Caring for Denver spends public funds on alcohol, problematic grantees Published on February 19, 2026 DENVER – The Caring for Denver Foundation, a nonprofit receiving city tax dollars, issued funds to grantees that submitted falsified, misleading, and incomplete applications, according to a new audit from Denver Auditor Timothy M. O’Brien, C.P.A. Tagged as: , Auditor
Auditor declines to sign city's contract with Flock Group, Inc. Published on February 17, 2026 In a letter to Denver Police Chief Thomas, Auditor O’Brien announced he would not sign the city’s contract with Flock Group Inc. following his charter-mandated review. He determined the contract creates potential liability for the City and County of Denver due to risks that personally identifiable information collected through Flock surveillance could be shared beyond permitted limits. Tagged as: , Auditor
City agencies still not sharing risks with city’s IT agency Published on January 22, 2026 DENVER – Some city agencies are still not formally sharing critical information technology risks they encounter with Technology Services and other agencies, leaving the city exposed to cyberthreats and vulnerabilities, according to a new follow up report from Denver Auditor Timothy M. O’Brien, CPA. Tagged as: , Auditor
Auditor’s 2025 Annual Report sees many audit and wage successes Published on January 20, 2026 DENVER — Despite budget challenges the Auditor’s Office experienced along with the rest of the city this past year, the office’s performance did not waiver, and our accomplishments are presented in the newly-released 2025 Annual Report. Tagged as: , Auditor
Youth detention program still risks misusing funds Published on January 08, 2026 DENVER – Internal processes are stronger for the Colorado Youth Detention Continuum Program, but without updated program policies, risks for noncompliance with city and state requirements and the potential for misusing small dollar funds remain. This is according to a new follow-up report from Denver Auditor Timothy M. O’Brien, CPA. Tagged as: , Auditor
Minimum wage rises to $19.29, keeping pace with cost of living Published on December 29, 2025 DENVER - The City and County of Denver’s local minimum wage will increase from $18.81 to $19.29 on Jan. 1, 2026, marking an important milestone for tens of thousands of workers and businesses. Denver’s Department of Finance adjusts the city's minimum wage each year based on the Consumer Price Index. Tagged as: , Auditor
Strip club entertainers are workers with wage protections Published on November 24, 2025 DENVER – In a significant win for worker protections in the adult entertainment industry, a Denver District Court ruled last week that strip club entertainers are workers who have protections under Denver’s wage and employment laws. The ruling upholds a hearing officer’s determinations involving the Auditor’s Office wage theft investigation into multiple Denver strip clubs. Tagged as: , Auditor
Questions linger about City Council donations, sponsorships Published on November 20, 2025 DENVER – City Council members continue to give city funds to local organizations using a process that lacks clarity and accountability because of inconsistent terminology and unclear legal guidance involving donations, sponsorships, and grants, according to a new follow-up report from Denver Auditor Timothy M. O’Brien, CPA about City Council operations. Tagged as: , Auditor
Continued risk of city contracting with prohibited businesses Published on November 06, 2025 DENVER – The city remains at risk of contracting with ineligible businesses for construction projects because of insufficient business verification, according to a new audit follow-up report from Denver Auditor Timothy M. O’Brien, CPA. Tagged as: , Auditor
Highest wage theft recovery total ever for Denver Labor Published on November 03, 2025 DENVER – Denver Labor’s impressive track record continues, as the wage enforcement division recovered a new high amount of restitution for thousands of workers. In the 2025 reporting year ending Oct. 31, Denver Labor closed 859 cases — collecting a record $2,310,009.82 in restitution and helping a record 7,200 workers receive the money they were owed for unpaid wages. Tagged as: , Auditor