Council's progressive wing takes aim at Denver's sentencing laws

Driving the news: The plan would cap penalties for most low-level offenses, like off-leash dogs and trespassing, at 10 days in jail and a $300 fine.

• More serious crimes, such as assault or domestic violence, could still carry tougher penalties.

The big picture: The city would align local law with state law, ensuring municipal sentences don't exceed state sentences for the same crime.

• Right now, a municipal-only offense in Denver can carry up to a 300-day jail sentence and a $999 fine.

State of play: Council Members Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, Shontel Lewis and Sarah Parady are seeking a council supermajority of nine or more member votes to ensure the measure is veto-proof.

• Parady told Axios Denver on Monday that the mayor's office has participated in discussions on the proposal.

What they're saying: "We have concerns, and we look forward to continuing [to work] with Council to address them together," Johnston's spokesperson Alex Renteria tells us.

Between the lines: At least 75% of people charged in the city's municipal court are at or below the federal poverty line, per the council sponsors' Monday presentation.

• A lengthy sentence can cost someone housing or a job, Parady said, and could impact a person's ability to obtain public benefits like Social Security and SNAP.

The intrigue: Even when judges do not impose the maximum sentence, the threat can push defendants to take plea deals that may not be in their best interest, Lewis added.

• Between September 2023 and September 2025, roughly 500 people were jailed for 10 or more days for municipal-only offenses, per the sponsors' presentation.

What's next: Sponsors want to formally introduce the bill on March 18.