Denver Parks and Recreation

Denver City Council is considering transferring $18.8 million from the general fund to the City Attorney's Liability Claims Fund to cover legal settlements, including those related to police misconduct during the George Floyd protests in 2020. Councilwoman Shontel Lewis and civil rights attorney David Lane criticize the system for shifting costs to taxpayers and failing to hold agencies accountable, with Lewis noting $34 million has been moved to the fund since 2023.

Denver Parks and Recreation is capping personal training sessions at 50 to address a long waitlist caused by staffing and budget limitations. Clients will be re-entered into the waitlist after completing sessions, aiming to expand access while allowing independent exercise. The policy change, effective August 1, has drawn criticism from some clients, including Laura Johnston, who argues it fails to accommodate physical limitations like arthritis.

Denver is increasing mowing efforts at Park Hill Park amid neighbor concerns about fire risks from dry vegetation. The city-owned former golf course, which had a fire burning 5 acres two years ago, has a broken irrigation system and uncontrolled weeds. Residents argue the area remains a fire hazard while park development is delayed.

Denver is purchasing a vacant former bank building in the Civic Center neighborhood to create a 0.4-acre public park. The city aims to improve access to green space for residents within a five-minute walk, as the neighborhood's existing Civic Center Park undergoes renovation. The $3 million purchase price exceeds the appraised value by $500,000, and the deal awaits a full City Council vote.

Residents of Denver's Curtis Park neighborhood are entering another summer without a pool as the Mestizo-Curtis Park pool remains closed until 2028 due to required replacement. Community coalition members, including co-founders Aurelio Martinez and Rosalie Cisneros, highlight concerns about limited access for minority families and transportation barriers, while advocating for design changes to the pool's entrance. Denver Parks and Recreation stated the project involves community engagement and a multiyear timeline.

Sloan’s Lake in Denver has experienced toxic blue-green algae blooms that killed thousands of fish, including a 2024 die-off of at least 2,000 fish. The lake’s shallow depth and rising temperatures due to climate change contribute to algae overgrowth, which harms fish by depleting oxygen or releasing toxins. Colorado Parks and Wildlife restocked the lake with 9,500 rainbow trout after the 2024 incident.

The Montbello Recreation Center in Denver will reopen on June 8 after being closed for over two weeks following the May 21 shooting death of a 14-year-old. Denver Parks and Recreation emphasized commitments to safety, healing, and community support through programming, while discussing potential security measures like metal detectors and increased staffing.