DIA’s new digs were supposed to cost $500 million. They cost almost $720 million.

The new light rail station and 519-room Westin hotel were known to be over budget back in 2014. It’s worse now.

Megan Arellano

Jul. 21, 2016, 2:34 p.m.

Denver International Airport and the new Westin hotel. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

The new light rail station and 519-room Westin hotel were known to be over budget back in 2014. Back then, the original budget of $500 million was expected to be as much as $100 million over budget.

Then-auditor Dennis Gallagher said he was “very disturbed” by the news, Colorado Public Radio reported. I suppose he’d be very very disturbed to hear that it’s more like almost $220 million over budget.

The independent audit does not allege any mismanagement. Or as independent contractors BKD LLP put it:

“We make no representation regarding the sufficiency of the procedures described in the attachment to this report for the purpose for which this report has been requested or for any other purpose.”

However, in several instances, payments applications were missing approval signatures of the project manager. In another, the payment amount was adjusted without additional documentation as to why.

May Gantugs clinks glasses with an old friends and two new ones as the Denver Pub Crawl group prepares to leave its first stop at Brother's Bar and Grill in LoDo. Oct. 23, 2020.

‘Common consumption’ in Denver won’t look anything like drinking in New Orleans or Las Vegas — but hey, it’s still sort of mobile boozing

The city's common consumption laws got some tweaks this week.

The Denver Art Museum's new Martin Building is done with its construction phase and has begun its "museum making" stage. Nov 13, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

See the newly renovated Denver Art Museum’s Martin Building in drum roll October

The old North Building is set to open Oct. 24

Ty Bradford waves his pride flag as Denverites gathered at Cheesman Park celebrate Joe Biden's victory in the U.S. presidential election. Nov. 7, 2020.

Denver PrideFest and Juneteenth will both be sort-of in-person this year

The Center on Colfax is also helping the Juneteenth Music Festival put on a Black Pride event – you can weigh in on what that may look like.

An excerpt of a KKK membership ledger, dating to the 1920s, that History Colorado published online in its entirety.

Historic Colorado KKK membership documents, newly published, show white supremacy was rampant in 1920s Denver

There were about 107,000 white men living in Denver in 1920. Documents suggest close to 30,000 of them were registered members of the Ku Klux Klan.

Houses along Mariposa Street on Sept. 1, 2020, in the Lincoln Park neighborhood in Denver. (Esteban L. Hernandez/Denverite)

La Alma Lincoln Park moves closer to becoming the city’s second-ever historic cultural district

It's been quietly in the works for years, but the process is now formally underway after an application was filed.

An RTD bus drives down a freshly-painted bus lane on 17th Avenue downtown. Dec. 13, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

RTD aimed for equity when making pandemic-era cuts, and it got pretty dang close

As the pandemic worsened, the agency made major cuts and changes to more than 100 routes.

The University of Denver at dawn, Feb. 11, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

The University of Denver will require students to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination this fall

The school is considering a similar mandate for faculty and staff.

Quincy Shannon, who led some of last summer's Denver protests in the aftermath of George Floyd's killing, pays his respects at the mural of Floyd by artist Detour on Tuesday.

“The work has just begun”: Derek Chauvin guilty verdict draws reactions from Denverites

Chauvin was found guilty of murdering George Floyd.

Levitt Pavilion at the bottom of Ruby Hill. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Levitt Pavilion returns with a pretty stellar lineup of free concerts

The Ruby Hill Park venue has been shuttered during the pandemic.

A snowy night and slippery conditions on Sheridan Boulevard, Feb. 7, 2020. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Denver weather vs. spring: Snow, ice and slush will give way to sunshine

Just after midnight, the National Weather Service reported 4.8 inches of snow in downtown Denver -- but the sun's out now.

Marijuana grows in The Clinic's warehouse in Denver's Overland neighborhood. March 19, 2021.

Denver legalizes weed delivery (and other things to know about the biggest overhaul ever to the city’s marijuana laws)

City Council passed the biggest changes to the city's marijuana laws since recreational sales began. Mayor Hancock still needs to sign off on the rules, potentially on 4/20.

Snow blankets Denver's Central Park neighborhood. Nov, 24, 2020.

Denver snow: Storm could disrupt commutes, will definitely disrupt belief spring exists

After the snow falls, the Front Range will face near-record low temperatures. Happy April!

The Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site near Eads, Colo.

After past missteps, History Colorado includes Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes in a Sand Creek Massacre exhibit

“We want to be involved in telling the story. We haven't had that and didn't have that in the earlier times."

Nhung Mai gives Demetrio Rodriguez a COVID-19 vaccine at a city-run clinic inside the Barnum Recreation Center. March 10, 2021.

Denver says it wants to help more Latinos get the COVID vaccine. Data shows that’s not happening.

A fraction of Latino residents have gotten an initial shot, while white residents are nearing 75 percent.

Ashira Campbell leads a protest against police brutality through North Capitol Hill. April 17, 2021.

Denverites protest more police killings as they wait for the verdict in Derek Chauvin’s trial

"Honestly, if they let him free all hell's going to break loose."

Restaurant operators say fewer COVID-19 restrictions “didn’t really change all that much” on the first day

The six-foot distancing rule is still a huge limiting factor.

Denver Water workers replace lead pipes leading into a home in Whittier. April 15, 2021.

Why you received an ominous Brita filter in the mail from Denver Water

The short answer is the utility is trying to get the lead out. Here is the medium-sized answer.

The driving space on Santa Fe Drive was recently slimmed in favor of more room to walk and roll by its galleries. April 9, 2021.

Art District on Santa Fe considers resuming First Fridays

With new programming, good weather and improving optimism, businesses and galleries are seeing more foot traffic.

Spring in Civic Center Park, April 20, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Things to do in Denver this weekend, April 16-18

With snow in the forecast, consider watching some movies?

A billboard interrupts the view of University Hills for a few apartments in the DECO apartment building on Colorado Boulevard. April 14, 2021.

Why some people nearly had Garth Brooks staring into their homes on Colorado Boulevard

Instead, they got the Wright brothers.

More Denverite

Denver International Airport and the new Westin hotel. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)