Wednesday, August 5, 2026, 9:30 a.m. (Denver time), Cathy Reynolds City Council Chamber 1437 Bannock Street, Room 450
The Denver City Council held a special meeting on August 5, 2026. The Council adopted a resolution declaring a vacancy in the office of an at-large councilmember (Sarah Parady's seat) and directing the process for filling it, with a question from the chair about whether the item required a separate vote clarified by staff. The Council then read and adopted a proclamation honoring Councilmember Sarah Parady for her service, following which council members delivered extended tribute remarks. Parady was presented with gifts, including artwork depicting all the districts and a street sign, and gave farewell remarks praising her staff, colleagues, and the Council's collaborative legislative culture. The meeting adjourned after the tributes.
0:17 Okay. We're on. Good morning
0:18 and thank you for taking the
0:19 time to join us this morning
0:21 for the Denver City Council.
0:23 Special meeting today is
0:27 Wednesday. AUGUST 2026.
0:30 Today's meeting is being
0:31 interpreted into Spanish by
0:33 spam or just would you please
0:34 introduce yourself and let our
0:35 viewers know how to enable
0:38 translation on their devices?
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1:00 online. It's okay. He hopes
1:12 for just a second can really.
1:14 Thank you for your patients.
1:15 We're just gonna make sure
1:16 that we have translation for
1:26 this meeting.
2:02 You can
2:16 If we don't have. Continuing.
2:23 Okay. All right. We're gonna
2:24 go ahead and continue on with
2:29 the meeting today. And and
2:30 when they are available,
2:44 people join the Welcome to the
2:45 special meeting of the Denver
2:46 City Council on Wednesday,
2:50 AUGUST 5th 2026. Council
2:50 members please join
2:51 Councilmember Hines in the
2:55 Pledge of I pledge allegiance
2:57 to the flag. The United States
3:00 of America that and to the
3:05 Republic which it stands. One
3:06 a indivisible with liberty and
3:14 justice for to council
3:16 members, please join
3:16 Councilmember Hines as they
3:20 lead us in the Denver City
3:21 Council land acknowledgement
3:22 the Denver City Council 100
3:24 sitting knowledge is that the
3:26 land on which we reside is the
3:27 traditional territory. The you
3:30 shy and under peoples. We also
3:31 recognize the 48 contemporary
3:33 travel nations that are
3:34 historically tied to the lands
3:35 that make up the state of
3:37 Colorado. We honor elders past
3:40 present and future and those
3:42 who a steward of this land
3:44 throughout generations. We
3:46 also recognize that government
3:46 academic and cultural
3:50 institutions were founded upon
3:50 and continue to enact
3:53 exclusions and racers of
3:56 indigenous peoples made this
4:00 acknowledgment so choked up. I
4:01 don't know commitment working
4:03 to dismantle ongoing legacies
4:05 of oppression and inequities
4:06 and recognize the current and
4:07 future contributions of
4:07 indigenous communities in
4:16 Denver. Thank MR. Secretary
4:17 Roll Call Council members of
4:25 the dress. There come here.
4:27 It's also times Cashman
4:36 PRESIDENT. Sandoval So for
4:41 PRESIDENT 12 members present.
4:42 There are 12 members present
4:46 council has a approval of the
4:47 minutes. The minutes of
4:49 Monday, JULY 27th 2026 were
4:51 approved during the meeting
4:55 Monday, AUGUST 3rd, 2026. The
4:57 minutes of Monday, AUGUST 3rd,
4:59 2026 have been distributed to
5:01 members of Council for review.
5:03 And should there be any
5:03 corrections they will be
5:04 discussed during meeting on
5:10 Monday, AUGUST 10th 2026.
5:11 Council announcements. Are
5:11 there any announcements from
5:17 council members? Seeing none?
5:20 There are no presentations.
5:22 There are no communications.
5:22 There are no proclamations
5:23 being read in this session
5:26 have one little later and
5:28 there are no bills for
5:30 introduction Council members.
5:32 This is your last opportunity
5:33 to call out Councilmember
5:34 Hines, will you make the
5:35 motions for us this morning?
5:40 Just MADAM PRESIDENT. Now I
5:44 will do a recap resolutions.
5:46 No items have been called out
5:47 under bills for introductions,
5:49 no items. That thing called
5:51 out under bills for final
5:51 consideration. No items have
5:54 been called out and are
5:56 pending. No items have been
5:58 called out. No items have been
5:59 called out today. This
5:59 concludes the items to be
6:04 called out. Council members.
6:05 Remember, this is a consent or
6:06 block, And you will need to
6:09 vote. Otherwise this is your
6:11 last chance to call out an
6:12 item for a separate vote.
6:13 Councilmember Hines, you
6:14 please put the resolution for
6:19 adoption on the floor? Move
6:20 the resolution to be adopted
6:22 in a block for the following
6:30 item 26 1, 1, 4, 3, it has
6:36 been moved and second So that
6:37 people know and we and we have
6:39 this because it is a special
6:39 meeting. I'm just going take a
6:42 moment to read what that
6:44 resolution is. For the record.
6:46 A resolution declaring a
6:49 vacancy in the office of an
6:50 at-large councilmember this
6:52 declares vacancy in the office
6:53 now large out large
6:55 Councilmember b council That's
7:01 me. So there's details. And
7:02 council Eric m approves and
7:05 directs for direct filing. It
7:09 has been moved and seconded.
7:10 I'm sorry, MADAM PRESIDENT, I
7:13 have a question. My
7:14 understanding is that this is
7:15 not seen be because we're
7:18 operating under the original
7:23 rules. Great question. Thank
7:24 you, John. Can you please
7:31 address that? Are Lori?
7:33 Actually. So the change that
7:37 you effective immediately. So
7:40 that is an ordinance currently
7:42 that the seats designated as a
7:44 and b. So at the time that
7:47 change was made, that we
7:48 didn't anticipate there would
7:50 be a vacancy. But as soon as a
7:50 vacancy occur those seats are
7:53 now designated for any filling
7:58 up those as a or b. So that is
8:00 how it is in the charter
8:03 saying the seed Creighton
8:05 correctly identified in the
8:05 resolution. Okay. Thank you.
8:06 Thank you for the
8:07 clarification. Thank MR.
8:10 Secretary Roll Call Council
8:15 members of the trust. Become
8:20 can tell us that Harris, I
8:30 Cashman I Louis MAY I mean, it
8:35 was going to do get. So
8:39 Torres. I Watson.
8:41 Councilmember Luis, I'm afraid
8:45 to have to vote. I combine
8:50 MADAM PRESIDENT, I he did you
8:56 call I did start Sandoval, MR.
8:57 Secretary close the voting and
9:01 announce the results somewhere
9:05 between 12 and 16. I'm sorry.
9:06 12 ayes to the resolution has
9:09 been adopted if there are no
9:09 objections from council
9:10 members in light of this being
9:14 a special meeting, we will not
9:14 recess and will move
9:15 immediately into our second
9:18 session. There's no unfinished
9:20 business from the earlier
9:22 session. There is one
9:23 proclamation being read this
9:24 morning council members. Would
9:27 you please read council? What
9:29 would you please repopulation?
9:40 26 Dash 11. 46. My Believe so.
9:49 Yes, I microphones. Commission
9:50 11. 46, a proclamation
9:51 honoring COUNCILWOMAN Parity
9:55 and her service to people of
9:57 where as Councilmember
9:58 Parities love for this city
10:01 and county of Denver evident
10:03 from the very she took office
10:07 by leading with tenacity
10:10 compassion and unwavering
10:11 dedication. Ali's placing the
10:14 needs of Denver's residents
10:18 including over her illness at
10:20 serving along councilmember
10:22 parity. We witnessed
10:25 leadership firsthand as she
10:26 convened subject matter,
10:26 experts to the housing and
10:29 homelessness working Group b
10:31 to educate and engage council
10:34 members some of the city's
10:36 most pressing challenges,
10:36 including affordable housing
10:39 and homelessness. Ensuring our
10:42 policymaking was informed
10:46 collaborative dot com
10:47 councilmember parity was
10:48 deeply committed to her work
10:49 the chair of the community
10:51 Planning and Development
10:52 Committee and has a voting
10:54 member of the South Platte
10:55 River Committee were her
10:57 thoughtful leadership and
10:59 collaborative approach help
11:02 shape policies that strengthen
11:03 our cities and its
11:07 neighborhoods. Denver has been
11:09 profoundly fortune to benefit
11:12 from from Councilmember parity
11:14 and well, our city will MISS
11:17 Leadership and unwavering with
11:18 and wavering advocacy on
11:21 behalf of its residents. For
11:24 those of us who had the
11:27 privilege of serving alongside
11:30 her. We're also missed her
11:32 friendship generous spirit and
11:35 dead, fast commitment to
11:39 public service, which have
11:40 left and injuring enduring
11:41 legacy. Whereas councilmember
11:42 Sarah parity has brought her
11:45 legal policy expertise and
11:46 commitment to public service
11:48 to the Denver City Council and
11:52 her work alongside fellow
11:53 councilmembers has contributed
11:54 to important conversations and
11:55 decisions affecting the future
11:59 of our city and whereas as an
12:01 at-large member, councilmember
12:01 parity served every PRESIDENT
12:05 Public district 10 alongside
12:08 its district representative,
12:11 whatever that hurt and sent
12:14 Her insistence that Denver's
12:15 laws, budgets and institutions
12:18 account for those the city was
12:19 not doesn't designed for
12:24 whether by circumstance and
12:24 come where ability she
12:26 reflected a conviction that
12:27 government works best when it
12:29 is shaped by live, experienced
12:31 lived experience a conviction.
12:32 Her colleagues will carry
12:36 forward in her absence and
12:37 whereas without knowing much
12:38 about who Sarah parity was
12:40 before 2, she joined City
12:42 council. It was a joy to get
12:43 to know who council members
12:45 serve. Parity is as a
12:49 legislator leader partner. She
12:50 took seriously the trust that
12:52 the public place to her and
12:54 champion policy that pushed
12:55 the envelope, forced people to
12:57 think critically about
12:58 government and never stopped
13:03 being a champion of the people
13:04 whereas councilmember parity
13:06 is a collaborative leader,
13:08 collaborative spirit
13:10 demonstrated itself in our
13:10 co-creating legislation with
13:12 diverse communities. Her
13:16 leadership on harm reduction,
13:17 election reform. Housing is a
13:20 right for all residents and
13:21 many other issues. Wall rooted
13:23 in her commitment to social
13:26 justice and dignity for all
13:28 Denver residents. And that
13:30 collaborative spirit is also
13:31 demonstrated co-sponsoring
13:32 legislation with most of her
13:33 colleagues for decisive
13:36 leadership. Sharp mind. I
13:37 don't flinch in commitment to
13:38 residents of Denver will be
13:43 missed and whereas COUNCILMAN
13:45 Sarah Parity brought a fierce
13:46 heart, a sharp mind and a
13:48 noble spirit to the pursuit of
13:50 justice approaching every
13:51 challenge with courage,
13:52 compassion and unwavering
13:55 conviction. Through her
13:58 leadership and relentless
14:00 advocacy. She helped She
14:01 helped move Denver forward in
14:04 just 3 years in ways that
14:09 might have other 2 ways taken
14:10 Challenging us all to think
14:12 bigger and act holder,
14:13 including putting people over
14:15 parking by removing parking
14:18 minimum citywide, to use
14:21 citywide and uplifting. Our
14:22 houseless neighbors safety in
14:25 extreme weather conditions
14:26 Councilmember Parities stepped
14:28 up to the challenge of
14:29 representing every corner of
14:30 the city and county of Denver.
14:34 Learning. And being an ally to
14:37 her colleagues on everyday
14:39 issues facing their districts,
14:41 doing it all with her children
14:42 running around in the
14:46 background, a during meetings.
14:47 The steadfast support ever has
14:48 been an enduring inspiration
14:52 of her father's memory.
14:53 Councilmember serve to
14:54 reassure us that the greatest
14:55 leaders are those who fight
14:59 strength, compassion and love,
15:00 leaving a legacy that will
15:03 continue to inspire
15:03 generations of separates them
15:04 pursue more just because helps
15:08 in that world. And whereas
15:11 where councilmember parity, of
15:12 work ethic to the council that
15:15 was rooted in listening,
15:17 contributing collaborating and
15:21 and integrity that is
15:21 advocating all with frankness
15:23 essential and working
15:27 governing body and we and
15:27 whereas councilmember Sarah
15:29 parity has always been for the
15:31 people. She understands the
15:33 history sacrifice and ongoing
15:37 struggles of communities.
15:38 That's 17 faction of the
15:42 systematically oppressed every
15:42 United States have been
15:46 day of her 10 year as an
15:46 elected official, she worked
15:50 to change policy to reflect
15:52 the human rights that all
15:53 people deserve. It's been
15:55 honor serving with her. And I
15:57 know that her story remains to
15:59 be fully told a girl who grew
16:03 up in Wyoming. Conserved and
16:05 Denver City Council. Well,
16:07 being a mom partner and loving
16:11 friend. This is the time to
16:13 rest and we look forward to
16:19 supporting your next stories.
16:21 Whereas councilmember parity
16:22 chose to establish roots in
16:24 Colorado, raising our family
16:26 in Denver, her life
16:28 experiences influenced her
16:29 commitment to public service
16:32 and principled advocacy. She
16:32 embodied not only the role of
16:35 a council member, but that of
16:37 a devote a devoted mother of
16:39 2, often accompanied by her
16:40 children at community events
16:43 and public meetings reflecting
16:44 her deep connection to the
16:45 people she served and
16:49 represented. Councilmember
16:49 Parities dedication to
16:52 ensuring that all Denver
16:52 writes can't drive and
16:55 continue to call Denver home
16:56 will be remembered through her
16:57 advocacy for fair labor
17:01 practices, housing and
17:02 addressing and addressing the
17:03 needs of our most vulnerable
17:09 populations and councilmember
17:12 parity, his champions. So many
17:14 important issues, including
17:17 reducing low-level traffic
17:17 stops, encouraging
17:20 construction of single steer
17:21 apartments. Discouraging
17:22 algorithmic rental price
17:25 fixing and more. And this body
17:28 has been the beneficiary for
17:30 an uncommon brilliance in
17:32 focus as well as are equally
17:35 brilliant sense humor. And
17:36 he's been an absolute at the
17:39 additional breadth of her work
17:41 on a virtually endless list of
17:43 topics focusing largely on the
17:45 root causes of public safety
17:50 and the social justice and
17:51 whereas Councilmember Perry
17:53 stood unapologetically in her
17:54 values continuously questions.
17:57 The status quo and acted
18:00 boldly with policy and with
18:01 persistence. She shed light on
18:03 many needs and issues for the
18:05 people of Denver, not only by
18:06 creating a longer table where
18:08 everyone could participate,
18:09 but also by showing up as a
18:09 caring neighbor. First and
18:14 foremost. She cared for so
18:17 many councilmember parity is a
18:19 thoughtful, meticulous and
18:20 courageous leader, inspiring
18:23 others to act with intention,
18:25 integrity and attention to
18:27 detail. She has made our
18:29 council body better by showing
18:30 us how to be critical and open
18:32 to change for the benefit of
18:34 our communities even when it
18:37 was difficult and
18:38 uncomfortable. And as a