Loophole in DNC permit plan

By Daniel J. Chacon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Originally published 04:22 p.m., March 17, 2008
Updated 04:22 p.m., March 17, 2008

The city of Denver is hoping a phone call will fix a loophole in what was supposed to be a fair process for issuing park and other permits during the Democratic National Convention this August.

City employees are contacting people and organizations that submitted multiple requests for the same event at the same venue or venues on the same day or dates to "voluntarily" withdraw any duplicative requests.

The clock is ticking.

The city plans to hold a blind lottery to handle competing requests at 1 p.m. tomorrow.

The city is making the 11th hour request "to enable all organizations that want to participate an equal opportunity for access," according to a press release.

"We hope organizations that submitted multiple applications to increase their odds of selection will act in good faith – helping to give all who want to participate an equal chance to do so," Katherine Archuleta, a senior adviser to Mayor Hickenlooper, said in the statement.

"Our goal with this process has always been to ensure fair, equitable and transparent distribution of permits and licenses so that we may allow applicants every possible opportunity for free expression and maximum participation in this exciting, historic event," Archuleta said. "The lottery is not the end of this conversation; it is actually the beginning of the application process."

The city received 215 individual permit requests for 204 available permit slots in 12 city-owned venues.

Permit categories include art installation, assembly, expo, festival, picnic/race/walk, and special occasion.

Three-quarters of the requests originated from Colorado-based individuals or organizations.

chacond@RockyMountain News.com or 303-954-5099