Denver Explores Shift to Biennial Budget

City Council considers moving to a two-year budget cycle to enable long-term planning and community input.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:09pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of a government building in Denver, with warm sunlight casting long shadows across the facade and surrounding urban landscape, conveying a sense of contemplative civic duty.As Denver explores a shift to a biennial budget cycle, the city's historic government buildings stand as symbols of the careful financial planning and community engagement required for such a significant change.Denver Today

The city of Denver is exploring a shift to a biennial budget cycle, where the city would plan, present, and approve a 24-month budget rather than the current 12-month process. The proposal, known as 'Budget Together Denver,' aims to streamline the budget timeline, enable more effective long-term planning, and provide earlier and expanded opportunities for resident input on how the city spends money.

Why it matters

Adopting a biennial budget would be a significant change for Denver, potentially improving long-term financial planning and community engagement around the city's spending priorities. However, some council members have expressed concerns about the challenges of forecasting over a two-year period.

The details

The proposal, first introduced in December 2025, would require approval from the City Council before being sent to voters on the November 2026 ballot. The plan includes provisions for the mayor and finance director to revert to a one-year cycle during periods of economic uncertainty. It would also mandate community input as the basis for developing the two-year strategic plan that would guide the biennial budget.

  • The proposal was first introduced in December 2025.
  • The Budget and Policy Committee discussed the idea further at a meeting in April 2026.
  • Sponsors anticipate additional stakeholder briefings in May 2026.
  • The proposed legislation is expected to enter the legislative process and have a public hearing this summer of 2026.
  • If approved by the City Council, the measure would go to Denver voters in the November 2026 election.

The players

Amanda Sawyer

Denver City Councilmember and sponsor of the 'Budget Together Denver' proposal.

Shontel Lewis

Denver City Councilmember and sponsor of the 'Budget Together Denver' proposal.

Stacie Gilmore

Denver City Councilmember and sponsor of the 'Budget Together Denver' proposal.

Kevin Flynn

Denver City Councilmember who expressed concerns about the challenges of a biennial budget.

Justin Sykes

Denver City Budget Director, who noted both pros and cons to the biennial budget proposal.

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What they’re saying

“The only opportunity that our residents truly have to have a conversation about the creation of the budget and their tax dollars comes when we at City Council open up a hearing for people to say something about it, and that hearing comes very late in the process.”

— Amanda Sawyer, Denver City Councilmember

“It seems to me that the challenges of the annual budget are magnified, are made worse by a biannual budget, and the benefits are diminished in a biennial budget. We can't even get a one-year budget, right, a two-year budget actually frightens me.”

— Kevin Flynn, Denver City Councilmember

“I do think it would be harder to project over two years. It may save some effort in that second small budget year, but I don't know that the Department of Finance at this point has a strong opinion. I think we're still evaluating, along with all of you.”

— Justin Sykes, Denver City Budget Director

What’s next

The proposed legislation is expected to enter the legislative process and have a public hearing this summer of 2026. If approved by the City Council, the measure would go to Denver voters in the November 2026 election.

The takeaway

Denver's exploration of a biennial budget cycle highlights the tradeoffs between long-term planning, community engagement, and budgetary forecasting. The outcome of this debate could set an important precedent for other cities considering similar shifts in their budget processes.