An affordable housing preservation ordinance is among the top policy items the Denver City Council will consider during Monday’s regular meeting.

The resolution, if approved, will waive the City and County’s rights of first refusal and first offer, as provided by Colorado State law. HB24-1175 grants a local government the right of first offer and the right of first refusal to acquire residential properties for long-term affordable housing. 

Long-term affordable housing, as defined by state law, means that the annual rent for any unit will not exceed the rent for households of a given size at the applicable area median income for at least 100 years.

In return, Denver has updated its “Preservation of Affordable Housing Ordinance” to better align with state law, which will serve as the city’s prevailing policy.

Proponents say the ordinance will stop older apartment buildings from being demolished and flipped into “luxury rentals.”

Opponents say it will slow much-needed new development to fill Denver’s housing needs.

In other action, Denver wants to approve an amendment to a contract with the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center, also known as the Harm Reduction Action Center. It would rollover $715,000 in unspent funds to purchase a permanent facility to provide “health access services” to more than 4,000 individuals per year.

The center has been the primary provider of education to those who inject drugs since 2002, providing needle exchange and other services.

Also on the agenda is a resolution to authorize a $225,000 liability settlement for a claim related to civil action Sjostrom et al. v. Malone et al., involving the Denver Police Department.

There are four proclamations slated for Monday, with two to be presented at the 3:30 p.m. session and two at the 5:30 p.m. session. 

Those to be read  in the 3:30 p.m. session include: 

• 26-0649: Honoring the O’Hayres’ multi-generational service to the Denver Police Department, sponsored by Councilmember Kevin Flynn. 
• 26-0645: Celebrating Denver Police and Sheriff Appreciation Week, sponsored by Councilmember Darrell Watson. 

Proclamations to be read in the 5:30 p.m. session include: 

• 26-0647: Honoring DPD Det. Cody Davison, sponsored by Denver City Council President Amanda Sandoval.
• 26-0648: Celebrating World Facilities Management Day, sponsored by Councilmember Flor Alvidrez 

There are three public hearings slated for the 5:30 p.m. session:

• 26-0389: A bill for an ordinance changing the zoning classification for 1057 S. Gaylord St. in the Washington Park neighborhood. 
• 26-0392: A bill for an ordinance changing the zoning classification for 5101-5115 N. Milwaukee St. in the Elyria Swansea neighborhood. 
• 26-0486: A bill for an ordinance approving a resolution requesting the renewal and continuation of the Five Points Business Improvement District for an additional 10-year period. 

One resolution to keep an eye on is CR-26-0431, which proposes a year-long moratorium on data centers. It is listed in the pending section of Monday’s agenda. If accepted and published, it will trigger a public hearing on the matter on May 18.

Denver City Council meetings continue to be held in the Parr-Widener Community Room as renovations in the council chambers progress.

Seating is limited, and the room can fill quickly.

The Denver City Council’s regular meeting begins at 3:30 p.m., with the general public comment session scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.