Council questions proposal to raise Denver’s 9‑1‑1 emergency telephone charge; no final vote recorded

Councilmembers questioned staff on a proposal to amend Denver’s emergency telephone charge (the per‑line fee that funds 9‑1‑1 services) during the March 17 meeting. Councilmember Paradis called the item out for comment and highlighted the policy and fiscal complexity of the change, noting the special‑purpose nature of such funds and the city’s limited budget flexibility.

Andrew Dammer, director of Denver 9‑1‑1, explained that the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) establishes a maximum authorized fee each year after evaluating costs and consumer impacts; jurisdictions may raise their local charge up to that ceiling. Dammer said the PUC’s annual assessment informs the allowable maximum but that the city’s intent is not to adopt automatic increases; instead, Denver would coordinate any change with the Department of Safety’s finance team and the Budget Management Office and make decisions based on year‑to‑year operational need and budget forecasting.

Councilmember Flynn asked whether the city would automatically adopt future PUC increases; Dammer responded that “that is not our intention” and described a collaborative decision process involving operations and budgeting. Flynn said he preferred future increases be returned to council for approval rather than implemented automatically. Paradis emphasized the constrained municipal budget environment and praised the Department of Safety for pursuing the adjustment as a targeted way to shift certain call‑center expenses out of the general fund and free up flexible dollars.

No final vote on the ordinance was recorded during the discussion portion of the meeting; the item was on the agenda for introduction and further council consideration.