Taxpayer-supported commissions must be accountable to the people they represent. When commissioners act in ways that violate public trust and community standards, it is both the right and responsibility of residents to demand corrective action.

Despite numerous letters and documented concerns submitted to the Mayor’s Office and the Human Rights and Community Partnerships (HRCP) Department regarding commissioner behavior, violations of bylaws, and questionable decision-making processes, there has been no response or corrective action from city officials.

The Denver American Indian Commission (DAIC), established to serve the public interest and elevate Native voices, has instead become an example of a broader failure in city oversight. Meetings and procedures appear to operate without transparency, consistency, or accountability, with decisions often made based on convenience or personal interest rather than public good.

Meanwhile, the commission’s leadership has repeatedly ignored legitimate community concerns, dismissing those who raise them and deepening public distrust. This erosion of integrity within a taxpayer-funded body undermines the very principles of equity and representation that Denver claims to uphold.

Basis for this Petition

Our request arises from documented concerns regarding residency, conduct, and ongoing patterns of behavior that have damaged public confidence and undermined the Commission’s stated mission to serve and uplift Native peoples in Denver.

• Residency Violations: Neither Ms. Burch nor Ms. Foster currently reside within the City and County of Denver. While they may occasionally work within Denver, their primary residences and daily activities occur outside city boundaries. Representation on the Denver American Indian Commission must prioritize those who live and serve within the community they are meant to represent.
• Behavior and Conduct: Over multiple meetings and public events, Ms. Burch, Ms. Foster, and Mr. Allen have exhibited conduct that has disrespected elders, created hostile and divisive environments, and failed to reflect the cultural humility and accountability expected of commissioners.
• Ms. Burch and Ms. Foster have repeatedly used their position to silence or intimidate others, and when confronted, have responded with deflection and refusal to engage in restorative action, further eroding trust and transparency.
• Mr. Allen has made multiple public statements and accusations that are false, defamatory, and damaging to community relationships. At a TREC Commission presentation, he publicly accused community elder Rick Williams of financial misconduct, an unfounded and defamatory claim. At a public event in Boulder, he identified himself as a DAIC representative misrepresenting the Commission’s role and misleading the public. He has also made additional unsubstantiated personal attacks on community members while acting in his official capacity.

These behaviors, documented and witnessed across multiple forums, reflect serious lapses in professional integrity and are incompatible with the responsibilities of serving on a city commission.

• Broader Pattern of Harm: These behaviors have been reported not only within the DAIC but also in other Native and LGBTQ community circles, indicating a broader pattern inconsistent with values of inclusion, respect, and cultural responsibility.

Failure of Oversight

Despite repeated reports and documentation, the Human Rights and Community Partnerships (HRCP) office has failed to take corrective action or even acknowledge the concerns raised. Instead, HRCP’s recent behind-closed-doors decision to remove other commissioners rather than address the underlying misconduct demonstrates a pattern of administrative avoidance that prioritizes convenience over accountability.

This lack of oversight has eroded public confidence not only in the DAIC but across the City’s broader network of mayor-appointed commissions. The absence of any grievance process or ethical review mechanism leaves citizens without recourse when commissioners abuse their authority or act in bad faith.

Our Demands

We therefore respectfully demand that the City and County of Denver:

1. Immediately remove Trennie Burch, Nicole Foster, and Thomas Allen from the Denver American Indian Commission.
   Appoint an interim community advisory council composed of respected elders, Native leaders, and grassroots advocates to guide the rebuilding of the Commission’s framework and ensure authentic representation.
2. Develop new appointment and policy procedures through open community consultation, not closed-door HRCP decisions.
3. Establish an independent oversight and grievance mechanism for all City and County of Denver commissions to ensure transparency, enforce residency and ethics requirements, and restore public confidence in municipal governance.

Closing Statement

Denver’s Native community, and all residents deserve public bodies that operate with honesty, transparency, and accountability. The Denver American Indian Commission must reflect these values in both membership and conduct.

We call upon Mayor Mike Johnston, HRCP Executive Director Kiera Sandoval, and the Denver City Council to act swiftly to restore integrity, fairness, and community trust in this vital civic institution.

Signed,
Members of the Denver Native Community and Concerned Residents of Colorado