Government budget and revenue in Denver, Colorado: official figures
Denver's city government took in $6.1 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $8,494 for each of its 713,252 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 15th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Denver spend and on what?
It spent $5.6 billion in the same year, $7,841 per resident, the 30th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were airports (25.6%), the water utility (11.3%) and police (5.8%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Denver collect per resident?
Taxes raised $2.4 billion ($3,331 per resident, the 18th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 41.6% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Denver rely on?
Of Denver's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 27.1%, general sales tax 55.3%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 10.7%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Denver's property tax share is the 109th lowest of 580 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much federal and state money does Denver get?
Payments from other governments made up 10.2% of Denver's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 2.1% from the federal government ($170 per resident), 5.3% from the state and 2.7% from other local governments. For all US city governments in 2022 the aid share was 24.3%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Denver raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $2.2 billion, 37.8% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $351.66 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Denver spend on police?
Denver's city government spent $324.64 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $455 per resident (the 165th highest of 582) and 5.8% of its total spending; police took 10.3% of spending across all US city governments in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Denver spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $163.60 million, $229 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Denver have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Denver's city government owed $9.0 billion in long-term debt, $12,637 per resident (the 9th highest of 582). During the year it issued $590.41 million of new long-term debt and repaid $998.89 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Denver pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $558.04 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 10.0% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Denver city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 23.6% from $6,871 to $8,494, spending per resident rose 6.6% to $7,841, taxes per resident rose 27.7% to $3,331.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Denver compares with other cities in the United States
City government total revenue per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Denver ranks 21 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total revenue per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Baton Rouge | $7,049 |
| 19 | Newton | $7,010 |
| 20 | Alexandria | $6,996 |
| 21 | Denver | $6,871 |
| 22 | Harrisonburg | $6,851 |
| 23 | Seattle | $6,816 |
| 24 | Taunton | $6,757 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Denver ranks 21 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total spending per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Rochester | $7,772 |
| 19 | East Orange | $7,656 |
| 20 | New Haven | $7,570 |
| 21 | Denver | $7,357 |
| 22 | New Brunswick | $7,342 |
| 23 | Taunton | $7,181 |
| 24 | Chattanooga | $7,157 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Denver ranks 31 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City taxes collected per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | Bristol | $2,734 |
| 29 | Danbury | $2,711 |
| 30 | Nashua | $2,687 |
| 31 | Denver | $2,609 |
| 32 | Yonkers | $2,574 |
| 33 | Newport Beach | $2,545 |
| 34 | Anchorage | $2,542 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Denver ranks 276 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City spending on police per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 273 | Goodyear | $358 |
| 274 | Boulder | $358 |
| 275 | Lakewood | $357 |
| 276 | Denver | $356 |
| 277 | Renton | $356 |
| 278 | Fort Pierce | $355 |
| 279 | Monterey Park | $355 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Denver ranks 12 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Miami Beach | $13,578 |
| 10 | Waco | $13,237 |
| 11 | Denton | $12,388 |
| 12 | Denver | $11,796 |
| 13 | Springfield | $11,105 |
| 14 | Celina | $10,809 |
| 15 | Anaheim | $9,693 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Denver ranks 572 of 730, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 569 | Lakewood | 28.4% |
| 570 | Boulder | 28.3% |
| 571 | Loveland | 28.3% |
| 572 | Denver | 28.1% |
| 573 | Norwalk | 27.9% |
| 574 | Sandy | 27.9% |
| 575 | Shoreline | 27.9% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Denver ranks 386 of 730, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 383 | Kent | 16.9% |
| 384 | Layton | 16.9% |
| 385 | Fort Pierce | 16.9% |
| 386 | Denver | 16.8% |
| 387 | Lubbock | 16.8% |
| 388 | Burlington | 16.8% |
| 389 | Pasadena | 16.7% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Denver ranks 15 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total revenue per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Richmond | $8,799 |
| 13 | Chattanooga | $8,776 |
| 14 | Baltimore | $8,670 |
| 15 | Denver | $8,494 |
| 16 | Perth Amboy | $8,465 |
| 17 | Nashville | $8,257 |
| 18 | Taunton | $8,180 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Denver ranks 30 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total spending per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | New Brunswick | $8,040 |
| 28 | Union City | $7,934 |
| 29 | Lansing | $7,896 |
| 30 | Denver | $7,841 |
| 31 | Peabody | $7,830 |
| 32 | Chattanooga | $7,740 |
| 33 | Newport News | $7,721 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Denver ranks 18 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City taxes collected per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Baton Rouge | $3,371 |
| 16 | Richmond | $3,365 |
| 17 | Philadelphia | $3,338 |
| 18 | Denver | $3,331 |
| 19 | Seattle | $3,314 |
| 20 | Framingham | $3,228 |
| 21 | Baltimore | $3,113 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Denver ranks 165 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City spending on police per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 162 | Lancaster | $458 |
| 163 | Lake Elsinore | $456 |
| 164 | Pittsburg | $455 |
| 165 | Denver | $455 |
| 166 | Peoria | $455 |
| 167 | Albuquerque | $455 |
| 168 | Houston | $455 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Denver ranks 9 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Miami Beach | $15,675 |
| 7 | Lansing | $14,340 |
| 8 | Gainesville | $13,438 |
| 9 | Denver | $12,637 |
| 10 | Pflugerville | $12,628 |
| 11 | Waco | $12,382 |
| 12 | Springfield | $11,472 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Denver ranks 472 of 580, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 469 | Rapid City | 28.3% |
| 470 | South Gate | 27.9% |
| 471 | Whittier | 27.6% |
| 472 | Denver | 27.1% |
| 473 | Amarillo | 26.7% |
| 474 | Santa Barbara | 26.5% |
| 475 | Greeley | 26.4% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Denver ranks 460 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 457 | Lake Forest | 10.3% |
| 458 | Bellevue | 10.3% |
| 459 | Burbank | 10.2% |
| 460 | Denver | 10.2% |
| 461 | Tulsa | 10.2% |
| 462 | Seattle | 10.0% |
| 463 | Delray Beach | 10.0% |
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Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit files (item amounts for every sampled government, directory with population and fiscal year end, state estimates by type of government), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0967c4d30466…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2022 Census of Governments: State and Local Government Finances, individual unit files (item amounts for every government, directory with population and fiscal year end, state estimates by type of government), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c8de889f6b33…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.