Denver Mayor Restores Some Library Services

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper announced Monday that he has agreed to amend his proposed budget to restore some library and recreation center hours originally targeted for cuts.

His decision follows a request that he restore those hours and look for budget cuts elsewhere.

To come up with the money, the mayor will have Denver Public Schools put up $600,000 to help shoulder the burden of putting police officers in city schools.

In his original budget proposal, the city was going to pay the entire $1.5 million cost of putting the officers in city schools.

Eric Brown, the mayor’s spokesman, said the school district has agreed to accept the $600,000 cost.

The additional money will allow the city to:

• Restore 16 hours at the library branches of Woodbury, Montbello, Bear Valley and University Hills.

• Cancel proposed staggered closures at recreation centers throughout the city.

• Restore 20.5 hours at nine recreation centers to current levels.

Read more: Hickenlooper restores library, rec-center hours in proposed budget – The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_16314520#ixzz129fzpZCy