Denver proposes $48.8 million health agreement, excludes funding for two services

Denver is proposing a $48,796,698, 12-month agreement with Denver Health and Hospital Authority for 2027, including $30,777,300 for patient care and $18,019,398 for other core and non-core services. The Denver Department of Public Health and Environment requested approval of the agreement, which would cover services for Denver residents and city agencies, according to the ordinance request. Separately, Denver would receive $2,755,503 for services it provides to Denver Health.

The city’s 2027 plan would not restore funding cuts made in 2026 for the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center or Treatment on Demand, a draft committee briefing presentation says. The presentation says both services are expected to continue without city funding.

Jail medical services are outside the proposed agreement and are budgeted under a separate Department of Safety contract, the presentation says. It lists a $5.4 million budget increase for that contract; that is an increase, not the contract’s total amount. The presentation also lists about $115 million in other Denver Health funding through Denver Public Health and Environment appropriations, sales-tax funding and other contracts, separate from the proposed agreement.

City Council’s docket for bill 26-1622 schedules the proposal for Health and Safety Committee consideration on Nov. 4. The agreement has not been adopted.