How furloughs will work for Denver workers
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Starting Sunday, Denver city workers will begin mandatory unpaid furloughs, aimed at saving $10 million this year as the city faces a $250 million budget shortfall.
Why it matters: The furloughs hit the backbone of city operations, levying a financial toll on employees who are already grappling with low morale.
By the numbers: Roughly 9,000 of Denver's 14,000 city employees are affected, city finance department spokesperson Laura Swartz tells us.
- All must take off two unpaid days: Aug. 29 and Nov. 28.
- Workers earning over $61,000 take even more — up to five extra furlough days for mayoral appointees making $150,000 or more.
Zoom in: Mayor Mike Johnston, whose administration proposed the plan, will partake in the furloughs, as will City Clerk and Recorder Paul López.
Yes, but: Public safety personnel like police, firefighters and 911 staff are deemed "exempt," with the mayor last week calling them "mission critical."
Context: Staff who need to take additional time can select the days; Sunday is the first eligible day. Supervisors will then decide when those extra days are taken, Swartz tells us.
The intrigue: Some 1,400 city employees at DIA alone are required to take furlough days, even though their salaries depend on the airport's own fund, not the city's general fund covered by tax dollars.
- DIA CEO Phil Washington said airport workers have "historically stood in solidarity" with city staff, 9News reported.
The bottom line: It remains unclear how furloughs will impact city services.
- But they arrive as notable staff turnover in at least four city agencies — including the mayor's office — requires more attention, per a report out this month from the Auditor's Office.
What's next: The 2026 budget is due by Sept. 15, with layoffs on the table because it will have to be "a lot smaller" than this year's budget, Swartz tells us.