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March revenue forecast, JVC cuts and proposed use of severance tax for a digital trunk radio system discussed
Summary
City budget analysts briefed the committee on the March state revenue forecast showing an approximate $1.2 billion shortfall and on Joint Budget Committee (JBC) discussions that may redirect severance tax revenues to cover a statewide digital trunk radio system (DT), a change local officials said could reduce municipal severance allocations.
Denver budget and policy staff briefed the Finance and Governance Committee March 18 on the state March revenue forecast and on ongoing Joint Budget Committee actions that the city said could affect municipal funding.
Katie Hancock, of Policy Matters, told the committee the March revenue forecast confirmed an estimated $1.2 billion deficit in the state budget and that the JBC was debating large cuts to K‑12, Medicaid and higher education. Hancock said the committee was also considering requests affecting county administration and CCAP and that the city would circulate more detailed reports after JBC actions concluded.
Council members asked about a specific JBC proposal to redirect severance tax resources toward a statewide digital trunk radio system (DT). Staff said they would request a financial analysis from the Department of Finance to quantify Denver’s fiscal impact. Committee members and staff noted that severance taxes are typically reserved for local governments and said they were concerned about transferring those dollars to a state-level purpose without clearer compensation mechanisms.
Next steps: staff said they would obtain fiscal impact estimates and update council members and would continue coordination with Denver’s legislative delegation and the mayor’s office as the long bill and related legislation move through session. The briefing required no committee vote.
