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Denver City Council: Some Members Refuse Voluntary Furlough Reimbursement

Denver City Council Members Reject Voluntary Salary Reimbursement for Furlough Days Two Denver City Council members, Flor Alvidrez and Shontel Lewis, have declined a request from Mayor Mike Johnston to voluntarily reimburse the city for salary equivalent to…

By Alex Thompson — Chief Editor
Denver City Council: Some Members Refuse Voluntary Furlough Reimbursement

Denver City Council Members Reject Voluntary Salary Reimbursement for Furlough Days

Two Denver City Council members, Flor Alvidrez and Shontel Lewis, have declined a request from Mayor Mike Johnston to voluntarily reimburse the city for salary equivalent to furlough days taken in 2025. Their decisions, described as “principled,” contrast with the actions of 11 other council members who opted to return a portion of their pay to the city.

Budget Deficit and Furloughs

Facing a significant budget deficit, Mayor Johnston announced in 2025 that all 15,000 city employees would be required to take between two and seven unpaid furlough days. The number of days was determined by each employee’s salary. These furloughs were implemented as part of a broader effort to address the financial shortfall.

Council Member Responses

City council members earn approximately $110,000 annually, with the council president receiving $124,000 per year. Mayor Johnston requested that council members voluntarily reimburse the city for the equivalent of five furlough days. Most complied, with reimbursement amounts ranging from $762.60 to $1,969.92, typically around $1,300.

Councilmember Chris Hinds reimbursed $1,271, stating he wanted to “sacrifice willingly in support of the many who sacrificed furlough days without a choice.” Council President Amanda Sandoval reimbursed $1,969.92, and Councilmember Kevin Flynn reimbursed $1,460.80, explaining that council members should share in the consequences of their budgetary decisions.

Principled Opposition

Shontel Lewis, representing District 8, explicitly stated her decision not to reimburse was “deliberate and principled.” She argued that “asking workers to return wages they have already earned is an unreasonable and counterproductive approach to our budget challenges.” Lewis further contended that voluntary reimbursements were “merely symbolism” with a limited impact on the city’s $250 million budget crisis.

Flor Alvidrez, representing District 7, also chose not to reimburse, explaining that she continued working during the furlough days without staff support and considered her earnings justified. Alvidrez emphasized the necessitate for responsible financial management to prevent future furloughs.

Total Reimbursements

As of records available, the 11 council members who voluntarily reimbursed the city contributed a total of $14,462.62 towards offsetting the budget deficit.

Mayor Johnston’s spokesperson, Jon Ewing, noted that widespread participation in the voluntary reimbursement was seen as a gesture of solidarity, and that furloughs were a necessary short-term measure to balance the 2025 budget and avoid further impacts on city employees.

Contact Information

Here is the contact information for the Denver City Council Members:

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About the author: Alex Thompson — Chief Editor

Veteran journalist with 25 years. Alex has overseen Pulitzer‑shortlisted investigations and built cross‑platform newsrooms on three continents. At AchyNewsy.com he sets editorial standards, champions data‑driven storytelling, and ensures every desk meets rigorous fact‑checking protocols. Alex Thompson directs AchyNewsy.com’s global coverage, fusing investigative depth with real‑time reporting for unmatched journalistic impact.

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