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.

47th and Walden in Green Valley Ranch. July 7, 2021.

Denver’s population boom has us building homes in fire-prone areas. Now what?

Architects find themselves weighing wildfire risks and affordability as Denver grows east.

Eddie Woolfolk cheers the groundbreaking of the Charity's House affordable housing building on Welton Street, during a press conference, with her husband, Robert. Jan. 21, 2022.

Five Points is getting a 36-unit affordable housing complex, fulfilling a vision by the couple behind Agape church

The project faced challenges over parking requirements.

The King Soopers on Krameria Street in Montclair. Jan. 21, 2022.

Denverites return (or continue) shopping at King Soopers after strike ends

The parking lots were full of cars instead of picketers.

Prize steer Olaf makes his grand appearance at the Brown Palace Hotel, Jan. 24, 2020. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Things to do in Denver this weekend, Jan. 21-23

Rodeos, beer can golf, and Denver's latest virtual events.

"Metamorphosis: Red" by Morn Chear on display in the show "Tomorrow is a New Day" at the McNichols Building in Civic Center. Jan. 19, 2022.

‘Tomorrow is a New Day’: A new art exhibit at McNichols Center shares a message of hope and healing through the lens of a Cambodian proverb

The art reflects on challenges like physical disability and intergenerational trauma through the lens of a popular Cambodian expression of optimism.

An apartment building near Cheesman Park. May 7, 2020. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Denver metro’s average rent dropped by almost $18 toward the end of 2021. Here’s what you could buy with that

(Not a full tank of gas.)

Cebastian Gomez speaks to his North High School classmates protesting Denver Public Schools' COVID policies at Highland Park. Jan. 20, 2022.

North High School, Thomas Jefferson students walk out over district’s COVID-19 rules

Students are asking the district to provide high-quality masks, weekly testing and better access to remote learning.

The Park Hill Golf Course. Northeast Park Hill, Sept. 23, 2021.

Denver leaders axed Save Open Space from the committee working on the future of the Park Hill Golf Course

“It’s about as subtle as a heart attack,” said SOS Denver member Lisa Calderón.

Garbage and tons of birds atop the active dumping site. Denver Arapahoe Disposal Site, the landfill owned by Denver and operated by Waste Management. Jan. 26, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Paying for trash collection in Denver? The city has started getting serious about the idea.

Monthly fees would start at $9 a month for the smallest bins and up to $21 for the largest.

Fifty years in, Tattered Cover is still having growing pains

For some employees, the bookstore's expansion has meant more work with little reward.

Bannock Street Façade of Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art designed by Jim Olson of Olson Kundig. Featuring Bob Mangold’s 1982 Double Tetrahedralhypersphere No. 41 (mounted at left), and a view into the indoor and outdoor sculpture galleries at Kirkland Museum. Edgar Britton’s Yin and Yang bronze sculpture, 1964, is visible at center.

‘Josef Hoffmann’s Vienna’ brings the work of a modern design pioneer to the Kirkland Museum

The exhibit will highlight the work of the Austrian architect and designer who helped pioneer modern art and design in the 1900s.

A single banana in the produce section of the Safeway at Broadway and Alameda on January 18, 2022.

Safeway and other grocers see bare shelves as King Soopers strike pushes shoppers elsewhere

Supply chain issues aren't helping either.

M. holds his infant daughter in the home he now shares with the Cheverton family. Dec. 22, 2021.

The Afghan refugee crisis is still happening, and it’s spilling into Denver

Gretchen Cheverton has been getting hundreds of desperate messages every single day.

All of the 3,124 wrecks that took place on Denver streets with speed limits 25 miles per hour or lower in 2021, outside of downtown. There were 329 more in the Central Business District and Union Station neighborhoods that year.

Denverite Maps

So how many traffic “accidents” occured on Denver’s neighborhood streets in 2021? This many

Numbers show it's low-key scary to drive, ride or walk in Denver.

Charlie Fleming, AKA Diamond Starr, helps Aeshleigh Sheren learn their way around a wig during Fleming's Drag Teen-Tween Fashion class held in Stanley Marketplace's Factory Fashion. Jan. 13, 2022.

A new drag program at Stanley Marketplace for teens and tweens gives young people a fun, safe space for self expression

“Unfortunately, there’s still a lot of bigotry in this world, and there’s still a lot of kids who are disowned and hurt. Having a safe space to be yourself is just so important.”