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Martin Luther King Park in Denver recently expanded its playground.David Heitz/NewsBreak. (Denver, Colo.) The Denver Parks and Recreation Department asked a City Council committee to approve $9 million in on-call contracts despite council concerns over the practice.

(Denver, Colo.) The Denver City Council will consider passing a proclamation Monday supporting gay men giving blood. "The Food and Drug Administration has updated its policies in recent years but discriminatory deferral policies that categorically restrict donations from men who have sex with men remain in place," the proclamation states.

(Denver, Colo.) No matter where you go in the mile-high city, electric eyes are watching. And despite concerns the cameras unfairly target communities of color, a Denver City Council committee voted Tuesday to add 25 more. Stone security will be paid $1.4 million to maintain 276 HALO cameras throughout the city. HALO stands for High Activity Location Observation.

(Denver, Colo.) Denver's economy is gaining strength as it recovers from the global pandemic, but it remains volatile, a City Council committee heard Monday. The Budget and Policy Committee heard an overview of the city's economy from representatives of the Finance Department. It is the first step in an almost year-long budget process for 2023.

(Denver, Colo.) Regardless of whether you have a permit, it soon may be illegal to carry a concealed gun in city parks and buildings. The ban would apply to buildings leased by the city as well as those owned by the city. The ban also must be followed by those who lease property from the city, such as homeless shelters.

Sarah Lopez and a fellow union member tell the City Council about tax evasion.City and County of Denver/Denver 8. (Denver, Colo.) About two dozen union members showed up Monday at Denver City Council to protest what they say is tax evasion by some companies.

The Denver City Council's finance committee will discuss Tuesday whether to give wage increases to city department heads appointed by the mayor and City Council. The 11 appointed officers are Manager of Community Planning and Development, Manager of Aviation, City Attorney, Manager of Safety, Manager of Transportation and Infrastructure, Manager of Human Services, Manager of Parks and Recreation, Manager of General Services, Manager of Finance, Manager of Public Health and Environment and Director of Excise and License.

Denver awarded the Salvation Army a $788,744 contract Monday to supply shelter and services for up to 20 homeless families through the end of 2023. The money funds the Lambuth Family Center. The center supplies 24-hour shelter to homeless families and plenty of help, including housing-focused case management.

(Denver, Colo.) The Denver City Council will vote Tuesday on a resolution that condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine and supports the Ukrainian people. A Ukrainian organization in America also asks cities nationwide, including Colorado Springs, to denounce their relationships with Russian sister cities.

The Denver Finance and Governance Committee meets with Auditor Timothy O'Brien via Zoom.City and County of Denver. (Denver, Colo.) The Denver City Council still isn't ready to grant the city auditor subpoena power, not even for wage theft investigations.

Margaret Chavez, a pioneer for Denver police women, accepts a proclamation from the city.City and County of Denver/Denver 8. (Denver, Colo.) Several residents criticized a planned diversion center for people experiencing homelessness during public comment Monday at Denver City Council.

Salvation Army Crossroads homeless shelter will remain open at least through 2023. The Salvation Army also will operate a homeless motel.City and County of Denver. (Denver, Colo.) Denver will continue to use the former Rodeway Inn at 4765 Federal Blvd. as a homeless shelter at least through Dec. 31.

(Denver, Colo.) It's crunch time for the Denver City Council's redistricting plan. The council will vote on a new map divvying up their 11 districts Monday. Council members have worked hard in recent weeks to create the new maps. It's a tedious process complicated by an abbreviated timeline.

For the first time since changing rules regarding public comment at meetings, the Denver City Council heard from four newcomers Monday. "I watch your show a lot," said Carrie Murphy as she approached the council. The audience laughed.

(Denver, Colo.) The Denver City Council likely will repeal City Auditor Timothy O'Brien's subpoena power Monday. The council already voted last week to do so. A second vote is needed. Most of the council members say they support the auditor having subpoena power but have privacy concerns.

Chris Hinds explains during a Facebook live chat a dust-up occuring between Candi CdeBaca and the council's other Latina council members.Denver City Coucnil member Chis Hinds. (Denver, Colo.) Denver City Councilmember Chris Hinds joined four City Council colleagues Friday to blast Councilmember Candi CdeBaca for referring to Latina councilmembers as "#MalincheStrong" in an Instagram meme.

This is the City Council redistricting map proposed by Kevin Flynn, known as Map C.City and County of Denver. (Denver, Colo.) Denver City Council member Candi CdeBaca said last week that's it's essential to keep at least one minority-majority council district when redrawing city council boundaries. But white-majority districts elected three of the city's minority council members, council member Kevin Flynn told NewsBreak after the meeting.

Council member Candi CdeBaca discusses Denver's proposed redistricting maps with a constituent via Zoom.YouTube/Zoom/Denver City Council member Candi CdeBaca. (Denver, Colo.) Denver City Council member Candi CdeBaca represents district 9, a council district made up mostly of minorities. But the district could become mostly white under a proposed redistricting plan known as map D.

Jesse Lashawn Parris appears via Zoom Tuesday during the Denver City Council meeting. Parris speaks regularly during public comment period.City and County of Denver/Denver 8. Despite a new rule that pushes repeat speakers to the back of the line, the usual cast of characters dominated the public comment period Tuesday at Denver City Council.

Electronic meetings born of necessity during COVID-19 showed how easy it is to connect virtually. Now, Denver City Council has created a formal policy to allow members to attend council and committee meetings online.