It’s been a busy year for Denver City Council, and as Denverites prepare to ring in the new year, the city will be ringing in a few new ordinances that will take effect in 2025.

Here are the most notable:

Flavored tobacco ban

This is a big one. Denver’s new ban on flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes and flavored vaping products, is set to take effect in early 2025. The measure amends the Denver Municipal Code, making it illegal for any retail tobacco store to “sell, offer for sale, give, barter, deliver or furnish any flavored tobacco product or samples of such products.” The measure was approved by the council by an 11 to 1 vote on Dec. 16, with Mayor Mike Johnston quickly making it official on Dec. 18.

The ban does not apply to the possession or use of flavored tobacco products; it only affects the retail sale of such items. The law will not take effect for 90 days from the date of the mayor’s signature, and enforcement will be delayed to permit the Department of Public Health and Environment to educate businesses and encourage voluntary compliance. More clarity on the matter is expected in 2025.

Minimum wage increase:

Starting Jan. 1, 2025, Denver’s minimum wage will rise to $18.81 per hour, up from $18.29. This increase is part of the city’s existing plan to gradually raise the minimum wage within the City and County of Denver. Food and beverage employers may claim a maximum tip credit of $3.02.

Employers do not need to maintain a contractual relationship with the city, and wage complaints may be anonymous, according to the city. To make a complaint, call 720-913-8050 or visit denvergov.org. 

Minimum parking requirements:

While this matter is still being mulled over in the City Council, a new state law, House Bill 24-1304, looms over Denver’s future ability to enforce minimum parking requirements for certain types of development.

The new state law, effective June 30, 2025, will prevent the city from enforcing or adopting minimum parking requirements for multifamily residential projects, residential adaptive reuse projects, and mixed-use projects with at least 50% residential uses located within a quarter-mile of rail and bus stations with frequent service.

The council got its first look earlier this month at a city plan to streamline parking requirements by repealing parking space minimums within the city zoning code.

Along with easing rules for new construction, the proposed zoning changes would also simplify the process for businesses moving into existing vacant buildings.

The proposal, introduced by city planners in the Dec. 9 Budget and Policy Committee, said the change would save hundreds of hours of staff time, remove barriers to the creation of more affordable housing, and encourage the use of sustainable transportation options.

City officials anticipate a draft of the proposal to be released for review in early spring and returning to the council for consideration before June.