Denver City Council

Following its review of Mayor Mike Johnston’s proposed 2027 budget and a series of budget hearings with multiple city agencies, the Denver City Council has submitted several recommendations to the mayor.

You can read the letter here.

Under the City Charter, the City Council holds the responsibility and authority to review, amend, and adopt Denver’s annual budget. This role sures that community voices are represented in decisions about how public dollars are allocated.

The mayor may choose to incorporate, modify, or decline the Council’s recommendations as he prepares the final proposed budget, which is due to the Council on or before October 19, 2026. Once that final budget is submitted, the Council can make formal amendments, which the mayor can accept or veto. Vetoes can be overridden by a vote of nine members.

Key upcoming dates in the budget approval process:

October 19: Deadline for the mayor's final proposed budget.

October 26: The City Council will hold a required public hearing on the final proposed budget. Sign-up to speak or submit written testimony begins on October 22 at 5:00 p.m. and ends on October 26 at 3:00 p.m.

November 2: The last meeting at which the City Council may propose and vote on formal amendments to the final proposed budget.

November 6 at noon: The mayor must decide whether to accept or veto amendments made by the council, if any have been passed.

November 9: The City Council may override any mayoral vetoes at this meeting (9 votes required). It must also pass a final budget on this date. If it does not pass a budget by this date, then the proposed budget, as amended by the council, excluding any vetoes not overridden, becomes the official budget. 

Most City and County of Denver offices will be closed Monday, Oct. 12, 2026 in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. 

Due to the holiday, the Mayor’s Office, City Council offices, Clerk & Recorder, Auditor’s Office and most city agencies will be closed. Partner entities such as Denver Health will remain open Monday, Oct. 12 as will agencies that operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, such as Denver International Airport. Sworn members of the Denver Sheriff, Police and Fire departments and other emergency responders will report for duty Monday, Oct. 12 as well. 

Please see below for specific information on how city functions will be affected during these closures: 

3-1-1 INFORMATION LINE, DENVERGOV.ORG AND DENVER 8 TV

Because the city’s non-emergency information line (3-1-1) will be closed on Monday, Oct. 12, residents can report issues and submit service requests online 24/7 at Denvergov.org by clicking “Report an Issue” or visiting denvergov.org/denver311.

Residents can also ask questions and submit requests at any time using the city’s chatbot, Sunny. Simply text “Hi” to 439311 to start a conversation or connect via WhatsApp at 877-53-SUNNY (8669).

Residents can also stay informed by watching DenverTV, our on-demand streaming platform available on your favorite devices. Visit www.DenverTV.com to watch anytime, anywhere.

ANIMAL SHELTER & ANIMAL PROTECTON

The Denver Animal Shelter will be closed Monday, Oct. 12. The Night Drop kennels will be open and can be accessed to the left of the front doors if a lost pet is found while the shelter is closed. Animal Protection Officers will be available to respond to emergencies through 911.

AUDITOR’S OFFICE

The Auditor’s Office will be closed Monday, Oct. 12.

BUILDING AND ZONING PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS

Building and Zoning permitting will be closed, and no inspections will be scheduled. On other weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Community Planning and Development public counter is available for walk-in or appointments for customers who would like to meet with staff in person to discuss building or zoning code questions. Permits are no longer issued at the counter. All projects applying for permits must use e-permits.

CITY COUNCIL

All Denver City Council offices will be closed on Monday, Oct. 12. The regular City Council meeting and General Public Comment will be moved to Tuesday, October 13, at their regular times.

CITY-OWNED GOLF FACILITIES

Golf courses will be open Monday, Oct. 12, weather permitting.

CLERK & RECORDER

Denver Clerk & Recorder – including the City Clerk, Elections, Public Trustee and Recording – will be closed Monday, Oct. 12.

COURTS

All state courts including juvenile, district and probate courts, and the Denver County Court will be closed Monday, Oct. 12.

DENVER ARTS & VENUES

The Trading Post, Visitor Center and outdoor spaces at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre will remain open. Scheduled events at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, as well as Denver Public Art, will not be affected by the holiday. The McNichols Civic Center Building is currently closed for a revitalization project.

DENVER MOTOR VEHICLE TITLE AND REGISTRATION

Denver Motor Vehicle Title and Registration will be closed Monday, Oct. 12. Many residents can complete their DMV needs online or through self-serve kiosk locations around the state. For more information, visit the Denver Motor Vehicle website.

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING STABILITY

The Department of Housing Stability will be closed Monday, Oct. 12.

DENVER HuMAN SERVICES

Denver Human Services will be closed Monday, Oct. 12, however child and adult protection emergency response teams and telephone hotlines will be taking and responding to reports. To report suspected child abuse or neglect, or the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an at-risk adult in Denver, call the Denver County Child Welfare and Adult Protective Services hotline at 720-944-3000. To report suspected child abuse outside of Denver, contact the statewide hotline1-844-CO-4-KIDS (1-844-264-5437). To file a mandatory report of suspected elder abuse for an adult 70 years and older or the abuse, neglect or exploitation of an adult with an intellectual or developmental disability, call the Denver Police Department at 720-913-2000.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE PERMIT COUNTERS

DOTI right of way permitting operations will be closed Monday, Oct. 12. To apply for a right of way permit, visit Denver’s online permitting and licensing center at: denvergov.org/AccelaCitizenAccess.

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING & CONSUMER PROTECTION

The Department of Licensing & Consumer Protection’s customer service counters and offices will be closed Monday, Oct. 12. To avoid any wait, customers are encouraged to schedule an appointment or submit an application via email or the online portal. Learn more about submitting an application via email. Customers can also check the status of their license application here.

HUMAN RIGHTS & COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

Denver Human Rights & Community Partnerships will be closed Monday, Oct. 12. To file a discrimination complaint, request or ask questions about disability accommodations, deaf, hard or hearing, or DeafBlind services, language translation and interpreting assistance, access free financial coaching, and connect with programs and services for older adults, visit www.denvergov.org/hrcp or leave a voicemail at 720-913-8450. HRCP will address requests and questions in the order they were received the following business day.

LIBRARIES

All Denver Public Library locations will be closed Monday, Oct. 12. Residents can still use many of the library's resources even when the buildings are closed. The Denver Public Library - Central Library will be opening its Voting Service Polling Center on Monday, Oct. 12 and will be open from 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. It will be located inside the Park View Room. It will be the main VSPC in Denver this year and the first to open for the 2026 General Election in November.

OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will be closed Monday, Oct. 12. The on-call duty officer will maintain an on-going situational awareness around all activities in Denver over the holiday weekend.

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES TALENT ACQUISITION NEW HIRE ONBOARDING AND I-9 ASSISTANCE

The Office of Human Resources will be closed Monday, Oct. 12. Applicants will still be able to search and apply for open positions at SeeYourselfHere.org. New Hire Onboarding and I-9  assistance will resume Tuesday, Oct. 13.

DENVER DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

DDPHE offices, including the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner, will be closed to the public Monday, Oct. 12. Office of the Medical Examiner Office staff will be available to respond to emergencies.

PARKING

Parking meters are free on Sundays and on recognized city holidays, and will be free Monday, Oct. 12. Drivers are reminded to observe the time restrictions posted. To request residential parking permits or to pay parking citations online: denvergov.org/parking.

RECREATION CENTERS

All Denver Recreation Centers will be closed Monday, Oct. 12.

TAXPAYER SERVICE CENTER

The Taxpayer Service Center will be closed Monday, Oct. 12. Online and mail transactions remain available seven days a week. Online services are available for: 

• Excise tax transactions (Sales, Use, Lodgers, OPT, TBT, E911, TID) including account registration, tax return filing, and tax return payments at denvergov.org/ebiztax.
• Real estate property taxes or business personal property tax payments can also be made at denvergov.org/property

For questions about property, business or other tax obligations, or to pay taxes online, visit the Taxpayer Services website.

TRASH, RECYCLING & COMPOST COLLECTION

Denver Solid Waste Management will be working Monday, Oct. 12. Place your carts out for collection on your regular day of service.

VEHICLE IMPOUND FACILITY

The Vehicle Impound Facility, 5160 York St., will be closed on Monday, Oct. 12.

VITAL RECORDS (BIRTH & DEATH CERTIFICATES)

The Denver Vital Records office will be closed Monday, Oct. 12. Orders for birth and death certificates may be placed online.

WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT

The Wastewater Management Building, 2000 W. 3rd Ave. will be closed Monday, Oct. 12.

WORKFORCE CENTERS

All Denver Workforce Centers will be closed Monday, Oct. 12. Call 720-337-WORK or email workforce@denvergov.org. The city’s online hiring system will be available at denvergov.org/jobs. For online resources for jobseekers, visit denvergov.org/workforce.

See the Weekly Schedule Summary

Monday, October 12, is Indigenous Peoples' Day and all City Council offices are closed. The regular City Council meeting and General Public Comment Session will be on Tuesday, October 13, at their regular times. 

Public Hearings

The following public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at 1437 Bannock Street, 4th floor. Find out how to participate in public hearings. 

• 26-1252: an ordinance changing the zoning classification for 76 North Hazel Court, 80-90 North Yates Street, and 4519 West 3rd Avenue in Barnum and Barnum West. 

Audiencias públicas

La siguiente audiencia pública está programada para el martes 13 de octubre a las 5:30 p. m. en la Cámara del Concejo Municipal en 1437 Bannock Street, cuarto piso. Averigua cómo puedes participar en las audiencias públicas.

• 26-1252: una ordenanza que cambia la clasificación de zonificación para 76 North Hazel Court, 80-90 North Yates Street y 4519 West 3rd Avenue en los vecindarios de Barnum y Barnum West.

Denver, August 5, 2026 -- Following the resignation of former At-large Council member Sarah Parady, the Denver City Council today passed a resolution officially declaring the seat vacant, and setting a special election for November 3, to coincide with the General Election. This election will fill the seat for the remainder of the term, which ends in July 2027.

• Residents should continue to call 311 or use the online service, Sunny, at denvergov.org for all city service issues and concerns.

• Residents are encouraged to contact their district's Council member or the other at-large member, Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, with questions or district concerns. Contact information for all Council members can be found here.

• For details about the November election, the April 2027 Municipal Election, voter services, and campaign or candidate resources, please visit the Denver Clerk and Recorder’s Elections Division.

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