Denver CPD presents 2026 budget with staffing cuts, preserves permit timelines and affordable-housing review team

Community Planning and Development Director Brad Buchanan told the Denver City Council on Oct. 29 that CPD’s proposed 2026 budget reduces staff and some services but keeps the department’s commitment to a 180-day permit review timeline and several core programs.

Buchanan said the department will prioritize on-time permitting, inspections and protections for historically vulnerable communities while pursuing efficiency measures including an AI “permitting wizard” for intake and an automated routing tool for inspectors. “Our mission is building community and everything we do from beginning to end is about that mission,” Buchanan told the committee.

Why it matters: CPD enforces zoning and building codes, reviews rezonings and issues construction permits that affect housing production, safety and neighborhood conditions across Denver. Council members pressed staff for detail on where cuts will land and how changes will affect neighborhood planning, neglected and derelict properties and customer-facing services.

Key numbers and priorities - CPD presented a proposed total operating and grant budget described in the briefing as approximately $41.177 million for 2026 (department slide figures). Presenters emphasized that the budget is primarily salaries and personnel costs. - On staffing, the presentation said the proposal reduces the department’s headcount and that staffing would move “from 310 positions to 252.” Presenters also said the total eliminations were described in the briefing as 59 positions; the committee discussion reflected that some of those eliminated roles were vacant while others were filled. - CPD stated it will maintain its 180-day citywide permit review goal and priority staffing for the Denver Permitting Office (DPO) that supports that timeline. - The department said it will preserve the Affordable Housing Review Team (AHAR) and will receive additional positions funded through a HUD Pro Housing grant (presenters referenced a $4.5 million grant through 2029).

Innovations and service adjustments CPD told councilmembers it is implementing several operational changes…