For the superstitious, it may be notable that the first widespread furlough for Colorado Springs’ city staff is taking place on Friday the 13th.

Next Friday’s closure is the first of five furlough days Colorado Springs has scheduled throughout this year as part of major budget reductions the city instituted to address shortfalls in the 2026 budget.

Chief Financial Officer Charae McDaniel said this was the first time that Colorado Springs had issued furloughs to handle a budget issue.

“It is complicated, it’s administratively very difficult and it’s difficult on the employees — and I hope to never have to do them again,” McDaniel said.

The furloughs are estimated to save the city about $2.5 million by not paying the majority of city staff on those days. They are among many cuts or changes Colorado Springs made to reach the roughly $11 million in general fund savings needed after last year’s sales tax revenue failed to increase as expected.

Not every department will be impacted by the furloughs. Sworn police officers, firefighters and the civilian employees working with them at the 911 call center will continue to respond to emergencies. The city’s pothole repair and snow removal crews will continue to keep the streets drivable.

Operations like the Colorado Springs Airport or the city golf courses, which are paid for through enterprise funds instead of the general fund, will remain open.

All five furloughs are scheduled to coincide with holiday weeks, which McDaniel said are typically slower times. Many areas of city government were already scheduled to close Feb. 16 for Presidents Day.

“We wanted to try and choose those days that would have the least impact on our community doing business with the city,” McDaniel said.

In the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department, some staff members will have their furloughs shifted to different days because the holidays lead to more visitors in the city parks.

In addition to the citywide furlough days, employees who make more than $72,000 per year will take two additional furlough days this year. McDaniel said those days will be individually scheduled.

The next furlough day is scheduled on Friday, May 22 heading into Memorial Day weekend.