Several residents used Commerce City's public-comment period to press the newly assembled council on development policy and a Memorial Day parade controversy.

Deborah Bullock, introduced by the clerk as the first in-person commenter, congratulated recently elected council members but sharply criticized the council majority since 2019. "Since 2019, the majority on this city council has stalled growth," Bullock said, arguing the council had "dismantled the boards and commissions to put your own people on them" and urging consideration of electoral changes to ensure balanced representation north and south of 96th Avenue.

Reba Drotar, a longtime volunteer and former mayor pro tem, addressed a separate but related concern about the city's Memorial Day parade. Drotar said a council member "brazenly, with her own group, donned shirts with anti Israel slogans on them" and used a Commerce City float in the parade "for her own purpose and gratification," a move Drotar called "despicable" and said had "trampled on the graves of fallen warriors." She urged council action to create policy so "nothing like this ever happens again."

The transcript shows no direct response from the named council member to Drotar's allegation during the public-comment period; other council members later defended civic service and emphasized inclusion.

Why it matters: Residents framed these comments as questions of civic representation and ceremonial respect. The claims include partisan and ethical assertions that the council may choose to address through policy or rules governing parade participation and use of city property.

What was not resolved: The allegation about the parade float and shirts was made during public comment and was not answered on the record in this meeting. The council did not adopt an immediate policy during this session.