Denver’s Money Problems

Photo via @dnvrite on Instagram

Denver sales tax revenue $50 million short for the rest of 2025 and $200 million in 2026.

Trump administration may cut $100 to $200 million.

National economic confidence is down and some project a 60 percent chance of recession.

Denver Department of Finance says:

“Given ongoing trends, budget changes in 2026 should be sustainable for multiple years and should not be viewed as temporary,” the Department of Finance stated.

Historically, Denver has invested in major capital projects to keep the economy moving. In the economic slowdown of the late 1980’s, Denver voters supported major bond packages, building a new central library and baseball stadium and, most importantly, moving and building the airport, the entire metro area’s greatest economic generator.

Today, Denver voters have approved a downtown economic development fund and will be asked to OK an $800 million bond package and a women’s soccer stadium.

But Denver also needs to boost its private and entrepreneur sectors. Not easy to do with a hyper-liberal majority on council and some demanding public sector advocates. Of course crime and homelessness are problems the city must address, and it is making progress, but regulation, sales tax increases and mandated wage hikes also leave Denver harder to operate a business in and vulnerable to competing areas and economic downturns.