Denver planning department cuts 59 positions; officials say 180‑day permitting target remains intact

Community Planning and Development eliminated 59 positions out of 310 as part of a strategic reorganization and says it retains the capacity to meet Denver’s 180‑day permitting timeline. Brad, a Community Planning and Development presenter, told Mayor and City Council members at a Sept. 2 joint briefing that the cuts were guided by an organizational review that prioritized retaining core planning and development functions. “We eliminated 59 of 310 positions. 19 of those were filled and 40 of those were vacant,” Brad said. The move was described as an attempt to protect day‑to‑day permitting, inspections and neighborhood planning while achieving budget savings. Officials said development services — including zoning review, building plan review and inspections — remain staffed across agencies…