Several people at the Aug. 18 public comment session asked the Denver City Council to examine and, where appropriate, divest city investments or end contracts with companies they said were implicated in violence in Gaza or in local surveillance practices.

"Your investments in Caterpillar... are complicit in this genocide if you're not taking any action," said Laura Gonzalez, a commenter who urged the council to "boycott the investments and stocks and bonds that the city of Denver has in companies that directly make the genocide happen in Gaza and the West Bank." Gonzalez also named Palantir and said activists are opposing the company’s presence and contracts.

Community organizers reiterated those concerns. "I encourage you to investigate yourself, go to the finance office, figure out exactly how we are using city dollars," said Shane, who identified himself with Community United in Solidarity with Palestine and Colorado Palestine Advocacy and Lobby. Shane cited an activist figure, saying "263 Palestinians have starved to death" and urging council review of investments and bonds.

A separate commenter, Eric Gross, said a company he named, Palantir, is based in Denver and urged council members to consider links between city spending or contracts and overseas or domestic surveillance. "Having a predator drone fly overhead is something that people in Gaza experience every minute of their lives," he said, linking concerns about drones and local police technologies; he also referenced reports that a federal flight surveilled protests in Los Angeles.

Speakers generally framed their statements as requests for investigation rather than asserting that the council already holds specific investments. Several asked the council’s finance office to provide clarity about any city holdings in Israeli bonds, Caterpillar, Palantir or other firms and to consider divestment or sanctions where appropriate.

The transcript records these appeals during public comment and does not include a staff response or any formal council action in response. Commenters asked the council to follow up with the finance office and said they would continue public pressure.

Next steps: Speakers asked the council to review city financial disclosures and procurement records and to report back; the transcript does not show whether the council or staff committed to that action during the session.