Denver Mayor Mike Johnston unveiled a budget Monday proposing the city’s largest spending cuts in over a decade — apart from decreases during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.

The cuts mean that most employees who remain after a recent round of layoffs won’t receive merit raises in 2026. City officials will also make about $77 million in cuts to contracts, services and supplies as part of the cost-saving efforts. Some of that will include closing two homeless shelters next year.

“Today, we are submitting a balanced budget,” Johnston said during a news conference. “This is our chance for Denver to pull together and to grow our way out.”

The city’s general fund, which generally covers day-to-day expenses, excludes things like the capital improvement budget. It would be $1.66 billion in 2

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