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September 22, 2025

Are Mayor Johnston’s Budget Cuts ‘a Threat to Democracy’?

City Cast Denver

Are Mayor Johnston’s Budget Cuts ‘a Threat to Democracy’?

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Clerk and Recorder Paul López has been very vocal lately in his distaste for Mayor Johnston’s proposed city budget cuts. The top elections official feels the integrity of Denver’s ballot system is at stake and has even called the mayor’s decisions on city funding “a threat to democracy.” So, López himself sits down with host Bree Davies to hash out his beef with Johnston’s 2026 budget proposal and explain why he thinks the mayor’s fiscal moves are so dangerous for Denver’s elections. We also share a direct response to López’s claims from the mayor. 


Bree quoted Denverite’s reporting on former mayor John Hickenlooper’s layoffs in 2009. 


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