The Denver City Council on Tuesday night unanimously approved Mayor Mike Johnston’s $1.76 billion spending plan, which a 0.6% increase in spending over last year.

The general fund is the largest of the city’s operating funds. It includes all resources not restricted legally to a specific use and funds approximately 35 agencies, which provide more than 200 services and programs. The general fund, which supports core government services, is primarily funded through the following sources:

• Sales and Use Tax: $951 million, approximately 55% of the city’s operating revenue.

• Property Tax: $189 million, approximately 11%.

• Licenses, Permits, and Fees: $144 million, approximately 9%.

“As we navigate one of the tightest budgets of the last decade and a significant drop in federal funding, I’m committed to working together to deliver a balanced budget that protects the vital city services residents deserve,” Johnston said. “Members of City Council have provided thoughtful feedback on the 2025 budget proposal, and we are proud to include millions in additional funding for key programs that will build a more vibrant, more affordable, and safer Denver.

Here are a few highlights of the mayor’s new budget:

• $60 million to create and preserve 1,400 “affordable” homes, with additional investments in rapid rehousing and project-based vouchers to create housing for 3,000 households

• $58 million toward economic development, including workforce development and support for local entrepreneurs, minority-owned businesses, and small businesses

• $23 million for temporary rent and utility assistance (TRUA) to prevent households who are most at risk of eviction from becoming homeless, and $2 million to provide residents with legal defense services in the event of an eviction

• $15 million toward programs like STAR (Support Team Assisted Response), co-responders, the Behavioral Health Solutions Center, and Roads to Recovery, which provide interventions to people in crisis; and, $12 million toward recruiting and training new first responders and officers

• $13 million toward electric city fleet vehicles and new EV charging infrastructure for both city fleet and public locations

• $10 million toward programs for Denver kids, including affordable childcare, afterschool programming, and youth violence prevention

• And reduced spending on the city’s major homelessness initiative and its response to the illegal immigration crisis 

Agency Allocations

Below is a breakdown of the budget allocation by agency and the percentage of change from 2024 to 2025.

• General Administration, $72 million (increase of 9%)

• Community Planning and Development, $42 million (decrease of 2.3%)

• Economic Development, $11 million (increase of 11.8%)

• Finance, $118.9 million (increase of 5.91%)

• General Services, $72.9 million (increase of 6.2%)

• Public Health and Environment, $81.6 million (increase of 5.8%)

• Housing Stability, $7.71 million (increase of 32.5%)

• Independent Agencies, $157.7 million (increase of 1.3%)

• Parks and Rec and Cultural Facilities, $158 million (decrease of 0.17%)

• Public Safety, $643.6 million (increase of 0.78%)

• Technology, $108.5 million (increase of 6.67%)

• Transportation and Infrastructure, $135 million (increase of 5.4%)

• General Fund Transfers, $78.4 million (decrease of 43.5%)

The city/s 2025 budget can be found here: https://www.denvergov.org/files/assets/public/v/1/finance/documents/budget/2025/october-revised_mayors-2025-proposed-budget_10-21-24.pdf.