City Council

Monday, July 20, 2026, 3:30 p.m. (Denver time), Cathy Reynolds City Council Chamber 1437 Bannock Street, Room 450

Video of the meeting

On the agenda

Roll-call votes

Documents

Summary

The council elected Diana Romero Campbell as Council President and Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez as President Pro Tem for the 2026-2027 term, with extended remarks honoring outgoing President Amanda Sandoval. Council discussed the Xcel Energy franchise, partnership, and airport utility agreements (Council Bills 26-0970, 0973, 0974), hearing support and criticism over low-income assistance funding and shareholder contributions; Councilmember Watson noted the measures will go to voters at a courtesy public hearing on July 27. The council passed Council Bill 26-0864, a charter amendment on the budget process referred to the November 2026 ballot, over objections to an optional two-year budget cycle (10 ayes, 2 no votes read aloud). Council Bill 26-0921, modernizing entertainment and nightlife licenses including later hours, was postponed to August 3, 2026, 12-0, after a weekend incident in southeast Denver. A contract for the $45 million Loretto Heights Theater renovation was highlighted, and an airport concessions contract (CR 26-0949) was adopted 12-0 after Councilmember Hinds withdrew his postponement request.

Transcript

0:09 A Denver. It's time for the

0:09 weekly generals of your Denver

0:15 City Tonight's coverage of

0:16 Denver City Council starts

0:18 now.

0:37 Tonight's meeting is being

0:39 interpreted into Spanish. Sam

0:40 Haar Jazz mean, would you

0:42 please introduce yourself and

0:43 let our viewers know how to

0:43 enable translation on their

0:46 devices? This, of course,

0:46 thank you for having U.S.

0:51 Hello, everyone. My name is

0:52 Sam Guzman. With the seal seen

0:52 joining you virtually through

0:57 zoom. Along with my that we

0:58 will be interpreting today's

1:00 meeting into Spanish. Please

1:03 allow me a quick minute in. I

1:04 want to give instructions in

1:07 Spanish and how access

1:08 interpretation. Want to start

1:09 is with those men on to

1:11 someone who on saying the

1:13 same, you can come into

1:14 Kentucky legally come to most

1:14 part on another unknown.

1:19 They're going spend on. Also

1:21 cause be tormented his is told

1:22 was consultant. I on a little

1:26 convincing that put the

1:26 opening a somewhat on the east

1:27 and tune and up this content

1:30 in the spring. Too soon to

1:31 call South was present him

1:32 into in the before boost came

1:36 in a pull out of the furnace

1:38 but put its content in this

1:39 which is a sincere. Thank you

1:41 very much. Thank you very

1:46 much, Sam. Welcome to the

1:47 Denver City Council meeting

1:51 Monday, JULY 20th 2026 council

1:52 members. Please join me in the

1:54 Pledge of Allegiance

2:14 it. Council members to during

2:15 Councilmember Gonzales could

2:16 get as they lead us in the

2:17 Denver City Council and

2:19 acknowledgement. Thank you.

2:20 Council PRESIDENT The Denver

2:22 City Council honors and

2:22 acknowledges that the land on

2:24 which we reside is the

2:25 territory, the traditional

2:27 territory of the Ute, Cheyenne

2:30 and Arapaho peoples. We also

2:32 recognize the 48 contemporary

2:33 tribal nations that are

2:34 historically tied to the lands

2:35 that make up the state of

2:38 Colorado. We honor elders past

2:39 present and future and those

2:42 who have started this land

2:44 throughout generations. We

2:45 also recognize that government

2:47 academic and cultural

2:49 institutions were founded upon

2:50 and continue to enact

2:52 exclusions and the Rangers of

2:54 indigenous peoples made his

2:55 commitment to working to

2:55 acknowledgement demonstrate a

2:57 dismantle ongoing legacies of

2:59 oppression and inequities and

3:00 recognize the current and

3:01 future contributions of

3:02 indigenous communities in

3:08 Denver. Thank MADAM Secretary

3:11 will councilmembers parity.

3:18 It's a bit the plan going get

3:26 us times. Cashman now s

3:27 PRESIDENT, the American people

3:29 here. So here, students here

3:33 watch air. MADAM PRESIDENT, I

3:36 care. 11 members present. Can

3:38 you repeat that? 11 members

3:40 present and there are 11

3:44 members present council has a

3:45 The first order of business is

3:48 to elect a council PRESIDENT.

3:49 The floor open for

3:54 nominations. I would like to

3:55 nominate council member and

3:56 current council PRESIDENT Pro

3:59 Tem. Era Campbell. To be

4:05 elected counsel PRESIDENT. I'm

4:06 having hard time. My computers

4:10 telling us not so. Be patient.

4:21 Okay colleagues. It is my

4:23 pleasure to nominate

4:24 COUNCILWOMAN Diana Mayor

4:24 Campbell, to serve as the next

4:25 PRESIDENT Of Denver City

4:28 Council. Serving as council

4:29 PRESIDENT Is both an honor and

4:33 a tremendous responsibility.

4:36 It requires a commitment to

4:37 this institution, to our

4:38 colleagues and to the people

4:40 of Denver as we begin a new

4:43 chapter, I know COUNCILMAN

4:44 Romero Campbell understands

4:45 the importance of that

4:47 responsibility. I hope she

4:49 will continue to bring the

4:51 same dedication to serving

4:52 this body that she has brought

4:55 to Surrey in her district for

4:57 those reasons. It is my

4:59 privilege to place the name of

5:01 COUNCILWOMAN Diana Romero,

5:02 Campbell, into the nomination

5:02 for PRESIDENT Of Denver City

5:06 Council. Are there any for

5:07 their nominations to council

5:13 PRESIDENT? Seen nominations

5:16 for are now closed for council

5:18 PRESIDENT Councilmember

5:19 Gonzales could we make the

5:20 motions for us this evening.

5:22 Yes, Council PRESIDENT, thank

5:26 you. Council member Gonzalez

5:28 got the Your motion to elect

5:30 Council PRESIDENT A move that

5:30 council member and current

5:33 council PRESIDENT Pro Era

5:34 Campbell be elected to serve

5:35 council PRESIDENT For the 2026

5:43 2027 term. The of Council Pro

5:43 Tem America. Campbell has been

5:46 placed on the floor. MADAM Pro

5:49 Tem Romero Campbell. To have

6:00 any comment. Is now. Yes, Ok?

6:04 I think I can turn on my thank

6:07 you and and thank Council

6:07 council, PRESIDENT Sandoval

6:10 for the nomination. I would

6:14 just like to express thank you

6:16 to all of my councilmember

6:18 colleague's and hope that I

6:22 can earn your support tonight

6:23 take some time to really

6:24 express how truly humbled and

6:26 grateful I am for this moment.

6:28 And I would first like to

6:29 thank my fellow council

6:32 members. I again, as we move

6:35 forward this evening, it is a

6:36 privilege to work alongside

6:39 each of you. I have so much

6:41 respect for your dedication,

6:42 your passion, your commitment

6:44 to bring that you bring to

6:45 this council. He's one of the

6:47 most diverse city councils and

6:49 in Denver. And we talk about

6:51 multigenerational and we

6:51 this often, but we are

6:53 represent communities that

6:57 reflects who we

6:58 Intersectionality Ys just the

6:59 different identities that we

7:01 hold. I think our diversity

7:03 and lived experiences

7:04 strengthen our conversations.

7:07 It broadens our perspective

7:08 and it helps us better serve

7:10 the people who call Denver

7:12 building on the strong

7:12 home. I look forward to

7:13 foundation that we have

7:14 created together and continue

7:17 to working and continue to

7:18 work collaboratively to

7:20 address the challenges and the

7:22 opportunities ahead. I also

7:25 want to acknowledge council

7:27 President Sandoval, your

7:28 leadership has meant so much

7:29 and it has been an honor to

7:31 learn from your wisdom from

7:33 your years of service to the

7:37 city for your kindness, your

7:38 clarity and to the surface of

7:39 this council and to the people

7:42 of of the city. I would also

7:43 like to thank my family who is

7:46 here in the audience today.

7:47 And you have been with me

7:50 throughout my journey and to

8:01 my husband, for your

8:02 encouragement. You've been

8:03 with me throughout this

8:04 tourney. Thank you for being

8:05 my rock and standing beside me

8:08 every step of the way. To my

8:10 kids who aren't kids. They're

8:12 young adults. But I was called

8:15 in my kids and to Sophia and

8:15 head on the mall and now my

8:18 new daughter and not asked and

8:20 to thank you for your endless

8:20 love and support. You inspire

8:23 me to build a better Denver

8:25 for generations to come. And

8:26 also to my sisters who are

8:30 here, Carla and Rozanna Julie.

8:33 We've been through a lot and I

8:35 couldn't have done this

8:37 without you past 3 years. I

8:39 thank you for always being

8:40 there. I thank you for being

8:42 the best sisters and

8:43 sister-in-law and that anyone

8:48 could ever have I we've been

8:50 through a lot of challenges.

8:53 We've been through a lot of

8:54 milestones. We've carried our

8:55 parents in the last 3 and a

8:58 half years. And over the

9:05 years. And through every

9:06 season of life, we've only

9:08 shown up for one another. The

9:11 strength that comes from our

9:14 examples that our parents gave

9:15 us. There are teachers who

9:15 dedicated their lives to

9:17 educating and empowering

9:18 others. Although there are no

9:19 longer here with us today,

9:23 they are in our hearts.

9:23 They're in the stars and they

9:24 are in the values that have

9:27 been instilled in U.S.

9:28 Service, compassion,

9:29 perseverance, and they

9:31 continue to guide me every

9:33 day. I wouldn't have made it

9:34 to where I am right now

9:35 without them. And none of us

9:40 would have. I also want to and

9:41 acknowledge your friends who

9:43 are in the room as well. It

9:45 means a lot to have you here

9:46 today. I know that there are

9:50 others that aren't here, but

9:51 also watching. And so I think

9:51 shout out and thank you for

9:54 being here. I also want to

9:56 recognize I have an incredible

10:00 team, Macy happy Erica, your

10:00 knowledge and tireless effort

10:02 has been the backbone of

10:03 district 4. Thank you for much

10:07 of everything that you do for

10:07 the residents of southeast to

10:08 them. That to the residents of

10:11 southeast under as well. I'm

10:12 honored to be the 6 council

10:13 person and the first Latina to

10:16 represent southeast Denver to

10:17 be part of such a small group

10:19 of leaders who have served

10:20 just district 4 is so

10:21 meaningful. And I'm especially

10:24 proud to follow and long line

10:25 a strong Latino leaders

10:28 representing this council. As

10:32 council PRESIDENT. Throughout

10:33 my career, whether serving in

10:35 the Peace Corps are working in

10:36 local nonprofit sector working

10:39 across the state, working in

10:39 these in the surrounding area

10:42 are representing district 4.

10:44 My approach to leadership has

10:46 remained the Listen. First,

10:47 build relationships and bring

10:49 people together. Those

10:50 experiences have reinforced my

10:50 belief that the best

10:52 leadership is rooted in

10:52 community and ensuring that

10:55 every voice can be heard. As I

10:57 take on the role as city

10:58 council PRESIDENT. I do so

11:03 with humility with gratitude.

11:03 And unwavering commitment to

11:05 district 4 and all of the

11:05 this council, residents of

11:07 people of Denver. I look

11:08 forward to the work ahead and

11:09 building a stronger and more

11:13 connected city together. Thank

11:19 you. MADAM Secretary broke

11:20 Then we start on the other

11:21 councilmembers councilmember

11:23 out Beatrice. Thank you.

11:25 Council PRESIDENT And I'll

11:25 start with thanking you for

11:26 your time as our council

11:29 PRESIDENT. I think I've been

11:33 reflecting a lot on the past 3

11:34 and they've been incredibly

11:35 challenging some huge

11:35 challenges that I never

11:39 imagined we've had. Watching

11:42 you stand up for us during

11:43 that time has been inspiring.

11:46 We have I have learned so much

11:48 from you for future Council,

11:52 PRESIDENT Herman or where

11:53 Campbell. I've also loved

11:56 watching you step into your

11:57 leadership role. I will right

11:59 at the beginning when the

12:00 family shelter was opened in

12:01 your district. And so many of

12:04 us went down there to support

12:07 you. It was something I never

12:08 expected. Never expected

12:11 people to not want to shelter.

12:13 Women and children and

12:15 families in their district

12:16 watching new stand-up

12:17 fearlessly and doing the right

12:18 thing. Continuously has been

12:20 such an inspiration. Really

12:21 excited to see how you take

12:24 this leadership. So thank you

12:25 both council, PRESIDENT

12:27 Sandoval for leading the way

12:29 in council under America,

12:30 Campbell, for leading us. I'm

12:33 excited for your leadership

12:33 and to see where it takes us.

12:34 Thank you so much that I have.

12:36 Thank you. Council PRESIDENT

12:42 COUNCILMAN Thank you. MADAM

12:44 PRESIDENT COUNCILMAN Romero

12:45 Campbell, you're poised to be

12:48 the 4th consecutive Latina

12:49 Denver City Council

12:53 presidency. That's something

12:54 that I'm proud to be here to

12:57 witness and 2, what should be

13:00 a part and thank you for

13:03 taking up the challenge. It

13:05 takes a special kind of

13:08 dedication to run for office

13:10 and unexceptional tolerance to

13:12 challenge to service

13:13 leadership. So thank you for

13:15 your willingness to do that.

13:16 And I look forward to

13:17 supporting you in the coming

13:22 year. Thank you, Councilmember

13:23 thank you so much. Council

13:24 PRESIDENT Council PRESIDENT

13:26 Pro Tem or American I wanted

13:27 to step and just quickly to

13:30 share. I think there are.

13:33 Amazing traits of leaders and

13:34 that leadership identified

13:37 East. Under some traits that

13:38 folks MAY not pay close

13:42 attention to. Your skill. Set

13:46 your ability to listen. By

13:48 your willingness to sit and

13:52 speak with anyone at any time.

13:54 And just simply the joy that

13:57 you bring in this extremely

14:00 stressful roles that we're in.

14:07 Enjoyed. Watching your growth.

14:08 And watching you elevate a

14:10 leadership style that works

14:13 and that's 13 member body one

14:17 that brings folks together. I

14:18 am ecstatic that you chosen to

14:22 be part of leadership I look

14:23 forward to supporting you as

14:25 our next PRESIDENT. Thank you

14:28 for your quiet, leadership and

14:29 I look forward to continue

14:30 working collaboratively to

14:32 you. Thank you. Council

14:33 PRESIDENT For your leadership

14:35 over these years as well.

14:40 Thank you. Seeing none of

14:41 their colleagues in the MADAM

14:45 Secretary recall.

14:51 Councilmembers when called

14:52 upon, please respond with the

14:54 last name of the member whom

14:57 you are voting select I your

15:00 touch screen. MADAM Secretary.

15:03 Welcome. Would you mind

15:06 COUNCILMAN Hines briefly to

15:11 the meeting comes behind.

15:13 Council members of the defense

15:16 Romero. Campbell, I remember

15:19 Campbell. Gilmore from Mayor

15:24 accountable and again, us from

15:27 Eric Campbell where Campbell

15:30 Cashman Romero Campbell,

15:39 Rivera can do. From Eric Ample

15:40 Romero. Campbell. I kinda

15:46 Primera camel. Romero.

15:47 Campbell Watson from era

15:47 Campbell. MADAM PRESIDENT

15:51 Romero Campbell. MADAM

15:55 Secretary Roll Call 12

16:10 American pull

16:18 change seats.

16:19 Now we go to pro tem. So then

16:21 all 3 of us can change change

16:25 it takes down. Want change

16:27 Okay. And then where do I sit

16:27 with us where she and then I

16:32 have to get up and over And

16:34 the next 2 years, there's tree

16:34 switch tunes. Okay. So give us

16:54 a second. Have to 6

17:23 What did the remarks at the

17:29 wrong time? Now outside Next

17:32 order of business. Holt,

17:38 please. Accessibility. Sure.

17:44 All right. Mike is on okay.

17:45 The next order of business is

17:47 to elect to council PRESIDENT

17:48 Pro tem of the floor is open

17:56 for nominations. The

17:59 Councilmember Luis, your

17:59 nomination it in there. Thank

18:00 you so I like to nominate