CLIMATE ACTION PROGRAM

Denver Revised Municipal Code ch. 2, art. XIX, div. 2

in effect

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 2-405 Legislative declaration.

Sec. 2-405. - Legislative declaration. (a) The city council finds, determines, and declares: (1) For nearly twenty (20) years, the city has endeavored to reduce its impact on the environment, conserve natural resources, and protect its residents and thriving business community from the perils of climate change; (2) The damage to people, business continuity, and the natural systems that sustain life caused by climate change demands swift and meaningful action, including steep reductions in fossil fuel consumption and significant improvements in air and water quality; (3) The disproportionate health, social, and economic impacts of climate change is falling on under-resourced communities; (4) The lack of leadership at the national level leaves cities to combat climate change on their own. The city's sustainability accomplishments to date have garnered national attention and respect and with this act the city will propel to the highest ranks of cities developing innovative solutions that address not only climate change, but also improve public health and dismantle racist systems; (5) Dedicated funding for climate action, sustainability, and resiliency will help ensure that future generations will be able to live, work, and thrive in the city without an omnipresent climate crisis; (6) This dedicated funding should maximize investments in under resourced communities, and communities most vulnerable to climate change effects to ensure equity and help these communities prepare for a changing climate through innovative mechanisms such as community-based grants and partnerships with community-based environmental and climate justice organizations; (7) Funds should be expended on the permitted uses listed below while allowing for the flexibility to take advantage of one-time opportunities and catalytic projects but should, over the long term, endeavor to invest fifty (50) percent of the dedicated funds directly in the community with a strong lens toward equity, race and social justice. (b) Therefore, the city council has determined that the question of whether the city shall be authorized to impose a 0.25 percent sales tax for the purposes and in the manner set forth in this ordinance should be submitted to the registered electors of the city at the special municipal election to be conducted in coordination with the state general election on November 3, 2020. (Ord. No. 684-20, § 6, 8-3-20)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 2-406 Permitted uses of revenue in the climate protection fund.

Sec. 2-406. - Permitted uses of revenue in the climate protection fund. (a) All monies derived from the sales and use taxes in the climate protection fund ("fund") must be expended on: (1) Job creation through local workforce training and new careers for under-resourced individuals in renewable and clean energy technology and management of natural resources; (2) Increased investments in solar power, battery storage and other renewable energy technology; (3) Neighborhood-based environmental and climate justice programs; (4) Adaptation and resiliency programs that help vulnerable communities prepare for a changing climate; (5) Programs and services that provide affordable, clean, safe and reliable transportation choices, like walking, biking, transit, electric vehicles, and neighborhood-scale transit; and (6) Upgrade the energy efficiency of homes, offices and industry to reduce their carbon footprint, utility bills, and indoor air pollution. (b) Cap on administrative costs. Monies in the fund may be expended to pay the costs incurred by the city associated directly with the administration of the funds; except that, in no event may the amount expended from the funds for administrative expenses in any year exceed eight (8) percent of the amount of revenue received in the fund in that year. (c) Fund earnings. Any interest earned on the balance of the fund accrues to the fund. (d) Administration of funds. The executive director of the office of climate action, sustainability, and resiliency will manage the fund. (e) Permanency. If the monies in the fund are not expended at the end of the fiscal year, such monies must remain in the fund to be expended in subsequent fiscal years. (f) Maintenance of effort. All monies in the fund must be used in accordance with this section and may not replace nor supplant any general fund appropriations allocated each year to the office of climate action, sustainability, and resiliency. (g) Rulemaking. The executive director of the office of climate action, sustainability, and resiliency may promulgate any rules necessary for the proper administration of the climate action program. (h) Reporting. A report of fund expenditures and performance plan must be submitted annually to the mayor, city council, city auditor, and the sustainability advisory council, or any successor body. (i) Planning. Within one (1) year of the adoption of this division 2 and every five (5) years thereafter, the executive director of the office of climate action, sustainability, and resiliency shall submit a five-year plan to the city council and the sustainability advisory council on the planned revenue uses in the climate protection fund. (Ord. No. 684-20, § 6, 8-3-20)

Source: City and County of Denver, Revised Municipal Code and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/co/denver/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIIREMUCO_CH2AD_ARTXIXOFCLACSURE_DIV2CLACPRFetched: 10/27/2026