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.

An algal bloom in City Park's Duck Lake. July 1, 2022.

Toxic algae: Another reason to keep your dog (and kid) on a leash this summer

Duck Lake has the city's only bloom, for now, but these things appear quickly.

Gov. Jared Polis holds a press conference on COVID-19 at the Governor's Mansion in Capitol Hill. Nov. 17, 2020.

Denver and other cities are suing Gov. Jared Polis over taxes and power

Here's why.

Construction in Southmoor Park. June 10, 2022.

Developers flooded Denver with concept plans, racing the clock on new affordable housing rules

The city planning department received five times more proposals than usual in June.

Lil Mama, a Pit Bull Terrier mix, is up for adoption.

Fees and misinformation are slowing down pit bull permitting, but a grant may help the process

Since the program began, 364 permits have been issued and 167 pit bulls have been adopted.

The Symes building at 820 16th Street downtown. June 30, 2022.

These office buildings in the heart of Denver may be converted into apartments

The process is neither easy nor cheap.

Sir Bruan gallops with a sword during the Colorado Renaissance Festival in Larkspur. July 4, 2021.

Things to do in Denver this weekend, July 1-4

Independence Day stuff, Renaissance stuff, art stuff ... all the stuff!

Johnson and Wales University, South Park Hill. June 25, 2020. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Here’s the latest on the historic Johnson and Wales University campus in South Park Hill

For one, it has a new name.

Deep Badhesha (left to right), Elisabeth Epps, Kate McElwain and Javier Mabrey celebrate Epps' Statehouse primary win at Stoney's on Lincoln Street. June 30, 2022.

March concedes race, Epps wins House District 6 primary

Epps took an even larger lead Thursday night, defeating March by 8,982 to 7,957.

The Theo and Milo apartment buildings at 9th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. Oct. 14, 2021.

Denver ranks as the 16th most expensive rental market in the U.S.

Median one-bedroom rent is $1,760 and two-bedroom rent is $2,280, according to Zumper's latest rent report.

The Colorado Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon holds the Stanley Cup above his head during a parade celebrating the team's win. June 30, 2022.

Party Time! The Colorado Avalanche parade, rally and fun

Photos and recap from the days festivities incase you missed it or just want to see it all again.

Anna Burrell is running for mayor with an eye on sustainability and an ear for ‘normal people’

“We need people who are normal people to run for office and be in office."

House District 6 Democratic primary candidates Elisabeth Epps (left) and Katie March.

With Day 2 results in, Elisabeth Epps takes the lead in House District 6 race

Epps leads the race by 373 votes after trailing by 34 Tuesday night, but there are no clear winners yet.

Avalanche fans go nuts after a goal during a Stanley Cup game five watch party on the Auraria Campus. June 24, 2022.

Heading to the Avalanche celebration parade? Here’s how to avoid spending the whole day in traffic

Parking will be extremely limited, so you might want to consider public transit options.

An encampment sweep on California Street in Five Points. July 1, 2021.

Denver expands its housing-first service model to 125 unhoused people

Colorado Coalition of the Homeless head John Parvensky has seen the city study the housing-first model for twenty years and says it's obvious it works. He says it's time to quit studying and invest more.

Hank Murphy and Deedee cast a ballot for the November, 2020 election outside of the Carla Madison Rec Center on Colfax Avenue. Oct. 16, 2020.

When it comes to big issues for Denverites, candidates have many questions to answer before the November election

Most voters didn't vote in the primary, and many races only had one person running, giving candidates a chance to avoid criticism and stay silent on the issues.