Committee advances ordinance to let Denver donate surplus vehicles to vocational nonprofits

The Finance and Business Committee of the Denver City Council on Aug. 26 voted to advance an ordinance amendment that would allow the City and County of Denver to donate certain surplus or unclaimed roadworthy vehicles valued at $1,500 or less to IRS‑registered nonprofit educational organizations for hands‑on instruction. The committee moved the ordinance forward to the full Council for consideration.

Committee members said the change is intended to support workforce development programs that lack a reliable, modern vehicle supply for automotive and collision training. Councilwoman Jamie Torres, who introduced the item, said community partners had repeatedly raised the issue and asked the city to find a legal pathway to help. General Services staff presented the draft change and the proposed implementation framework.

Adrina Gibson, deputy executive director of General Services, told the committee the change requires a modification to the Denver Revised Municipal Code because the existing provision (DRMC section 54‑8‑16) allows auctions, sealed bids, scrap conversion and law‑enforcement use but "it does not allow for is, the donation to nonprofit educational institutions within the City And County Of Denver for this program to be effectuated." Gibson said eligible vehicles would be roadworthy units valued at or under $1,500 and that junk vehicles or parts‑only units would remain governed by a separate procedure.

Gibson and the surplus team described the eligibility and review process: recipient organizations must be IRS‑registered nonprofits driven by educational‑credentialing or workforce‑development missions; they must be located in the City and County of Denver; provide proof of 501(c)(3) status; show a secure storage and instruction facility; and submit an application describing how vehicles will be used for instructional purposes and how many students will benefit. The presentation identified Emily Griffith Technical College, CEC Early College and Montbello Career and Technical Education as initial potential participants.

Program limits discussed included a target of up to 100 vehicles per year citywide, with an anticipated range of about 5 to 10 vehicles per organization annually. Staff said that range balances the city’s ongoing revenue from auctions with the instructional needs of the smaller number of nonprofit programs that provide certified training.

Speakers from programs that would use donated vehicles urged approval. Gideon Geisel, dean overseeing the trades campus at Emily Griffith Technical College, said the college trains about 150 adults in auto service and collision courses and that "What we hear from our industry partners, is that they need hands on, you know, at bats and hands on experience, with what they're gonna be, encountering with once they enter enter in the field." Eric Anderson, assistant principal at Montbello Career and Tech High School, said his program serves about 50 to 60 students in automotive each year and that "we are in constant need of new vehicles for students to work on." Both speakers requested a reliable, consistent process for donations.

Staff noted the proposal is separate from the city’s RV programs and resides in a different office. The ordinance amendment would add eligible nonprofit educational organizations as a disposition method under DRMC section 54‑8‑16 and provide a governance and application process for transfers. Staff said the ordinance would go to the mayor and council with a planned first reading on Sept. 8 and second reading on Sept. 15 if the committee recommendation is adopted.

A motion to move the ordinance forward was made and seconded; the committee indicated unanimous support by thumbs up and the item was forwarded to the full Council for formal consideration, with no roll‑call vote taken in committee.

The committee and staff said the proposal is intended to minimize environmental and fiscal waste by repurposing roadworthy city‑owned vehicles while supporting local vocational education.