Denver’s budget crisis has caused layoffs for city workers and has begun affecting services for residents. Now Mayor Mike Johnston and the City Council are negotiating over just how much city services should be cut.

Johnston outlined his budget proposal for 2026 in September, including savings of about $77 million from cuts to contracts, services and supplies.

The need for savings comes from an estimated $200 million budget shortfall for next year caused by slowed revenues and higher costs. In August, the city laid off 169 workers and slashed hundreds of vacant positions to make up for part of that shortfall.

Late last week, the council sent Johnston a letter outlining requested adjustments to that proposal. Under the city’s budget process, he has until Monday to respond.

Here are several budget impacts that Denverites might notice — some of which the council has asked the mayor to change in his proposal.

Parking ticket dispute changes

Denver County Court officials laid off all of its parking magistrates and closed that office in August after Johnston asked the office to reduce its 2026 budget. That means that the only way to dispute parking tickets now is to set an in-person hearing in the Denver County Court.

Previously, residents could dispute parking citations through an online portal or by visiting an office. Residents were able to file online appeals through mid-September until that option was eliminated.

Eleven of the 12 council members who were present during last week’s deliberations about recommended budget changes voted to request that Johnston restore funding for the magistrate positions.

Fewer ballot boxes, polling centers

Clerk and Recorder Paul López has criticized the mayor for proposing a 1.5% cut to his office, representing about a $210,000 decrease, for 2026 compared to its budget this year. He points out that next year’s midterm election and primaries will cost much more to conduct than this fall’s off-year election.

The amount proposed for 2026 would mark a reduction of nearly $4.5 million, or 24%, from the 2024 budget, when there was a presidential election. But the proposed amount is also 3% higher than the clerk’s budget was in 2022, the year of the last midterm election.

Lopez has said that if Johnston’s proposal stands, he will have to close one polling center and eight ballot drop boxes for the 2026 general election. He also said the hiring of fewer staff members would result in slower ballot processing, longer lines and delayed election results.

Ten council members voted to support asking the mayor to add $2.5 million to López’s budget, which would be in addition to $1 million in unspent money from this year’s budget that could roll over.

Reduction in 311 hours

The city’s 311 call center will be available only from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, instead of until 7 p.m., under a proposed cut. The city recently deployed an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot, called “Sunny,” to take residents’ questions or reports, and Johnston says Sunny can fill the gap for 311 during other hours.

Recreation center child care

Denver Parks and Recreation decided recently to discontinue child care services offered at the Carla Madison and Central Park recreation centers.

Stephanie Figueroa, a spokeswoman for the department, said the decision was made independent from the city’s budget situation, but she said the program provided “limited community benefit relative to the costs incurred.”

“The decision aligns with the broader goal to ensure resources are directed toward services and initiatives that deliver the greatest value to our residents,” she wrote in an email.

Rental assistance pauses this year

Johnston’s administration opted to halt the Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance program for the rest of the year as part of his cost-savings proposals, shifting more money to next year. The program provides money to help residents avoid eviction.

The newest additions to Denver Film’s guest list for its 48th annual Film Festival include actors Zoey Deutch and Ben Foster, as well as directors Charlie Polinger and Peggy Ahwesh. 

Deutch will appear in-person on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025 to receiver the Rising Star Award after the screening of her new film Nouvelle Vague. Foster will also appear in-person at the screening of his new film Christy, which is a biographical sports drama about former professional boxer Christy Martin. Foster will receive the Festival’s inaugural Outlaw Award, honoring excellence in antagonistic performances. 

Denver Film previously announced that actors Lucy Liu, Delroy Lindo, and Niecy Nash-Betts would be attending the festival at various times, along with director Gus Van Sant. 

“We are so excited to kick things off this year on Halloween with Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. So, the third installment of the Knives Out films. We’re also going to be having an amazing opening night party at Kirk of Highland. Also spooky themed,” said Matt Campbell, Artistic Director for the Denver Film Festival. 

Denver Film Festival will host a second screening on Halloween night. The Late Night Showcase will feature Primate, an American horror film.

This year’s Centerstage presentation is Is This Thing On? at the Holiday Theater on November 3, 2025. Bradley Cooper directs and stars in the film along with Will Arnett and Laura Dern. 

The Closing Night presentation should be a draw for Broncos fans. It’s the world premiere of Elway, a documentary on legendary Broncos quarterback, John Elway.

“We’ll be going through November 9th, and we’ll be showing over 130 films, a lot of Oscar buzzworthy titles, documentaries, international films, indie films, short films and a lot of panels and creative conversations,” Campbell explained. 

This year, Denver Film Festival will show a series of special retrospective films honoring the film industry artists who’ve recently passed away. 

• Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, in honor of Robert Redford.
• The French Connection, in honor of Gene Hackman.
• Mulholland Drive, in honor of David Lynch
• Something’s Gotta Give, in honor of Diane Keaton
• 3 Women, in honor of Shelley Duvall
• Top Secret!, in honor of Val Kilmer

In order to program the 10-day festival, Campbell watches some 500 movies every year. When asked what is the hidden gem in this year’s lineup, he responded that it’s difficult to pick just one, but then went on to say,

“One of my favorites is The Testament of Anne Lee, so this is a new film by the creative team that did The Brutalist last year. This is about Ann Lee who was the found of the Shaker religious movement. It stars Amanda Seyfried, and it’s a musical. So it’s crazy, over the top, but really fascinating, amazing film making.”

The announcement that the Sundance Film Festival is coming to Boulder is all the buzz in the Colorado film community. Denver Film welcomes the addition. 

“It’s going to be an amazing addition to an already rich ecosystem here for the film industry, and we’re excited to partner with them. It’s just going to raise both of our games as we go forward,” said Kevin Smith, Chief Executive Officer at Denver Film.

LINK: For Information & Tickets to the 48th annual Denver Film Festival 

Denver Film’s 48th Annual Film Festival runs Friday, October 31 – November, 9, 2025 at theaters and venues throughout the city.

A really big dill

Saturday. If pickles are your bread and butter, then you’ll be right at home at WestFax Brewing Co.’s Pickle Fest. The Lakewood brewery will debut its own signature pickle beer alongside a Pickled Bloody Mary seltzer bar, pickle beer flights, and a pickle beer chugging contest. Also attending the party are local companies The Real Dill, The People’s Pickles, Mountain Girl Pickles and Tru Pickles. As if that weren’t enough brine to soak in, Mischief Pizza food truck will also serve a special pickle pizza for one day only.

Pickle Fest comes to WestFax Brewing Co., 6733 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood, on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 2 to 6 p.m. Free to attend. More information at westfaxbrewingcompany.com/events. — Tiney Ricciardi

Drone on!

Friday-Saturday. Drone shows aren’t known for their length, given the limited battery life on most machines. However, promoters for an event called the DroneArt Show are advertising its Friday, Oct. 17, and Saturday, Oct. 18, performances in Dacono as “the longest drone show ever staged.” The spectacle, created with coordinated LED lights from 500 separate drones, recreates images from “The Four Seasons” and “Swan Lake,” accompanied by live string music, to “transform the night sky into a 3D canvas,” producers wrote.

Tickets to the all-ages shows, which take place at 7:30 each night, are $34.90 for the “picnic area” and $42.90 for the grandstand, with a VIP option for $99.90. 4281 Co Road 10 in Dacono. Visit thedroneartshow.com/denver for more information. — John Wenzel