City Council - 2025-12-08
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
Denver City Council approved a $30M contract with Urban Alchemy to operate the Aspen non-congregate shelter at 4040 Quebec Street (9-4 vote), despite strong opposition from District 8 Councilwoman Lewis who cited lack of communication and concerns about the provider's track record in other cities. The council also approved two major rezonings for Regis University: a 23-acre PUD (PUD G-37) for Regis Village development along Federal Boulevard allowing up to 70-95 foot heights with mixed-use development, and a 62-acre campus rezoning from former Chapter 59 to Campus EI-2. The Far Southwest Area Plan was adopted as a supplement to Comprehensive Plan 2040.
Key Decisions (8)
Urban Alchemy Shelter Operations Contract at Aspen
$30M three-year contract with Urban Alchemy to operate the 200+ bed non-congregate shelter at 4040 Quebec Street in District 8, replacing Salvation Army as operator effective January 1, 2026. Contract includes new pay-for-performance metrics.
Urban Alchemy Community Ambassador Services Contract
$3M three-year contract with Urban Alchemy to provide community ambassador services in high-call-volume areas including downtown, Colfax, Broadway, and Quebec corridors. Ambassadors will provide proactive street engagement, connect people to services, and perform street cleaning.
Cold Weather Shelter at 4040 Quebec Street
Proposal for Bayard Works LLC to operate a congregate cold weather shelter at 4040 Quebec Street was rejected. District 8 Councilwoman Lewis opposed citing prior commitment that site would not be used for cold weather sheltering.
Regis Village PUD Rezoning (PUD G-37)
Rezoning of approximately 23 acres at 3333 W Regis Boulevard and 5051-5115 North Federal Boulevard from B-3 and R-5 to PUD G-37, allowing mixed-use development with heights up to 70 feet (95 feet with incentives), 20-foot parkway setbacks, and street-level active use requirements along Federal Boulevard.
Regis University Campus Rezoning to Campus EI-2
Rezoning of 62-acre Regis University main campus at 3333 Regis Boulevard from former Chapter 59 R-5 zoning to Denver Zoning Code Campus EI-2 district.
Far Southwest Area Plan Adoption
Adoption of Far Southwest Area Plan covering Harvey Park, College View South Platte, Harvey Park South, Bear Valley, Fort Logan, and Marston neighborhoods as supplement to Comprehensive Plan 2040.
Collective Bargaining Ordinance with ULP Amendment
Council Bill 15-56 implementing collective bargaining rights for city employees was ordered published with amendment adding individual unfair labor practice complaint process through Denver Labor in the Auditor's office.
Cornabaca Park Construction Contract
Contract with Mark Young Construction LLC for park and recreation facility at Cornabaca Park was voted down because the building plan was postponed to January 12.
Zoning Changes (2)
3333 W Regis Boulevard and 5051-5115 North Federal Boulevard
Regis University
3333 Regis Boulevard (main campus)
Regis University
Development Activity (2)
Regis Village
23-acre redevelopment of former Kmart site and surface parking. PUD allows heights up to 70 feet (95 feet with affordable housing incentives), mixed-use development including potential hospital/clinic, student housing, retail, and residential. Site currently contains dated strip mall commercial and drive-through restaurants.
Regis University Campus
62-acre campus rezoning from former Chapter 59 to Campus EI-2. Contains multiple campus buildings, sports fields, and surface parking. No immediate development plans.
Market Signals (5)
Housing Demand
Regis University cited lack of housing for married graduate students and need for missing middle housing types including townhomes and multi-unit residential near campus.
Commercial Demand
Federal Boulevard corridor identified for bus rapid transit investment, driving mixed-use development vision with street-level active uses required along the corridor.
Infrastructure
RTD's Federal Boulevard BRT project is driving transit-oriented development planning, with Regis Village positioned as catalyst for corridor transformation.
Sentiment
District 8 Councilwoman Lewis expressed strong frustration about concentration of homeless shelters in her district, with 8-9 shelters already located there and additional cold weather shelter announced without council consultation.
Housing Demand
Far Southwest Area Plan identified lack of missing middle housing and disproportionate mix of owned vs rented homes, with majority owner-occupied limiting rental options for students and workforce.