Higher golf fees, a pricier Buffalo Bill Museum and a $16.5 million Boettcher design contract clear committee

While Denver voted on Tuesday, Nov. 3, three City Council committees approved bills that will raise what residents pay to play golf and visit the city's Buffalo Bill Museum, hire designers for a $120 million renovation of Boettcher Concert Hall and speed up reviews for historic home tax credits. All passed without a no vote and now go to the full Council.

Why it matters: the fee bills set maximum prices in city law, and golf's money pays for the courses themselves. The Boettcher contract is the first big step on one of the largest projects in the Vibrant Denver bond.

Golf: the maximums go up

The Parks, Art and Culture Committee voted 7-0 to approve 26-1651 for filing (roll call, meeting). Voting yes were Shontel Lewis, Paul Kashmann, Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, Flor Alvidrez, Amanda Sawyer, Chris Hinds and Council President Diana Romero Campbell.

Under the draft ordinance, maximum fees at City Park, Willis Case, Overland, Kennedy, Evergreen and Wellshire would rise:

• 18 holes, adult: $60 to $72 on weekdays; $67 to $81 on weekends and holidays.
• Nine holes, adult: $31 to $38 on weekdays; $35 to $42 on weekends.
• Seniors, 18 holes, weekdays: $40 to $51.
• Juniors, 18 holes, weekdays: $35 to $54. Junior nine holes go from $18 to $23.
• Par-3 at Harvard Gulch and Kennedy: adults $21 to $23.

A correction. Our Oct. 29 story misread the draft's table. It said the 18-hole fee would rise to $67 on weekdays and $81 on weekends, from $60 and $72, and that nine holes would rise to $35 and $42. The correct figures are above.

Golf is an enterprise fund that pays for itself from fees. The parks department's presentation projects that without the increase, Denver Golf would recover 98% of its 2027 costs, with a $673,270 net loss; with it, 109% and a $2.55 million surplus. It cites about $83 million in deferred capital needs. Staff said Denver uses dynamic pricing and its average 18-hole weekday rate would rise by about $2, to roughly $55.

Members pressed on the junior increase. One said a $54 junior maximum would push a parent who golfs occasionally with a child toward buying a pass or going to suburban courses (video). Another called the $35-to-$54 jump "huge" and asked how the maximums were set; staff said junior fees hadn't changed in about six years (video). A member also asked the City Attorney's Office to check that the ordinance's wording allows prices below the maximums, and a member suggested tying fees to inflation so the department doesn't need Council approval each time (video).

Buffalo Bill Museum: $1 more for adults

The same committee voted 7-0 for 26-1652 (roll call). Adult admission would rise from $5 to $6 and youth ages 6 to 17 from $1 to $2; seniors stay at $4. The $2 active-duty military fee would be replaced by the Blue Star Museums program, and free days would expand from seven for Denver residents to seven for all visitors, the presentation says. Adult prices last rose in 2009. The museum, on Lookout Mountain, draws about 80,000 visitors a year, and most of its fee revenue comes from visitors from outside Denver, staff said.

Boettcher Concert Hall: designers hired

The committee voted 7-0 for 26-1621, a $16.49 million design contract through Jan. 30, 2030, with David Owen Tryba Architects, partnered with LMN Architects (roll call). The presentation lists $120 million in total funding: $20 million from the Vibrant Denver bond and $100 million labeled "DAV/Symphony Funding." Design starts in December and construction in 2028. The scope covers building systems, accessibility, acoustics and exterior repairs, and will study a patron pavilion and a west-side addition. The goal for minority- and women-owned firm participation is 19%. The hall is in District 10.

Historic tax credits: staff review

The Community Planning and Housing Committee voted 6-0 for 26-1627, with Amanda Sandoval absent (roll call). It would let Community Planning and Development staff, instead of the Landmark Preservation Commission, review residential applications for the state's historic rehabilitation tax credit, which the city says will cut review times (staff report, our explainer).

Also on Nov. 3: the Governance committee approved by consent a $671,863 Fire Department software contract with Tablet Command, 26-1620, and four mayoral appointments to the West Colfax Business Improvement District board (meeting). The Finance committee's Long Bill vote that day is in our veto-math story.

What's next

The fee ordinances need two readings at the full Council; the parks department's timeline aims for both in November. The Boettcher contract and the tax credit change also go to the full Council.