(The Center Square) – Denver Mayor Mike Johnston announced cuts to some city services to pay for migrant support and blamed Congress for exacerbating the situation by not passing an immigration bill.
Johnston announced changes to reduce costs at Denver Motor Vehicle offices and the Department of Parks and Recreation during a press conference on Friday. The reductions will save $5 million and Johnston said more cuts will be necessary.
In early January, Johnston alerted the City Council the number of migrants arriving in need of services would cost the city approximately $180 million this year. The city pulled $10 million from a contingency fund and $15 million from a remodeling fund, according to information from Johnston’s office.
“I’m here to talk about the devastating impact of the failure of Republican leadership in Congress this week to pass comprehensive immigration changes and the impact that will have on both city budgets and on services that we can provide for newcomers in the city,” Johnston said to open the press conference.