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Denver

Denver is a city in Colorado. It pays for public safety, public works, health and human services and parks. In fiscal year 2024, Denver collected $673.5M in taxes and spent $3,867.0M.

Collected and spent

In fiscal year 2024, Denver collected $673.5M in taxes and spent $3,867.0M.

Collected
$673.5M
Fiscal year 2024 · taxes
Spent
$3,867.0M
Fiscal year 2024

Where the money comes from

Three taxes.

Income tax
$69 a year, a flat charge
Property tax
25.891 mills
Sales tax
4.81%
Source · City and County of Denver, Department of Finance — Tax Guide Topic 61, Denver Occupational Privilege Tax. Read on August 29, 2026.
DetailsDenver Occupational Privilege Tax (employee share) $69.00/year — $5.75/month withheld from each employee earning ≥$500/month in Denver (City tax guide Topic 61, read directly). ASSUMPTION disclosed: ONE covered earner per household (ruled 2026-08-29 #3); a second earner adds another $69. The employer's $4.00/month OPT is a business tax and is not part of this household line. Income-axis fixed-dollar founding case (direction ratified 2026-08-12 #2)
Source · City and County of Denver, Office of the Assessor, Denver 2024 Abstract of Assessment and Summary of Levies — City & County of Denver portion. Read on May 28, 2026.
DetailsDenver 2024 Abstract of Assessment and Summary of Levies — City & County of Denver portion (consolidated city-county; sum of General Fund 9.375 + Bond Principal 4.457 + Bond Interest 2.043 + Social Services 2.433 + Developmentally Disabled 1.013 + Fire Pension 0.977 + Police Pension 1.166 + Capital Maintenance 2.519 + Affordable Housing 0.391 + Library 1.517)
Source · City and County of Denver, Department of Finance, City and County of Denver — 2024 Sales Tax Rate. Read on May 23, 2026.
DetailsCity and County of Denver — 2024 Sales Tax Rate (city portion 4.81%)

Where it goes

Nine service lines.

Public safety
$930.3M
General government
$642.1M
Public works · Capital outlay
$575.1M
Other
$341.8M
Parks and recreation
$337.5M
Public works · Transportation and infrastructure
$336.9M
Debt service · past obligation
$280.6M
Health and human services · Human services
$246.0M
Health and human services · Health
$176.7M

Bars in both tables share one scale. Hatched lines pay for past obligations, not current services.

Source · City and County of Denver FY2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. Read on May 27, 2026.
DetailsCity and County of Denver FY2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report — audited Governmental Funds Statement, Total Governmental Funds column + MD&A tax revenue summary (p. 27). Published by Denver Department of Finance

Who decides

Denver is one combined city and county, run by a Mayor and a 13-member Council. In September the Mayor briefs the Council on revenue plans. In October the Mayor sends a full budget plan. The Council holds a hearing and can amend it in early November. The Mayor can accept or reject changes. The Council can override a rejection with a two-thirds vote. The Council must pass the final budget by late November. 13 City Council seats (11 district + 2 at-large), 4-year terms, 3-consecutive-term limit.

Mike Johnston
Mayor
Term end not published
Re-check by April 6, 2027
Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez
Member, at large
Term end not published
Re-check by April 6, 2027
Amanda P. Sandoval
Member, District 1
Term end not published
Re-check by April 6, 2027
Kevin Flynn
Member, District 2
Term end not published
Re-check by April 6, 2027
Jamie Torres
Member, District 3
Term end not published
Re-check by April 6, 2027
Diana Romero Campbell
Member, District 4
Term end not published
Re-check by April 6, 2027
Amanda Sawyer
Member, District 5
Term end not published
Re-check by April 6, 2027
Paul Kashmann
Member, District 6
Term end not published
Re-check by April 6, 2027
Flor Alvidrez
Member, District 7
Term end not published
Re-check by April 6, 2027
Shontel Lewis
Member, District 8
Term end not published
Re-check by April 6, 2027
Darrell Watson
Member, District 9
Term end not published
Re-check by April 6, 2027
Chris Hinds
Member, District 10
Term end not published
Re-check by April 6, 2027
Stacie Gilmore
Member, District 11
Term end not published
Re-check by April 6, 2027
Source · City and County of Denver, City and County of Denver Charter, Article VII. Read on August 20, 2026.
DetailsCity and County of Denver Charter, Article VII (Budget and Finance), §§7.1.1-7.1.6, 7.2.1

When decisions happen

Denver's budget year matches the calendar year, January through December. In September the Mayor briefs the Council. In October the Mayor submits a full budget. The Council holds a hearing. It can amend the budget through early November. The Council must pass the final budget by late November.

Each yearFiscal year: Jan to Dec. Mayor proposes budget in October; Council adopts by late November
Next electionThe next city general election is April 6, 2027.
Denver's next general election is April 6, 2027.

How to reach it

You can sign up to speak, or send written testimony, on a hearing item through the Council's sign-up form. It opens the Thursday before a hearing and closes that day. Denver 311 handles general city questions. You can also look up your own Council district. Or sign up for the Council's weekly public comment session on any topic.

Sign up to speak or submit written testimony at a Council hearing
Online, through the government's own page
Denver 311 (in-Denver)
Phone
Find Your Council District
Online, through the government's own page
General Public Comment (sign up to testify)
Online, through the government's own page
Source · City and County of Denver, City and County of Denver Charter, Article VII. Read on August 20, 2026.
DetailsCity and County of Denver Charter, Article VII (Budget and Finance) Part 1 (§§7.1.1-7.1.9) and Part 2 (§7.2.1)

Also on this tax bill

A Denver address pays these governments too. Which special districts apply depends on the address.

On every bill in Denver

ColoradoStateDenver County School District 1School districtRegional Transportation DistrictSpecial district

On some bills, depending on the address

Special districts: 4

Westerly Creek Metropolitan DistrictSpecial districtGVR Metropolitan DistrictSpecial districtGateway Regional Metropolitan DistrictSpecial districtEbert Metropolitan DistrictSpecial district

Sources

Collected
City and County of Denver FY2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. Read on May 27, 2026.
DetailsCity and County of Denver FY2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report — audited Governmental Funds Statement, Total Governmental Funds column + MD&A tax revenue summary (p. 27). Published by Denver Department of Finance
Spent
City and County of Denver FY2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. Read on May 27, 2026.
DetailsCity and County of Denver FY2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report — audited Governmental Funds Statement, Total Governmental Funds column + MD&A tax revenue summary (p. 27). Published by Denver Department of Finance
Taxes
City and County of Denver, Department of Finance — Tax Guide Topic 61, Denver Occupational Privilege Tax. Read on August 29, 2026.
DetailsDenver Occupational Privilege Tax (employee share) $69.00/year — $5.75/month withheld from each employee earning ≥$500/month in Denver (City tax guide Topic 61, read directly). ASSUMPTION disclosed: ONE covered earner per household (ruled 2026-08-29 #3); a second earner adds another $69. The employer's $4.00/month OPT is a business tax and is not part of this household line. Income-axis fixed-dollar founding case (direction ratified 2026-08-12 #2)
Taxes
City and County of Denver, Office of the Assessor, Denver 2024 Abstract of Assessment and Summary of Levies — City & County of Denver portion. Read on May 28, 2026.
DetailsDenver 2024 Abstract of Assessment and Summary of Levies — City & County of Denver portion (consolidated city-county; sum of General Fund 9.375 + Bond Principal 4.457 + Bond Interest 2.043 + Social Services 2.433 + Developmentally Disabled 1.013 + Fire Pension 0.977 + Police Pension 1.166 + Capital Maintenance 2.519 + Affordable Housing 0.391 + Library 1.517)
Taxes
City and County of Denver, Department of Finance, City and County of Denver — 2024 Sales Tax Rate. Read on May 23, 2026.
DetailsCity and County of Denver — 2024 Sales Tax Rate (city portion 4.81%)
Who decides
City and County of Denver, City and County of Denver Charter, Article VII. Read on August 20, 2026.
DetailsCity and County of Denver Charter, Article VII (Budget and Finance), §§7.1.1-7.1.6, 7.2.1
When decisions happen
City and County of Denver, City and County of Denver Charter, Article VII. Read on August 20, 2026.
DetailsCity and County of Denver Charter, Article VII (Budget and Finance) Part 1 (§§7.1.1-7.1.9) and Part 2 (§7.2.1)
How to reach it
City and County of Denver, City and County of Denver — General Public Comment. Read on August 20, 2026.
DetailsCity and County of Denver — General Public Comment (Denver City Council Public Input) and 311 City Services
What it does
City and County of Denver FY2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. Read on May 27, 2026.
DetailsCity and County of Denver FY2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report — audited Governmental Funds Statement, Total Governmental Funds column + MD&A tax revenue summary (p. 27). Published by Denver Department of Finance

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