The City of Denver’s Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency (CASR) office is grappling with the effects of citywide budget cuts, which have resulted in staffing reductions across multiple departments. The CASR office specifically has been hit with five layoffs and the elimination of 22 vacant positions.

A spokesperson for the office stated that, for now, there are no changes to major programs or policies. However, planning is underway for the 2026 budget, which could provide a clearer roadmap for how the department will move forward in the wake of these cuts.

The layoffs come as Denver attempts to address a significant $200 million budget shortfall for the coming year. In total, across all city departments, 169 employees have been laid off, and 666 vacant positions have been eliminated. The impact has been felt not only in the CASR office but also in departments such as community planning and development, Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, and transportation and infrastructure.

The CASR office had been bolstered by a 2020 voter-approved sales tax increase, which allocated $40 million for climate initiatives, including the work of this department. Despite the recent staff reductions, the office continues to prioritize its ongoing efforts in climate action and sustainability.

The full extent of the layoffs was detailed through an open records request by Denver7, which revealed the scope of the staffing changes across the city. While the CASR office works to adjust to the new constraints, the broader impact of these cuts on Denver’s sustainability goals remains to be seen.

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