By Jared Dean | Fox 31
DENVER (KDVR) — About $200 million: That is how much money the city of Denver needed to make up for in the 2026 budget before widespread layoffs last month.
“It already feels like the stuff that’s important isn’t getting funded. So, that makes me wonder, yeah, what stuff is getting shafted,” Denver resident Christian Greene said.
An announcement last month came down from the mayor’s office that 928 would be eliminated. Of those, 171 came from layoffs, and the others were vacant positions. The city made about $100 million in cuts to its budget for next year.
But a tentative deal between the city and leaders and the Denver Police Protective Association to increase police pay for the next three years is one step closer to being finalized. The city council will vote on the proposal on Monday.
The mayor’s office issued a statement:
“The Denver police department continues to develop and deliver on proven strategies that reduce crime, build community, and make our city a more vibrant place to live. Public safety is Mayor Johnston’s top priority, and he is proud to provide fair and negotiated salaries to our city’s police force as part of the department’s overall strategy to attract and retain great officers.”
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