Denver Auditor to Scrutinize Major City Projects Amid Budget Concerns

Denver’s Auditor’s Office announced today it will conduct in-depth audits of several high-profile city initiatives in 2026, including the 16th Street reconstruction, the Vision Zero program, and Mayor Mike Johnston’s All In Mile High homelessness initiative, as the city grapples with a significant budget gap.

Auditor Timothy M. O’Brien outlined the 2026 plan in a letter, stating the audits are intended to contribute to the city’s long-term financial health and budgetary accountability. “Not only is there a lot of public interest in our audit findings, but these audits can also help contribute to the city’s long-term financial health and budgetary accountability,” O’Brien said. The audits will also review the city’s budgetary process, the Caring For Denver Foundation, funding for the National Western Center campus, and the city’s use of artificial intelligence.

The examination of the recently completed 16th Street reconstruction will include a review of financial assistance provided to businesses impacted by the extensive construction, while the Vision Zero audit will assess the effectiveness of the city’s bikeway programs in achieving its goal of eliminating traffic fatalities by 2030. Denver has struggled to meet its Vision Zero goals since the program launched in 2017, and advocates have expressed concerns about the pace of safety improvements; you can learn more about the program’s aims at the City of Denver’s Vision Zero page. The All In Mile High initiative, aimed at ending homelessness, will also be assessed, with a focus on the speed of services for families and the performance of third-party shelter contractors.

Since 2020, the Auditor’s Office has issued 851 recommendations to city agencies, with approximately 26 percent fully implemented. The office recently gained expanded authority to investigate city contractors and nonprofits, and has used this power to investigate wage theft, including cases involving Denver strip clubs, as reported by Colorado Public Radio. These audits come as Denver faces a $250 million budget gap, leading to layoffs and difficult decisions about resource allocation.

The Auditor’s Office expects to publish the audit findings throughout 2026, providing ongoing oversight of key city programs and financial practices.