Denver Mayor Vetoes Controversial Syringe Exchange Measure, Defying City Council’s Vote

Race Day Live (Denver, CO) – Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has vetoed legislation that would relax limitations on syringe exchange locations, a day after it was approved by city council.

The proposal, which failed 8-5 on Monday, would have lifted the city’s cap of three exchange sites and eliminated the requirement that the facilities be more least 1,000 feet away from schools and daycares.

In a letter to the city council, Johnston raised two reservations about the plan. First, he was concerned that it would allow for an endless number of needle exchange programs. Second, he argued there was no reason to change the distance requirement. Johnston described the plan as “the wrong solution at the wrong time.” He stated that he supports the program as it now operates.

Advocates described the proposal as a significant step in addressing the city’s overdose issue.

“The number one criteria for people getting into recovery is being alive, and that’s what places like the Harm Reduction Action Center do,” said Jason Vitello of the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition.

Vitello also attacked the present rules, which were implemented in 1997, as being antiquated and impeding effective public health responses.

“Both of these requirements were put in place in 1997. They are outdated, and they’re really hindering Denver’s ability to respond to the overdose crisis,” he said.

However, not all council members approved the change. Councilmember Kevin Flynn was one of five who voted against the motion, citing concerns over the elimination of distance regulations near schools and daycare centers. Flynn also voiced concern that the decision may have an impact on how the city handles supervised injection sites if they become legal in the state.

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“I can’t leave office voting to eliminate the 1,000-foot requirement for the needle exchange, knowing that when I’m gone from office that may become the site, if the legislature ever allows an injection or use site. I don’t want that in the city at all, but I certainly don’t want it within 1,000 feet of a school,” Flynn said.

Flynn underlined that, while he supports needle exchange programs, he feels proximity regulations should be kept in place to address community concerns.

However, proponents say that syringe exchange centers promote public safety.

The Harm Reduction Action Center issued a statement following the mayor’s veto, saying in part, “We mourn the lives lost to preventable overdose and infectious disease in Denver—and the countless more at risk—because the mayor overrode the City Council and ignored the recommendation of his own Public Health Department and the Public Health Institute at Denver Health by vetoing this ordinance.”

The mayor has five days to sign or veto the ordinance. Proponents presently lack the necessary votes to override a veto.

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