Westword (Denver): Faced with the increasing spread of the coronavirus, Denver City Council will consider new rules that would allow the council president to cancel a full-body meeting during an emergency.

“It’s a small thing, but we’re just trying to think through all the various possible scenarios,” explains Jolon Clark, Denver City Council president, who adds that council rules never contemplated this type of disease outbreak scenario.

While seemingly minor, the move to allow the council president to cancel meetings in advance shows the high level of concern among Denver’s elected officials about the current situation. “Unlike other legislative branches of government, we meet year-round. We don’t have a recess. Because of that, our system is built more around us being a critical piece of government continuing to operate,” says Clark.

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