A $7 million grant will keep a dedicated team of police officers patrolling downtown Denver through 2027, city officials said.

The funding, approved by the Denver Downtown Development Authority board, continues the city’s Downtown Safety Action Plan, launched in 2025 to increase police presence and expand outreach in the city’s core. The plan created a unit of 10 officers focused on areas around Union Station, the Colorado Convention Center and 16th Street.

Police say the effort is making an impact. Over the past year, they say motor vehicle theft in downtown Denver has dropped 55%. Response rates have increased 64% for open drug use and 167% for shoplifting. Officers have also made 118 warrant arrests and seized 73 illegal weapons.

Officer Siena Riley said when the unit first began patrols, much of the focus was on cleaning up the area. 

“When we first got out there, there was more homelessness and drinking out in public,” Riley said.

Officer John Singapuri said the increased presence has helped bring more stability to the area.

“With the increased police presence, it has helped run things a lot smoother,” he said.

Police say having officers consistently assigned to the downtown area has improved response times and built stronger relationships with businesses.

City officials note that while some crime metrics are improving, increased police visibility can also lead to more incidents being reported.

“There’s a combination of decreasing crime, but also more people feeling comfortable reporting issues,” said Bill Mosher, a consultant to the mayor’s office. “It’s a bit of a double-edged sword.”

Some residents say they’ve noticed the difference.

“It’s been a lot more welcoming and active,” said Haley Mendoza.

Adam Smith, who recently moved back downtown, said, “It’s been a night-and-day difference compared to a couple years ago.”

Officials say maintaining that progress will require continued investment and consistent enforcement.

DENVER (KDVR) – Denver and most of Colorado will see overcast skies Tuesday as some light showers push in later in the day.

Weather today: Mostly cloudy

Clouds will linger over the entire state Tuesday as temperatures are cooler or more seasonal in the lower 60s. Winds will be brisk through a majority of the day, and the area could see a late shower.

Weather tonight: Cloudy skies

A quick shower is possible early in the metro area, but clouds linger all night. Overnight lows will dip into the upper 30s, with a slowing wind.

Winter Weather Advisories go into effect at 6 p.m. Tuesday night and last through 9 p.m. Wednesday. Most of the snow will melt in mountain towns and the snowfall maps below do not account for melting. You have to head above 9,000 feet to really start to see any accumulation.

Looking ahead: Drier end of the week

Wednesday brings better chances for some spotty showers to the metro area as highs stay in the lower 60s. Cloudy skies stick around through mid-week as snow falls in the mountains. That system will clear out overnight and into Thursday with clearing skies through the afternoon. Highs on Thursday will be comfy in the lower 70s.

Friday adds some extra clouds, but the forecast is trending drier and drier for Rockies Opening Day as highs should top out in the middle 50s. Saturday starts a slow warming trend as highs make it to the upper 50s with more sunshine. Sunday is even warmer as highs reach the middle 60s with sunny skies. Monday kicks off the next workweek with sunny skies and highs around 70 degrees.

The NFL league meeting is this week, so we have some comments coming out from Denver Broncos top leadership. We’re going to hone in on one of those from general manager George Paton talking about the team’s wide receiver room. Vote below and we’ll be back by Friday or Saturday with the survey results.

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