Mayor Mike Johnston’s move to lay off 171 employees and cut nearly 700 jobs has roiled the city’s elected officials.

“I’m feeling a lack of trust,” said at-large Councilmember Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez. “And I’m feeling a lot of anxiety and concern for what things are going to look like for 2026, and how are we going to be able to continue to provide services and resources to people?”

She was one of several Denver City Council members who criticized Johnston’s handling of the budget crisis and layoffs, while others said the mayor made the best of a bad situation. Denverite contacted all 13 council members for this story and spoke to six.

Some, like Councilmember Stacie Gilmore, were directly affected by the layoffs. Gilmore, whose husband Scott Gilmore was laid off, castigated Johnston

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