Should Denver stop defaulting to the lowest bidder? A committee split 3-3
A bill from Council Members Hinds and Alvidrez would change how the city awards construction contracts. A motion to delay it failed on a tie, and it heads back to committee.
When Denver hires a company to build something, many city departments default to the lowest qualified bid. A bill in front of the Council would change that for construction work, and it split a committee down the middle on Wednesday.
The proposal would end the default of awarding large construction jobs to the lowest bidder, Denver7 reported. Instead, bids would be judged on a wider set of criteria. Earlier Denver Gazette coverage said those could include legal compliance, financial capacity, past performance, workforce practices, safety, pay and benefits, and cost. For contracts of $1 million or more, Denver7 reported, the prime contractor would submit a signed responsibility certification with its bid, along with certifications from its subcontractors.
For residents, this is about how tax dollars are spent on roads, buildings and parks, and who gets the work. Supporters say the bill protects workers and quality. Opponents, including some contractor groups, say it could hurt small firms or open the door to favoritism, according to Denver7.
What our records add
Sponsors and record. The bill is 26-1540, "regarding the competitive selection process for certain contracts." Its sponsors are Council Members Chris Hinds and Flor Alvidrez (Legistar). It was introduced Oct. 14.
The Oct. 21 vote. At the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Council Member Amanda Sandoval moved to postpone the bill to a later date, seconded by Council President Diana Romero Campbell. The motion failed 3-3, according to the official roll call:
- To postpone (3): Flynn, Romero Campbell, Sandoval
- Against postponing (3): Alvidrez, Hinds, Lewis
- Absent: Gilmore
Denver7 reported that because the committee didn't reach a unanimous vote, the bill moves automatically to the committee's next meeting.
What was said. Our transcript of the meeting covers more than 80 minutes on this bill (watch from the start of the item):
- Hinds said the ordinance covers city-funded construction contracts, as distinct from service and goods contracts (video).
- Council Member Darrell Watson recapped more than a year of work, including briefings in September 2025 and June 2026 and weekly meetings with city departments and the mayor's office (video).
- A presenter said the goal was to help city agencies put best-value selection into practice (video).
- Council Member Paul Kashmann asked where the sponsors and city staff still disagreed on the latest draft, including its health-insurance language (video).
- The city's General Services director listed open issues: impacts on small and minority- and women-owned businesses, thresholds, the implementation timeline and definitions (video).
- Romero Campbell said she believed in the sponsors' intent but had received heavy email opposition from small local businesses (video).
According to our meeting summary, the sponsors' changes over the past year raised the threshold to $1 million, removed apprenticeship requirements, and softened the health-insurance and retirement requirements to "offering" them. Seventeen people signed up for public comment.
An earlier related change. In March, a Council committee advanced changes to how the Council reviews major contracts, the Gazette reported.
What's next
- The bill returns to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which meets Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. Check the meetings page for the agenda.
- If the committee advances it, the bill would go to the full Council for first and second readings. Follow it on its matter page.