Colorado Politics

Denver to introduce biennial budget legislation, hear zoning changes for five neighborhoods

The Denver City Council will consider asking voters to overhaul parts of the city budget process, including an amendment to the City Charter to move to an optional two-year budget cycle and new requirements for public engagement.

Two proposed linked “Budget Together Denver” measures will be introduced Monday, allowing the city to use either a one- or two-year budget cycle, depending on the economic outlook and the city’s needs.

Councilmembers Amanda Sawyer, Stacie Gilmore and Shontel Lewis are sponsoring both pieces of legislation.

Denver would not be the first Colorado municipality to adopt a biennial budget process. Fort Collins, Centennial, Brighton, and Louisville operate under two-year budget cycles.

Should the proposed legislation make its way through the full council process and be approved, it will go to voters in a special municipal election held in conjunction with the Nov. 3 general election.

Elsewhere on the agenda is a bill that would clarify that the Denver Auditor’s Office may enforce city wage, worker protection and workplace rights laws enacted by the council.

The Denver Auditor enforces city wage laws through a specialized division called Denver Labor, which investigates wage complaints and audits payrolls for city contractors. 

The council will also host two public hearings on zoning issues during the 5:30 p.m. session, one of which is for a bill that would approve sweeping zoning classification changes across multiple properties in the Athmar Park, Mar Lee, Overland, Ruby Hill and Westwood neighborhoods. 

Then there’s a trio of contracts for Denver International Airport, totaling more than $190 million, mostly for construction services, elevators, moving walkways and compressed natural gas.

Two proclamations are slated for reading on Monday. The first supports the Front Range Passenger Rail District’s proposed special events stations and the development of rail service along the Front Range.

A second proclamation will recognize Justice for Janitors Day.

The Denver City Council’s regular meeting begins at 3:30 p.m. in the Cathy Reynolds City Council Chamber, with the general public comment session beginning at 5 p.m.


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