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 that participate in the Denver permitting office and that positions in other departments such as DOTI and Parks that support permitting were retained.
Why it matters: permitting timelines affect project schedules, construction starts and business investment. Council members pressed department staff about whether the cuts would jeopardize the city’s commitment to approve permits within 180 days; department presenters said staff embedded across city permitting partners and retained positions provide adequate capacity to meet that requirement.
What department leaders said: Brad explained the review started by looking not only at the org chart but at the work the department performs, from small electrical and solar permits to large site development and catalytic projects downtown. He said the department will continue to support major projects and programs such as the Downtown Development Authority work, activation of 16th Street and “catalytic” projects including a proposed soccer stadium, Park Hill Park work and potential Broncos stadium planning.
On neighborhood planning, officials said the Neighborhood Planning Initiative will move from three concurrent plans to two concurrent plans and that start and finish dates will be staggered. A council member asked how staggered timing would work and was told specific sequencing will be set based on staff resources; a staff member said they would follow up with timing details.
On inspections and certificates of occupancy, Brad said the department believes it retains adequate capacity to inspect construction and issue final approvals at current volumes.
Discussion vs. decisions: officials described organizational directions and staffing reductions but did not present or adopt any motions or formal policy changes during the briefing. No votes were taken.
Details and clarifications: the department said it started the reduction process with 55 existing vacancies across 310 positions and prioritized vacant positions when possible. Staff emphasized the cuts were part of a strategic implementation plan to protect core services and to find process improvements and efficiencies.
Looking ahead: department leaders said they are piloting operational improvements — including route‑planning software for inspectors — and will return with more detailed scheduling for neighborhood plans and any additional impacts if new state mandates or workloads emerge.