Denver’s Jan. 30 special election cost $543,000, about $150,000 less than some had estimated.

A City Council committee today endorsed a supplemental appropriation to cover the costs, including $95,400 for postage and $309,900 for printing.

John Gaydeski, the commission’s executive director, said he expects the May election to cost less than January’s because inactive voter files have been purged.

Denver now has about 178,000 active registered voters, nearly 117,000 fewer than in January.

In the January special election, voters approved a measure to replace the Denver Election Commission with a clerk and recorder who would also be responsible for supervising elections.

In May, voters will be asked to elect a clerk and recorder.