Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 10:30 a.m. (Denver time), City & County Building, Room 391
The Health and Safety Committee, chaired by Council Member Watson, discussed two items. First, council sponsors presented a proclamation formally opposing Colorado Proposition 132, the fentanyl bill, arguing it imposes mandatory minimum sentences, reduces judicial discretion, acts as an unfunded mandate on local jurisdictions, and criminalizes vulnerable people rather than investing in treatment and prevention. Second, an interagency team from the Department of Public Safety, DOTI, the City Attorney's Office, DPD, and the Office of Social Equity and Innovation presented a draft ordinance amending Denver's automated vehicle identification system (AVIS) ordinance to align with new state law (Senate Bill 152), designating 48 enforcement corridors, establishing civil penalties, and addressing equity considerations. Council members asked about corridor selection, fines, appeals, data retention and sharing, and revenue routing. After public comment and questions, the chair moved to postpone the vote on the AVIS ordinance to the following Wednesday, and the motion passed. Two members of the public spoke in support of the AVIS program and urged routing revenues into the transportation and mobility special revenue fund.
0:07 Welcome back to this weekly
0:08 meeting of and Safety
0:08 Committee with Denver City
0:14 Council. Coverage of the
0:15 Health and Safety Committee
0:18 starts now.
0:26 Good morning to welcome. This
0:27 is a health and safety
0:28 Committee meeting for OCTOBER
0:31 7th. My name is there a lot.
0:33 I'm honored to serve all the
0:33 residents of the 5 district 9
0:34 as well as the chair of the
0:36 Health and Safety Before we
0:39 roll into presentation. When
0:40 we go around the room for
0:41 introductions will start first
0:43 in the room and we have
0:45 several council members online
0:45 will come to you For starting
0:49 on my right company events But
0:51 every district grant. Good
0:52 morning so that also tennis
0:55 councilmember at large. Good
0:57 to see you both. And online
0:57 council PRESIDENT Wanda, we
1:02 start. Morning Diana Romero
1:03 Campbell, Southeast Denver
1:07 district 4. Plan Southwest,
1:13 never District 2. Producer
1:15 wrote check to see we have
1:16 other council members that are
1:24 signing up should coming. And
1:28 know, the council members All
1:29 right. We have a council
1:30 members in the room actions
1:31 Jamie Taurus. Was Denver
1:35 district 3? Pause for a sex. I
1:37 know we have 2 other council
1:38 members that are trying to
1:41 sign you sign on. I will
1:42 announce and celebrate your
1:44 participation. But until then
1:45 we have 2 items on the agenda.
1:52 We have a opposing Colorado
1:56 Proposition 1, 3, Pro Good
1:59 Givens on. It's good to one of
2:01 my saying councilmember cent
2:02 of all that we have an action
2:06 item of ordinance amending
2:07 automated vehicle
2:08 identification system at a
2:09 public hearing. Public
2:10 comments today. But let's
2:11 start first with a
2:12 proclamation will turn over to
2:15 parts of our colleagues. Good
2:17 morning, everyone. So we don't
2:18 have official for highs today.
2:19 The proclamation is online. If
2:22 you want to find it. But
2:23 COUNCILMAN, the dollars that
2:24 they had a son, talking about
2:27 some of the state propositions
2:28 that are on the ballot. And
2:32 this one we felt needed action
2:34 before city council because
2:36 reach us and it's so
2:38 detrimental to some of the
2:39 people work that we do at City
2:40 Council. So COUNCILMAN, could
2:42 get us tonight with our
2:45 advocates. We're taking a
2:47 stance Prop 1, 3, 2, the
2:47 fentanyl bill. And asking our
2:50 colleagues to vote now on
2:52 this. And so we're going to be
2:52 steady mist and we'll be
2:55 talking about this and the
2:59 reasons why. According to our
3:00 council mulls, when we're
3:02 taking a stance on a state
3:03 proposition on the state
3:03 ballot initiative, we have to
3:04 come to a committee and then
3:07 take it to city council. Could
3:07 normally proclamations don't
3:08 come to committee just for the
3:12 public are arguing, but it's
3:12 our council rules that when we
3:15 taking a stance, ballot
3:17 measure that we come to
3:17 committee and have a
3:18 discussion. So instead of
3:20 power point, we just actually
3:21 wanted to sit around the table
3:22 and talk about what we thought
3:23 about this bill and why we're
3:25 asking now and pass it over to
3:28 protect. Thank you. Council
3:29 incentive. Also if anyone is
3:31 curious to know what is in the
3:33 in the proclamation is in
3:34 Legistar under health and
3:36 safety right now and then it
3:38 will be therefore, next
3:40 Tuesday when we bring it to
3:43 the full And I am grateful be
3:44 able to partner with
3:46 COUNCILMAN Sandoval and I know
3:47 we've had some conversations
3:48 one-on-one with many council
3:51 members about this You know,
3:52 as counsel in Sandoval stated,
3:52 there's a number of measures
3:54 that are being brought
3:58 forward. It's really number
3:59 that are being brought forward
4:04 by a particular group that is
4:06 trending somewhat dean. The
4:07 system really bringing for
4:09 these types of policies
4:09 without actually doing
4:12 mistake, holding doing the
4:15 work that is required through
4:16 legislative process. And so
4:17 it's really important that
4:20 look at these things with
4:21 that. The Kenai of are they is
4:23 this causing more harm to our
4:25 community. Are these types of
4:25 measures that could
4:27 potentially cause more harm
4:30 rather actually help? There
4:33 been already lots laws passed
4:35 to address issues as it
4:37 relates to drug addiction and
4:40 fentanyl. And some of those,
4:41 you know, people agreement to
4:43 some of them, they don't. But
4:43 what we do know is we want to
4:45 make sure that people are
4:45 being able to access the help
4:48 that they need when they need
4:49 it. And so this does not
4:50 provide an avenue for that.
4:54 And so that is why and we see
4:55 it is important for city
4:58 council to take a that
5:00 Sullivan just read one of the
5:02 sections said that provides
5:03 clarity Section one. It says
5:05 that the Denver City Council
5:07 formally opposes Proposition
5:11 1, 3, 2, because it would
5:12 impose mandatory minimum
5:13 sentences reduced judicial
5:15 discretion because fails to
5:17 provide a balanced informed
5:18 approach necessary to address
5:21 Colorado spent fentanyl crisis
5:23 effectively. So that pretty
5:24 much sums up why we're taking
5:26 a stance on this is we feel I
5:28 judge should have discretion.
5:30 We feel that that is part of
5:34 the judicial system and this
5:34 would take away that likely
5:37 informed decision that judges
5:38 have back to. MISTER Thank you
5:42 so much. Council members for
5:44 pre-game this board. And we
5:45 have to be key that starting
5:46 out. Start first Councilmember
5:47 Torres and council PRESIDENT
5:51 For Mayor account. Thank you,
5:53 MISTER Chair. Thanks to both.
5:54 Fully supportive of the
5:58 proclamation might think when
6:01 it's come up and move also
6:01 described it as unfunded
6:05 mandate for local
6:06 jurisdictions and when we've
6:07 got sheriff's department has
6:13 only an 65 percent workforce
6:16 capacity, puts a strain on our
6:17 jail system in a way that is
6:20 neither helpful too. What's
6:23 happening out in or 2. The
6:24 system that's prepared needs
6:27 to prepared to respond to it.
6:28 So I don't appreciate that
6:34 about the proposal either. To
6:35 support the problem. The
6:37 problem going make you think
6:39 you thank you so much.
6:40 Councilmember Torres welcome
6:43 to the Councilmember Cashman,
6:47 PRESIDENT. Remember, Campbell,
6:48 thank you. I just wanted to
6:50 say thank you to the sponsors
6:51 for bringing this forward. I
6:52 think it's really important
6:55 and I'm glad that it's doing
6:55 so I've signed on in
6:58 opposition to the in
7:04 opposition to this. She did.
7:05 On the ballot. But I really do
7:07 think as was stated before,
7:07 you know, the proposition
7:09 doesn't reduce fentanyl usage.
7:14 Investing. And I just think
7:15 there's so many other things
7:17 that we could be investing in
7:20 like education prevention
7:22 treatment. And and it doesn't
7:24 just criminalizes are
7:24 vulnerable are most
7:25 vulnerable. And I think that
7:30 it's I believe there's a part
7:32 of their that is subject
7:34 people to mandatory private
7:36 prison sentence of like 32
7:36 years. There's just some
7:37 really egregious things in
7:40 proposition. And so I just am
7:41 fully supportive of this
7:44 that it's, you know, it's our
7:44 moving forward. And I think
7:48 job to be able to think about
7:49 what is in the public good.
7:50 And I think that this just
7:52 will harm our community. So
7:53 I'm fully supported and thank
7:56 you for bringing this forward.
7:58 Thank you. Council PRESIDENT
8:00 Ken Summer Cashman. Thank you.
8:03 And presentation today. But we
8:05 talked about this. I'm very
8:08 familiar what the process 32
8:10 trying to do. And haters gonna
8:14 people who need support know
8:15 behavior and need programs
8:20 that are actually going ease
8:25 their pain and What definitely
8:27 societal problem right now.
8:28 One 32 is not the way it's
8:31 going to take care of. Thank
8:32 you for what you're looking
8:34 forward Thank you so much.
8:35 Councilmember Cashman
8:36 knowledgeable. Wait to see
8:36 about the council members join
8:38 the queue. But I just wanted
8:40 to share. Council members
8:43 extremely timely. I received
8:48 the email right the committee
8:50 meeting It was probably one of
8:52 general improvement districts
8:54 involved Park. I know many of
8:59 you. So the folks who are were
9:00 on 21st Street where there
9:07 quite open drug use. It going
9:10 on 20st street this morning.
9:11 There were 2 individuals that
9:15 had to be revived by our
9:20 ambassadors on the overdosed
9:24 state mandate without funding
9:26 does nothing to in this
9:27 situation. The first thing is
9:31 folks who are dying on our
9:34 streets are being perpetrated
9:35 against by predators. There
9:37 are drug dealers who are
9:38 impacting the lives of our own
9:40 house communities and other
9:44 folks on our streets. If there
9:46 is a bill to target
9:47 specifically to folks who are
9:48 actually causing the harm,
9:51 start family on the streets.
9:51 That would make sense. This
9:55 bill is broad. It has a wide
9:56 net of impacts and most likely
9:58 the folks who are going to be
10:02 caught up in art, the folks
10:07 who are a part of being a a
10:10 criminalized because of these
10:12 predators. And it is also an
10:16 unfunded mandate are a city
10:19 cannot afford to enforce what
10:20 the state is asking of us. And
10:20 so for those 2 steps and for
10:24 neighbors who are fed up with
10:25 2 of you said were saying
10:28 we've got to do something this
10:29 bill from my perspective is
10:30 not the right thing. I think
10:32 within the city and county of
10:36 Denver judicial discretion
10:36 provided the opportunity for
10:37 us to really go after the
10:39 folks who are creating and the
10:42 disharmony are street more so
10:42 than simply the folks who are
10:45 using is where our dollars
10:49 are. Our compassion is most
10:49 fit. And so I will be
10:53 supporting this proclamation
10:56 and to community members were
10:58 faced with these issues on a
11:02 daily basis of ballpark and in
11:03 5 points, look forward
11:04 engaging with un discussions
11:05 on this. But this bill is not
11:08 the right move. And so the
11:08 support of the sponsors of my
11:11 colleagues with this
11:13 proclamation. Thank And just
11:15 for the publics watching our
11:16 council of us. We do take
11:17 action or proclamation. Our
11:18 council we have to have a
11:20 discussion in committee when
11:23 we're taking a stand on ballot
11:27 measure. So will be provided
11:28 We need this proclamation at
11:30 5.30, on Tuesday. Cause
11:31 Monday's Indigenous Peoples
11:33 Day, which also seems fitting
11:34 because those are the most
11:37 harm our people of color. And
11:37 the next day after that on
11:39 Tuesday, when we have our city
11:41 council meeting will be
11:42 reading the proclamation at
11:42 5.30 So we welcome anyone to
11:45 join us at 5.30, on Tuesday.
11:46 Thank you. Thank MARCH, all
11:48 right? Look around rule for
11:51 any additional questions.
11:52 Comments from council seeing
11:55 none. Thank you so much. All
11:56 pro tem want talk terrorists.
11:58 Thank you so much.
11:58 Councilmember cent of move to
12:01 the next agenda item will
12:04 provide an opportunity
12:08 transition of for action
12:09 ordinance. Amending the
12:10 automated vehicle
12:11 identification system on this
12:13 is item with public comment.
12:16 So we have members of the
12:17 public to sign up for public
12:20 comment. Once the presentation
12:21 concludes will move to public
12:23 and then to city Council
12:24 questions call then we'll move
12:27 to another action. And I'll
12:30 share that. What's the public
12:31 comments concludes we've been
12:31 asked to postpone a vote from
12:35 council on this ordinance onto
12:38 a date next Wednesday. And so
12:39 we'll put forward that motion
12:40 that require people by council
12:44 members to postpone the actual
12:46 vote by council on this until
12:47 Wednesday. So with that, I'll
12:51 turn it over to the team to Cs
12:53 and Please introduce yourself,
12:54 introduce members your
12:54 colleagues had around the
12:58 table and the floor is yours.
12:59 Sure. Hi, everyone. My name is
12:59 Angela can see a 72% for the
13:02 Department Safety. Hi,
13:06 everyone. A safety. Good
13:06 morning role fighting manage.
13:08 The city's timber visions are
13:10 part of it. And the Department
13:11 of Transportation Morning
13:12 Committee members from the
13:15 Cerro Assistant City attorney
13:16 everybody happy Wednesday,
13:17 intimate Friant and
13:19 administrator. And I'd be
13:21 remiss if I didn't Saint Chief
13:23 Thomas and director Gardner
13:24 for being here and a host of
13:26 folks at dot, the center's
13:27 over there as well. Thank you
13:27 all for being here. And all
13:28 the teams are providing
13:31 support to this presentation.
13:32 Angela. All Good morning,
13:34 everyone. Thank you for being
13:38 here As you can see, this is a
13:39 group effort. This interagency
13:42 effort. We have the ceo's
13:44 office study aci and from a
13:47 dvd. And I just want to thank
13:48 everyone for all the effort
13:49 and thanked Putin up to this
13:52 point. And so I want to start
13:53 before we jump in, I just want
13:54 to take a moment and talk
13:56 about, well, look why we're
13:57 here. Traffic safety is a
13:58 citywide public safety and
14:02 public health issue. And we
14:03 all have a response of
14:06 responsibility to make Denver
14:08 streets safer in 2025. 94
14:10 people died on our streets
14:11 working in historic here
14:14 Denver for fetal for traffic
14:15 related deaths earlier this
14:16 year. Community members
14:20 gathered outside this building
14:20 to remember those lives and to
14:24 call for safer streets. Their
14:25 concern remains as a version
14:28 today as it was done just a
14:29 few hours ago, students and
14:31 parents in Park Hill bike to
14:33 school advocating for safer
14:35 streets. We recognize the
14:36 approach to traffic. Safety
14:39 requires different
14:41 perspectives, education,
14:42 engineering and enforcement
14:43 and your feedback girl,
14:45 critical components, traffic
14:47 safety before you is the
14:48 framework that Denver needs to
14:50 align our ordinance, which
14:52 state law, we will continue to
14:55 work with dpd Dundee and the
14:56 city's equity team to
14:59 carefully and thoughtfully
14:59 resolve the finer points of
15:00 implementation and operation