service dog have distinctions and they're not interchangeable and it matters because an untrained dog is not harmless. They can sometimes interfere with a working dog, whether that is somebody in a wheelchair and they're in a more vulnerable position, you have to think about that. One of the other things it does, because I think everybody kind of gets the, it can create some public risk, is it creates a skepticism about people with service dogs. And that's really on us to help in educating people and really validating that there's a genuine service that creates these incredible dogs. So Pepe can't be here today because by law she doesn't have public access except for the clients she serves, and that's Rose Hospital. But ones that are in the courthouse with a district attorney, police officers, you might see them more. And part of that is just because we are familiar with the law and we respect the law that there are boundaries. And in doing that, we are really trying to respect others who have a service dog. These remarkable dogs are in fact deserving of our admiration. They give freedom, safety, connection, and comfort to their handlers and to all people that they serve. And we want to respect the trainers and all the time and effort that's put into these I've been with the organization for 10 years and they've always said it's a $50,000 dog. I think with inflation, we'd probably be up to like 72,000. But it is a very pricey dog and it's given free of charge with a lifetime of support and a community that gets behind you. So the leash is handled by a lot of people in this community. And so it's really important to us that we uphold the standards that protect legitimate working dogs and honoring them. You guys are really giving a nod to that and we really appreciate that you're respecting the profound impact that these service dogs can make for people. And Chris, I don't know why you haven't reapplied. You should have a successor dog. Thank you.

Thank you.

And thank you, producer, for getting the camera on the dogs below. Because they're here. Okay, we have one required public hearing tonight, and as a reminder, council members need to turn on their video during a vote. For those participating in person when called upon, please come to the podium. On the presentation monitor on the wall, you will see your time counting down. For those participating virtually when called upon, please wait until our meeting host promotes you to speaker. When you are promoted, please accept the promotion, turn on your camera if you have one, and your microphone. All speakers should begin their remarks by telling the council their names and cities of residence, and if they feel comfortable doing so, their home address. If you have signed up to answer questions only, state your name, and note that you are available for questions to council. Speakers will have three minutes, and there is no yielding of time. If translation is needed, you will be given additional three minutes. No, excuse me, you will be given an additional three minutes for your comments to be interpreted. Speakers must stay on the topic of the hearing and must direct their comments to the council as a whole. Please refrain from profane or obscene speech and refrain from individual or personal attacks. Council Pro Tem Gonzalez Gutierrez, will you please put Council Bill 261111, a bill for an ordinance changing the zoning classification for 3211 North Spirit Boulevard in West Highland on the floor for final passage.

I move that Council Bill 261111 be placed upon final consideration and do pass.

It has been moved and seconded. The required public hearing for Council Bill 261111 is open. May we have the staff report, please?

Good evening, City Council. My name is Will Prince, Senior City Planner, and I'll be presenting the application for rezoning for 3201 North Speer Boulevard, a request from USUA to UMX2X. This evening I will review the request, the location and context, the process, and the review criteria. Again, the request is to rezone from urban single unit A to urban mixed use 2X. This property, as you can see in the center of this image, is about a 55,000 square foot property. It is commercial triangular corner lot. It is a two-story building built in 1953 and qualifies as compliant business structure per the Denver Zoning Code. Continuing on to the location and context, this is located in Council District 1 with Council Member Sandoval, and is located in the West Highland Statistical Neighborhood. As for the existing zoning, again, it is USUA, which is the majority of the area. There's also USUB, PUD, and UMX2X further down the street on 32nd. As for the existing land use, this is mixed use. Nearby we have a majority of single use and then commercial retail and office around 32nd and Speer, as well as a public quasi-public with a church across the street. Looking at the building form and scale, we can see the subject property at the bottom right corner. and a nearby commercial such as a car wash and office buildings across the street and a typical single unit property to the north of the property. As for the process, This received its informational notice at the end of May. It was heard at the planning board public hearing on May 20th with unanimous support. It was presented to the CPH committee at the beginning of August and was properly noticed for this hearing. And we are here today for the city council public hearing September 14th. As for public comments, we received two written comments of moderate opposition noting potential future development. One written comment in support of the rezoning with support for businesses. We did receive one RNO letter of support from the West Highland Neighborhood Association. Continue on to the review criteria. There is three criteria which we'll review with what we do with all our rezonings. We'll start with consistency with adopted plans and there are two that are applicable for this subject property. Comprehensive Plan 2040 meets, this rezoning meets several goals and this Rezoning is consistent with Comprehensive Plan 2040 and will promote and enable commercial options where infrastructure is in place in close proximity to the surrounding neighborhood of West Highland. Starting with vision one, equitable, affordable and inclusive meets two key goals to create a city of complete neighborhoods and goal four to ensure every neighborhood is economically strong and dynamic. Vision 4, economically diverse and vibrant, meets goal 3, to sustain and grow Denver's local neighborhood businesses. And Vision 5, environmentally resilient, meeting goal 8, clean our soils, conserve land, and grow responsibly. Continuing to Blueprint Denver, this identified as urban neighborhood context, so this context does not change. It includes small and multi-unit residential and mixed-use areas embedded within one- and two-unit residential areas. As for future place type, this identifies the local center, which provides options for dining, entertainment, shopping, may include some residential and employment uses. Activity levels are lower than other center types with the highest activity during evenings and weekends. Heights are generally up to three stories and will not have a transition as low intensity areas are accessible. As for future street type, Spear is a mixed-use arterial and West 32nd is a residential collector. And for the growth area strategy, this identifies all other areas of the city with 10% job growth and 20% housing growth by 2040. In addition to the blueprint maps we reviewed, this also meets additional policies to meet our equity and climate goals, including land use and build form economics policy six to ensure Denver and its neighbors have a vibrant and authentic retail and hospitality marketplace, meaning the full range of experiences and goods as demanded by residents and visitors. Continue on with the review criteria. This will meet the public interest of Denverites by implementing our citywide plans and creating commercial and small business opportunities in the neighborhood. And it is consistent with neighborhood contact zone district purpose intent, meeting the criteria and regulations related to UMX2X. And with that, with this presentation staff report provided, CPD recommends approval based on all finding of the review criteria have been met. Happy to review further questions as well as the applicants here as well. Thank you so much.

Thank you. We have two individuals sign up to speak this evening. If you are here in person after your name is called, please make your way up to the podium. If you are on Zoom, please accept the promotion when called upon. Our first speaker is Cody Seedorf.

I'd like to start off with taking this time to thank you all for listening and considering this rezoning application. My name is Cody Seedorf. I'm with Real Architecture and I am the applicant on this rezoning case. I think Will did a pretty good job of outlining what this rezoning application is for. I would like to reiterate that the intent is to utilize the existing building. There are currently some limitations as a compliant business structure on which areas of the building can be used for commercial use. And the rezoning would allow the entirety of the building to be used for commercial use. With that, I'm open to any questions.

Great. Thank you. Our next speaker is Nova Robbins-Waldstein. Nova is not online. Okay. Well, that concludes our speakers. Questions by members of Council on Council Bill 261111. All right. The public hearing is closed. Comments by members of council on Council Bill 26-1111.

We will start with Council Member Sandoval. Thank you, Madam President. I just want to say thank you to the community. Thank you to the applicant for meeting with the community. This has been an active site in northwest Denver. It's right on. I have several five-point intersections, and this is on one of those five-point intersections. It's Speer, Grove, and 32nd. And I think currently right now it's a frame shop, and it has been a frame shop recently. for most of my life and the house upstairs so it's a perfect use of adaptive reuse meets all the plan guidance and most importantly they did all the community outreach and there's a letter of support in there from the west highland neighborhood association so i just asked my colleagues that they support this because it meets all the plan guidance thank you

Thank you. Madam Secretary, seeing no one else in the queue, Madam Secretary, roll call on Council Bill 26-1111.

Councilmember Cashman?

Aye.

Sawyer? Aye. Agnes? Aye. Flynn?

Aye.

Gilmour? Aye. Gonzalez-Cutilleras? Aye. Hines? Aye. Sandoval? Aye. Torres? Aye. Watson? Aye. Madam President Romero-Campbell? Aye.

Madam Secretary, close the voting and announce the results. Ten ayes. Ten ayes. Council Bill 261111 has passed. On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Council will hold a required public hearing on Council Bill 26-1252, changing the zoning classification for 76 North Hazelport, 80-90 North Yates Street, and 4919 West 3rd Avenue in Barnum and Barnum West. Any protests against Council Bill 26-1252 must be filed with the Council offices no later than noon on Monday, October 5, 2026. There being no further business before this body, the meeting is adjourned.