Denver is ramping up efforts to hold owners accountable for some 300 neglected and derelict buildings in the city, with officials proposing a series of remediation steps that could include a fine of $5,000.

The current civil penalty stands at $999. 

That proposed fine could pile up quickly, as each day is considered a separate violation. 

The proposed changes advanced by members of the city’s Land Use, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee included processes for remediation and give the planning department the power to initiate emergency abatements — if a property poses an imminent hazard and require property owners to reimburse the city.

Under the proposal, identified properties would be added to a city registry for tracking and neglected vacant lots would also be subject to the new ordinance.

City planning officials said a majority of the derelict properties are single-family homes, but the city’s list also includes commercial properties and 40 historic properties.

“NADB (neglected and derelict building) properties are a significant burden on city resources and public health and safety,” Senior City Council Aide Maha Lior said. “From 911 calls to 311 calls to council districts, people are breaking into these properties, starting fires and attracting crime.”

Generally, a neglected and derelict building is an unoccupied building that city inspectors have identified as unsafe, a nuisance, habitually in violation of city codes or at least one year behind in property taxes, according to the city’s website.

The city’s current ordinance regarding such properties has not been updated since 2012.

Residents and neighborhood organizations appeared to support the effort.

“Neglected and derelict buildings pose a number of problems, open doors, prostitution, fires, camping, criminal activity, menacing behavior, visible mold, and trash,” said Hilarie Portell, who represents the Colfax Mayfair Business Improvement District. “These things not only threaten nearby communities, (they also) deter customer activity and property values, thereby suppressing sales tax and property tax revenue, not just with that building, but all of them, and all the buildings around it.”

Under the proposal, when the Community Planning and Development Department inspects a building and authorities declare it neglected or derelict, an initial order is issued and the property owner is required to attend a meeting to discuss plans for remediation.

In some cases, property owners would be ordered to secure the property with locks and fences.

A remedial plan would either be approved or issued by the city.

Historical properties would also require buy-in from the Landmark Preservation Commission or the Lower Downtown Design Review Commission. Property owners would then have 10 days to appeal.

If a property owner fails to comply with orders, the city may issue an administrative citation, assessing a civil penalty of up to $5,000, an increase from $999.

Each day a violation exists or continues would be considered a separate violation. Administrative citations could also be appealed.

Penalties would be payable 30 days after a final order is issued. Potential actions to collect unpaid penalties would include criminal prosecution, distraint warrants and receivership.

Last month, the City of Aurora adopted a similar ordinance considered a “last resort measure” that would allow the city to request a receiver to take control of derelict or neglected property and provide the necessary repairs if the manager or owner does not comply.

All costs would then be billed to the property manager.

In Aurora, the property owner would get a notice of violation and be required to submit a remedial plan within 30 days. If an owner does not submit or follow the plan, the issue will be referred to a show cause hearing. The court would then order the appointment of a receiver, if necessary, who would take control of the property and perform the necessary work.

All costs would be assessed against the owner as a property lien.

Once compliance is achieved, the property would be returned to the owner.

Estimates suggest that if the Denver ordinance changes are adopted, they would result in a 30% increase in administrative citations.

Funds from such fees would bring in additional revenue that would go into the city’s general fund.

It would also increase demands on the city’s administrative operations, accounting and neighborhood inspections staff, possibly requiring up to two new full-time employees.

“However, the elephant in the room is the $250 million budget deficit we’re looking at in 2025 and 2026, as well as a citywide hiring freeze, 2026 budget reductions, potential layoffs, and CPD is also undergoing a change of leadership,” Senior Legislative and Policy Aide Ayn Slavis said, referring to Community Planning and Development. “So, there is a collective level of anxiety in the room that shouldn’t be overlooked.”

The city’s Land Use, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted unanimously to advance the proposed ordinance with a first reading expected June 30 before the City Council and a second reading on July 14.

If approved by the City council, the ordinance would take effect on Feb. 1, 2026.

Denver Gazette reporter Kyla Pearce contributed to this article.