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Backseat Budgeter

"The Backseat Budgeter is a great example of a state government's new efforts to inform and engage the public."
- Ann Bowman, professor, George Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University

Backseat Budgeter is a simulation tool that enables you to experience for yourself what it is like to manage a public budget. With Backseat Budgeter you can see the effects of your decisions, gain a better understanding of the challenges elected officials face, and appreciate the complexities of the public budgeting process. Furthermore, the choices you make about the budget will be shared with public officials. Backseat Budgeter is a public service tool created by Engaged Public to help citizens understand the tradeoffs associated with spending public dollars. It is offered as a community service by Engaged Public at no cost to any public entity wishing to educate and engage its constituents.

On November 6th Denver residents approved Proposition 2A which allows the City to retain $44 million in 2013 in property taxes that would otherwise be returned to taxpayers. To coincide with the passing of 2A, a new, online budget simulation tool called the City of Denver Backseat Budgeter was launched to help Denver residents look at the city budget and make decisions about where the money should be spent. Go to www.BackseatBudgeter.com and click on the City of Denver to view the 2013 city budget of $945.7 million, set your own priorities, save your budget, view others' budgets, and discuss ideas through online posts.

Backseat Budgeter Wins Westword Award

Best Way to Understand the Budget-2011: Backseat Budgeter

Backseat Budgeter: Can You Balance Colorado’s Budget?

Try your hand at balancing Colorado’s Budget on the Budgeter website. Read more about the Backseat Budgeter in the Denver Post and Opinion pages.