Mayor Johnston’s 2026 Budget Adopted

Mayor Johnston's 2026 Budget Adopted

Published on November 10, 2025

The City and County of Denver today finalized the 2026 budget, which responds to nationwide economic uncertainty by prioritizing core city services alongside a government that functions better and costs less. At $1.66 billion, the 2026 budget represents a near 6% decrease from the previous year and, aside from the pandemic, is the city's most conservative budget in 15 years.

"Our city employees have been working diligently for months to build a budget that protects core services and advances citywide priorities in tough economic times," said Mayor Mike Johnston. "Last week, Denverites voted overwhelmingly to invest in our city's future. This budget helps us advance that vision to build a Denver that is vibrant, affordable, and safe for all."

"Navigating this challenge has tested us all," said Council President Amanda P. Sandoval. "Yet City Council has risen to the occasion, delivering a stronger budget that reflects the community's priorities. I am eager to continue working alongside my colleagues and the administration to serve Denver's residents."

Denver's 2026 budget protects core resident services including public safety, recreation centers, pools, and trash pick-up. It also includes funding for robust, 24-hour cold weather shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness as well as rental support, and streamlines multiple city operations involving priorities such as youth violence prevention and permitting. With this budget's finalization, the city's hiring freeze will lift this week and departments may resume hiring in the coming weeks in accordance with funding appropriated to their agencies.

Highlights of the 2026 budget include:

• $15 million for temporary rent and utility assistance (TRUA) to prevent households who are most at risk of eviction from entering homelessness

• Continued funding for 24/7 cold weather shelter. According to the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative, last winter was the first on record in which no individuals died from cold-weather exposure

• Reduced spending on All in Mile High

• Builds off a historic drop in violence and significant decrease in property crime through prioritizing public safety and keeping Denver Police at current strength

• Improved traffic safety with increased photo enforcement to discourage and punish speeding and reckless driving

• Efficiency improvements to make it easier for small, women-or minority-owned businesses to be certified to work on city contracts

With sales tax revenue declining and most major cities facing budget gaps, Denver took steps to reduce the size of government by cutting costs on tech contracts, consolidating All In Mile High operations, reducing marketing campaigns, and eliminating vacant positions. As a result, the city was able to limit layoffs to roughly 1% of the city's overall workforce.

The 2026 budget is balanced, prioritizes the services residents depend upon, and is built to withstand future economic challenges. It can be read in full at denvergov.org/budget.

• Budget
• Finance
• Mayor
• News