Below you can find some of the work our office has done in collaboration with community members and organizations. Do you have a policy question or suggestion? We want to hear from you! Please email us at G-Gutierrez.atlarge@denvergov.org.
Since the end of December 2023, the Councilwoman took o the role as the chairperson for the Safety, Housing, Education and Homelessness Committee, commonly referred to as the "Safety" committee. This committee accepts responsibility and oversight over many important agencies like, Denver Human Services, the Department of Safety and the Department of Housing Stability.
Council President Sandoval and Councilwoman Gonzales-Gutierrez championed legislation that promotes collaboration between Denver Public Schools (DPS), community members, and the city of Denver to solidifying the adoption of an Ordinance that the City Council initially ratified in the 1930s. More information: 23-1507.
We are committed to keeping people in their homes, and preventing the path to homelessness that working families and individuals face when they are at risk of eviction. In September 2023, Denver witnessed an alarming rate of eviction filings. This marked the second-highest number of eviction cases filed in county court in the past five years, with 1,174 households on the brink of losing their homes through the legal process. During the first eight months of 2023, Denver surpassed the previous year’s eviction filings by 341 cases. To effectively address the eviction crisis and curb the growth of our unhoused population, it is estimated a minimum of $30.1 million in funding will be needed. In response to this critical need, Councilwoman Gonzales-Gutierrez alongside all other 12 Council Members with the Mayor’s support allocates an additional $13.5 million in rental assistance funding for the mayor’s budget. The amendment passed unanimously through City Council on Monday, November 6 assigning $29.1 million in rental assistance to the 2024 budget. More information: 23-1645.
In partnership with District 6 Councilman Paul Kashmann, the Office of Municipal Public Defenders, the City Attorney’s Office, and the Municipal Court, the Councilwoman brought forward legislation to require that youth are offered legal representation in the Municipal Court. Before this ordinance change, youth in the City and County of Denver were not afforded legal representation; however, in Adult Municipal Court, it is standard practice that if someone cannot afford an attorney, they will have one appointed to them from the Office of Municipal Public Defenders. More information: 23-1866. Starting July 2024, youth now have access to an appointed public defender.
On Tuesday, March 27th, Denver City Council adopted Healthy Drinks for Kids, which requires restaurants to only advertise options like milk/alternative milk, still/sparkling water, and drinks without added sugar on kid’s meal menus that include a drink as a package. Restaurants can continue to serve sugary beverages like juice and fountain drinks, and parents can still choose a sugary beverage for their child. This only eliminates the ability for restaurants to advertise sugary drinks on kid’s menus that include a drink in a bundled meal package. Consumption of sugary drinks has high short and long-term health consequences for kids, as it is a major contributor to diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. This policy aligns with other city plans to improve children’s health by improving access to more nutritious foods and healthier drink options. More information: 24-0285.
Denver Health is in need of a sustainable funding source to cover uncompensated care costs while serving Denver's most vulnerable citizens. They proposed an increase of 0.34%, which is .034 cents on a $10 purchase in Denver sales taxes, subject to the approval of the voters in the November 2024 Ballot. More information: 24-0717.
This ballot measure will be on the November 2024 ballot presenting voters with the option to amend the City Charter to establish collective bargaining as the method for setting compensation and other terms and conditions of employment for certain city employees. More information: 24-0716.
The City and County of Denvertook a position in 67 bills inthe 2024 State Legislature. If you want to learn more about the city’s positions, visit the Colorado Secretary of State’s website and do a Client Activity Search on the Lobbyist page (here’s the direct link). You should search ‘City and County of Denver’ and select 2024 as the Reporting Year.