Denver Airport's $21,000 Retirement Party Draws Ethics Board Rebuke

Denver's ethics board has rebuked the city's airport department for spending $21,000 on a retirement party, finding the expense violated city rules on public funds and gifts.

The board's review found the airport used public money to pay for catering, decorations, and entertainment at the event, which honored a longtime employee. Board members said the expenditure broke Denver's gift policy and rules that limit how public funds can be used for personnel celebrations.

Airport officials told the board the party was intended to recognize decades of service. But the board said the scale of the event and the use of airport funds crossed the line from routine employee recognition into improper spending.

The board ordered the airport to repay the $21,000 and required staff to complete ethics training. It also directed the department to submit written guidance clarifying what types of employee events are allowed under city policy.

The rebuke follows a broader review of spending practices at Denver International Airport, which has faced scrutiny over budget overruns and contract spending. The airport is one of the city's largest departments and operates on a separate budget from Denver's general fund.

The board's decision is not expected to result in disciplinary action against individual employees, but it requires the airport to formally acknowledge the violation and outline steps to prevent similar spending in the future.

Airport officials said they would comply with the board's orders and update internal policies.