Denver Mayor Accused of Political Purge After City Hall Layoffs
By: John Frank | Axios Denver
Some Denver elected officials and laid-off staff are accusing Mayor Mike Johnston of weaponizing budget cuts to punish critics of his administration.
The big picture: Their reproach reflects growing resentment at City Hall toward Johnston, whose governing style has frustrated many city policymakers.
What they're saying: City Clerk and Recorder Paul López on Tuesday suggested this week's layoffs were retaliatory, calling them "part of a deliberate, hand-selected purge of those in the ranks who've … maintained responsibility and transparency in an administration that is neither."
López also blamed job cuts on Johnston's "mishandling" of the city's budget.
Councilmember Stacie Gilmore, a frequent challenger...

