The city’s top election official said cuts to his office proposed by Mayor Johnston will jeopardize the election process in what is expected to be a midterm election with high voter turnout.

Denver

Denver's clerk and recorder, Paul Lopez, has publicly criticized the mayor's proposed budget for the upcoming year, stating that a reduction in funding could negatively affect the city's ability to conduct elections. The mayor's office has proposed a budget of approximately $14 million for the clerk's office, a 1.5% decrease from the previous year, citing a $200 million citywide budget shortfall.

Lopez argues that the proposed funding is $4.5 million less than what is needed, warning that the shortfall could force the closure of polling centers and ballot boxes, as well as reduce the number of election judges. The mayor's office maintains that all city agencies are facing cuts and that there is no flexibility in the budget. The final decision on the clerk's funding will be made by the city council.

Denver election official claims mayor’s cuts will 'decimate' elections

They did make a request for a multimillion dollar expansion in their budget in the middle of cuts. We tried to work with them around making reductions in the budget. They weren't willing to work together on those, and so we just had to allocate them the amount of dollars that they could have used with a 5% reduction, which was our ask. That was Denver Mayor Mike Johnson responding to a question about the clerk and recorder's request for a budget expansion. Now, this is happening in a year full of cuts and condensing, something Denver 7 has tracked closely as the city seeks solutions to a $200 million budget shortfall. Just yesterday, the mayor unveiled his proposed 2026 budget, something the clerk and recorder's office has publicly criticized. Tonight, Denver 7's Colette Bordelon is listening to Clerk Paul Lopez in his side of the story, who says the narrative coming from the mayor's office needs context. Elections are considered a cornerstone of democracy. But what they look like next year in Colorado's capital city. We have tried time and time and time again to come to a common-sense solution. Depends on the dollars. Given the state of our country. Given to the Denver clerk and recorder. Now is not the time to defund elections. It's about protecting democracy in the most critical time in our country. Paul Lopez is proud of his office. When funding is cut, we don't get fewer mandates. We just lose the ability to deliver these services efficiently and fairly. And concerned about budget cuts, something those with the mayor's office say are just unavoidable. Cities all over the country are dealing with this. It's very simple math. The money is just not coming in anymore. Mayor Mike Johnston unveiled his proposed budget for next year in the midst of what's expected to be a $200 million shortfall. As part of that plan, the mayor's office allotted the clerk a roughly $14 million budget for 2026. That's a 1.5% decrease from 2025. But the clerk wanted more than $18 million for next year, closer to what they got in 2024, a presidential election year. In 2026, Colorado has a governor's race and midterms. Our budget is proposed to be less than this year, when we only have one election. In the clerk's opinion, his office will be underfunded to the tune of $4.5 million. As a result, Lopez says they would have to close polling centers and ballot boxes next year. Since the office would not be able to hire about a third of the election judges they need, something he says will mean a longer wait for final results. The longer the delay, the longer the distrust of the misinformation that builds up and the tension that builds up with folks awaiting results. Was there anywhere else you could have cut besides election judges if this were to happen? There is no way that we would make up that kind of budget shortfall. Not layoffs, not cuts of services, anything like that, without having to make the cuts that we have right now. I believe that the clerk can make this work. Meanwhile, the mayor's office says there's just no wiggle room. I don't think you get to come out here and act high and mighty when every single agency in this city has taken a cut. With Denver voters caught in the middle of this debate. Lopez says he'll be asking city council for that $4.5 million he believes is critical to his office and their operations. It'll be interesting to see how the city council responds and what they want to do with the budget. Of course. Well, Collette, we want to congratulate you. It's your very first official day as Denver 7's new political reporter. Collette has been with Denver 7 for the past four years, spearheading coverage on trials that garnered the attention of the nation. You've also been a voice for the state's gray wolf releases. So you've been talking to a lot of people on both sides of that issue, along with other environmental stories. And now you will tackle politics in a very meaningful way as well. I'm interested in so many different things, and I'm of course still committed to covering all of those topics and illuminating the issues impacting everyday Coloradans through our criminal justice system, while pushing lawmakers for solutions to help improve them. So if there's a story you want me to look into or a question you have about Colorado politics and where that might intersect with criminal justice, please let me know. You can get in touch with me at absolutely any time. Scan that QR code on your screen now. Send me an email. Collette.Bortolon at Denver7.com. I can't wait to hear from you. Thank you, Collette. And we know there are still many questions when it comes to the budget. So we compiled a full budget breakdown. You can head to Denver7.com and look for that story.

The U.S. Secretary of State has visited Qatar a week after Israel attacked a meeting of the Hamas negotiating team in Doha. Marco Rubio met Qatar's Prime Minister and the Emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.

Doha

Marco Rubio visits Doha, holds talks with Emir and PM

Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray provided updates Tuesday on the case against Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk. Robinson is charged with seven counts, including aggravated murder. The state is seeking the death penalty.

Utah County

Charlie Kirk shooting suspect charged with murder

A judge has dismissed two state terrorism-related charges against Luigi Mangione, the 27-year-old accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last December. CBS News' Anna Schecter has more details.

New York

Luigi Mangione's state terrorism charges dismissed in CEO killing

Israel said it has launched its ground offensive in Gaza City. It comes as a United Nations inquiry finds that Israel's nearly two-year war on Gaza is a genocide. Israeli leaders have denounced the report as "distorted and false."

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israel launches main phase of ground offensive in Gaza City

U.S. President Donald Trump becomes the first U.S. president to receive a second state visit as Britain faces protests over immigration and growing support for the pro-Trump Reform Party. CBS News correspondent Ed O'Keefe reports from London.

London

Trump begins state visit to London amid rising political tensions

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Monday (Sept. 15) the U.S. military carried out a second strike against an alleged Venezuelan drug boat. CBS News' Charlie D'Agata has the latest.

Caracas

Trump announces second U.S. strike on alleged Venezuelan drug boat

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened investigations into the ‘radical left,’ following the shooting death of Charlie Kirk. Vice-President J.D. Vance on Kirk’s podcast encouraged people to turn in those who celebrated the conservative commentator’s killing.

Washington

Charlie Kirk’s killing prompts broad threats from Trump administration

The United States and China reached a framework agreement to switch short-video app TikTok to U.S.-controlled ownership, U.S. officials said.

Washington County

U.S., China reach framework deal on TikTok

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as close U.S. ally Qatar gathered other Arab nations' leaders for a summit to issue unified condemnation of last week's Israeli airstrike targeting Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital.

What to know about Rubio's trip to Israel, Qatar summit

President Trump announced the U.S. military has carried out a second strike on alleged Venezuelan "narcoterrorists" in international waters. Three men were killed.

Trump announces second strike on alleged drug boat from Venezuela

Arab and Islamic leaders are gathering in Qatar for an emergency summit following an Israeli attack on Hamas leaders in Doha. The meeting aims to show unity and increase pressure on Israel.

Arab, Islamic leaders meet in Qatar after Israeli attack on Hamas

HBO's medical drama, "The Pitt" beat out heavily-favored Apple TV's "Severance" for outstanding drama series at the Emmy Awards. Meanwhile, Apple TV's "The Studio" walked away with 13 awards and broke the Emmy record for the most wins by a comedy in a single season.

Los Angeles

"The Pitt," "The Studio," and "Adolescence" win big at Emmy Awards

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Sunday to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials amid the nation's recent strike in Doha, Qatar, and intensified attacks in Northern Gaza.

Israel hosts U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Over the weekend, tens of thousands of people marched through London in a rally billed as in support of free speech. Many of the chants and speeches at the rally, which was organized by a far-right activist, were protesting against immigration.

Thousands in London march in rally organized by far-right activist

U.S. and Chinese officials concluded a first day of talks in Madrid on their strained trade ties, a looming divestiture deadline for Chinese short-video app TikTok, amid Washington's demands that its allies place tariffs on imports from China over its purchases of Russian oil.

Madrid

Global Tariffs

U.S., China begin trade talks in Spain as TikTok deadline looms

Police are searching for a motive in Wednesday's killing of conservative activist and influencer Charlie Kirk. Authorities say interviews with family and friends of the 22-year-old suspect suggest he could have been radicalized in the dark corners of the internet.

Orem

Charlie Kirk shooting suspect 'not cooperating' with authorities

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said ahead of the trip that he will be seeking answers from Israeli officials about how they see the way forward in Gaza. Rubio's trip comes after Israel's attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar that upended efforts to broker an end to the conflict.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Israel for talks

Five U.S. F-35 fighter jets landed in Puerto Rico amid escalating tensions with Venezuela. Separately, Caracas said 18 armed U.S. Navy personnel raided a tuna boat sailing in Venezuelan waters.

San Juan

U.S. sends jets to Puerto Rico amid escalating tensions with Venezuela

U.S. President Donald Trump said he believes the Russia-Ukraine war would end if all NATO countries stopped buying oil from Russia and placed tariffs on China of 50 percent to 100 percent for its purchases of Russian petroleum.

Trump calls on NATO members to stop purchasing Russian oil

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Sunday, as Israel intensified its attacks against northern Gaza. The trip is taking place after President Donald Trump rebuked Israel over the unprecedented attack against Hamas leaders meeting in Doha.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Marco Rubio visits Israel to push for Gaza ceasefire talks

NATO announced plans to beef up the defense of Europe's eastern flank on Friday, two days after Poland shot down drones that had violated its airspace in the first known action of its kind by a member of the Western alliance during Russia's war in Ukraine.

Warsaw

Ukraine Invasion

NATO bolsters its eastern flank after Russian drones hit Poland

Protests broke out in Chicago on Saturday against President Trump's immigration crackdown. A group of Catholic clergy led what they called a "People's Mass" outside the Great Lakes Naval Base. The base will also be used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement as a staging area for deportations.

Chicago

Tensions over immigration escalate in Chicago

More than 100,000 people took to the streets in London on Saturday, in what's believed to be the largest anti-immigration protest in British history. Organizers called it a "Unite the Kingdom" rally.

Huge crowds march for right-wing "Unite the Kingdom" rally in London

President Trump signaled a new position on Russia's war with Ukraine. He said the U.S. will agree to additional sanctions on Moscow, but only when NATO allies stop buying Russian oil. Willie James Inman has more details.

Trump says NATO must stop buying Russian oil

Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect in the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, is being held in Spanish Fork, Utah. Officials have yet to identify a precise motive for Wednesday's shooting. Carter Evans has new developments.

Suspect's family says he recently became more political

NATO has launched operation Eastern Sentry to bolster its presence along the eastern flank of Europe, after Russian drones were found in Poland on Wednesday. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump is calling on all treaty members to increase economic pressures on Russia.

Trump calls on NATO members to impose sanctions on Russia

More than 100,000 people marched through central London on Saturday in a 'Unite the Kingdom' demonstration against immigration organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Police said a number of officers were assaulted.

Thousands in London march against immigration

A former chief justice has been sworn in as Nepal's interim prime minister. For many people, Sushila Karki's appointment promises change. Days of violence and anti-government protests left at least 51 people dead.

Kathmandu

Curfew lifted in Kathmandu, violence in Nepal eases

A civil war within the Sinaloa cartel in western Mexico has forced thousands of people to abandon their villages. Rival factions are battling for territory and control. Communities caught in the middle of the violence are demanding change.

Culiacán

Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel war displaces thousands

The man accused of killing conservative commentator and activist Charlie Kirk is being held without bail in a Utah jail. Meanwhile, vigils and memorials across the country honored Kirk as his widow made her first public remarks since his death.

Breakdown