It was a year of big goals on a tight budget for the Mile High City, where Mayor Mike Johnston’s announcement of a $200 million city budget deficit dominated the news coverage.
Facing a $50 million gap in its 2025 budget and a projected $200 million in 2026, Johnston announced plans to tighten the city’s belt in May, with the mayor breaking the bad news to residents and city staffers to brace for budget cuts, furloughs, layoffs, and hiring freezes.
The announcement triggered blowback from residents and councilmembers…