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

Rocky Mountain Voice, 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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Colorado Republicans: Effort to save taxpayers money ‘shredded’ by Democrats this session

Republican lawmakers, who are in the minority at the state Capitol, said they saw little success in their campaign to save residents money this year, as Democrats “shredded” that goal.

At the beginning of the session, Republicans unveiled a series of measures that, they insisted, would save the average Colorado family $4,500 each year.

“We had hopes to make life more affordable,” said Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen of Monument.