City Budget

Budgets are about turning values into action. The city's 2026 budget takes on Denver’s most significant fiscal challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic and Great Recession with clarity, courage, and a commitment to the people of Denver. It was crafted on four core principles: protect core city services, maintain focus on city priorities and goals, prioritize equity across communities, and minimize impact to employees.

With these values in mind, Denver's 2026 budget reflects meaningful opportunities to make government work better. It streamlines services, reduces administrative overhead, and reduces costs through restructuring. Given lower revenue trends, this budget is focused on smart stewardship of our fiscal health – ensuring Denver is not only prepared for today, but well-positioned to thrive in the years ahead.

Budget Highlights(PDF, 202KB)

Mayor Johnston's November 7th Response to Denver City Council

Mayor’s 2026 Proposed Budget – October Revision

What is the Budget?

The budget provides detailed information about the City and County of Denver's estimated revenues and expenditures (spending) for the next year and serves as a work plan for the city and its departments, including a framework for setting priorities, strategic initiatives, and performance. The city's operating budget is known as the General Fund. These are some of its highlights:

2026 General Fund Revenue Expected to Decrease

Following several years of softening revenue, 2026 revenue is expected to total $1.66 billion.

2026 General Fund Expenditures to Decrease by 5.8%

In 2026, expenditures in the city’s operating budget are projected to decrease by 5.8% from 2025, to $1.66 billion.

2026 General Fund Staffing

After more than a decade of significant personnel growth within the city, full-time equivalents (FTEs) in the General Fund will decrease for the second year in a row. While this decrease is partly due to restructuring how some positions are funded, most of the decrease comes from eliminating positions.

Sales and Property Tax Revenue

Sales and use tax is approximately 56% of the city’s operating revenue. Property tax is approximately 12%. Licenses, permits, and fees add another 11%. The full list of revenue sources can be found in the budget. 

2025 Adopted Budget (PDF)

Read the 2025 Adopted Budget document, as revised on October 21, 2024, and adopted November 12, 2024.

Checkbook

See detailed information about city expenditures broken down by payees, department, and more.

Denver Budget Archives

Review city budgets from previous years.