Denver is bracing for layoffs.
- Denver faces a $50M budget shortfall for 2025 & a projected $200M gap for 2026.
- Mayor Mike Johnston blames flat revenue & unsustainable spending for the crisis.
- Johnston announced a hiring freeze effective immediately through Sept. 15, 2025.
- Citywide furloughs will occur in 2025, with fixed dates on Aug. 29 & Nov. 28.
- Up to seven furlough days will be applied to employees based on salary tier.
- Senior cabinet officials, including the mayor, will take the most furlough days.
- Uniformed public safety staff & 911 call takers will not be furloughed.
- Layoffs are expected in 2026, though exact numbers have not been announced.
- Johnston emphasized the need to cut costs, consolidate services, and boost revenue.
- Homelessness & public safety will remain funding priorities despite criticism.
- "The truth is this is hard and it's going to be hard." — Mayor Mike Johnston
- "We have a structural problem we have to solve." — Mayor Mike Johnston
https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/denver-mayor-blames-inflation-slow-revenue-growth-50-million-budget-shortfall-this-year/