Two years into his inaugural term, Mayor Mike Johnston is scrambling to shrink Denver’s government and grow the city at the same time.

He’s asking voters to approve $950 million in debt spending on infrastructure for big projects around town. Meanwhile, he’s preparing for an untold number of layoffs this month as he tries to fill a $250 million budget shortfall.

Meanwhile, he’s promising a new approach to homelessness; facing a rise in eviction cases; trying to save businesses during Colfax’s bus-rapid transit redesign; and fighting to keep the Broncos in town.

Here are five takeaways from Johnston’s recent interview with Ryan Warner, senior host for CPR News’ Colorado Matters.

Do more with less:

Johnston has to cut spending by $50 million for the current budget year and $200 million

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