Denver's Nov. 9 Council meeting: budget adoption, possible overrides, speed cameras and more

Next Monday, Nov. 9, is the Denver City Council's last regular meeting before the 2027 budget has to be adopted. Several items that were delayed in October are also set to return that night. The formal agenda had not been posted as of Wednesday morning, so this preview is built from postponement orders and announcements in the Council's own records.

Why it matters: Monday decides whether the Council overrides any of the mayor's budget vetoes, how Denver's speed cameras will work, and whether the city signs a 12-year lease for a major downtown tenant.

1. The budget, and any overrides

Mayor Mike Johnston has until noon Thursday, Nov. 6, to accept or veto the five amendments the Council passed Nov. 2. If he vetoes any, the Council can override with nine votes on Monday. Three passed with nine or more; two passed 7-5 (our story).

Then the Council votes to adopt the budget, 26-1547. Last year that vote tied 6-6 and failed, but the budget took effect anyway, as the charter requires, Colorado Politics reported. With 12 members seated, a tie is possible again.

The Long Bill, 26-1638, and 15 companion bills cleared the Finance and Business Committee by consent on Nov. 3 (meeting). The Long Bill must pass by Nov. 23.

2. Speed cameras

On Oct. 26, the Council voted 8-3 to postpone the speed camera ordinance, 26-1435, to Nov. 9, on a motion by Shontel Lewis (roll call). The bill rewrites the city's automated vehicle identification rules to line up with a new state law. As described in committee, it would allow cameras on about 48 corridors, with civil fines of $40 to $120, Denver7 reported. Our earlier story has the vote breakdown and proposed changes. If it's ordered published Monday, final passage would come at a later meeting.

3. The Alterra lease

Council member Flor Alvidrez called out the lease for Alterra Mountain Company's headquarters at the city-owned former Denver Post building, 26-1337, on Nov. 2 for a one-week delay. The last regular meeting within its review period is Nov. 23, according to the Council's records. Its companion DDA funding bill, 26-1334, passed first reading Nov. 2. See our story on Monday's other votes.

4. A business improvement district hearing

Council President Diana Romero Campbell announced on Nov. 2 that the Council will hold a required public hearing Monday on 26-1536, a petition to add property to the Colfax Mayfair Business Improvement District (meeting). The district's 2027 budget is a separate item, 26-1592. Our BID story explains how the districts are funded.

5. What's coming from this week's committees

Committees meeting today, Nov. 4, could send more items to the Council's next agendas:

• Transportation and Infrastructure, 1 p.m. (agenda): the best-value construction contracting bill, 26-1540, which split the committee 3-3 in October; $3.7 million in climate money for DPS programs, 26-1410; and an $83.8 million airport restroom renewal contract, 26-1584.
• Health and Safety (agenda): Denver Health's one-year, $48.8 million operating agreement for 2027, 26-1622, which we covered here.

Who's voting

The 12 members now seated. The at-large election's leader would not be sworn in until certification, tentatively Nov. 24, according to the city's vacancy election page. See our story on the race.

How to follow

Council meets at 3:30 p.m. Our meetings page posts the agenda when the city does, and video and transcripts afterward.