Mayor Mike Johnston has accepted all of Denver City Council’s recent amendments to his 2026 general fund budget. The final general fund budget stands at $1.66 billion, a reduction of roughly $64 million from 2025 spending — which was already cut earlier this year.
The council’s amendments totaled about $8 million in spending, including an additional $2.8 million for the Clerk and Recorder’s Office; $286,000 for the Denver Sheriff Department’s Mental Health and Programs Division; and $500,000 for the Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) program.
There will also be more money for a work program for unhoused people, the Safe Routes to School program, child safety grants, restored funding for the Out of School Time program, and cuts to the council’s own budget to provide additional funding for STAR…