Denver City Services Cut Due to Decline in Immigration

Denver is making budget cuts to its Parks and Recreation Department and Department of Motor Vehicle services to save $5 million in order to fund the projected $180 million cost for sheltering migrants in 2024. The city is currently sheltering 3,560 migrants and has served 38,464 migrants since late 2022, with more arriving daily. The cuts include stopping in-person motor vehicle registrations, reducing recreation center hours, and pausing new permit applications. Mayor Mike Johnston emphasized the need for shared sacrifice and called for federal aid, which failed to materialize, leaving the city to bear the burden alone.