December 2025 Employee Newsletter

Check out this month's employee newsletter to stay up-to-date on important news and updates from the Denver Clerk & Recorder (DCR)!

DCR Consolidation Update

We are weeks away from our recording and public trustee colleagues' big move to the DCR building! Some team members are working on a "soft move" to the building this week to set up workspaces and move supplies and equipment. The team will be officially open for in-person services beginning Monday, Dec. 29th!

This move is constituent-focused and will bring all agency operations under one roof, which will save the city money and physical space. This move is expected to help us expand our ability to serve the residents of Denver in the most efficient way possible.

Recording and marriage services will still be appointment-based.

For public-facing staff who may receive questions from the public, we've created a comprehensive talking points document. Please feel free to use this to help answer any questions you may encounter from constituents.

Please contact Sabrina Allie or Casey Sale with any questions.

Save the Date! 2025 DCR Year-End Celebration

Join our office from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11 for a Year-End Celebration hosted by your Employee Engagement Committee along with Clerk López! This year's event will be hosted at Cuba Cuba in the Golden Triangle! Your first tropical cocktail (or mocktail) will be comped and there will be an assortment of Cuban and Caribbean food to enjoy, so come hungry. Prizes will also be awarded for best tropical attire and ugliest holiday sweater!

DCR will reduce operations beginning at 3 p.m. for staff to attend.

Relax in DCR's New Wellness Room

The Employee Engagement Committee has updated the staff wellness room located on the 3rd floor of the DCR Building just north of the Blue Sky conference room. The room is stocked with light snacks and cold bottled water, an aromatherapy assortment, sound machine, a yoga mat, mindfulness cards and other relaxing features for you to enjoy. The room is open to all DCR employees on a first come, first serve basis.

Denver Clerk & Recorder Committees

DCR’s Employee Engagement and JEDI Committees accomplished so much in 2025, and are excited to build from this momentum in 2026. With the new year and our building consolidation, it provides an opportunity to welcome new members from across the agency to join the committees. Committee meetings are hybrid and held once a month.

• The Employee Engagement Committee supports staff connection, feedback, and well-being throughout the year. Their focus in 2025 included hosting three wellness workshops, coordinating the all-staff summer picnic and year-end celebration, launching an internal anonymous staff feedback form, revamping the GOAT award, and supporting the wellness room renovation. In 2026, the committee looks forward to deepening this work as our team comes together under one roof!
  
• The Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusiveness Committee recently completed equity needs assessment with the Office of Social Equity and Innovation (OSEI) and will be using the results to develop a Racial Equity Action Plan for 2026. In 2025, the committee also worked to further define DCR’s JEDI commitment through shared terminology and DCR’s Promise and Purpose statement, as well as coordinate participation in local community marches (Cesar Chavez Day, Juneteenth, and Denver Pride).

If you are interested in joining a committee, please discuss it with your supervisor. Once you receive their approval, send an email to Sonya Ulibarri for more details!

Performance Evaluations Due Next Week

Thank you to supervisors who have already submitted their employee performance evaluations.

If you haven't completed your evaluations yet, now's the time to get them done. You'll find them in your Workday My Tasks. Writing evaluations can be challenging, so visit the Writing Performance Evaluations page on DenverHub for helpful resources, including job aids, performance rating definitions and city values.

Your feedback is valuable to your employees and helps them understand their impact on the team. Be sure to submit your evaluations on time to ensure your second-level approver has enough time to complete their review by Friday, January 2, 2026.

To check the status of evaluations for your team or supervisory organization, use the Team Performance app in Workday. Follow the steps in the View Evaluations in Process job aid.

For technical issues, contact the HR Solutions Center.

Additionally, DCR Senior Leadership is performing agencywide performance calibration this week and supervisors should not finalize employee reviews until after division director approval.

All evaluations must be submitted by Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025.

2026 Performance Goals

Performance goals for 2026 will be due in February, and OHR will be sending out more information in the coming weeks.

Sabrina will be working on goal writing with supervisor teams in January for each division in alignment with our new strategic plan. Supervisors will then review and revise goals with employees at that time.

Agencywide Policies & Procedures

Be sure to attend the January 2026 all-staff meeting, where new agencywide policies and procedures will be unveiled.

Out of Office Message Reminder

If you are taking some well-deserved time off this holiday season, please be sure to put your 'Out Of Office Assistant' on and include an alternate contact for anyone on your team that will be in the office as well as your anticipated date back in office. Here are instructions to set up your notification if you've never done it before:

1. Open Outlook and go to 'File'
   In the top-left corner of the window, click "File"
2. Select "Automatic Replies (Out of Office)"
   A dialog box will open
3. Choose "Send automatic replies"
   To set a specific time range, check "only send during this time range" and select your start and end times
   If you do not set a time range, the automatic reply will remain on until you turn it off manually
4. Write your message
   Use the "Inside My Organization" tab to type the message that will go to colleagues or others within your organization. 
   Use the "Outside My Organization" tab to type a separate message (if desired) for external contacts.
5. Click OK
   Your automatic replies are now active

And the GOAT goes to…

DCR Stockkeeper Phil Barron

This month, the Employee Engagement Committee is proud to recognize Phil Barron, DCR Stockkeeper, as this month's GOAT!

The following was included in Phil's nomination:

"Phil routinely steps in to solve logistical challenges before they impact anyone else, often anticipating needs that others do not see. He supports teams across the Division by ensuring supplies are delivered on time and in the correct quantities, creating a stress free environment during critical election periods. His quiet reliability is a stabilizing force for everyone who depends on him. His consistency and accuracy have kept complex logistics running smoothly for the decades he has worked for DCR."

Please join us in congratulating Phil! 

The Employee Engagement Committee is accepting nominations for outstanding DCR employees! The nomination form is easy to complete!

December "Managing Change" Workshop

In partnership with Optum, DCR will host the final 2025 wellness workshop on the topic of "Managing Change" on Wednesday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The workshop will be delivered in person at DCR in the Grand Mesa conference room (2nd floor) and a virtual link will also be available. A light breakfast will be provided.

Downsizing, re-orgs, mergers, and moves can be unsettling to any worker. Change - especially rapid, stressful change - can be challenging and difficult for even the most resilient employee. Change can also bring opportunities for growth and positive transformation. This program introduces a healthy process for navigating workplace change. 


Calendar invites for this event have been emailed, which acts as your RSVP. If you would like it resent, please contact Sonya Ulibarri.

Let's Celebrate!

Holiday Blood Drive at the Webb Building

The need for blood doesn't take a holiday. Unfortunately, donations often do.

According to Vitalant, blood donations typically drop by more than 20% during the holiday season. General Services and the Denver Security Office are hosting a holiday blood drive on Thursday, Dec. 18. Appointments are encouraged and can be made at Vitalant's donor portal using blood drive code 0346. Walk-ins are also welcome!

Take Your Furlough Hours Before the End of the Year

All employees (except sworn police, fire, sheriff, and certain 911 personnel) who are taking furloughs must complete their hours by Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.

Deaf Culture 101: Holiday Edition

Celebrate the season with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services team at a special holiday Lunch & Learn on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 12 p.m. This free virtual session offers an introduction to Deaf culture, guidance on working effectively with interpreters and practical communication tips for engaging with Deaf and Hard of Hearing community members. To add some festive fun, you will also learn a few holiday-themed ASL signs. Whether you're new to this topic or expanding your skills, register for this webinar to learn, connect, and enjoy the holiday spirit together.

Navigating EDI and Federal Guidance

Since the shift in federal EDI guidance, departments and agencies across the city and state have adapted their practices while staying committed to equity. Join the Office of Social Equity and Innovation on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. for a virtual workshop on how leaders are navigating these changes, aligning with new federal requirements, and advancing equity in their work. Open to all city employees, the workshop includes an overview of best practices, and an expert panel featuring grant managers and state-level HR, EDI, and legal leaders who will share real-world strategies for reporting approaches. For practical insights relevant to anyone working in equity, programs, policy or grants, register today.