Council pushes Parks on pool access, vendor transitions and community outreach; Parks to convene stakeholders

Councilmembers used Wednesday’s Parks committee meeting to press staff about changes in access to pools and rec centers after several nonprofit operators lost space when contracts or permits expired.

Councilman Watson asked whether organizations such as Denver Squid have formal contracts or rely on seasonal permits, and how Parks intends to preserve community access while balancing cost recovery. Joel Clark said many programs operate under permits, not contracts, and that the department has been adjusting schedules to add swim lessons: "we're able to add, almost 150 new swim lesson spots this, this season." He said Parks is convening a stakeholder group to work with community partners to design a fee structure intended to improve cost recovery for full‑facility rentals while protecting core programming for My Denver card holders.

Several councilmembers, including Watson and Hines, criticized the department’s prior communications when operator changes were announced. Clark acknowledged Park staff "probably have missed the mark" on communications where older contracts and written notice requirements left communities unprepared for operator transitions. He committed to providing outreach plans and procurement histories for contracts that will be brought to the committee.

The committee sought clarity about whether Parks would purchase boats that private vendors bought before a contract ended and asked how the department intends to make affected vendors whole. Clark said he would compile the details for council. No votes or contract approvals occurred in the meeting.