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Council approves AI intake tool for permit plan review after questions on accuracy and oversight
Summary
Denver City Council approved a contract with Comply AI for an AI‑guided plan‑review intake tool (module 1 funded now; additional modules optional), after council members sought assurances about accuracy, environmental impacts and a plan to reassess results one year after deployment.
Denver City Council approved Resolution 26‑0105 on March 9 to contract with Comply AI to deploy an AI‑assisted intake tool intended to reduce routine plan‑review deficiencies and speed permitting.
Councilmember Lewis and others asked detailed questions about scope, accuracy and costs. "I received the answers that I had about the questions understanding that the modules 2 and 3 are optional and that only the funding for module 1 is included in this contract at this time," Lewis said, indicating conditional support. Councilmember Alvidrez raised concerns about national reporting on AI inaccuracies when interpreting complex rules: "I am growing more concerned because we're seeing more reporting nationally about inaccuracies and limitations of AI systems, especially when they are also asked to interpret complex rules and regulations."
Robert Peake of the Denver Permitting Office described the tool as an "intake only" module that checks for submission deficiencies (signatures, stamped plans, north arrows and required attachments) and will not perform full code checks. Peake said roughly 37% of applications in Denver are accepted on the first submittal and the office hopes to raise first‑pass acceptance toward an 80% target, potentially saving staff time across the roughly 1,000 monthly permit applications the city processed in 2025. Peake said the initial intake module could shave substantial reviewer time and that human review remains part of the workflow: "The tool is checking for what we call those intake deficiencies... The intake only up module is not doing a thorough, robust code check of those plans."
Councilmember Paradis and others asked for a follow‑up review. Paradis said she wanted the city to "check in in a year" to ensure the tool is delivering results and to balance automation against staffing needs. Councilmember Alvarez announced a 'no' vote based on concerns about readiness and budget priorities. The resolution passed on final vote as recorded in the meeting transcript (10 ayes; 1 nay). The council placed the contract on the public record and directed staff to report back on performance and outcomes as the modules are evaluated and, if expanded, budgeted.
