Denver police budget set to grow in 2026 as "quality of life" crimes targeted
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Photo illustration: Axios Visuals; Photo: Courtesy of Denver Police Department
Denver police's budget could grow slightly next year as it implements Mayor Mike Johnston's new strategy targeting so-called quality of life crimes.
Why it matters: DPD is the rare city department that's getting slightly meatier in Johnston's bare-bones 2026 budget proposal, reflecting how essential the agency is to the mayor's agenda.
By the numbers: The department's budget would grow 2% to $281 million under the mayor's proposal presented Tuesday in the second day of budget hearings hosted by Denver City Council.
- Pay raises stipulated in the recently approved police department collective bargaining agreement prompted the uptick, city finance department spokesperson Laura Swartz tells us.
State of play: Police Chief Ron Thomas told policymakers on Tuesday he's "comfortable" that the amount proposed for his department would allow his roughly 1,500 uniformed officers to deliver core services.
- The mayor wants to reduce crimes like shoplifting and open air drug use while connecting people arrested for these crimes with treatment programs.
Context: Despite an overall drop in more serious criminal activity, a recent poll of local voters shows public safety is a top issue they want addressed.
Between the lines: Thomas says the agency plans on hiring an additional 168 officers next year, which is in line with past hiring goals — though filling the ranks hasn't been easy.
The intrigue: DPD will also be tasked with pumping more money into city coffers by beefing up speeding and photo radar enforcement, a move projected to add $2.2 million in additional revenue, city documents show.
- Adding more enforcement in areas like school and construction zones, and in busy corridors like Colfax Avenue and Federal Boulevard, will help meet this goal, Thomas says.
What's next: Council will continue hearing other department's spending plans through Friday before hosting a budget proposal workshop next month to make suggestions to the mayor's spending plan.