Committee advances rezoning to let Cross Purpose keep licensed behavioral-health services in Skyland

The Community Planning and Housing Committee on Jan. 6 voted to advance a rezoning that would allow Cross Purpose, a local nonprofit, to continue providing licensed behavioral‑health and career services at 3050 North Richard Allen Court in the Skyland neighborhood.

Councilmember Daryl Watson, the member representing District 9 and a co‑sponsor of the request, said the rezoning would move the site from the old Chapter 59 R2A designation (with waivers) to EMX2X, a limited mixed‑use district that allows neighborhood‑serving commercial and medical uses by right. CPD staff recommended approval, citing consistency with Blueprint Denver and the comprehensive plan and the need to align zoning with the organization’s state license.

Bob Scofield, vice president of campus operations for Cross Purpose, told the committee the change is required by the Behavioral Health Administration and that without it "we would not be able to bill Medicaid for the counseling services that we provide," testimony he framed as a licensing and operational necessity for the nonprofit’s programs.

CPD staff said the property is about 67,000 square feet and described the surrounding context — a church to the north, a school to the south and residential uses to the west and east. The staff presentation noted the proposed EMX2X zone would limit building height to two stories and more closely match the nonprofit’s existing services and built form. Staff also reported that Planning Board approved the rezoning unanimously at its Dec. 17 hearing.

Committee members referenced community outreach and letters of support: staff said the city received a letter of support from the Skyland Neighborhood Association and eight individual letters (one with 21 signatures), and that neighborhood outreach produced no formal opposition. Councilmember Watson and others framed the change as narrowly targeted to preserve Cross Purpose’s service continuity rather than to enable new development.

Councilmember Jamie Torres moved approval in committee; Councilmember Diana Romero Campbell seconded. The committee used a thumbs‑up/voice vote and the chair reported the item will proceed to the full council.

Because the committee advanced the item, the rezoning will appear on the council floor for further consideration. The committee vote did not include a recorded roll‑call tally in the meeting record; the chair announced the motion carried.