Ten of Denver's 13 city council members are planning to attend a $26,000, two night, one day retreat in Colorado's foothills next week for team building and professional development, at the same time the city is laying off workers and trying to find ways to cut costs and save money.

"We signed this contract prior to knowing of any budget shortfall," said Council President Amanda Sandoval, who pushed for the trip at the Lone Rock retreat ( lonerockfoundation.org ) in Park County.

Pahara Institute

"We signed this contract prior to knowing of any furlough days, we signed this contract prior to knowing of any layoffs," said Sandoval.

She said the council retreat had been in the works since December 2024, and the contract was signed May 8. Two weeks later, Mayor Mike Johnston revealed the

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