By Nico Brambila | The Denver Gazette
Longer 911 response times, police surveillance technology and the integrity of Denver’s crime lab drew scrutiny from the Denver City Council on Wednesday, as public safety officials defended their operations and outlined challenges facing their departments.
Officials attributed longer response times in part to a sharp increase in employee leave, saying average leave hours reached 306 in 2025, compared with 170 previously.
The issue, officials said, isn’t just staffing.
“We can’t hire ourselves out of the ability to answer more quickly,” said Andrew Dameron, director of Denver 911.
Councilmembers complained to Public Safety officials, saying they haven’t experienced the improved response times the department is reporting.
“It still is far below what someone in emergency needs,” said Councilmember Flor Alvidrez.
Officials reported that they expect 88% of calls to be answered within 15 seconds next year, up from 85% this year.
That, Alvidrez said, has not been her experience.
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