Jeffco Commissioners Approve $16M In Budget Cuts

JEFFERSON COUNTY, CO — The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners has approved the 2020 budget, which includes cuts of $16.1 million from its general fund. The majority of the general fund goes to public safety, which includes the Jeffco sheriff’s office, the district attorney’s office, justice services, the coroner’s office and some transportation projects, officials said.

The budget cuts had to be approved after voters rejected Ballot Issue 1A, which would have allowed the county to use revenue that exceeds the Taxpayer Bill of Rights cap.

Largest reductions:

$5.4 million from public safety

• 288 jail beds reduced
• Sheriff staff reductions of 51 positions, 39 in detentions
• Reduced DA elder abuse and crimes against children staff
• Reduced DA investigations and diversion staff
• Transportation impacts
• Reduced capacity to respond to critical incidents

$10.1 million from stewardship

• Not filling a number of positions
• Cuts in county vehicles
• Fewer technology options
• Election integrity and timeliness risk

$626,000 from health and well being

• Public health home visitation programs
• Food services education programs
• CSU extension services
• Natural resource management
• Limits prevention of at-risk behaviors

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Jefferson County not only faces the cuts in 2020, but they will get broader in 2021, officials said. County staff members will conduct prioritization discussions with all elected officials and departments to determine the scope of cuts in the 2021 budget.

As further analysis is made in the discussions, the county will continue to share the impacts of the cuts with the community, officials said.