Denver Issues Warning Over New Cybersecurity Scam Targeting Residents

Denver Issues Warning Over New Cybersecurity Scam Targeting Residents

Published on January 13, 2026

Denver's Department of Technology Services is issuing a public warning about the increasing prevalence of cybersecurity scams that appear to have come from the City and County of Denver. These scams, which can take many forms, aim to steal personal or financial information.

The city is aware that some residents have recently received an email that appears to have come from the City and County of Denver Community Planning and Development department with the city's logo, requesting payment for outstanding rezoning fees. Technology Services can confirm that the City and County of Denver did not send these emails and [email protected] is not a valid city email address.

"Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using highly personalized tactics to exploit trust," said Merlin Namuth, Denver's Chief Information Security Officer. "We are urging the public to remain vigilant. If an email or message creates a false sense of urgency or asks for sensitive information, pause and verify. Your greatest defense is a moment of hesitation."

Some tips to help protect yourself include:

• Be cautious of suspicious emails, texts, and calls - especially ones that express a sense of urgency or pressure.
• Make sure to check the sender's email address and all URLs to ensure that the communication is coming from the city: denvergov.org.
• Never click on links or open attachments from unknown senders. If you are unsure if the sender is from the city, call 311.
• Be cautious of unsolicited offers, donations, or requests for personal information.
• Use strong, unique passwords for each online account.
• Be mindful of what information you share online.
• Report suspected scams to the appropriate authorities.

The City and County of Denver partners with the national coordinator for critical infrastructure and resilience, the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). If you need further information on cyber security protection, view CISA's blog post on avoiding social engineering and phishing attacks.

• Community Planning & Development
• Press release
• Technology Services