Visit Denver Board of Directors Meeting Minutes June 24, 2026 – 8:00 to 9:30 AM Visit Denver Executive Boardroom STAFF
Richard Scharf Matthew Payne Sean McNamara Vicki Aycrigg
Jeff Ruffe Justin Bresler Taylor Shields
Lee Ann Benavidez Flavia Light Patrick Walton
ATTENDEES
J.J. Ament Albus Brooks Jack Finlaw Chris Hinds Adeeb Khan Alison Mitchell Jenn Ridder Manny Rodriguez Frank Schultz Rob Venus
Andy Aye Kim Corrigan Dorit Fischer Barry Hirschfeld Greg Leonard Dennis Moore Kate Rizzo Katie Ross Janice Sinden Phil Washington
Matt Bell Greg Feasel Beth Gruitch Gretchen Hollrah Melanie Mills Cindy Parsons Murphy Robinson Amanda Sandoval Hollie Velasquez Horvath Sid Wilson
ABSENT
Andrea Albo Jennifer Chang David Corsun Mike Ferrufino Walter Isenberg Nick LeMasters Sonia Riggs Al Timothy
Wes Allison Rob Cohen Navin Dimond Kourtny Garrett Bruce James Amie Mayhew Brian Roth Tim Wolfe
Leon Barnes David Coors Brent Fedrizzi Eric Hiraga Debra Johnson Mary Nguyen Jorge Sanchez Lance Zanett
Amir Eylon, Longwoods International Jim Starling, Denver International Airport
Tim Hoffman, Office of Mayor Mike Johnston
Maria Meleandez, Denver International Airport
8:04 AM
ADJOURNED
9:29 AM
GUESTS
CALL TO ORDER
MINUTES Board Chair Hollie Velasquez Horvath called the June Board of Directors meeting to order at 8:04 a.m. A quorum was declared, and the April 2026 Board Meeting minutes were approved. Financial Report: Jeff Ruffe presented the financial report on behalf of Finance Committee Chair, Walter Isenberg. Through May, Lodger's Tax revenue was approximately $604,000 (4.1%) above budget, with June pacing ahead of 2025. Based on current trends, Visit Denver anticipated Lodger's Tax revenue to be approximately $750,000 (4.0%) above budget at the halfway point of the year. Jeff noted that July was expected to be particularly strong due to a robust convention calendar and major events surrounding the Fourth of July holiday. Private revenue was slightly below budget by approximately $6,000 (0.3%), while expenses remained on track at $13.9M and approximately $15,000 (0.1%) under budget. Special Guest Presentation: Richard Scharf introduced Phil Washington, Chief Executive Officer of Denver International Airport (DEN), who was joined by Chief of Staff Maria Meleandez and Chief Construction and Infrastructure Officer Jim Starling. Phil began by giving an overview of DEN's Vision 100 initiative, which is preparing the airport to accommodate 100 million annual passengers while laying the foundation for future growth. He noted that although the airport was originally designed to serve 50 million passengers annually, it welcomed more than 82 million passengers last year. Phil provided an update on the Great Hall Program, sharing that the new east and west security checkpoints were completed ahead of schedule and approximately $35M under budget, while significantly increasing passenger processing capacity. He added that the overall Great Hall Program remains on schedule for completion in 2027 and will modernize the terminal through enhanced security, expanded concessions, public gathering spaces, Colorado-inspired design, public art, and other amenities that enhance the overall visitor experience. Phil also discussed plans for DEN's future Consolidated Rental Car Facility, which will centralize car rental operations, reduce terminal congestion, eliminate approximately 250,000 annual shuttle trips, and support the airport's long-term sustainability goals. He explained that the project will consolidate all rental car companies into a single facility funded through customer facility charges, while freeing approximately 144 acres for future development opportunities. Phil emphasized that the project represents an important investment in improving both passenger convenience and the airport's long-term operational efficiency. Next, Phil highlighted plans to construct pedestrian tunnels connecting the concourses, providing passengers with an alternative to the airport train system while improving operational resilience during service disruptions. He explained that the tunnels will create greater flexibility for travelers, strengthen airport operations, and support DEN's continued growth as one of the world's busiest
airports. Additional long-range planning efforts include expanding Concourse C, extending the terminal to the north with future walkable concourses, and evaluating future airfield capacity as passenger volumes continue to increase. Discussion: Frank Schultz asked about the potential for a future Terminal D, and Phil explained that DEN's long-range plan instead focuses on expanding the existing terminal to the north with additional walkable concourses, reducing dependence on the train system. Murphy Robinson asked about long-term maintenance of the airport's iconic terminal roof and future runway capacity. Phil shared that the roof is regularly inspected and maintained and remains in good condition, while preliminary planning is underway for a seventh runway as passenger demand continues to grow. Andy Aye asked about security screening and passenger congestion on the train system. Phil noted that the new security checkpoints have significantly improved passenger processing and expressed hope that the future pedestrian tunnels will provide additional flexibility and help alleviate congestion during peak travel periods. Special Guest Presentation: Justin Bresler introduced Amir Eylon, President & Chief Executive Officer of Longwoods International, who presented findings from the 2025 Visitor Profile Study. Amir began by providing an overview of Longwoods International and its long-standing partnership with Visit Denver, noting that the organization has conducted tourism market research for more than 40 years and continues to provide detailed visitor insights that support Visit Denver's marketing and strategic planning efforts. Amir reported that Denver welcomed a record 37.6 million domestic visitors in 2025, representing a 1.4% increase over the previous year and generating a record $10.5B in visitor spending. He noted that overnight visitation exceeded 20 million visitors for the first time, while day visitation also reached a new high. Despite broader economic and travel industry headwinds, Amir emphasized that Denver's tourism industry continued to demonstrate steady growth, with visitation increasing 18% since 2019. He credited Visit Denver's ongoing marketing efforts, Denver's strong visitor product, and the city's ability to attract both leisure and business travelers. Amir highlighted continued strength in Denver's leisure travel market, noting that marketable overnight leisure visitation reached another record level and now represents nearly half of all overnight visitors. He shared that out-of-state visitation continues to grow, with more than fourfifths of overnight leisure visitors traveling from outside Colorado. Denver also continues to outperform national averages for air arrivals, with 42% of overnight visitors arriving by air compared to the national average of 28%. Amir further noted that Denver has matured into a true year-round destination, supported by a strong convention calendar, major sporting events, arts and cultural attractions, and a diverse mix of visitor experiences throughout the city. Amir concluded by reviewing the results of additional research on Visit Denver's 2025 summer advertising campaign. He reported that the campaign generated an estimated 3.6 million
incremental trips, approximately $1.6B in incremental visitor spending, and approximately $180M in state and local tax revenue, including nearly $134M benefiting Denver. He noted that the campaign generated an estimated return of approximately $25 in visitor spending for every public dollar invested, demonstrating the continued effectiveness of Visit Denver's destination marketing efforts. Discussion: Board members discussed Denver's competitive position relative to peer destinations, changes in market share, and trends in visitor length of stay. In response to questions from Andy Aye and Councilman Chris Hinds, Amir explained that Denver continues to gain market share despite increased competition from other destinations and attributed much of the city's success to sustained investment in destination marketing. J.J. Ament asked a question about shorter average lengths of stay. Amir explained that Denver's role as both a destination and gateway to the rest of Colorado has increased regional and repeat visitation, resulting in more frequent, shorter trips while overall visitation and visitor spending continue to grow. Committee Reports: Government and Community Affairs (GCA) – Patrick Walton reported that the Government & Community Affairs Committee will receive a federal policy update from the U.S. Travel Association at its next meeting. The update will include priorities related to protecting domestic travel during government shutdowns, restoring Brand USA funding, and preserving the Visa Waiver Program by slowing or preventing implementation of the proposed social media requirement for ESTA applications. Patrick also shared that the committee will receive an update from Denver's Department of Licensing & Consumer Protection regarding proposed changes to Denver's Entertainment Licensing ordinance. The proposal, which recently passed out of the City Council's Finance & Business Committee, would streamline existing regulations by consolidating cabaret and amusement licensing requirements into a single code section. In addition, Patrick provided an update on a proposal to refer a ballot question to Denver voters this November that would implement a new seat tax on venues with more than 1,000 seats to fund various transportation programs. If approved by voters, the proposal would establish a threetiered seat tax of up to 15% on tickets priced above $250. The proposal would exempt City-owned venues, venues with fewer than 1,000 seats, youth athletics, K-12 and higher education events, and nonprofit or amateur events. Patrick noted that the proposal was recently presented to the City Council's Budget and Policy Committee for discussion and that the Government & Community Affairs Committee will continue to monitor its progress as it moves through the legislative process. Patrick introduced Tim Hoffman, Director of Policy for Mayor Mike Johnston, to provide an update on the proposed Municipal Sentencing ordinance, which the GCA Committee has been following
closely. He explained that Tim would provide an overview of the origins of the ordinance, discuss the numerous changes that have been made since its introduction, and review the ordinance prior to its final consideration by City Council. Patrick noted that the ordinance had passed its first reading before Denver City Council and that Visit Denver, in partnership with the Downtown Denver Partnership, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, and Colorado Concern, had submitted a letter to City Council outlining the organizations' continued concerns regarding both the ordinance and the stakeholder engagement process. Tim explained that the proposed ordinance stems from a December 2025 Colorado Supreme Court ruling requiring municipal penalties for offenses that also exist under state law to align with the maximum penalties established by the state. He noted that while the Mayor's Office does not necessarily support the ordinance, months of collaboration with the City Council sponsors resulted in significant revisions that removed several provisions the administration believed would negatively impact public safety. As a result, the administration no longer opposes the ordinance in its current form, believing the remaining provisions no longer present the same public safety concerns. Tim reviewed several of the key changes made during the legislative process, including the removal of proposed reductions in penalties for offenses such as indecent exposure, flourishing a weapon, and numerous licensing and regulatory violations. He emphasized that the administration worked closely with City departments and public safety officials throughout the negotiation process to preserve enforcement tools that support public safety while complying with the Colorado Supreme Court's ruling. He also discussed ongoing efforts among the Mayor's Office, City Attorney's Office, District Attorney's Office, and Denver Police Department to ensure repeat offenders continue to be held accountable through existing enforcement and prosecution strategies. Discussion: Murphy Robinson asked about the ordinance's potential impact on deterrence, business confidence, and the public's understanding of the criminal justice system. Tim responded that the criminal justice system already exercises discretion in sentencing first-time offenders while maintaining appropriate consequences for repeat offenders, and he emphasized the importance of continuing to educate policymakers and the public on how the system operates. Murphy also suggested that additional data measuring the ordinance's potential economic impacts on businesses could be valuable for future discussions. Murphy continued with additional concerns about the rationale for reducing certain municipal penalties, the use of prosecutorial discretion, and the treatment of repeat offenders. Tim explained that many of the offenses discussed rarely receive maximum penalties under current practice and that the administration believes accountability should continue to focus on individuals with repeated offenses while maintaining opportunities for diversion, treatment, and probation when appropriate.
Frank Schulz also asked whether a tiered sentencing structure could be considered, and Tim explained that while Colorado's state system includes sentencing tiers, Denver's municipal code currently does not. Albus Brooks emphasized the importance of continuing to evaluate how the ordinance may affect businesses, downtown safety, and law enforcement's ability to address repeat offenders. He encouraged ongoing dialogue supported by data to better understand the ordinance's long-term impacts on Denver's business community and visitor experience. Due to time constraints, the following committee reports were not presented during the meeting and are included in the minutes for the record. Denver Sports Commission - The Denver Sports Commission is continuing to work with event promoter MMG Sports to bring an international rugby match to Empower Field featuring the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina. Denver has submitted an initial proposal to host the event, which is expected to attract more than 60,000 attendees, and a decision is anticipated within the next 60 days. In partnership with the Downtown Denver Partnership, the Denver Sports Commission recently hosted representatives from NBC to evaluate a potential location for the Premier League Mornings Live fan festival this October. The proposed event would be held on 17th Street with Union Station serving as the backdrop for the live broadcast and is expected to attract approximately 15,000 attendees each day, with more than 70% traveling from outside the region. NBC has approved the proposed venue, and discussions regarding right-of-way logistics are ongoing, with additional updates expected in the coming weeks. Convention & Tourism Advisory Committee (CTAC) – The next Convention & Tourism Advisory Committee meeting will be held on July 8 and will feature an update from Tim Wolfe of the Colorado Tourism Office. Convention Sales and Services Updates - Meetings and convention sales performance in Denver continues to show strong momentum. In May, the Convention Sales team booked approximately 83,000 room nights, reflecting continued demand and confidence in the destination. Following the successful American Academy of Pediatrics meeting in September 2025, the organization has confirmed its return to Denver in 2034 with a projected economic impact of $39M. Denver will welcome approximately 8,000 attendees for the National Education Association convention over the Fourth of July holiday, generating an estimated $20M in economic impact. In addition, the Sales and Services teams conducted 28 site visits during the month for both prospective and confirmed meetings. Tourism Updates – The Tourism team is partnering with Denver Arts & Venues to conduct research on the barriers and motivations that influence suburban residents' attendance at arts and cultural
experiences in downtown Denver. The findings, together with other market studies, will help inform future marketing efforts and create a broader positioning strategy for Denver's arts and culture community. Planning is already underway for the 20th anniversary of Denver Arts Week, which will take place November 6–15. The Tourism team participated in IPW, the nation's largest international inbound travel trade show hosted by U.S. Travel. During the event, the team conducted approximately 100 meetings with key partners across Visit Denver's target international markets. Despite ongoing challenges in the global travel environment, interest in Denver remains strong. Following Denver's successful bid to host IPW 2029, Visit Denver has begun engaging partners throughout Colorado to build support for the event, secure sponsorship commitments, and begin planning for its delivery. Marketing Updates – Recent marketing initiatives, including the campaign promoting Denver as a destination for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which concluded in May, generated nearly 29 million advertising impressions and more than 28,000 website conversions. Visitor monitoring will continue through the conclusion of the tournament in July. The year-round "always on" campaign, which delivers seasonally appropriate advertising to domestic travelers, generated 16.7 million advertising impressions and more than 74,000 website conversions during May. Through May, the campaign generated more than 182,000 room nights and more than $35M in hotel revenue from travelers who viewed the advertisements. In addition, the national summer campaign generated nearly 137 million advertising impressions and more than 201,000 website conversions during May. To date, the campaign has generated nearly 166,000 room nights and approximately $31M in hotel revenue from travelers who viewed the advertisements. The Public Relations team remained active throughout the month, hosting media that included an LGBTQ+ familiarization tour from Mexico, supporting the 25th anniversary of the Denver Sports Commission, and securing media coverage for Denver's wheelchair accessibility and the annual Denver PrideFest. Chair’s Report: Hollie Velasquez Horvath reminded Board members that the next Board of Directors meeting will be held on Friday, August 21, immediately following the annual Board Retreat at Devil's Thumb Ranch. She encouraged Board members who had not yet responded to submit their RSVP by the June 30 deadline. President’s Report: Richard provided an update on Denver's bid to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention, noting that the city is awaiting notification on whether it will advance as one of the finalist locations. He shared that the Tourism Improvement District Board has also discussed ways it would financially support the effort should Denver be selected to move forward. Richard thanked everyone who participated in the 39th Annual Visit Denver Foundation Golf Tournament and announced that the event raised more than $40,000 in scholarship funding.
He also advised Board members that Mayor Mike Johnston is expected to hold a press conference regarding Denver Downton Development Authority funding. Richard then invited City Council President Amanda Sandoval to provide a brief update on the City's current outlook. Amanda shared that flat revenue growth continues to present financial challenges across City departments. She emphasized the importance of tourism and economic development in supporting City revenues and encouraged continued investment in, and support of, downtown Denver. New Business: There was no new business. Adjourned: The meeting was adjourned at 9:29 a.m.
Convention & Tourism Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, July 8th, 2026 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Visit Denver Office & MS Teams
STAFF
Lee Ann Benavidez Kelly Nowlen
Justin Bresler Stephanie Murnan
Flavia Light Matthew Payne
ATTENDEES
Greg Leonard Katie Ross Robert Venus Frank Schultz (V) Wes Allison Albus Brooks David Corsun 12:02 PM
Kate Rizzo Brian Roth Kim Corrigan (V) Tim Wolfe (Guest) Navin Dimond Melanie Mills Dennis Moore ADJOURNED
Murphy Robinson Jorge Sanchez *Beth Gruitch (V)
ABSENT
CALLED TO ORDER
Mary Nguyen Phil Washington Sid Wilson 1:31 PM
MINUTES I.
Co-chairs called the meeting to order and began with introductions
II.
Colorado Tourism Office Annual Presentation - Tim Wolfe Tim Wolfe provided the Colorado Tourism Office annual update, highlighting the organization's three strategic pillars of destination stewardship, economic vitality, and leadership. He explained that the CTO's role extends beyond marketing by helping communities balance visitor experiences with residents' quality of life through stewardship initiatives, statewide data, and strategic planning. Tim showcased the state's new tourism dashboard, which provides county and legislative district level data on tourism spending, tax revenue, jobs, and long term trends to help destinations and policymakers better understand tourism's economic impact. He also highlighted the strong partnership between the Colorado Tourism Office and Visit Denver, including collaboration on international marketing, Michelin, Sundance, new airline routes, data sharing, and preparations for Denver hosting IPW in 2029, the largest international inbound travel trade show in the United States. Tim reviewed the state's current marketing efforts, including new family focused summer campaigns, culinary storytelling, World Cup promotions, and targeted international advertising. He shared that Colorado's winter media campaign achieved the highest return on investment ever recorded by the state's research partner, demonstrating the effectiveness of the state's integrated marketing strategy. He also discussed international tourism trends, noting that while visitation has not fully returned to pre pandemic levels, markets such as Mexico continue to perform well and international travelers remain a critical audience because they stay longer and spend significantly more than domestic visitors. Tim explained that changes in the ski industry, particularly the growth of Epic and Ikon pass products, have shifted competition from destination marketing to product marketing, making statewide destination promotion increasingly important.
Mission Statement: To bring conventions and leisure visitors to Denver for the economic benefit of the city, the community and our partners
Convention & Tourism Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, July 8th, 2026
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Visit Denver Office & MS Teams The presentation concluded with an overview of Colorado's tourism economy and funding challenges. Tim noted that while Denver's hotel performance has remained strong in 2026, statewide occupancy continues to face pressure, particularly in short term rentals. He also highlighted several America 250 | Colorado 150 initiatives, including the Great American State Fair booth, the statewide passport program with United Airlines, and the Colorado 150 drone show series. Finally, Tim discussed the Colorado Tourism Office's proposed 2027 budget reductions, including cuts to media campaigns, international marketing, and grants, explaining that Colorado’s budget is smaller than competitors. Despite these challenges, he emphasized that Colorado continues to maximize its resources through partnerships, data driven decision making, and strategic marketing investments. III.
Denver Sports Commission Updates – Matthew Payne Matthew provided an update on recent and upcoming sporting events, highlighting the successful Transplant Games, which welcomed more than 3,000 participants across multiple venues throughout the metro area. Despite significant operational challenges leading up to the event, everything came together successfully and attendees experienced a seamless event. He also shared that the Rugby Nations Cup at Dick's Sporting Goods Park drew nearly 11,000 attendees, with World Rugby expressing satisfaction with the turnout. The successful event continues to strengthen Denver's relationship with World Rugby as the city pursues future opportunities, including the 2031 Rugby World Cup and another major rugby match planned for next August. Looking ahead, Matthew announced that Denver has received approval to host Premier League Mornings Live, a two day fan festival and live broadcast event that will take place at Union Station in October, with the official announcement expected in August. The event is anticipated to attract between 20,000 and 30,000 attendees, many traveling from outside the region, and will coincide with the Great American Beer Festival, creating another strong opportunity to showcase Denver and drive visitor activity throughout downtown.
IV.
Convention Updates – Lee Ann Benavidez Lee Ann shared that convention sales continue to perform well, with the team closing 105,000 room nights in June and maintaining a strong pipeline of future business. She highlighted the successful National Education Association convention over the Fourth of July, which welcomed approximately 8,000 attendees and generated an estimated 20 million dollars in economic impact. Lee Ann also celebrated securing the American College of Rheumatology for 2031, one of the industry's premier citywide conventions that has never previously met in Denver. The event is expected to generate approximately 28,000 room nights and 50 million dollars in economic impact across its two contracted meetings, demonstrating the value of recent Convention Center improvements that now allow Denver to compete for larger conventions. She also noted an upcoming confidential citywide convention in August that is expected to generate approximately 20,000 room nights and 12 million dollars in economic impact.
Mission Statement: To bring conventions and leisure visitors to Denver for the economic benefit of the city, the community and our partners
Convention & Tourism Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, July 8th, 2026
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Visit Denver Office & MS Teams Looking ahead, Lee Ann acknowledged that 2027 is pacing behind the record convention years of 2025 and 2026 due to the lingering effects of the pandemic on long term booking windows, natural convention rotation patterns, and rising meeting costs. However, lead volume remains exceptionally strong, particularly as other destinations such as Salt Lake City and Dallas undergo major convention center renovations, creating new opportunities for Denver. She also provided an update on the Democratic National Convention bid, noting that Denver remains optimistic following an overwhelmingly positive site visit. The next phase will involve technical advisory meetings with shortlisted cities, continued coordination with hotel partners to finalize room blocks, and discussions around venue operations and security. Lee Ann emphasized that Denver's reputation, compact convention package, and strong collaboration among partners continue to position the city well for future convention business. V.
Marketing Updates – Justin Bresler Justin provided a marketing update and shared that Visit Denver's two primary advertising campaigns continue to perform well. The Always On Travel campaign has generated more than 104 million impressions, 325,000 website conversions, 219,000 room nights, and $43 million in hotel revenue by serving seasonally relevant advertising based on travelers' search behavior. The National Summer campaign has generated 565 million impressions, 737,000 website conversions, 223,000 room nights, and $42 million in hotel revenue, with advertising continuing through September. For the first time, Visit Denver also plans to extend marketing efforts into the fall to capitalize on major events and attractions, including the Denver Art Museum's Diva exhibition, Oktoberfest, the Great American Beer Festival, and other seasonal experiences. Justin also reviewed current travel trends, noting that AAA projects 72.2 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles over the Fourth of July holiday, exceeding last year's record, while nearly half of travelers plan to take a trip within the next three months. Although travelers remain somewhat cautious due to high gas prices and broader financial concerns, higher income households and Baby Boomers continue to drive the strongest travel spending, with Boomers expected to spend four times more than Gen Z travelers while taking a similar number of trips. He also discussed the rapid growth of artificial intelligence in travel planning, with AI usage reaching 52 percent in the second quarter. ChatGPT and Google Gemini continue to lead as travelers increasingly use AI to build itineraries and discover activities. In response, Visit Denver is redesigning its website and content strategy to better support AI search, ensuring Denver remains a trusted source of travel information regardless of where travelers begin their planning journey. Tim Wolfe from the Colorado Tourism Office added that the state is pursuing a similar strategy by updating website content more frequently to improve visibility and credibility within AI search platforms.
VI.
Meeting Adjourned at 1:31pm
Mission Statement: To bring conventions and leisure visitors to Denver for the economic benefit of the city, the community and our partners
Government & Community Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes July 23, 2026 - 8:00 to 9:00 AM via MS Teams STAFF
Patrick Walton
Taylor Shields
Vicki Aycrigg
ATTENDEES
Andrea Albo Brent Fedrizzi Eric Hiraga Nick LeMasters Cindy Parsons
Andy Aye Dorit Fischer Barry Hirschfeld Amie Mayhew Sonia Riggs
Leon Barnes Kourtny Garrett Walter Isenberg Mary Nguyen
ABSENT
J.J. Ament David Coors
Matt Bell Mike Ferrufino
Debra Johnson Council President Amanda Sandoval Sid Wilson
Adeeb Khan Janice Sinden
Rob Cohen Councilmember Chris Hinds Jenn Ridder Al Timothy
GUESTS
Patrick Riley, Denver Department of Finance, Office of Mayor Mike Johnston
Scott Wasserman, Thinking Forward LLC; EatDenver
Lisa Carpenter, Denver Bond Office
CALLED TO ORDER
8:03 A.M.
ADJOURNED
8:58 A.M.
Tim Wolfe
MINUTES Committee Co-Chair Nick LeMasters called the meeting to order at 8:03 A.M. and welcomed committee members and guests. Special Presentation: Nick introduced Patrick Riley, Program Manager at Denver Department of Finance, to provide an overview of the City and County of Denver's $950M Vibrant Denver Bond Program which is a voter-approved initiative consisting of 58 projects focused on transportation and mobility, city facilities, parks and recreation, housing and sheltering, and health and human services. The Bond package was approved by Denver voters in November 2025 and is designed to fund infrastructure and community improvements across all Council districts without increasing taxes. Patrick began by noting that the City has established an aggressive six-year implementation schedule, with all projects targeted for completion by the end of 2031. He discussed the organizational structure created to support the accelerated delivery schedule, including the establishment of the Denver Bond Office. The Office provides centralized program oversight while
coordinating efforts across multiple departments, including Finance, Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI), the Mayor's Office, Denver Arts & Venues (DAV), and the City Attorney's Office. He explained that the City has adopted a "program-first" approach designed to reduce departmental silos, increase accountability, foster innovation, and deliver projects more efficiently than previous bond programs. Patrick provided an overview of the implementation progress and reported that all 58 Bond projects have now been initiated, achieving a key milestone ahead of schedule. He noted that 29 projects have advanced into design, 21 projects are in development, five projects remain in validation, and several have already entered construction. Recent accomplishments include the acquisition of property at 251 East 12th Avenue as the first use of Bond funding dedicated to affordable housing development, the selection of a design team for the Red Rocks Backstage Expansion and Accessibility Improvements project, and the release of a design solicitation for Park Hill Park. Patrick also reported strong public involvement with the Bond Program, including significant traffic to the Vibrant Denver website and high engagement levels with the newsletter. Patrick demonstrated the City's public-facing Vibrant Denver dashboard, which allows residents, businesses, and community stakeholders to track projects by category, location, and implementation phase. He emphasized the City's commitment to transparency and explained that the dashboard was specifically designed to provide easily accessible, up-to-date information on Bond-funded projects and opportunities for public involvement. Patrick highlighted several major projects currently advancing through design and procurement. He provided updates on the Santa Fe Streetscape Project, which will reconstruct Santa Fe Drive through the Arts District with wider sidewalks, landscaping improvements, upgraded lighting, and public art. Construction is expected to begin following the August First Friday Art Walk, with local business access maintained throughout construction. Patrick also discussed the Bridges Over Cherry Creek project, which will replace the 6th Avenue and Lincoln Street bridges while improving pedestrian safety, multimodal connectivity, and emergency vehicle access. Additional updates were provided on the First Responder Training Center, the American Indian Cultural Embassy, and the future Park Hill Park project. Patrick emphasized the City's continued commitment to public engagement and collaborative planning as these projects move forward. During discussion, committee members asked about the City's decision to house the Bond Program within the Department of Finance rather than solely under DOTI, as well as whether recent procurement activity had revealed any significant budget concerns. Patrick responded that project costs generally remain in line with expectations and noted exceptionally strong interest from the design and construction community. He reported that several procurement opportunities have attracted substantially more participation than anticipated, reflecting confidence in the City's implementation strategy and the scale of investment represented by the Bond Program. Committee members commended the City's progress and transparency efforts. Patrick expressed appreciation for the community support received throughout implementation and encouraged stakeholders to remain engaged as projects continue to advance throughout the city.
Special Presentation: Nick welcomed Scott Wasserman from Thinking Forward LLC to provide an update on challenges facing Denver's restaurant industry and share recent research and policy discussions focused on labor costs, employment trends, and potential avenues for relief. Scott explained that his work with restaurant operators, EatDenver, and the Colorado Restaurant Association has centered on identifying and communicating the structural challenges confronting Denver's restaurant sector. Scott shared findings illustrating the challenges currently facing many Denver restaurants, noting that labor costs have become the most significant operating pressure for the industry. He reported that Denver has experienced a decline in restaurant employment while many surrounding communities and markets have continued to grow. Scott also highlighted concerns that rising operating expenses are increasingly outpacing consumers' ability to absorb additional menu price increases. He emphasized that a healthy restaurant industry is critical not only to Denver's visitor economy but also to the vitality of neighborhood business districts throughout the city. Using updated employment and economic data, Scott noted that full-service restaurant employment has struggled to recover following the pandemic, while limited-service restaurant establishments have generally remained more stable. He emphasized that the issue extends beyond individual business closures and impacts employment opportunities, workforce development, and the long-term sustainability of the restaurant sector. Scott focused on Denver's tipped wage structure and the impact of the fixed tip credit on restaurant labor costs and reviewed changes to state and local wage policies over the past two decades. He explained how Denver's higher minimum wage and fixed tip credit have increased labor expenses for restaurant operators. He discussed several policy approaches currently under consideration, including maintaining the current structure, allowing the tip credit to adjust with inflation, and restoring the tip credit to a level that maintains a more consistent relationship between minimum wage requirements and tipped wages. Scott emphasized that discussions among restaurant operators, policymakers, and advocacy organizations remain ongoing and that no single policy option has emerged as a consensus solution. Scott also reviewed several alternative policy concepts that could provide support to restaurant operators should changes to wage policy prove difficult to advance. Potential options discussed included tax credits, targeted relief measures, and other economic development tools intended to help offset operating costs while preserving jobs and maintaining the diversity of Denver's restaurant community. He emphasized the need for continued engagement between industry stakeholders and policymakers to develop practical solutions. During discussion, Sonia Riggs highlighted concerns that rising labor costs are creating wage compression within restaurants and making it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain management-level employees. She noted that while several forms of relief have recently been enacted at the state level, additional measures may be necessary to address the broader economic challenges facing the industry.
Nick observed that restaurant closures have occurred throughout Denver, including in areas that have historically demonstrated strong market performance. Committee members discussed the importance of maintaining a vibrant restaurant sector as a key component of Denver's tourism product and quality of life. Discussion also focused on the political realities surrounding labor policy and the importance of continuing to educate elected officials and community stakeholders about the economic impacts being experienced by restaurant operators. Scott encouraged committee members to help raise awareness of the issue and support efforts to identify meaningful policy solutions. Chair’s Report: Co-Chair Eric Hiraga provided updates on several City policy issues being monitored by the committee. He reported that the proposed large-venue seat tax referral measure previously under consideration by Denver City Council is no longer moving forward and will not appear on the 2026 ballot. Eric thanked those who had participated in advocacy efforts related to the proposal. Eric also reported that Denver City Council has delayed final action on the proposed entertainment licensing ordinance following the recent nightclub shooting. The legislation remains under consideration and Visit Denver staff will continue monitoring the proposal as it advances through the legislative process. New Business: Eric announced that the August GCA Committee meeting will be canceled due to its timing with Board Retreat on August 20 and 21. The committee's next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 24. Adjourned: The meeting adjourned at 8:58 A.M.