Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure has told employees it is “pausing” all discretionary spending — including travel and conferences, computer purchases and training — due to Denver’s budget issues, which the Johnston administration has blamed on the large number of arriving migrants. The city says the arrivals could cost $180 million this year.
According to an email sent last month from DOTI Deputy Manager Earl Jackson to all DOTI employees and obtained via a CBS News Colorado records request, “This is an all-hands-on-deck situation.”
“We will be pausing all discretionary information until additional information is communicated to DOTI,” reads the email.
Jackson informed employees spending is being paused for:
– Travel and conferences
– Uniforms and clothing purchases
– Office supplies, non-vital printing like business cards, computers, monitors and food purchasing
– Trainings and certifications
– Tool and equipment purchasing that is not 100% necessary
– Consultants