The Denver City Council ceremoniously rejected the city’s new budget for 2026 on Monday, with several members citing concerns over transparency from the mayor’s office as the reason they voted no.

The budget will still be enacted, however, because of deadlines and provisions in the city’s charter.

The vote was split 6-6, but any proposal before the council that results in a tie vote automatically fails. Most members who voted against the budget said they found the monthslong process, which is spearheaded by Mayor Mike Johnston’s office, frustrating.

“Collaboration requires honesty,” Councilwoman Flor Alvidrez said. “And at this point, there are still unanswered questions and unresolved concerns that I cannot overlook.”

The $1.66 billion general fund budget, which is decreasing about

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