The City and County of Denver has initiated a series of layoffs affecting at least 171 employees as part of efforts to address a $200 million budget shortfall in the upcoming fiscal year. These layoffs represent the first mass reductions in local government jobs since 2011. In addition to the 171 layoffs, the city plans to eliminate approximately 665 vacant positions, bringing the total number of affected roles close to 928. The reductions have impacted various departments, including smaller offices such as children’s affairs and climate action. One notable employee laid off is Scott Gilmore, who served for over a decade as the deputy executive director of Denver Parks & Recreation. In response to the layoffs and ensuing public scrutiny, the Denver City Council has postponed a planned mountain retreat that was expected to cost taxpayers nearly $27,000, although it remains uncertain if the funds will be fully recovered. The layoffs and position eliminations are part of a broader strategy to reduce the budget gap by about half. Meanwhile, separate reports indicate that at least 600 employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are also receiving final termination notices, according to union sources.