Denver council member proposes shifting $500,000 from business incentives to STAR
Councilmember Lewis’s proposed 2027 budget amendment would reduce the business-incentive allocation and add the same amount to Denver’s civilian STAR response program.
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Denver City Council member Lewis has proposed shifting $500,000 in the mayor’s proposed 2027 budget from business incentives to the city’s Support Team Assistance Response (STAR) program, which sends civilian teams to certain low-risk calls.
The amendment, item 26-1661, would lower the General Fund transfer to the Business Incentives Special Revenue Fund by $500,000 and make a matching reduction to the Business Incentives line in Denver Economic Development and Opportunity’s budget. It would add $500,000 to the STAR line in the Behavioral Health section of the Department of Public Health and Environment’s budget. The linked reductions are budget adjustments, not two separate $500,000 cuts.
Denver’s proposed 2027 budget describes business incentives as supporting business attraction and expansion, including new investment and relocating or expanding businesses. The city says STAR teams respond to low-risk calls and can provide assessment, crisis intervention, de-escalation, transportation and connections to resources.
As of Oct. 29, the Legistar record listed the amendment as “Agenda Ready” for the Nov. 2 City Council meeting. The council had not yet taken final action, so the reallocation remained a proposal.