The Denver City Council asked Mayor Mike Johnston to consider every spending decision through an “equity lens,” such as by providing free phone calls at jails and suggesting a different approach to “crimes of poverty.”

At the same time, the council asked the mayor to make “evidence-based decisions” as he crafts the city’s spending plan for 2025.

In their letter, the council said the mayor should ensure underserved communities get the “support they need”; fund an analysis of the “cost and benefit of prosecuting minor ‘crimes of poverty; and, “reevaluating onerous court mandates.”

The council said Johnston also should explore transferring traffic enforcement to Department of Transportation and Infrastructure and get rid of speed cameras.

The policymaking body also called for a “comprehensive study” on equity in contract allocation, calling it a “secondary consideration” in their goal of “incubating city-wide business and labor infrastructure.” The council said this will allow the city to develop strategies to “enhance equity in this process.”

The mayor could not offer comment on specific budget priorities or funding items, as it is still very early in budget season, spokesperson Jordan Fuja told The Denver Gazette on Friday.

“Mayor Johnston is just beginning the 2025 budget process with his agency leaders, and will use council’s recommendations to help guide upcoming budget discussions,” Fuja said. “As the process gets underway in earnest this summer, his administration looks forward to working shoulder-to-shoulder with City Council to deliver on Denverites’ top priorities and build a city that is safe, vibrant, and affordable for all.”