Mayor Mike Johnston on Wednesday rejected claims that city layoffs were retaliatory in nature as criticism against him turned personal. Why it matters: The mayor must now work with a city council that includes a member who publicly called him "trash,

On Monday and Tuesday, the city notified 169 city workers that their jobs were being eliminated and they were being laid off as part of an effort to close a $200 million budget gap in 2026.

Denver's mayor says he hopes not to lay off any more city employees. Johnston addressed city workers on Wednesday morning after notifying 169 city employees earlier this week that their jobs are being eliminated.