Denver Police outline 2026 budget, protect core patrols while shifting officers to airport and trimming civilian staff

Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas told the City Council budget committee during a Day 2 budget-week presentation that the Denver Police Department’s (DPD) 2026 budget is designed to “protect our core mission,” including 9-1-1 response, investigation of serious criminal events and victim services, while making targeted administrative cuts.

Thomas said the department’s total budget is about $340,000,000, with roughly $280,000,000 coming from the city general fund. He said personnel make up about 73% of the operating budget (87% uniform, 13% professional staff) and that the department made administrative-position cuts to preserve frontline patrol capacity.

The chief told council members the budget includes a permanent reassignment of 28 officers to the Denver International Airport (DEN). Thomas said moving those officers to DEN will generate about $3,700,000 in savings but will reduce patrol and community engagement capacity in the neighborhoods where those officers had worked. He said district commanders will be expected to reassign officers to cover local needs and that an incoming recruit class in November is expected to restore some capacity.

Thomas also said DPD will…