Denver on track to spend almost $40 million on influx of immigrants, analysis says
The influx of immigrants to Denver has now cost the city more than $29 million, and an independent analysis says the city is on track to spend almost $40 million by the end of the year.
That scenario could mean crowding out the city's financial priorities or compel the local government to increasing its operational costs — money its residents will have to shoulder, according to the analysis.
More than 25,000 migrants have so far arrived in Denver, the city said, adding that about 2,500 are currently in shelters. Many of the immigrants came from Venezuela.
A little more than 50 people arrived on Monday, the city.
Meanwhile, the Common Sense Institute, a research group, said Denver would have spent between $36.3 and $39.1 million on support services by the end of 2023. The group noted that the average influx of immigrants saw a spike between Sept. 16 and Oct. 16.
The group said 18,519 immigrants spent at least one day in official shelters, and each stayed for an average of over 18 days.
"The city’s spending patterns suggest that its migrant support services exhibit high fixed costs and low variable costs," the group's analysis said, adding that the arrival rates and shelter capacity are "weak predictors of spending."