The Denver City Council on Monday approved $30.2 million in spending during their legislative session, including $20 million to pay for the shelter of immigrants who have arrived in Denver after illegally crossing America’s southern border.

An additional $5.18 million in spending awaits the mayor’s signature.

A separate item that drew the most discussion – and criticism – was the $5 million in grant funding council approved for the Pena Boulevard expansion study. The council previously discussed the study and overall plan to expand the major connection to Denver International Airport.

Ultimately, it passed narrowly and now awaits Mayor Mike Johnston’s approval.

Of note is the manner in which the airport is funded. While most city services are funded by the general fund, the airport has it’s own source of revenue. Part of this is due to Federal Aviation Administration regulations that require money generated by the airport must be used for airport-related services.

Another item that drew conversation last time, but few comments this week, was the acquisition of the old Denver Post Building.

Councilmembers Sarah Parady and Shontel Lewis argued the money could be better spent on addressing root causes of crime, rather than expanding courtroom capacity to prosecute people. The cost to purchase 101 W. Colfax Ave. shall not exceed $90 million, according to city documents.

Like the Pena Boulevard expansion, both measures related to acquiring 101 W. Colfax Ave. await Johnston’s signature.

Notably, the City Council approved $20 million for the continued use of hotels to house immigrants.

Denver recently decided to close four immigrant shelters and officials put out a request to landlords registered with the city for vacant rental properties to accommodate those who have exhausted their vouchers. City officials sent a letter to about 14,000 landlords to inquire with whether they have vacant rental properties for less than $2,000 a month.

Denver has “welcomed” nearly 40,000 immigrants over the past 15 months. Officials decided early in the crisis that the city would assume the responsibility to temporarily house, feed and transport immigrants to their desired destinations.

That decision has cost $59 million and counting.

Despite state and federal grants, Denver taxpayers have assumed the bulk of these costs.

At the height of the latest wave of new arrivals in January, when Denver was sheltering nearly 5,000 immigrants, Johnston initially projected the costs this year could reach up to $180 million and directed city departments to make cuts of up to 15%. The city has since decided to shut down shelters used to temporarily house immigrants, which means Denver is projected to spend $120 million instead of $180 million.   

Last month, Johnston announced $5 million in service cuts to the Department of Motor Vehicles and Department of Parks & Recreation, with more belt tightening expected.

While Denver has not – historically – been a gateway city for immigrants like Chicago and New York City, Colorado’s most populous city has experienced an unprecedented wave of immigrants who illegally crossed at the southern U.S. border.

Lawmakers in these cities, including Denver, have been confronted with the challenge of caring for immigrants and figuring out to pay for costs, even as they grapple with their own domestic crises, notably homelessness and an acute housing shortage.

State and city officials had estimated that seven in 10 immigrants did not intend to stay, but tickets for onward travel suggest that only about half have left Denver for other locations.

Earlier speculation assumed that immigrants were drawn to Denver because of its transportation hub and status as a “sanctuary city.” 

Officials in El Paso, Texas, however, point to – although well intended, they said – Denver’s promise of free shelter and onward travel.

“There’s a pull factor created by this, and the policies in Denver for paying for onward destinations,” Irene Gutiérrez, executive director of El Paso County Community Services in west Texas, has said.

Denver Gazette reporter Nico Brambila and the Associated Press contributed to this article.