Denver’s downtown blooms will be less bountiful this year

Heather Willard
·2 min read
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DENVER (KDVR) — Denver announced earlier this year that it was cutting back on many programs to tackle its migrant crisis, and one of the measures cut back was its flower plantings. With spring underway, the lack of blooms is becoming more noticeable.

Photos taken from Civic Center Park of the Colorado Capitol often feature the vibrant flowerbeds, filled to the brim with plants all summer long. But according to reports, that will be one of the few places the city plans to have flowers this year.

The city projected a cost of $180 million during 2024 to shelter migrants brought to the Mile High City from the southern border. That cost dropped to $120 million after the city consolidated four shelters.

However, independent think-tank the Common Sense Institute now estimates that the city’s costs have climbed to $58 million after previously estimating the city had spent $55 million.

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Denver said in early February that it would implement cuts at the Department of Motor Vehicles and the city Parks and Recreation Department. One of the services the Parks Department oversees is the maintenance of city landscaping — including the annual flower plantings.

It’s not clear how much the city will save by not planting flowers. The city’s largest plantings are in Civic Center Park, Washington Park and City Park.

According to the city of Denver’s website, the city’s annual flower displays are planted “between mid-May and early June each year and remain in the parks until early-mid October,” before the plantings are winterized.

Volunteers are also requested for help in mulching trees, removing debris from parks, weeding garden beds and more. Volunteer opportunities are available on the city’s website. The Denver Park Trust has also announced its intent to support the city by preserving the parks independently.

“In times like these, we can take collective action to support those in need while also ensuring our city’s public parks remain vibrant and accessible for all,” said the Trust in a release in February.

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In the city’s published 2024 budget plan, Parks and Recreation and Cultural Facilities, which includes the Denver Public Library system, accounted for $160 million of Denver’s budget.

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