Two contracts held for a week: $11 million more for city security guards, and Toyota's Red Rocks sponsorship

Two contracts that were expected to pass on Monday's consent agenda were pulled and pushed back a week instead.

Under Council Rule 3.6, Council Member Shontel Lewis called out both items for a one-week postponement to the Nov. 2 meeting, according to the Council's records:

• 26-1497: an amendment adding $11 million to the city's citywide security guard contract with Securitas Security Services USA, for a new total of $82.2 million, and extending it nine months to Sept. 30, 2027.
• 26-1480: an amendment extending Denver Arts & Venues' exclusive auto sponsorship with the Denver Region Toyota Dealers Advertising Group by two years.

Rule 3.6 lets any single member delay an item one week without a vote. The records don't say why Lewis called them out, and the video of Monday's meeting had not been posted to our meeting page when this story was published.

Why it matters: Securitas guards work the front doors of city buildings, including the City and County Building, the Webb Building, courthouses, the Denver Animal Shelter and 24-hour shelters, according to the city's presentation. It's one of the city's larger ongoing service contracts.

What our records add: how the guard contract grew

The city's contract records show:

• November 2021, 21-1444: the original three-year contract, $25 million.
• June 2024, 24-0649: added $18 million, for $43 million.
• November 2024, 24-1485: added $8.2 million and extended it through 2025, for $51.2 million.
• October 2025, 25-1477: added $20 million and extended it through 2026, for $71.2 million.
• Now, 26-1497: would add $11 million and extend it to Sept. 30, 2027, for $82.2 million.

Lewis has voted against an increase before. The June 2024 amendment passed 10-1, with Lewis voting no and Council Members Chris Hinds and Sarah Parady absent (roll call). The October 2025 amendment passed 12-0 in a block vote, with Council Member Amanda Sawyer absent (roll call).

What General Services told the committee. The Finance and Business Committee approved the latest amendment for filing on Oct. 13, on a motion by Council Member Darrell Watson (watch the item). The department's presentation says:

• Fewer guards. Securitas and its subcontractors had 250 guards working 8,151 hours a week in 2024 and 253 working 8,300 hours in 2025. As of Sept. 24, 2026, there were 205 guards working 6,363 hours a week.
• Union rates. The amendment aligns guard pay with Securitas' contract with SEIU Local 105, which runs through 2028. The city says back pay under that contract was processed in April 2026.
• Other changes. The monthly vehicle rate rises from $1,400 to $1,600, and guards would get FBI background screening when they start plus monthly Colorado Bureau of Investigation checks.
• Scores. The city's annual performance scores for the contract rose from 72 in 2023 to 85 in 2026.
• Benefits. 65 of 164 employees, about 40%, were enrolled in the health plan.
• A new contract is coming. The city plans to publish a new request for proposals in November 2026, bring new contracts to the Council in June 2027 and start them Oct. 1, 2027. The extension is meant to cover the gap.

The Toyota sponsorship

This one brings money in. Denver Arts & Venues picked the Toyota dealers group in a 2023 competition to be the exclusive auto sponsor at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, from June 2024 through May 2027, according to the department's executive summary. The amendment adds $861,000 in sponsor payments, for a total of $2,091,000, extends the deal to May 31, 2029, and adds signage and promotion rights at the Denver Performing Arts Complex and the Colorado Convention Center. The Parks, Art and Culture Committee approved it by consent on Oct. 13.

What's next

Both items return to the full Council on Nov. 2, the same night as budget amendments. The records list Nov. 16 as the last regular meeting within each item's 30-day review window.