Shontel Lewis

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 mayoral candidate Lisa Calderón discusses the impact of Colorado's progressive movement on the 2027 election. She previously ran for mayor in 2019 and 2023, narrowly missing the 2023 runoff by less than 2%. Calderón is affiliated with the Working Families Party and Women Uprising, and while the Democratic Socialists of America endorsed her in 2023, she is not a member. She emphasizes the need for progressive movements to prioritize racial justice and include diverse voices.

Denver voters will decide in November whether to adopt a biennial budget process, which would shift from annual budgets to two-year cycles to allow more public input and long-term planning. Supporters argue the current one-year cycle is too rushed, while opponents question the city's ability to manage even annual budgets effectively.

Councilmember Shontel Lewis will run for Denver mayor in 2027 and has withdrawn her campaign for reelection in District 8. She is known for advocating against police excessive force, affordable housing, and youth violence prevention. The mayoral field includes returning candidates like Lisa Calderón and new contenders such as Graylon Millen Cole.

Denver is using $3 million from its contingency fund to cover unexpected legal settlements related to police excessive force and civil rights cases, particularly those from the 2020 protests. The city's emergency savings account has dropped to $30.5 million after the transfer, and the mayor's 2027 budget faces financial challenges with flat revenue and rising costs.

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.