Mayor Mike Johnston Releases 2026 Budget Proposal

Mayor Mike Johnston Releases 2026 Budget Proposal

Published on September 15, 2025

Today, Mayor Mike Johnston submitted the City and County of Denver's proposed 2026 budget to City Council. The $1.66 billion General Fund operating budget represents a 5.8% decrease from the 2025 budget, reflecting the administration's commitment to fiscal responsibility.

The budget was developed through a careful and deliberate process to ensure long-term financial stability while continuing to meet the needs of Denver residents.

"Denver's 2026 budget meets our biggest fiscal challenges since the pandemic and Great Recession by protecting the core public services residents rely on and making local government more efficient," said Mayor Mike Johnston. "We've made real progress in cutting violent crime, reducing street homelessness, and reinvesting in neighborhoods. While slower revenue growth, rising costs, and federal tariffs are creating economic uncertainty for cities across the country, our work to balance the budget allows us to continue delivering results and world-class services for Denverite."

This budget reflects actions to restructure departments, lower personnel costs, and operate more efficiently. Altogether, the city closed the $200 million gap by:

• $77 million - Savings from Services, Supplies, Internal Transfers
• $118 million - Personnel Savings
• $5.7 million - Revenue Additions

Denver City Council budget hearings will be held Sept. 22-26 with final adoption of the 2026 budget in November. For more details on the proposed 2026 budget,read Mayor Johnston's letter to residents, employees, and City Council here.

The full budget book and today's presentation are available at denvergov.org/budget. Watch the press conference here.

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