City of Denver considering furloughs for employees and other reductions

The city’s CFO estimated in mid-April that the economic hit the city will take as a result of coronavirus will be worse than the Great Recession.

Mayor Michael Hancock gives a COVID-19 update in the City and County Building's Parr-Widener Room. May 5, 2020. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Mayor Michael Hancock gives a COVID-19 update in the City and County Building's Parr-Widener Room. May 5, 2020. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

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During a phone call with city employees on Wednesday, Mayor Michael Hancock said the city was considering furloughs and other reductions.

The mayor will discuss the city’s budget and more during a press conference today at 1 p.m., said city spokeswoman Laura Swartz. Watch the press conference at denvergov.org.

The city is facing a massive budget shortfall due to the coronavirus pandemic. In mid-April, Denver’s chief financial officer asked city department heads to cut their budgets in response to the pandemic, which he estimated at the time would shrink tax collections by $180 million, double the hit the city took during the Great Recession.

This story is developing.

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