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Dem-run city has no money for police but can afford to host 2030 Gay Games

August 7, 2025 | | Print Article

A Colorado city is facing criticism over its questionable priorities.

Despite significant budget cuts in services for its citizens and rolling out the red carpet for illegal migrants, Denver is pitching itself as the city of choice to host the Gay Games XIII event in 2030.

The Federation of Gay Games (FGG) is deciding which city will host the event, narrowing the field down to Denver, Auckland (New Zealand), and Perth (Australia).

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and Gov. Jared Polis, both Democrats, want to take Denver to “new heights” as host of the 10-day event “celebrating sports and culture, with a focus on LGBTQ+ identities and our allies,” according to the event website.

“Together, let’s take the Gay Games to new heights. Denver is ready,” Johnsonton says in a promotional video that is circulating on social media.

“Let’s show the world that Colorado is a place where we champion rights for all while creating a championship atmosphere for every athlete,” Polis says in the same clip that has multiple cameos of others declaring, “Together, out West.”

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Austin Manning, Officer of Site Selection at the FGG, said the selection of the host location is “not just about choosing a city; it’s about envisioning a future where LGBTQ+ sports and culture, and the values we have in common, shine brighter than ever.”

“We look forward to the next 12 months and working closely with the three teams as they prepare their final bid books for review in October 2025,” Manning said in a statement last year announcing the final candidates.

Denver’s pitch to be the winner comes after the so-called sanctuary city made over $8 million in budget cuts last year to vital agencies, including the police department. The city also looked at cutting more than 12 percent of its budget this year, an amount that exceeds 10 percent cuts made during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The city is facing a $50 million deficit in 2025 and will have a $200 million deficit in 2026,” Denverite reported earlier this year, announcing imminent hiring freezes and furloughs for city workers.

“Since taking office, Johnston has spent mightily on both the homelessness and immigration crises. In 2023, the city spent $73 million on both. The following year, Denver spent $86.6 million and in the following year $76.2 million,” the outlet reported at the time.

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In addition, with the influx of immigrants into the city, Denver reportedly spent a staggering $356 million of taxpayer funds on the population, amounting to $7,900 per foreign national, according to a Common Sense Institute analysis last year.

Many on social media agreed that the city’s priorities are in need of an overhaul as it jockeys to host the Gay Games.

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Frieda Powers
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