Your Daily Guide

😎 Denver’s Financial Forecast Looks (Unexpectedly) Bright

New data from city finance officials suggest that Denver could be facing a better-than-expected revenue forecast through the end of the year. Specifically, general fund revenue was up by 2.3% in June compared with the same period last year. The news comes as a welcome surprise after projections suggested Denver’s revenue was likely to remain flat with little revenue growth into 2027. [Denver Gazette 🔐; Colorado Politics]

• How did this happen? The city’s largest source of revenue comes from sales and use taxes, which increased by 9.8% compared to the same period last year. Lodging taxes paid by travelers also saw increases of 33.5% compared to the previous year.
• Why are people surprised? Johnston planned a historic budget reduction in 2025, a move that included laying off around 170 city employees and making cuts to multiple agencies. The spending cuts came after a year of no revenue growth in 2025, a trend that experts say appeared in many cities across the US due to factors like higher labor costs, office vacancies from remote work, and low public transit ridership. Now, that trend could be turning around. [Denverite]

⛽ Gas Prices Are High, but Hope Is on the Horizon

The war in Iran has elevated Denver’s gas prices by 35 cents per gallon over the past month, but experts say prices should dip soon. As peak summer travel season winds down and kids return to school, demand for gas should slow, causing prices to fall. In mid-September, gas stations are allowed to switch to winter fuel blends, which are cheaper to produce though can cause a temporary price spike. [Westword]

🌯 Mission Foods To Close Pueblo Tortilla Plant, Lay Off 90 Workers

Mission Foods, the world’s largest tortilla maker, will permanently close its only Colorado manufacturing plant on Oct. 13. The Pueblo-based plant said it will lay off all 90 workers — some of whom belong to the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 union. The UFCW has criticized the move, saying, “Sadly, this is yet another case of billionaires choosing to line their pockets rather than nourish the communities they serve." [9News]

🚒 Denver Firefighters Clash with State Union

Denver Firefighters Local 858 represents more than 1000 workers — the majority of whom voted to end their relationship with the state’s largest union, Colorado Professional Fire Fighters, two years ago. Now, CPFF is refusing to accept the vote and is instead demanding nearly $400,000 in dues, which Local 858 members say they don’t owe. [Denver Post 🔐; Westword]