Denver City Council approves capital equipment purchase for climate fund; dozens of bills adopted in block vote

Denver City Council approved a council bill authorizing a capital equipment purchase from the climate protection special revenue fund to buy vehicles for city public safety departments on March 10, passing the measure 9-1.

The vote came after Council President Pro Tem Romero Campbell placed Council Bill 25-0167 on the floor for final consideration. Councilmember Lewis explained she would vote no, saying the measure used limited funds and that other city purchases — including an electric vehicle purchase made at the airport using a separate funding stream — showed alternatives existed.

Council President Pro Tem Romero Campbell moved the bill onto the floor for final consideration. The council secretary conducted a roll call and the final tally on the measure was nine ayes and one nay; the council announced the bill passed. The ordinance authorizes a capital equipment purchase from the climate protection special revenue fund for the purchase of Denver fire and police vehicles citywide; the transcript did not specify exact vehicle counts, models, or dollar amounts.

In a separate motion later in the meeting, the council adopted a large group of resolutions and bills in a single block. The block included numerous council bills and ordinances (see “Votes at a glance” below). The secretary recorded a unanimous 10-0 vote on the block.

Why it matters: The approved Council Bill 25-0167 directs climate protection special revenue funds toward city public-safety vehicle purchases, which affects how dedicated climate funds are spent and may influence fleet electrification and related procurement decisions. The block-adopted bills include zoning changes that will proceed to public hearings in April, triggering deadlines for potential protests.

What members said: Councilmember Lewis reiterated her objection to using the limited fund for the purchase and noted the airport used a separate funding stream to buy an electric vehicle. No other council member offered extended debate on 25-0167 during the final consideration.

Votes at a glance - Council Bill 25-0167: Ordinance authorizing capital equipment purchase from the climate protection special revenue fund for purchase of Denver fire and police vehicles citywide. Moved by Council President Pro Tem Romero Campbell. Final vote: 9 ayes, 1 nay. (Councilmember Lewis voted no; the transcript records a single dissenting vote.)

- Block adoption (listed items placed on final consideration and passed in block): 25-0228, 25-0229, 25-0230, 25-0175, 25-0217, 25-0218, 25-0233, 25-0238, 25-0214, 25-0215, 25-0216, 25-0222, 25-0223, 25-0224, 25-0236, 25-0237, 20-50024, 25-0225, 25-0227, 250203, 2050205, 2050207, 2050195, 2050196, and 2041279 (as read into the record). The secretary recorded the block vote as 10 ayes.

Public hearings scheduled The council secretary announced required public hearings on April 7, 2025, for two zoning bills read earlier in the meeting: Council Bill 25-0046 (zoning change for 3115 West 8th Avenue in Villa Park) and Council Bill 25-0153 (zoning change for 627 South Lipan Street in Athmar Park). Any protests against those two bills must be filed with the council offices by noon on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

Details not specified in the meeting The transcript did not provide the purchase price, specific vehicle counts or models for Council Bill 25-0167, nor did it provide budget-year accounting or an implementation timeline for the purchases. The block of adopted bills was read into the record by bill number; the transcript did not include full titles or summaries for each block item in the final-consideration motion.

Next steps Council Bill 25-0167 will be published as passed per council procedure. The two zoning bills scheduled for April 7 will proceed to public hearings subject to the protest deadline listed above.