Denver council members propose $7.2 million more for rental aid, offset by cuts
Two amendments would add $7.2 million to Denver’s proposed 2027 rental assistance budget, offset by cuts to proposed spending across city departments.
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Three Denver City Council members proposed adding $7,224,038 to Denver’s 2027 budget for Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance, offset by equal cuts to other proposed city spending.
The two Nov. 2 amendments would increase the General Fund transfer to the Affordable Housing Special Revenue Fund and the Department of Housing Stability’s Housing Assistance line. Amendment No. 1 proposes $5.5 million, and Amendment No. 3 proposes $1,724,038. Both are sponsored by Council President Pro Tem Gonzales-Gutierrez and Council members Lewis and Alvidrez.
The amendments list these combined proposed cuts to departments’ Services and Supplies budgets:
| Department | Proposed Services and Supplies cuts, combined |
|---|---|
| Administration | $58,308 |
| Community Planning and Development | $9,810 |
| Denver Economic Development and Opportunity | $3,846 |
| Finance | $201,392 |
| General Services | $733,483 |
| Public Health and Environment | $658,967 |
| Housing Stability | $1,132,755 |
| Parks and Recreation and Cultural Facilities | $125,223 |
| Public Safety | $1,686,932 |
| Technology Services | $697,044 |
| Transportation and Infrastructure | $341,099 |
The amendments also propose cutting $1,575,179 from Technology Services’ Operations budget. Together, the listed cuts match the $7,224,038 proposed for rental assistance. Public Safety has the largest combined Services and Supplies reduction, at about $1.69 million.
Mayor Mike Johnston’s proposed 2027 budget included $4.5 million for rental assistance, The Denver Post reported Oct. 31. If both amendments were adopted, the amount would total $11,724,038, about 2.6 times the mayor’s proposed allocation.
The amendments are proposals, not final budget changes. The Nov. 2 council agenda lists Amendment No. 3 among budget matters but does not state whether either amendment passed.