Denver advances proposed overhaul of city budget process for November ballot

Denver City Council has passed legislation to place a proposed charter amendment on the ballot during the Nov. 3, 2026 general election, advancing a potential overhaul of how the city and county prepares and appropriates its budget.

Bill 26-0864, listed as passed in the City and County of Denver’s July 7 Mayor-Council meeting record, calls for a special municipal election to be held with the November general election. The proposed amendment would adjust Denver’s budget and appropriation process, but it would not take effect unless voters approve it.

Companion ordinance also passed

Council separately passed Bill 26-0867, a companion ordinance addressing how Mayor Mike Johnston’s administration and City Council would consider and address budget changes.

The ordinance would require a community-engagement process during budget planning for a two-year budget term. The available meeting record describes the measure’s purpose but does not provide the final enacted text or further details of that process.

The two bills followed committee consideration that began June 30. Earlier reporting in June described the charter proposal as a measure that would go to voters if it received approval from the full council.

What voters will decide

The charter measure remains a proposal, not a voter-approved change. Denver voters are scheduled to decide the question at the Nov. 3, 2026 general election, which would also serve as the special municipal election for the charter amendment.

The record does not establish the final ballot title or whether all later procedural steps connected to the ballot question had been completed as of Aug. 2. It also does not indicate whether the proposal would increase or reduce city spending.

The paired measures matter because the charter question would be decided directly by voters, while the companion ordinance sets out procedures for the mayor and council when budget changes are considered and calls for public engagement during the city’s two-year budget planning cycle.

Separate purchase-order item

The same July 7 meeting record included a separate council review item involving a $1 million increase to a master purchase order for light-duty truck parts from EP Blazer. The increase would bring the purchase order’s total to $3.5 million. That item had a final review date of Aug. 3, according to the record.