Rehousing for families fleeing domestic violence, $5.3 million for job training and an ethics board seat: what Council committees moved this week

A statewide investigation published Oct. 29 by The Colorado Sun, drawing on a yearlong Bloomberg Law review, found domestic violence survivors across the country who say they were arrested after calling 911 for help. Leaving an abuser often also means losing a home. This week, a Denver City Council committee moved more money for families in that situation.

Here is what Council committees advanced Oct. 27 and 28, from our records. Most were approved "by consent," meaning without discussion, and most will be on a full Council agenda in the coming weeks.

Housing for families

Families fleeing domestic violence. Council Resolution 26-1577 adds $627,200 to a Volunteers of America Colorado contract for rapid rehousing for families who are homeless and fleeing domestic violence. The new total is $2,256,863, and the contract is extended a year, through Dec. 31, 2028 (Legistar).

Rehousing with extra support. 26-1576 adds $1,471,349 to a second Volunteers of America contract for "rapid rehousing plus care support" for families experiencing homelessness, for a total of $5,108,891, also through 2028 (Legistar).

Both were approved by consent at the Community Planning and Housing Committee on Oct. 27. Rapid rehousing pays part of a family's rent for a limited time while they stabilize.

What happened Monday. At the full Council on Oct. 26, a third Volunteers of America family rehousing amendment, 26-1492, which adds $852,000, passed 11-0 with Amanda Sandoval absent (roll call). A $40,000, two-year extension of a Salvation Army "rapid resolution" contract, 26-1493, passed 10-1. Shontel Lewis voted no and Sandoval was absent (roll call). The Oct. 26 video was not yet posted on our meeting page when this story was published, so we can't yet say why.

Context. At the Sept. 29 housing committee, city staff said rapid resolution and rapid rehousing would be offered to families arriving at a planned family shelter, with the city's Connection Center directing them (video at 1:19:00). See our stories on Denver's winter shelter plan and the debate over eviction aid.

Jobs, ethics and other items

Job training. 26-1585 is a new $5,266,409 contract with Eckerd Youth Alternatives, doing business as Eckerd Connects, through June 30, 2027, for employment and training services paid for with federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act money and other workforce grants. The Finance and Business Committee approved it by consent on Oct. 27. The Council approved an earlier Eckerd workforce contract in October 2024 (video).

Board of Ethics. 26-1548 would confirm Mayor Mike Johnston's nomination of Kirsten Decker to the Board of Ethics, which hears complaints and gives advice on the city's ethics code. The Governance Committee approved it by consent on Oct. 27. The same committee also cleared 14 appointments to the Denver Latino Commission and 11 to the Mayor's Youth Commission.

Cell service at Red Rocks. 26-1580 adds $814,019.51 and 15 years, to March 31, 2041, to a contract with AT&T for the antenna system that provides mobile service to concertgoers at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. It passed the Parks, Art and Culture Committee by consent.

Environmental cleanup. 26-1579 is a $5 million, five-year contract with Peak Environmental for asbestos and mold removal, emergency response and expert support in environmental litigation. It passed Health and Safety on Oct. 28.

Medicaid eligibility payments. 26-1581 adds $1,370,255.08 to an agreement under which the state pays Denver incentives for Medicaid eligibility work, for a total of $2,665,043.48 through June 30, 2027.

What's next

• Resolutions approved by committee usually go to the full Council within one to two weeks. The Nov. 2 agenda will show which made it.
• The ethics appointment is an ordinance, so it needs two Council readings.
• Nov. 2 is also the last day for Council amendments to the 2027 budget.