Summary

Council advances housing, solar, and zoning

DenverMay 18, 20263 min read

At a glance

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Council approved multiple contracts and amendments, passed zoning changes and a moratorium on data centers, advanced the Preservation of Affordable Housing ordinance, funded workforce and reentry programs, and approved community solar and EV charger work.

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Welton Corridor Urban Redevelopment

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City Council

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LaborTransportationPublic SafetyHealthcareCommerceEnvironmentalHousingUtilities

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What this means

City Council approved contracts and budget amendments that fund city services (janitorial work, equipment, and parks apparel), expand community solar and EV chargers, and add construction funding for a local street project. The council advanced and passed zoning changes and a temporary moratorium on new data centers, and took steps to move forward a Preservation of Affordable Housing ordinance while waiving certain city procedural purchase rights under state law. Residents can expect continued construction and procurement activity, expanded clean-energy projects, and upcoming public hearings on historic designation and redevelopment plans.

Key decisions

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Approved the minutes of the May 11, 2026 meeting.
Adopted contracts for citywide janitorial services: AFL Maintenance Group (Group 5) for $3,750,000 and CCS Facility Services for $21,750,000.
Placed the Preservation of Affordable Housing Ordinance (Council Bill 26-0561) on final consideration and passed it; adopted Resolution 26-0562 waiving the City’s Right of First Refusal and Right of First Offer under state law to accompany the ordinance.
Amended ServiceSource contract to add $413,000 and extend Denver Day Works program through 12-31-2026.
Approved transportation and infrastructure amendments including AMES CONSTRUCTION contract increase of $14,409,718.85 for the Buchtel and Colorado Improvements project.
Approved an amendment adding $5,340,000 to McKinstry Essention agreements for the Renewable Denver Community Solar initiative (RDCS I) to support solar photovoltaic facilities and EV chargers.
Approved multiple procurement and equipment items: Wagner Equipment one-time purchase of a 966XE Wheel Loader ($590,988); Rush Truck Centers purchase order amendment (+$750,000); BSN Sports PO increase (+$450,000); Camfil HVAC filters PO for DEN ($5,000,000).
Adopted rezoning ordinances: 3232 Larimer Street (Council Bill 26-0391) and three properties including 4458 North Pearl Street (Council Bill 26-0476).
Placed an ordinance authorizing a moratorium on data centers (Council Bill 26-0431) on final consideration and passed it.
Reappointed Gary Johnson, Joe Levi, and June Churchill to the Board of Transportation and Infrastructure; appointed Donna Lurie, Jaye Bailey, Mark Travis, and Gina Roccanova to the permanent panels of arbitrators/mediators.
Approved settlement payment of $60,000 related to Michael Salazar v. Michelle Jaskul and City & County of Denver (Resolution 26-0693).
Postponed the Matrix Design Group on-call landscape architecture contract item to the June 1, 2026 meeting.

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