Denver excise and licenses details 2026 cuts, restructure and program changes

Molly Duplachey, executive director of the Department of Excise and Licenses, told Denver City Council during a budget hearing that the department will reduce contracts and staff in 2026 while preserving core licensing services and enforcement for short-term rentals.

Duplachey said the department will pursue a restructure that reduces top‑heavy management, shifts to two primary divisions (license processing and enforcement/consumer protection), and creates specialized teams for hearings and licensing logistics to maintain service levels.

The changes are intended to protect public health and safety while reducing costs. Duplachey said a name-change measure on the November ballot would make the agency the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection but “this mission remains the same.” She told council the department does not expect costs from the name change during the current fiscal year.

Why it matters: The department licenses and enforces rules for businesses citywide. The proposed cuts affect how the city finds and pursues unlicensed residential properties, how neighborhood hearing costs are funded and how youth marijuana prevention work is delivered — all areas council members said touch small businesses, tenants and neighborhood groups.

Key reductions and program changes

- Staffing and budget: The proposal reduces overall appropriation and staffing. Duplachey said the 2026 recommendation includes a reduction of eight full‑time equivalents (five vacant, three filled). She described a roughly 9% decrease from 2024 actual spending to the…