Axios Denver: Denver’s auditor says Mayor Mike Johnston’s administration is blocking his review of how City Hall builds its budget.

Why it matters: The yearlong standoff over access to records raises fresh questions about transparency and whether Denver’s independent watchdog can effectively scrutinize city spending.

Driving the news: Auditor Timothy O’Brien told Axios in an exclusive interview Monday that a long-planned audit of Denver’s budget process has stalled.

“We’re being blocked from doing that,” he said.

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