City budget - Rocky Mountain Voice

Denver Mayor Johnston walks back raises, braces city for cuts amid $50M budget gap

Facing a shortfall of hundreds of millions of dollars, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston is expected to announce significant cuts to the city’s budget at a news conference this morning.

The city is facing a $50 million gap in this year’s budget, while the projected deficit is $200 million next year, according to sources, who shared information with The Denver Gazette.

The city blames an economic downturn, flat revenues and “growing government costs” as reasons for the deficit, according to sources.

To deal with the shortfall, Johnston is proposing furloughs and a hiring freeze, in addition to limiting discretionary spending and reducing and restructuring contracts.

Denver approves executive pay hikes while facing budget shortfall and reserve drop

Rocky Mountain Voice, Approved, Local, Top Stories / May 14, 2025 / Budget deficit, City budget, City workers, Denver City Council, Denver Mayor, Executive pay, Fiscal Responsibility, Homelessness funding, Migrant spending, Public Spending, Public Trust

A set of salary increases for top Denver officials is drawing criticism, as the city faces continued financial strain and modest pay growth for most employees. The raises are included in the 2025 budget—totaling $1.76 billion—which the Denver City Council approved on November 12, 2024.

On May 6, the City Council’s Finance & Governance Committee approved nearly $500,000 in pay increases for 12 charter-appointed department heads.

These changes are expected to add over $216,000 to general fund expenditures this year, with individual increases ranging from 4% up to an eye-catching 43%. The new salaries are scheduled to take effect on July 1.

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