Federal officials have told the city they approved the $50 million in federal funds to offset any security-related costs for hosting the Democratic National Convention, a top aide to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper said Tuesday.
Katherine Archuleta, the mayor’s liaison to the convention, said she learned the news during a telephone conversation with federal officials Monday.
“They want to give the money to us as quickly as possible,” Archuleta told Denver City Council members during their weekly meeting with Hickenlooper.
The money will be used to reimburse expenditures related to providing security for the convention, Aug. 25-28. Because the Republican and Democratic national conventions are deemed national special security events, federal funds are provided for security, and the expenditures are approved by the Department of Justice. Denver and Minneapolis-St. Paul, home of the GOP convention in September, each will receive $50 million.
The council also learned of three additional expenditures — each covered by the federal money — related to the convention.
The expenditures include $62,500 to purchase “specialized gas detection equipment,” $165,170 for a “mitigation device” and $128,500 for “biohazard equipment.” Details on the purchases were not available.
Archuleta said the city is still awaiting the official letter stating that the $50 million has been approved, but has received oral commitments.
It took the federal government nearly two years to fully repay the city of Boston for security-related costs from the 2004 Democratic National Convention.
Archuleta said in an interview that Denver was able to avoid reimbursement delays by crafting a budget in advance and submitting it to federal officials.
She said the city will receive the money in one lump sum. She said federal officials will audit the expenditures at a later date.
Christopher N. Osher: 303-954-1747 or cosher@denverpost.com
