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Denver City Council narrowly approves Denver Police contract amid sharp budget and accountability debate
Summary
The Denver City Council adopted a collective bargaining agreement with the Denver Police Protective Association covering 2026–2028 after hours of debate over raises, city layoffs and discipline. The measure passed 9–4; several council members said they opposed the timing while supporters said proper process was followed.
Denver City Council on Sept. 8 voted to adopt a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the City and County of Denver and the Denver Police Protective Association covering 2026–2028, despite sharp objections from several members about the timing while the city is facing budget shortfalls and recent layoffs.
Councilmember Darrell Watson, the legislative sponsor for the measure, said the vote was a matter of process and of honoring negotiations that took place with the city attorneys. “This topic and the issues that you elevated are important,” Watson told colleagues before voting. He said council members had been briefed in executive session and that he intended to “be consistent in a way in which I treat all collective bargaining agreements.”
Oppon…
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