Business Groups Push for Five-Day In-Office Mandate

A new push to mandate five-day in-office weeks could boost foot traffic for downtown retailers and restaurants.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Remote Work

Business Groups Push for Five-Day In-Office Mandate

Live Poll

Should local and state governments require employees to work from the office full-time?

Denver business leaders are lobbying state and city officials to mandate full-time in-office work for public employees. Proponents argue that increasing downtown foot traffic will boost local economic activity for restaurants and retailers.

Why it matters

Business groups contend that returning government workers to offices five days a week will reinvigorate the local economy and address public safety concerns. For downtown operators, the shift represents a potential catalyst for higher customer demand and revenue stability.

As of May 2026, 64% of city employees worked in the office five days a week, while 30% followed the three-day mandate established in 2022. Business leaders are pushing these figures toward full-time capacity to drive downtown revitalization.

The players

Mike Johnston

The Mayor of Denver currently managing the city's approach to flexible work policies.

Jared Polis

The current Governor of Colorado whose staff operates on a three-day in-office schedule.

Phil Weiser

A candidate for governor who has expressed a desire to strengthen team culture through office presence.

The details

Business leaders are currently lobbying Mayor Mike Johnston and the incoming gubernatorial administration to require full-time, in-office presence for government staff. The proposal seeks to synchronize city and state labor policies to mitigate employee turnover and stabilize the downtown workforce. Proponents believe this increased density will improve the viability of local retail and hospitality sectors while reducing crime and homelessness in the city center.

2022: City established its current three-day remote work policy.
2023: Mayor Mike Johnston assumed office.
May 2026: City released attendance data regarding employee office habits.
November 2026: The state gubernatorial election is expected to take place.
January 2027: Governor Jared Polis is scheduled to leave office.

Market Landscape

The push for mandatory in-office work marks a significant departure from the city of Denver's 2022 three-day policy. The debate mirrors a broader tension between agency-based flexibility and the desire for centralized economic revitalization.

Downtown operators should monitor local policy developments as a signal for potential shifts in lunchtime and after-work customer demand. Owners of retail and service businesses should evaluate how a full-time government workforce might impact their staffing needs and peak operating hours.

The takeaway

The effort to mandate full-time office work highlights a growing desire among business stakeholders to utilize public employment as an economic anchor. Operators should watch for shifts in the local hiring environment and adjust their service schedules to anticipate potential increases in pedestrian traffic.