City Council Operations Follow-Up

The Denver City Council fully implemented eight recommendations made in the original audit report. However, it only partially implemented four others and has not taken steps to address the risks two other recommendations had sought to resolve.

By fully implementing eight of our recommendations, the City Council can better protect the city’s systems and data from cyberattacks and has improved the transparency and accountability of some council office spending. Also, the City Council is better able to ensure it collects keys and badges from council members and staff separating from the city.

Remaining Risks

The recommendations the City Council did not fully implement present several lingering risks. Among them:

• The City Council technology assets may not be fully accounted for and tracked.
• City Council members may still be operating without clear and consistent guidance on how donations are distinct from sponsorships. Furthermore, City Council members’ financial support for local organizations may still lack transparency and accountability.
• Although the council’s policy for election year spending has been revisited, it is not clear whether outgoing City Council members’ purchase and travel cards will be disabled in time to prevent inadvertent overspending that may impact incoming council members’ budgets.

Auditor's Letter

November 6, 2025

In keeping with generally accepted government auditing standards and Auditor’s Office policy, as authorized by city ordinance, we have a responsibility to monitor and follow up on audit recommendations to ensure city agencies address audit findings through appropriate corrective action and to aid us in planning future audits.

In December 2023, we audited certain City Council operations and controls related to spending oversight, technology asset management, and the elected member transition process. We found risks involving the security of the city’s network and technology equipment, the transparency and accountability of some council office spending, and the effectiveness of security-related practices for incoming and outgoing council members and staff. The Denver City Council agreed to implement all 14 of our recommendations.

We recently followed up and found the Denver City Council implemented most recommendations.

Although the Denver City Council has made notable progress, it did not fully address all the risks associated with our original findings. Consequently, we may revisit these risk areas in future audits to ensure the city takes appropriate corrective action.

We appreciate the leaders and team members in the Denver City Council who shared their time and knowledge with us throughout the audit and the follow-up process. Please contact me at 720-913-5000 with any questions.

Denver Auditor's Office


Timothy O'Brien, CPA

AUDITOR TIMOTHY O'BRIEN, CPA
Denver Auditor

Denver Auditor's Office

201 W. Colfax Ave. #705 Denver, CO 80202
Email: auditor@denvergov.org
Call: 720-913-5000
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