Denver climate office proposes $53.7 million in 2027 spending
The plan includes $38.15 million for operations and $15.54 million for capital projects, plus a separate proposal to move $15.4 million in previously appropriated funds.
Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency proposed $53.69 million in Climate Protection Fund spending for 2027, along with a separate $15.4 million transfer of previously appropriated, unspent dollars and an additional $1 million for equity-focused programs. Officials presented the proposal to City Council at a Sept. 22 budget hearing; the council did not vote on it. Office officials presented the figures to City Council.
The projected $53.69 million consists of $38.15 million for operating expenses and $15.54 million for capital projects. The office said the total matches its projected Climate Protection Fund revenue for 2027. Officials cited municipal-building heating and cooling upgrades, fleet electrification and solar projects among the planned work.
The separate $15.4 million transfer would move previously appropriated, unspent fund dollars into the capital program through a companion ordinance. The office said the fund does not lapse at year’s end and that some unspent money may already be committed to grants, incentives or multiyear projects awaiting invoices.
The office said an improved sales-tax forecast made an additional $1 million available for equity-focused programs. It will decide how to direct the money among its programs; officials did not provide a program-by-program allocation at the hearing.
Council members also asked for more detail on fund balances, disposable-bag-fee revenue and the locations of climate investments. The 2027 proposal includes $2.74 million from the bag-fee fund for fee implementation and recycling and composting work; the office said it would provide an updated revenue projection. For neighborhood investments, members requested maps and area-by-area details on projects such as tree planting, cooling and air-filtration assistance. The office said it would compile the information. Its director said tree and cooling investments had been directed to high-heat neighborhoods and that the city targets 50% of Climate Protection Fund dollars for equity-focused programs, but the office did not provide the requested neighborhood-level breakdown at the hearing.