5 furlough days on the books for Denver employees

DENVER - The city of Denver plans to save roughly $5 million next year by instituting five furlough days for city employees.

"...we scheduled more furlough days in 2010 in lieu of making additional employee cuts that would have impacted the services we deliver to citizens," Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper said.

Hickenlooper says the decision was based in part on the fact that furlough days were routinely suggested during the budget cycle. A furlough day is commonly understood as an unpaid day off from work.

The total number of furlough days for 2010 could be cut back if the city's financial situation improves. Many of Denver's scheduled furlough days coincide with state furlough days. The scheduled dates are listed below.

-Friday, April 2. This is a Denver Public Schools holiday and a state furlough day. Also, April is a three-paycheck month.

-Friday, May 28. This is the Friday before Memorial Day, a Denver Public Schools holiday and a state furlough day.

-Friday, Sept. 3. This is the Friday before Labor Day.

-Friday, Oct. 15. This is a Denver Public Schools early-release day. Also, October is a three-paycheck month.

-Friday, Nov. 26. This is the Friday after Thanksgiving Day and is a Denver Public Schools holiday.