Denver Mayor Mike Johnston is blaming slow revenue growth and inflation for a $50 million budget shortfall for the remainder of this year and a $200 million budget shortfall for next year. Johnston spoke to city employees ahead of a scheduled public news conference at 11 a.m. Thursday, where he was expected to announce options amid the budget gap.
CBS News Colorado Investigator Brian Maass has learned that in a meeting with city employees, Johnston said the city has been through some difficult times in the past five years, but that city workers "always showed up."
House Sanctuary Cities Hearing
WASHINGTON, DC- MARCH 5: Denver Mayor Mike Johnston testifies during a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing titled "A Hearing with Sanctuary City Mayors" in Washington, DC on March 5, 2025. Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images
Johnston said "our revenues are flat" and there was zero growth in revenue last year, this year and anticipated zero growth next year.
He said the plan is to decrease costs and look at options to generate revenue with an increase in tax revenue generation.
Could be some bad news for @CityofDenver workers. @denversmayor is expected to tell them about furloughs and other budget issues . His talk starts 9:30 am- I am going to try to live tweet what he says here... so feel free to follow along @cbsnewscolorado pic.twitter.com/2rf6Wu9DOa
— Brian Maass (@Briancbs4) May 22, 2025
Jennifer McRae
Jennifer McRae is a digital media producer for CBS Colorado with more than 25 years of experience in news. Jennifer is part of the digital team recognized for excellence for Best Website several times by the Colorado Broadcasters Association.