Mayoral election in Denver, Colorado (April 4, 2023 general election)

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2023 Denver elections

Election dates
Filing deadline: January 19, 2023
General election: April 4, 2023
Runoff election: June 6, 2023
Election stats
Offices up: Mayor
Total seats up: 1 (click here for other city elections)

Election type: Nonpartisan
Other municipal elections
U.S. municipal elections, 2023

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Michael Johnston and Kelly Brough were the top-two vote-getters in the nonpartisan general election for mayor of Denver, Colorado, on April 4. Since neither received a majority of the vote, the two advanced from the 22-candidate field to a June 6 runoff. Click here to read more about the runoff election.

Denverite's Kyle Harris wrote, residents "are worried about the city's affordability ... public safety and rising crime ... [and] homelessness. People want solutions, and it's clear that the people of the city understand that the mayor's seat can try to tackle many of these issues." Harris added, "The mayor is powerful ... [and] often described as the strongest elected position in the state."[1]

Incumbent Michael Hancock, first elected in 2011, was term-limited. This was Denver's fifth open mayoral election since 1959.

Leading up to the election, two polls showed, on average, that 61% of respondents were undecided. No candidates polled at more than 10%.

The candidates listed below led the field in fundraising and media coverage:[2][3]

* Kelly Brough: chief of staff to former Mayor John Hickenlooper (D) (2003-2009), and president and C.E.O. of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce (2009-2021);[4]

* Lisa Calderón: executive director of Emerge Colorado and third-place finisher in the 2019 mayoral general election;[5]

* Chris Hansen: state Senator (2020-present) and former state Representative (2017-2020);

* Leslie Herod: state Representative (2016-present);

* Michael Johnston: former state Senator (2009-2017) and third-place finisher in the 2018 Democratic gubernatorial primary;

* Deborah Ortega: member of the Denver City Council serving at-large (2011-present) and formerly representing District 9 (1987-2003); and,

* Andy Rougeot: U.S. Army intelligence officer and business owner.[6]

While the election was officially nonpartisan, Brough, Calderón, Hansen, Herod, Johnston, and Ortega were Democrats, and Rougeot was a Republican.[7][8]

All seven candidates said public safety, homelessness, and housing affordability were key issues.[9][10][11][12][13] Click here to view candidates' stances on these issues.

Renate Behrens, Al Gardner, Aurelio Martinez, Terrance Roberts, Trinidad Rodriguez, Ean Tafoya, Robert Treta, James Walsh, and Thomas Wolf were also on the ballot. Matt Brady, Paul Fiorino, Marcus Giavanni, Danny F. Lopez, Jesse Parris, and Abass Yaya Bamba ran as write-in candidates. Kwame Spearman withdrew after ballots were printed, meaning his name appeared on the ballot but any votes for him were counted as undervotes.[14]

Denver has a strong mayor government, where the mayor serves as chief executive and the city council operates as a legislative branch. The mayor sets the city budget, nominates department heads, and makes more than 700 appointments to positions city-wide. The mayor also oversees the Denver International Airport, police and sheriff departments, and the community planning and development department.[15]

For coverage of the June 6, 2023, general runoff election, click here.

Heading into 2023, the partisan breakdown of the mayors of the 100 largest U.S. cities was 63 Democrats, 28 Republicans, three independents, and four nonpartisans. Two mayors' partisan affiliations were unknown.[16]

## Contents

* 1 Election news
* 2 Candidates and election results
* 3 Candidates and results
* 4 Additional elections on the ballot
* 4.1 Candidate comparison
* 4.1.1 Candidate profiles
* 4.1.2 Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses
* 4.1.3 Issues and candidate positions
* 4.1.4 Campaign advertisements
* 4.1.4.1 Kelly Brough
* 4.1.4.2 Lisa Calderón
* 4.1.4.3 Chris Hansen
* 4.1.4.4 Leslie Herod
* 4.1.4.5 Michael Johnston
* 4.1.4.6 Deborah Ortega
* 4.1.4.7 Andy Rougeot
* 4.1.5 Debates and forums
* 4.1.5.1 March 23 candidate forum
* 4.1.5.2 March 22 candidate forums
* 4.1.5.3 March 15 candidate forum
* 4.1.5.4 March 14 debate
* 4.1.5.5 March 13 candidate forum
* 4.1.5.6 Earlier debates and forums
* 4.2 Noteworthy endorsements
* 4.3 Election competitiveness
* 4.3.1 Polls
* 4.4 Election spending
* 4.4.1 Campaign finance
* 4.4.2 Satellite spending
* 4.4.2.1 Spending news
* 4.5 Election context
* 4.5.1 Denver mayoral election history
* 4.6 Mayoral partisanship
* 4.7 About the city
* 4.7.1 City government
* 4.7.2 Demographics
* 4.8 2023 battleground elections
* 4.9 See also
* 4.10 External links
* 4.11 Footnotes

## Election news[edit]

This section includes a timeline of events leading up to the election.

* Election news (November 2022 - April 2023)

* April 3, 2023:
* Former Denver Mayor Bill Vidal endorsed Brough.[17]
* A Better Denver spent $10,000 on media buys supporting Brough.[18]
* Protect Denver's Future spent $80,730 on direct mail supporting Ortega.[18]
* April 2, 2023: The American-Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee Colorado endorsed Johnston.[19]
* March 31, 2023:
* A Better Denver! spent $5,000 on digital advertisements supporting Hansen.[18]
* Advancing Denver spent $23,894 on postage supporting Johnston.[18]
* Save Denver Now spent $60 on digital advertisements opposing Calderón.[18]
* March 30, 2023: Colorado Working Families Party spent $4,801 on text messages Calderón.[18]
* March 29, 2023: Advancing Denver spent $380,000 on media buys, $50,000 on media production, and $16,964 on postage supporting Johnston.[18]
* March 28, 2023:
* The Colorado State Conference of Electrical Workers endorsed Hansen.[20]
* A Better Denver spent $40,000 on media buys supporting Brough.[18]
* Communications Workers of America spent $4,757 on candidate information—$1,189 each supporting Calderón, Hansen, Herod, and Ortega.[18]
* March 27, 2023:
* Advancing Denver spent $50,000 on media buys supporting Johnston.[18]
* Save Denver Now spent $200 on administrative services opposing Herod.[18]
* March 26, 2023: Save Denver Now spent $40 on digital advertisements opposing Herod.[18]
* March 25, 2023: Save Denver Now spent $200 on administrative services opposing Herod.[18]
* March 23, 2023:
* Calderón, Fiorino, and Herod participated in part two of a candidate forum hosted by the Denver Task Force to Reimagine Policing & Public Safety.[21]
* El Comercio News released a candidate interview with Hansen.[22]
* Colorado Working Families Party spent $18,358 on mailers supporting Calderón.[18]
* Save Denver Now spent $30 on digital advertisements supporting Rodriguez.[18]
* March 22, 2023:
* Candidates participated in two candidate forums:
* Fourteen candidates participated in a hosted by The Denver Gazette.[23]
* Six candidates participated in part one of a candidate forum hosted by the Denver Task Force to Reimagine Policing & Public Safety.[24]
* A Better Denver spent $16,007 on advertisements and $13,327 on media buys supporting Brough.[18]
* Advancing Denver spent $209,000 on media production supporting Johnston.[18]
* March 21, 2023:
* A Better Denver! spent $26,000 on digital advertisements supporting Hansen.[18]
* Advancing Denver spent $50,000 on media buys and $43,018 on postage supporting Johnston.[18]
* Communications Workers of America spent $2,854 on candidate information—$357 each supporting Calderón, Hansen, Herod, and Ortega and $357 each opposing Brough, Johnston, Rougeot, and Spearman.[18]
* Save Denver Now spent $60 on digital advertisements opposing Calderón ($21), Herod ($21), and Tafoya ($18).[18]
* March 20, 2023: Save Denver Now spent $100 on digital advertisements opposing Calderón ($50) and Herod ($50).[18]
* March 19, 2023: The Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance endorsed Herod.[25]
* March 17, 2023: A Better Denver spent $129,884 on media buys and $108,750 on canvassing supporting Brough.[18]
* March 16, 2023:
* Kwame Spearman withdrew from the race and endorsed Brough. Spearman's name appeared on the ballot but any votes for him were counted as undervotes.[26]
* The Colorado Working Families Party, Denver Democratic Socialists of America, and Colorado Criminal Justice Reform endorsed Calderón.[27][28]
* Ready Denver spent $40,000 on advertisements and $5,250 on canvassing supporting Herod.[18]
* March 15, 2023:
* Ten candidates participated in a candidate forum hosted by Delta Sigma Theta and Community Works.[29]
* Advancing Denver spent $380,000 on media buys and $100,000 on media production supporting Johnston.[18]
* March 14, 2023:
* Eleven candidates participated in a debate hosted by 9News.[30]
* 9News published an interview with Walsha as part of a series of interviews with all mayoral candidates.[31]
* March 13, 2023:
* Sixteen candidates participated in a candidate forum hosted by Commún Denver.[32]
* A Better Denver spent $103,181 on media buys supporting Brough.[18]
* Save Denver Now spent $1,983 on advertisements opposing Calderón ($661), Herod ($661), and Tafoya ($661).[18]
* March 12, 2023: The Denver Post endorsed Johnston.[33]
* March 10, 2023: Axios Denver published a summary of the mayoral race, including interviews with candidates, as available.[34]
* March 9, 2023:
* Fifteen candidates participated in a candidate forum hosted by the Montbello Organizing Committee.[35]
* 9News published interviews with Martinez and Treta as part of a series of interviews with all mayoral candidates.[36][37]
* El Comercio News released candidate interviews with Calderón and Johnston.[38][39]
* March 7, 2023:
* Seven candidates participated in a candidate forum hosted by Denverite and Colorado Public Radio.[40]
* Advancing Denver spent $68,672 on postage and $3,132 on data supporting Johnston.[18]
* March 6, 2023: Advancing Denver spent $380,000 on media buys and $100,000 on media production supporting Johnston.[18]
* March 5, 2023: Brough, Calederón, Herod, Johnston, Ortega, and Roberts participated in a candidate forum hosted by the Great Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance.[41]
* March 4, 2023: Brough, Calederón, Herod, Johnston, Spearman, and Tafoya participated in a candidate forum hosted by the GES Coalition, East5ide United, and Metro Caring.[42]
* March 3, 2023: A Better Denver spent $246,392 on media buys supporting Brough.[18]
* March 2, 2023:
* Nineteen candidates participated in a candidate forum hosted by the City and County of Denver.[43]
* SurveyUSA released a poll sponsored by several groups that found 58% of respondents were undecided. All candidates received support from less than 6% of respondents. The margin of error was ± 4.9 percentage points.[44]
* The Denver Sheriff Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #27 endorsed Ortega.[45]
* Save Denver Now spent $3,720 on advertisements opposing Herod.[18]
* March 1, 2023:
* Behrens, Brough, Calderón, Herod, and Ortega participated in a candidate forum hosted by Town Hall Collaborative.[46]
* 9News published an interview with Tafoya as part of a series of interviews with all mayoral candidates.[47]
* Denver Firefighters IAFF Local 858 spent $120,397 supporting Ortega.[18]
* Feb. 28, 2023: Ready Denver spent $120,000 on advertisements supporting Herod.[18]
* Feb. 27, 2023:
* Former Gov. Roy Romer (D) endorsed Hansen.[48]
* Advancing Denver spent $380,000 on media buys supporting Johnston.[18]
* Ready Denver spent $2,350 on advertisements supporting Herod.[18]
* Feb. 24, 2023:
* Ten candidates participated in a candidate forum hosted by PBS 12.[49] The same day, PBS 12 also published a series of interviews with 14 candidates.[50]
* 9News published an interview with Gardner as part of a series of interviews with all mayoral candidates.[51]
* The Denver Metro Association of Realtors endorsed Brough.[52]
* A Better Denver spent $139,172 on media buys supporting Brough.[18]
* Feb. 23, 2023: Save Denver Now spent $200 on administrative services opposing Herod.[18]
* Feb. 22, 2023: 9News published an interview with Spearman as part of a series of interviews with all mayoral candidates.[53]
* Feb. 21, 2023:
* Cygnal and Chism Strategies released a poll sponsored by A Denver for Us All that found 59% of respondents were undecided. All candidates received support from less than 10% of respondents. The margin of error was ± 4.9 percentage points.[54]
* El Comercio News released a candidate interview with Rodriguez.[55]
* A Better Denver spent $6,663 on media buys supporting Brough.[18]
* Feb. 20, 2023:
* Denver7 published a series of interviews with all 17 mayoral candidates appearing on the ballot.[56]
* Thirteen candidates and a surrogate for Brough participated in a candidate forum hosted by Mutual Aid Monday and the Housekeys Action Network Denver.[57]
* 9News published interviews with Herod, Johnston, and Ortega as part of a series of interviews with all mayoral candidates.[58][59][60]
* El Comercio News released a candidate interview with Herod.[61]
* Feb. 19, 2023: The Denver Gazette endorsed Brough.[62]
* Feb. 17, 2023: Colorado Poet Laureate Bobby LeFebre endorsed Herod.[63]
* Feb. 16, 2023:
* Thirteen candidates participated in a debate hosted by 9News and Metropolitan State University of Denver.[64]
* 9News published an interview with Calderón as part of a series of interviews with all mayoral candidates.[65]
* Feb. 17, 2023: A Better Denver spent $116,533 on media buys and $54,375 on canvassing supporting Brough.[18]
* Feb. 14, 2023: 9News began publishing interviews with all mayoral candidates, beginning with Behrens, Brough, Hansen, Roberts, Rodriguez, Rougeot, and Wolf.[66][67][68][69][70][71][72]
* Feb. 13, 2023: The Teamsters Local 17 and 455 endorsed Hansen.[73]
* Feb. 9, 2023:
* Sixteen candidates participated in a debate hosted by CBS News Colorado and Regis University.[74]
* El Comercio News released candidate interviews with Ortega and Rougeot.[75][76]
* Feb. 7, 2023: Former Gov. Bill Ritter (D) endorsed Brough.[77]
* Feb. 2, 2023: El Semanario endorsed Ortega.[78]
* Jan. 26, 2023:
* The LGBTQ Victory Fund endorsed Herod.[79]
* The Colorado Professional Firefighters endorsed Ortega.[80]
* El Comercio News released a candidate interview with Tafoya.[81]
* Jan. 25, 2023: Former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb (D) endorsed Herod.[82]
* Jan. 20, 2023: UNITE HERE Local 23 endorsed Ortega.[83]
* Jan. 17, 2023: UFCW Local 7 endorsed Ortega.[84]
* Jan. 13, 2023: Former mayoral candidate Jamie Giellis endorsed Spearman.[85] Giellis placed second in the 2019 mayoral election, receiving 44% of the vote.
* Jan. 12, 2023: El Comercio News released a candidate interview with Brough.[86]
* Dec. 28, 2022: 314 Action Fund endorsed Hansen.[87]
* Nov. 18, 2022: City Councilman Christopher Herndon endorsed Brough.[88]
* Nov. 17, 2022: Former 2023 mayoral candidate Anna Burrell endorsed Calderón.[89]
* Nov. 16, 2022: Protect Denver's Future spent $10,000 on digital advertisements supporting Ortega.[18]

## Candidates and election results[edit]

Click on the tabs below to show more information about those topics.

# Candidates and results[edit]

#### General runoff election

##### General runoff election for Mayor of Denver

Michael Johnston defeated Kelly Brough in the general runoff election for Mayor of Denver on June 6, 2023.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

| Michael Johnston (Nonpartisan) |

55.2

| 89,889

| Kelly Brough (Nonpartisan) |

44.8

| 73,097

* * *

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 162,986

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

#### General election

##### General election for Mayor of Denver

The following candidates ran in the general election for Mayor of Denver on April 4, 2023.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

| Michael Johnston (Nonpartisan) |

24.5

| 42,273

| Kelly Brough (Nonpartisan) |

20.1

| 34,627

| Lisa Calderón (Nonpartisan) |

18.1

| 31,164

| Andy Rougeot (Nonpartisan) |

11.5

| 19,927

| Leslie Herod (Nonpartisan) |

10.7

| 18,506

| Chris Hansen (Nonpartisan) |

4.8

| 8,309

| Deborah Ortega (Nonpartisan) |

4.5

| 7,739

| Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan) |

1.6

| 2,700

| Terrance Roberts (Nonpartisan) |

1.0

| 1,757

| Thomas Wolf (Nonpartisan) |

1.0

| 1,747

| Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan) |

0.7

| 1,240

| Aurelio Martinez (Nonpartisan) |

0.4

| 755

| Al Gardner (Nonpartisan) |

0.4

| 725

| James Walsh (Nonpartisan) |

0.4

| 722

| Renate Behrens (Nonpartisan) |

0.1

| 184

| Robert Treta (Nonpartisan) |

0.1

| 169

| Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) |

0.0

| 24

| Jesse Parris (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) |

0.0

| 11

| Paul Fiorino (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) |

0.0

| 5

| Matt Brady (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) |

0.0

| 4

| Marcus Giavanni (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) |

0.0

| 1

| Danny F. Lopez (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) |

0.0

| 0

* * *

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 172,589

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

#### Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

* Sylvia Herring (Nonpartisan)
* Kwame Spearman (Nonpartisan) (Unofficially withdrew)
* Anna Burrell (Nonpartisan)
* Alex Valdez (Nonpartisan)
* Sean Gallegos (Nonpartisan)
* Kenneth Simpson (Nonpartisan)
* Alex Cowans (Nonpartisan)
* David E. Stevens (Nonpartisan)

# Additional elections on the ballot[edit]

See also: Colorado elections, 2023

What's on your ballot?

Click here to find out using My Vote

##### April 4, 2023

* City elections in Denver, Colorado (2023)
* Mayoral election in Denver, Colorado (2023)
* Denver, Colorado, Referred Question 2M, Provide for Zoning Exceptions in City Ordinance Amendment (April 2023)
* Denver, Colorado, Referred Question 2N, Zone Districts and Property Owner Zoning Protests Amendment (April 2023)
* Denver, Colorado, Referred Question 2O, Development of Park Hill Golf Course Measure (April 2023)

##### June 6, 2023

* City elections in Denver, Colorado (2023)
* Mayoral election in Denver, Colorado (2023)

##### October 3, 2023

* Mayor and city council recall, Englewood, Colorado (2023)

##### November 7, 2023

* Colorado Proposition HH, Property Tax Changes and Revenue Change Measure (2023)
* Colorado Proposition II, Tobacco and Nicotine Product Tax Revenue Measure (2023)
* Aurora Public Schools, Colorado, elections (2023)
* Cherry Creek School District, Colorado, elections (2023)
* Denver Public Schools, Colorado, elections (2023)
* Jeffco Public Schools, Colorado, elections (2023)
* City elections in Aurora, Colorado (2023)
* Mayoral election in Aurora, Colorado (2023)
* Aurora, Colorado, Changes to Term Limits and Establish Mayoral-Council Government Charter Amendment (November 2023)
* Aurora, Colorado, Question 3A, Make Charter Language Gender-Neutral Amendment (November 2023)
* Aurora, Colorado, Question 3B, Changes to Police Probationary Period and Promotion Process Amendment (November 2023)
* Aurora, Colorado, Question 3C, Changes to Police and Firefighting Hiring Practices Amendment (November 2023)
* Aurora, Colorado, Question 3D, Increase Number of Deputy and Division Chiefs Amendment (November 2023)
* Denver, Colorado, Question 2P, Sales and Use Tax Measure (November 2023)

## Candidate comparison[edit]

### Candidate profiles[edit]

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Kelly Brough

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Biography: Brough received a bachelor's degree in sociology from Montana State University and an M.B.A. from the University of Colorado at Denver. Brough was a chief of staff to former Mayor John Hickenlooper (D) from 2003 to 2009, president and C.E.O. of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce from 2009 to 2021, and chief strategy officer at Metropolitan State University of Denver from 2021 to 2022.

* * *

Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

* * *

Brough said she would "restore the promise of Denver by addressing homelessness, improving community safety, and delivering more housing that is affordable."

* * *

Brough highlighted her experience as a chief of staff in the mayor's office, saying she "is the only candidate for mayor who has actually managed the city."

* * *

Brough said she would revitalize downtown by "[m]aking sure our residents and visitors feel safe," converting spaces to residential, and "retaining businesses and attracting new jobs and investments."

* * *

Show sources

Sources: Kelly Brough's 2023 campaign website, "About," accessed Feb.15, 2023, 9News, "Meet the candidates running for Denver Mayor: Kelly Brough," Feb. 14, 2023; LinkedIn, "Kelly Brough," accessed Feb. 15, 2023

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Mayor of Denver in 2023.

Lisa Calderón

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Biography: Calderón received a bachelor's degree at Metropolitan State University of Denver, a master's degree from the University of Denver, a law degree from the University of Colorado, and a doctorate from the University of Colorado Denver. Calderón worked as a professor and as chief of staff in the Denver City Council District 9 office. In 2021, Calderón became executive director of Emerge Colorado, a training program for Democratic women running for office.

* * *

Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

* * *

Calderón said, "We can reimagine what's possible in our communities," adding, "We CAN have social housing and green space. We CAN have community safety and hold the police accountable. We CAN make Denver a more affordable city for everyone."

* * *

Calderón said she would decentralize Denver's strong mayor system, saying, "It's time that we reject the false choices we've been fed by the political elite over the past 20 years," and "disrupt politics as usual."

* * *

Calderón emphasized her background in nonprofit management and advocacy, saying, "I have fought for the rights of women, people of color and those on the margins of society to be treated equally and fairly."

* * *

Show sources

Sources: Lisa Calderón's 2023 campaign website, "About Lisa," accessed March 7, 2023, Lisa Calderón's campaign website, "Issues," accessed March 7, 2023; LinkedIn, "Lisa Calderón, MLS, JD, EdD," accessed March 7, 2023

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Mayor of Denver in 2023.

Chris Hansen

Incumbent: No

Political Office:

* Colorado State Senate \- District 31 (Assumed office: 2020)
* Colorado House of Representatives \- District 6 (2017-2020)

Submitted Biography: "I am a state senator and engineer with public and private sector experience. I've been delivering results for Denver in the legislature for seven years. I know we need to build a city that works, which means a safer, more affordable, and greener Denver. As Mayor, I will prioritize public safety and will recruit, retain, and highly-train public safety officers so we have a Department that is accountable and works for everyone. I will audit the homelessness programs and ensure we're investing in programs that show results and cutting ones that don't. I will enforce the camping ban because we need to get folks into housing with wrap-around services, like substance use and mental health treatment, as well as job training, in order to help the unhoused get back on their feet. As Mayor, I will also help Denver make the transition to clean energy by electrifying city buildings and fleets, adding EV charging infrastructure, and reducing transportation emissions. I envision Denver as a connected, dynamic, thriving city and I have the skill set to help Denver become a city that works. "

* * *

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

* * *

As Mayor, my top priority will be public safety. Denverites and visitors deserve to feel safe in our neighborhoods, parks, and streets and I will commit to rebuilding and improving our Public Safety Department. We will invest in training, hiring, and retaining officers, as well as funding the STAR program so that co-responders can address issues related to mental health and substance use, which will allow our police to perform their core functions: preventing, responding to, and solving crimes. A safer Denver is possible with targeted gun crime prevention, increased patrol of hot-spots, and robust accountability.

* * *

With regard to the homelessness crisis, the status quo is not working. It is clear that Denver needs a new leader to make real progress on addressing homelessness and ensuring our streets, sidewalks and public areas are open for all Denverites to utilize. As Mayor, I will reevaluate Denver’s failing approach to homelessness, reimagine systems to disrupt the cycles perpetuating the problem, and reinforce the existing laws and regulations to ensure that everyone in Denver, housed or unhoused, stays safe. A key part of my homelessness plan is to audit existing programs because we are spending enormous amounts of money without getting results we all deserve.

* * *

I envision Denver as a connected, thriving, dynamic city, with strong neighborhoods, a vibrant downtown and a world-class airport. We can dramatically improve air quality and reduce emissions if we focus on adding population density in areas with high-quality public transit that is electrified. We must enable residents to meet all of their needs by using a combination of highly efficient public transit, connected bike lanes, EV charging infrastructure, and making our streets safer for pedestrians. My systems engineering background combined with my extensive legislative experience will enable me to deliver this vision of a connected, green, dynamic city.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Mayor of Denver in 2023.

Leslie Herod

Incumbent: No

Political Office:

* Colorado House of Representatives \- District 8 (Assumed office: 2017)

Biography: Herod received a bachelor's degree in political science and government from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Herod worked as a policy advisor to former Gov. Bill Ritter (D) and on two presidential campaigns in the state: Barack Obama's (D), as a deputy political director in 2012, and Kamala Harris' (D), as a co-chair in 2020. Herod co-founded New Era Colorado, a youth civic engagement organization.

* * *

Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

* * *

Herod said she would "focus on addressing the day-to-day issues impacting our lives: affordable housing, safer streets for our families, and addressing the homelessness crisis."

* * *

Herod described herself as progressive, saying, "Denver needs a mayor who works for all its people, not just the top 1% who can afford to write big campaign checks."

* * *

Herod emphasized her legislative experience, saying she "[has] passed bold legislation and initiatives dealing with some of our toughest challenges," including alternative policing programs and funding for mental health and substance use treatment organizations.

* * *

Show sources

Sources: Leslie Herod's 2023 campaign website, "Meet Leslie," accessed Feb. 15, 2023, Facebook, "Leslie Herod," Feb. 9, 2023, Leslie Herod's 2023 campaign website, "Issues," accessed Feb. 15, 2023; LegiStorm, "Colorado State Rep. Leslie Herod," accessed Feb. 15, 2023, Denver Democrats, "Leslie Herod," accessed Feb. 15, 2023, Leslie Herod's 2022 campaign website, "About Leslie," accessed Feb. 15, 2023

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Mayor of Denver in 2023.

Michael Johnston

Incumbent: No

Political Office:

* Colorado State Senate \- District 33 (2009-2017)

Biography: Johnston received a bachelor's and a law degree from Yale University and a master's in education from Harvard University. Johnston worked as a teacher and principal from 1997 to 2009. In 2020, Johnston became president and C.E.O. of Gary Community Ventures, a school readiness program.

* * *

Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

* * *

Johnston said, "[W]e need a strong, compassionate, and fair approach to public safety" that "[holds] those who break the law accountable ... while supporting our neighbors in need of intervention."

* * *

Johnston emphasized his work on Proposition 123, which dedicated income tax revenue to funding housing projects, saying, "[n]ow that we have the resources we need to make Denver affordable, we need a mayor with the vision and tenacity to get it done."

* * *

Johnston said he "is running for Mayor of Denver with real plans to make Denver America's best city by making sure it is vibrant, affordable, and safe for everyone."

* * *

Show sources

Sources: Mike Johnston's 2023 campaign website, "Home," accessed Feb. 15, 2023; LinkedIn, "Mike Johnston," accessed Feb. 15, 2023

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Mayor of Denver in 2023.

Deborah Ortega

Incumbent: No

Political Office:

* Denver City Council \- At-large (Assumed office: 2011)
* Denver City Council \- District 9 (1987-2003)

Biography: Ortega worked for former Lt. Governor George Brown (D) and former U.S. Sen. Floyd Haskell (D) before accepting a position with former City Councilman Sal Carpio in 1979. After her first tenure on the city council, Ortega became the executive director of the Denver Homeless Commission and chairwoman of the Del Norte Neighborhood Development Corporation, an affordable housing non-profit.

* * *

Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

* * *

Ortega said, while in office, she "has been an independent voice for neighborhoods left behind by city hall — standing up to powerful mayors and siding with people."

* * *

Ortega said she "will reduce crime & protect fundamental rights," adding, "Every person in Denver deserves to feel welcome and safe in our community, streets, parks, and businesses."

* * *

Ortega said she "will fight for housing fairness and affordability," and "create opportunities for all people in Denver - that means workers, business owners, public servants, children, the unhoused, and future generations."

* * *

Show sources

Sources: Deborah Ortega's 2023 campaign website, "Issues," accessed Feb. 15, 2023, Deborah Ortega's 2023 campaign website, "About," accessed Feb. 15, 2023; Deborah Ortega's 2023 campaign website, "About," accessed Feb. 15, 2023, Denver Democrats, "Debbie Ortega," accessed Feb. 15, 2023

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Mayor of Denver in 2023.

Trinidad Rodriguez

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography: "I was born and raised in west Denver by a single mom. It was a community rich in love though money was tight. Growing up, we confronted the effects of housing insecurity, addiction, violence, and mental health struggles. Like many Denverites, this city helped my mom and me through tough times, and I wanted to pay it forward. That's why I've spent the last 25 years volunteering and in my finance career working with local nonprofits and civic groups, securing funding for schools, health clinics and affordable housing communities. That sets me apart from the other candidates. Denver is facing significant challenges including homelessness, public safety, and affordability, but I won't stop fighting because I believe in this city. We can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results. It’s time for my vision to build a city where every Denverite, regardless of their neighborhood, can achieve their version of success."

* * *

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

* * *

My top priority is addressing the homelessness crisis. At 11 years old, I learned my godfather was unhoused and struggling with addiction. All I could hope for at the time was that there would be someone to protect him from himself and others. Too many Denverites experiencing homelessness have lost their lives in the past five years alone. We need humane, compassionate, and scalable new tools to protect unhoused people from themselves and others. Building on my work with the Denver Housing Authority, my first action would be to declare a state of emergency to address Denver's homelessness crisis. This will grant access to unique tools and resources that we will use to open a temporary field treatment hospital. To begin solving this crisis,

* * *

My second priority is addressing public safety. At nine years old, someone invaded our home and assaulted my mom. Feeling completely helpless, I wondered how my mom and I would ever feel safe to sleep again. Thanks to the officers who responded, my mom and I felt slightly safer sleeping again. I want Denverites to feel safe in this city. Unfortunately though, the crime rate is rising and law enforcement has a lot of trust to rebuild in the communities it serves. First, we must hire more officers. Denver has grown by 50% but our officer ranks are the same as in 1997. Next, we must expand the STAR program; our officers must do the work that they are trained to do. And as Mayor, I promise to raise standards for equity in policing with rigor

* * *

My third priority is to address affordability in Denver. The cost of living has soared 200% over the last ten years but household incomes can't keep up. As a board leader at the Denver Housing Authority for ten years, I learned what investors want and need to advance our affordability goals. Over the last ten years we've added to both our total housing supply and restricted affordable units, and as Mayor, I will build on this work. The other key to building affordability in our city is expanding our city's relationship with Denver Public Schools and higher education institutions: we must keep investing in education.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Mayor of Denver in 2023.

Andy Rougeot

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography: "I am a former Army officer, small business owner, and father running for Mayor to Fight for Denver’s future."

* * *

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

* * *

Add four hundred police officers, increase funding for police training, and ensure 911 system is responsive to make Denver safer

* * *

Enforce the camping ban, to get the homeless into the mental health and drug addiction services they need

* * *

Fix Denver’s broken permitting department and eliminate regulations that increase the cost of housing for blue collar workers, first time homebuyers, and young families

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Mayor of Denver in 2023.

Ean Tafoya

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography: "For twenty years I've fought for economic, racial and environmental justice as a teacher, community organizer, nonprofit leader and public servant in three branches of local government. I'm running for Mayor because it’s about time our local government actually listened to the working families of this city. As an indigenous and Chicano person, I believe we need to make policy with the urgency our communities deserve and with the next seven generations in mind. When we come together to find solutions, we rise!"

* * *

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

* * *

Environmental justice is my life’s work. It’s about more than just “the weather.” It’s whether you breathe clean air and drink clean water. It’s about turning our biggest crisis into an opportunity to remake a society that works for everyone. It’s about power to the people–literally! I have plans to use public banking, state and federal funds to support local workers through a just transition. We’ll replace lead pipes, lower energy bills, expand public transit and develop sustainable housing for working families. We’ll plan neighborhoods to be walkable and bikeable with plenty of parks and urban gardens. With the right investments, communities can even own their own solar gardens!

* * *

If you talk to anybody in Denver, they’ll tell you one of their top concerns about our city is the housing crisis. Rents are skyrocketing and wages are staying stagnant. Neighbors I've grown up with are considering whether they can afford to stay in Denver. Our housing policies have prioritized wealthy developers and pushed out our communities. It’s time for leadership that puts the people first and tackles this crisis head-on.

* * *

Public safety means everyone has clean air, clean water, safe working conditions, a home that’s comfortable and affordable, and a strong safe community. We can create that world by investing in public health, addressing the root causes of harm and finding data-driven solutions that fit the problem. This includes fighting poverty and investing in community-based care and accountability, including harm reduction and addiction services, mental health care, youth mentorship and restorative justice.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Mayor of Denver in 2023.

James Walsh

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography: "I am a Political Science Professor at the University of Colorado Denver, where I have taught for the past 25 years, specializing in Labor, Immigration, and Community Organizing. I founded an all-volunteer organic community theater eighteen years ago called the Romero Theater Troupe. I was raised in a large Irish Catholic family in western Pennsylvania, attending Duke University on a wrestling scholarship."

* * *

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

* * *

Denver Workers First. Wage Earners in our city deserve to be paid enough to afford to live here.

* * *

Universal Basic Income. By providing a guaranteed income to those at or below the poverty line, we offer a direct and immediate solution to the housing crisis, drastically decrease the number of unhoused neighbors, and have an impact on crime and mass incarceration

* * *

Harm Reduction: All public health and safety issues should be viewed through the practices and philosophy of Harm Reduction.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Mayor of Denver in 2023.

Abass Yaya Bamba

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography: "I am Dr. Abass Yaya Bamba. I migrated from the country of Ivory Coast in 1997 to the United States of America. After a brief stay in New York, I moved to Denver, Colorado, in 1998. I hold a Bachelors in Computer Science, a Master in Business Administration, and a Doctorate in Computer Sciences. I hold a graduate level certification homeland security, business data security and project management. I am the owner and founder of Denver-based Information Technology company Y2Fox, a prime contractor for the United States Federal government. I am a result-oriented leader. I am not a progressive; nor a conversative. I am a pragmatist because I am a unifier. I believe that every human being has a positive potential to contribute to the wellbeing of the community. I believe that hot conversation between opposing parties is better than hot confrontation which can easily lead to unfortunate outcome."

* * *

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

* * *

I will put price cap on rents, foods, and reduce property taxes

* * *

I will defeat homelessness

* * *

ensure public safety with community support - People forum

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Mayor of Denver in 2023.

### Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses[edit]

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Expand all | Collapse all

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Chris Hansen (Nonpartisan)

As Mayor, my top priority will be public safety. Denverites and visitors deserve to feel safe in our neighborhoods, parks, and streets and I will commit to rebuilding and improving our Public Safety Department. We will invest in training, hiring, and retaining officers, as well as funding the STAR program so that co-responders can address issues related to mental health and substance use, which will allow our police to perform their core functions: preventing, responding to, and solving crimes. A safer Denver is possible with targeted gun crime prevention, increased patrol of hot-spots, and robust accountability.

With regard to the homelessness crisis, the status quo is not working. It is clear that Denver needs a new leader to make real progress on addressing homelessness and ensuring our streets, sidewalks and public areas are open for all Denverites to utilize. As Mayor, I will reevaluate Denver’s failing approach to homelessness, reimagine systems to disrupt the cycles perpetuating the problem, and reinforce the existing laws and regulations to ensure that everyone in Denver, housed or unhoused, stays safe. A key part of my homelessness plan is to audit existing programs because we are spending enormous amounts of money without getting results we all deserve.

I envision Denver as a connected, thriving, dynamic city, with strong neighborhoods, a vibrant downtown and a world-class airport. We can dramatically improve air quality and reduce emissions if we focus on adding population density in areas with high-quality public transit that is electrified. We must enable residents to meet all of their needs by using a combination of highly efficient public transit, connected bike lanes, EV charging infrastructure, and making our streets safer for pedestrians. My systems engineering background combined with my extensive legislative experience will enable me to deliver this vision of a connected, green, dynamic city.

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

My top priority is addressing the homelessness crisis. At 11 years old, I learned my godfather was unhoused and struggling with addiction. All I could hope for at the time was that there would be someone to protect him from himself and others. Too many Denverites experiencing homelessness have lost their lives in the past five years alone. We need humane, compassionate, and scalable new tools to protect unhoused people from themselves and others. Building on my work with the Denver Housing Authority, my first action would be to declare a state of emergency to address Denver's homelessness crisis. This will grant access to unique tools and resources that we will use to open a temporary field treatment hospital. To begin solving this crisis,

My second priority is addressing public safety. At nine years old, someone invaded our home and assaulted my mom. Feeling completely helpless, I wondered how my mom and I would ever feel safe to sleep again. Thanks to the officers who responded, my mom and I felt slightly safer sleeping again. I want Denverites to feel safe in this city. Unfortunately though, the crime rate is rising and law enforcement has a lot of trust to rebuild in the communities it serves. First, we must hire more officers. Denver has grown by 50% but our officer ranks are the same as in 1997. Next, we must expand the STAR program; our officers must do the work that they are trained to do. And as Mayor, I promise to raise standards for equity in policing with rigor

My third priority is to address affordability in Denver. The cost of living has soared 200% over the last ten years but household incomes can't keep up. As a board leader at the Denver Housing Authority for ten years, I learned what investors want and need to advance our affordability goals. Over the last ten years we've added to both our total housing supply and restricted affordable units, and as Mayor, I will build on this work. The other key to building affordability in our city is expanding our city's relationship with Denver Public Schools and higher education institutions: we must keep investing in education.

Andy Rougeot (Nonpartisan)

Add four hundred police officers, increase funding for police training, and ensure 911 system is responsive to make Denver safer

Enforce the camping ban, to get the homeless into the mental health and drug addiction services they need

Fix Denver’s broken permitting department and eliminate regulations that increase the cost of housing for blue collar workers, first time homebuyers, and young families

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

Environmental justice is my life’s work. It’s about more than just “the weather.” It’s whether you breathe clean air and drink clean water. It’s about turning our biggest crisis into an opportunity to remake a society that works for everyone. It’s about power to the people–literally! I have plans to use public banking, state and federal funds to support local workers through a just transition. We’ll replace lead pipes, lower energy bills, expand public transit and develop sustainable housing for working families. We’ll plan neighborhoods to be walkable and bikeable with plenty of parks and urban gardens. With the right investments, communities can even own their own solar gardens!

If you talk to anybody in Denver, they’ll tell you one of their top concerns about our city is the housing crisis. Rents are skyrocketing and wages are staying stagnant. Neighbors I've grown up with are considering whether they can afford to stay in Denver. Our housing policies have prioritized wealthy developers and pushed out our communities. It’s time for leadership that puts the people first and tackles this crisis head-on.

Public safety means everyone has clean air, clean water, safe working conditions, a home that’s comfortable and affordable, and a strong safe community. We can create that world by investing in public health, addressing the root causes of harm and finding data-driven solutions that fit the problem. This includes fighting poverty and investing in community-based care and accountability, including harm reduction and addiction services, mental health care, youth mentorship and restorative justice.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

Denver Workers First. Wage Earners in our city deserve to be paid enough to afford to live here.

Universal Basic Income. By providing a guaranteed income to those at or below the poverty line, we offer a direct and immediate solution to the housing crisis, drastically decrease the number of unhoused neighbors, and have an impact on crime and mass incarceration

Harm Reduction: All public health and safety issues should be viewed through the practices and philosophy of Harm Reduction.

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

I will put price cap on rents, foods, and reduce property taxes

I will defeat homelessness

ensure public safety with community support - People forum

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Chris Hansen (Nonpartisan)

My energy and climate legislation have made Colorado a national climate policy leader. I’ll do the same at the local level as Denver’s next Mayor. I plan to add EV chargers, renegotiate with Xcel to protect customers, electrify our transit and heating and cooling systems. I’ll collaborate with Denver Water to promote water efficiency programs and reduce water waste. Through the lens of environmental justice, I’ll address disproportionate pollution in low-income areas.

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

Homelessness, public safety, and affordability.

Andy Rougeot (Nonpartisan)

NA-

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

I believe the problems affecting Denver don't stop at the edge of the city and neither will I. We need regional cooperation to address our biggest challenges, and I have experience bringing together our cities, states and country together on those issues.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

Immigrant Rights, Worker Rights, Harm Reduction, Reparations to address the racial wealth gap, an expanded network of protected bicycle lanes in our city

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

Raising the standard of living for everyone with decent restoring people dignity and hope of the pursuit of happiness.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

Abraham Lincoln; he saw a gap that led to suffering that he wanted to close.

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

My mom, a union steward and social worker, instilled in me the commitment to serve my community. I also am inspired by Raúl Grijalva whom chaired the Natural Resources Committee for US House of Representatives and Deb Haaland the US Secretary of Interior.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

I look up to my parents and how they navigated existing one income with 7 children. They lived a dignified life.

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

My father is my only point of example. He was honest, sincere, and believed in human potential.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

The movie Charlie Wilson's War

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

Public Enemy Number One

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

Salt of the Earth

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

The long walk to Freedom from Nelson Mandela

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

Recognizing that leadership can come from everywhere. I also believe an elected official should value transparency, accountability, honesty, engagement, and a dedication to hard work.

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

A commitment to justice and a willingness to check their ego and listen to the community. It's not about the Mayor's career--it's about the people and getting results for our communities.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

Integrity, breadth of experience, hopefulness

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

Integrity, honesty, availability, and result oriented.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

I have strong budget and finance experience, grit, and I know what it's like to have been served by the programs that I've gone on to oversee.

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

I walk the talk and I put Denver first. I've been active in this city since I was literally a child, and I know our local government like the back of my hand. And I'm committed to advocating for the most vulnerable communities in every policy. I also have extensive experience in environmental policy. At this point we have no choice but to be putting an environmental justice lens into everything we do.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

Humility, Consistency, Compassion

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

Integrity, Honesty and result oriented.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

Setting the strategic organizational direction of the city and its affiliate organizations;

Build team and invest in people (appointees) and the future of our city’s leadership that is diverse;

Lead the development of culture and values of the city team (cabinet and appointees, employees, and board and commission members);

Collaborate with the city council and advisory entities;

Measure and monitor organizational performance and transparently share with the public;

Actively lead stakeholder partnership development that advances Denver’s strategic goals with philanthropy, business and commerce, neighborhoods, community serving organizations, and domestic and foreign governments and organizations where Denver has a strategic interest;

Setting the tone for unquestionable fiscal and financial transparency and integrity

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

The Mayor should be a competent executive and a visionary.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

To listen to all communities, to grow, to act with humility and not arrogance

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

Be the people servant in your heart and soul.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

I would like to build a city where every Denverite, regardless of their neighborhood, can achieve their version of success.

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

I would like to say to our descendants that we did everything we could to address climate change and make Denver an equally safe home for all its residents.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

I would like to serve the city as someone who is on the streets among the people, learning from them, not serving from above the people.

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

I want to be remembered for people unity to make the world a better place, where people live in harmony and peace.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

The Iran Hostage Crisis in 1979; I was six years old

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

I remember 9/11 happening on my way to American History Class when I was 15.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

I remember watching one of the first rockets to the moon take off on a black and white television. I was 3 years old.

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

The historical event I still remember is the start of the civil in my country of birth in 2001

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

Mailroom clerk; two and a half years

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

As a teenager I worked for the Denver Museum of Nature & Science for 5 years as a lead teacher's assistant.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

I worked from the age of 13-17 picking vegetables on a vegetable farm. This was very difficult work physically and paid "under the table."

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

I was a bus driver for 8 months.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

Ulysseus by James Joyce because it tells the story of a transformational journey.

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

Hard to pick one!

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

People's History of the US, by Howard Zinn. This book broke the mold and the grip that imperial/white supremacist history had in our society.

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

Long walk to Freedom

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

I'd want to be Tubbs from Miami Vice

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

One that could travel in space.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

A President of country coming for years of war and need an articulated, intelligent, result oriented leader to find way to glory and wellbeing of the people.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

Little Green by Joni Mitchell

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

Dua Lipa Don't Start Now

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

Springsteen, The River

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

Get up Stand for your rights from Bob Marley

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

Being able to tap into and overcome the pain I experienced growing up in an underserved neighborhood.

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

While on the campaign trail, my grandmother passed away and my mother had a series of health crises. I was my grandmother's caretaker as well, so this loss was especially devastating.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

Finding my voice, learning who I am and becoming that person

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

The racial divide society has struggled me. I know people may be thinking about substance such illegal drugs, alcohol, tobaccos and others. No, I have never used any of those substances in my life

A mayor is a leader in his or her city. What does that mean to you?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

I’ve spent the last 25 years working in finance and volunteering with some of Denver’s key local civic and nonprofit organizations. I know firsthand what it takes to balance budgets and build a business from scratch. I’ve secured funding for schools, health clinics, and affordable housing communities that have gone on to serve tens of thousands of Denver’s families and are the core of our city’s fabric. And I’ve also been the recipient of city services that I will go on to oversee. I will measure our success using key performance indicators that correlate to progress in reaching my vision. Among these indicators will be declining poverty rates, growth in real median household income, educational attainment among residents, local gross domestic product growth and enhancement of neighborhood diversity. I will assess this through continual engagement with Denver’s residents, business, community serving nonprofits, philanthropy, advocacy groups and partners.

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

A leader is someone who brings people together, listening to all while providing a guiding set of philosophies and principles that prioritize the most vulnerable.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

A Mayor shapes public policy and is also a visionary for a city. This means that they set the tone for the city's civic culture and welcoming nature.

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

A leader is a person who make decision for the wellbeing of the community. The keyword here is the Wellbeing of the community.

If the mayor in your city is a member of the city council and there's a city manager appointed to handle the day-to-day administration of the city government, what do you believe should be the mayor's top priority in office?

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

Top priority should be getting resources directly into the hands of those in need, without strings attached.

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

That is not the case of my city.

If the mayor in your city is not a member of the city council and oversees the day-to-day administration of the city government, what do you believe is the ideal relationship between the mayor and city council?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

Setting the strategic organizational direction of the city and its affiliate organizations;

Build team and invest in people (appointees) and the future of our city’s leadership that is diverse;

Lead the development of culture and values of the city team (cabinet and appointees, employees, and board and commission members);

Collaborate with the city council and advisory entities;

Measure and monitor organizational performance and transparently share with the public;

Actively lead stakeholder partnership development that advances Denver’s strategic goals with philanthropy, business and commerce, neighborhoods, community serving organizations, and domestic and foreign governments and organizations where Denver has a strategic interest;

Setting the tone for unquestionable fiscal and financial transparency and integrity

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

There needs to me a more balanced relationship between the Mayor and City Council than currently exists. I would like to see a weaker Mayor in Denver, one that can be checked by City Council.

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

Relationship of collaboration, and good working together for the benefit of the community.

What do you love most about your city?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

I love the powerful draw that the land has for people.

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

Everything. Denver is my whole heart.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

Denver is a city where people reimagine themselves and were cultural layers are vast and beautiful.

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

Friendly and respectful environment we have between each other.

What do you perceive to be your city's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

Affordability will be one of the greatest challenges Denver faces over the next decade, as well as investing in our kids' education and future.

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

Climate change is our biggest challenge and biggest opportunity to remake our world more equitably.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

The massive wealth gap among our residents where many cannot afford to remain in the city.

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

The growth rate and the economic stability with rising cost of living.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the state government?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

It should be collaborative while pushing each other to reach new heights.

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

Our city can be a regional leader, advocating fiercely at the state level for our values and collaborating with other cities to share ideas about how we achieve our goals.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

Cooperative with a share vision of serving every member of society, housed and unhoused, documented and undocumented, mainstream or nonconforming

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

Good working relationship in area that matter to my residents and the state population as whole.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the federal government?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

Our city should be active in fighting for its needs where the federal government is doing too little.

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

I have extensive experience advocating at the federal level and intend to collaborate with federal bureaus to bring funding to Denver for climate justice and housing. The federal government should also help us hold our local polluters accountable.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

Same as above. Local law enforcement have no business assisting with ICE activities that target our residents.

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

An intelligent working relationship which takes into account the wellbeing of my residents.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

The tomato and the three baby tomatoes were crossing the street, and the dad tomato said, "ketch-up"

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

What do ducks like on their soup? Quackers

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

can't think of a good one

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the mayor's office and law enforcement?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

The Mayor's top priority should be supporting and fostering equitable policing.

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

I think the Mayor's office should be providing a vision for public safety that influences where law enforcement focuses their time and funds. The Mayor's office should be promoting non-police policies and programming that lessen the burden on law enforcement to solve every social problem.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

Law Enforcement should take direction and tone from the Mayor.....with the focus on respecting human rights.

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

A Strategic community oriented working relationship.

How important is it to involve residents in the government’s decision-making process? What plans do you have regarding resident involvement in this process?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

It's extremely important to hear our residents. My plan for involving residents is to create a city-wide community engagement plan that doesn't exist today. This will build trust between the city government and those it serves by working to understand folks' needs and concerns; always basing our discussions in logic that's easy to understand; and ensuring diversity in all forms is central and differences are protected. I also intend to strengthen the RNO system and create easier ways for people to get involved.

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

Community engagement is everything. I don't just want our communities to be brought to the table, I want to build that table together. There are so many ways that local government needs to be more accessible to the people. Ean has plans to collaborate with community organizations to ensure city-wide education campaigns are reaching all our neighbors. Ean is already publishing campaign materials in Spanish and Vietnamese, and would expand city outreach in those languages as well as Arabic, Somali and Amharic. The city also needs to ensure all websites and public meetings are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

Very important. I intend to find new avenues of inviting members of vulnerable communities to policy-making spaces. This includes unhoused neighbors, gender non-conforming individuals, and undocumented workers.

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

It is essential to involve residents in the government decision making process. I am proposing the people forum every 90 days. My administration will be meeting community leaders to have a conversation on how we are doing, and we should resolve issues the community is facing.

What plans do you have regarding infrastructure?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

Building an equitable mobility network that gives all Denverites safe, sustainable, efficient and healthful ways to move about the city is my vision for transportation for Denver. As mayor, my priorities will be to accelerate the implementation of our existing citywide and regional plans and infrastructure to create complete mobility networks. My team will accomplish this through innovative infrastructure design and building; lowering, and enhancing enforcement of speed limits to meaningfully reduce and eliminate mobility related injuries and deaths and determine how Denver can be a leader in unlocking promising new technologies that can advance these goals, such as self-driving people movers among others. Creating and harnessing incentives in efficiency, sustainability and health will lead to a more even distribution of mode shares by our citizens.

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

I've consistently fought highway expansions like the I-70 and I-25 expansions. We need to design for people, not cars. I support expanding multimodal infrastructure, implementing our bike and sidewalk plans, and vastly expanding and electrifying our public transit. This includes making transit more accessible by having benches and covers at every stop. I also support infrastructure buildout like renewable community owned energy, stormwater management and much more.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

I intend to invest a great deal of resources into an expanded network of bicycle and other non-carbon emitting forms of transportation and to make RTD free of cost.

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

The rethinking of the infrastructures will be a cornerstone of any future improvement of the quality of our transportation and other mobility systems. The plan is to implement the finding/recommendations of the current studies.

How would you address crime and public safety? Do you have a different stance than current city council policy?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

Our safety ranks are short by about 50% based on the size of our city; these numbers don’t work. We will enhance equity and strengthen trust between law enforcement and the community by expanding our ranks through recruiting in diverse neighborhoods. We will support our officers, improve job satisfaction and retention, implement rigorous non-lethal and de-escalation training to protect life, and expand innovative programs like STAR.

I will coordinate with the Legislature and our neighbors to improve outcomes.

My manager of safety will be an experienced leader, charged with advocacy for department needs and accountability through greater transparency.

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

Public safety goes beyond crime. We have to approach it holistically, ensuring everyone has clean air to breathe and clean water to drink, ensuring they have a safe workplace with a fair wage and a roof over their head. My approach focuses on prevention, rather than band-aid solutions. I believe we rely too much on police to solve our every societal problem, and that's not fair to our communities or to the police force. I would implement recommendations from the Reimagining Policing Task Force including funding community-led non-police violence prevention programs, expand mental health support and much more. I would decriminalize issues of existence, like loitering, and fight poverty to help those who feel they lack good options for their future. As a mentor to youth and former teacher I also believe strongly in extracurricular, community and conflict resolution support for our youth. I support harm reduction, safe use sites and continuity of care for those struggling with addiction. Law enforcement should focus on serious violent crime like the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

I would massively expand STAR and related programs to include experts on substance use and cultural norms and traditions. This involves reimagining how policing is a form of service instead of use of force.

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

More than 112 points recommendations were made by a studies group hired by the departing administration. Those recommendations should be updated if needed and be implemented.

How would you balance the needs and desires of existing business and housing communities with new development? Would you take gentrification and displacement into consideration when planning neighborhood development?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

Short-term measures I will employ include emergency financial assistance, targeted efforts in housing choice voucher acceptance, acceleration of middle-, low-priced, and affordable housing. My team will quickly initiate longer-term strategies to address the pressures on gentrification in neighborhoods that could be exposed in the future and shoring up the short-term efforts. In my volunteerism and career, I advanced efforts to stem involuntary displacement through the income restricted supply production. Through these experiences, I can develop actual strategies to achieve results in preventing and reversing displacement.

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

Gentrification is a serious crisis that's impacted my own family and communities. We need to put community land in community hands through land trusts, community development corporations and land banking. This allows our most vulnerable communities to make decisions about what development happens, if any.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

already answered above

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

Obtaining a permit for developers is a herculean task. My administration will find without delay a solution to fast track the process. We need to balance the business needs of developers and the best interests of the community. That will require a constant open line of communication. That is my people forum is about.

Do you think the downtown area is healthy? What is your definition of a healthy downtown? What changes, if any, would you like to make?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

I remember when our downtown had failed—back in the 1980s. I was a kid then, and I remember the place being taken over by people living on the edge of society while many of the then new high rises were mostly vacant. So I got involved with the Downtown Denver Partnership and dedicated ten years of board leadership to weave together my financial skills with my love of cities. I ended up chairing the Downtown Denver Partnership from 2019-2020. I am proud that in that time we launched a strategy to dramatically increase inclusion which expanded engagement of our 700 business members’ BIPOC and female team members.

Physical occupancy of our downtown commercial buildings hovers around 50%, and work-from-home is an undeniable factor. With that option and the dismal and unsafe feeling of being downtown, employees are staying away.. We also see fewer conventioneers and day-trippers in downtown restaurants and retail stores.. My priorities will focus on curbing the rising crime rate and helping unhoused people who are on our streets. A safe and clean environment is foundational to a vibrant area.

Creating new kinds of exciting attractions is next: better connections to our incredible place and each other. I’m envisioning weekday Ciclovias, mass events for walking, biking, rolling and other exercise. More healthy and safe commuting options will give people more opportunities to combine wellness into their work days. Our rehabilitation of the 16th Street Mall will also help with its improved design for pedestrians. And as mayor I will work with landlords through innovative programs to make vacant ground floor space available for pop-up galleries, restaurant concepts, recreation places, and greenhouse growing.

We also need community engagement to create a bold vision for the repositioning of the glut of commercial office space. Mixed uses can exist in those buildings— they don’t have to be just office spaces or just housing spaces, but can house both. They could also include arts, nonprofit, and healthcare spaces. With the right vision for planning, zoning, and adaptation, we can begin to restore downtown’s vibrancy. My administration will hold design competitions for our rich architectural industry to drive planning and zoning policies that unlock and drive the redevelopment of exciting places that attract and retain diverse uses. There could also be innovative approaches to financing and economic incentives to spur more rapid development.

Who better than a finance expert and city builder to develop strategies and teams to ensure investors do more to support our affordability objectives?

These will ignite vibrance and even greater demand for downtown and will get Denver jamming again.

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

My vision for downtown is similar to the rest of the city: a thriving small business district, accessible by public transit, with sustainable buildings and comfortable homes for people of all income levels.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

I believe downtown is recovering nicely from the pandemic. A healthy downtown for me is one where every resident is welcome and treated with dignity, one where tourist dollars are not the determining factor for police conduct. Downtown can be a space where all feel welcome.

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

Downtown area should be the cleanest face of our city with the quality of the streets, public open spaces with well maintenance green ecosystem, air quality. I do not think that is the case at this moment. My administration will work on those areas to make downtown the face of a healthy and beautiful city.

What do you think about the city's current approach to public safety? Would you take any different positions?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

I’ll never forget the night someone invaded my home and assaulted my mom; I was nine.I felt completely helpless. I wondered how my mom and I would ever feel safe to sleep again. But the officers who responded that night were heroes, and helped us feel slightly safer to sleep again. I believe all Denverites deserve to feel safe in our city. At the same time, I fully recognize that our law enforcement has broken its trust with too many in our community, especially in communities of color. Even when I’m moving my car out for street sweeping, I make sure I have my drivers’ license because I never want to risk being pulled over without it.

Denver currently has the same number of officers that it had in 1997, yet our population has grown by about 50%. That alone needs to be addressed.x. We need to hire more officers, and my office will work with our police Chief to do so. Reducing funding for safety is not the answer. We also need best-in-class leadership and management to help develop our officers over time, helping them feel supported and successful, thus increasing job satisfaction and talent retention.

We also need to expand the STAR program. Our officers need to be doing the work they are trained and signed up to do.

I also promise to raise the standards for equity in policing with rigorous training programs on de-escalating conflicts and using non-lethal techniques to protect life. Rebuilding trust between Denver law enforcement and the larger community is paramount to keeping our city safe and moving it forward, and I will work to help that process. This includes building a police force that reflects the racial, ethnic and gender composition of our city.

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

We need to invest more in prevention of public safety issues, getting at the root cause of problems.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

I would massively expand the STAR program to include cultural leaders and substance use experts and de-emphasize use of force in police training.

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

The current approach is not involving the active contribution of community leaders. In my pledge, I said policing a city should not be only repressive. We need to create a healthy and productive communication line between the police department and the community.

What plans do you have regarding the police department? Would you make any changes from current policy?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

Please see above answer.

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

We need to reroute focus from petty crime and policing poverty to serious crises like the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

Police training needs to be about de-escalation tactics and cultural and economic competency. This means finding ways to focus training on getting help into communities and situations where officers with guns are not required.

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

I will call up retired police officers, and private detectives to help curving down the crime level while we are assessing a way to find a durable solution. I proposed in my platform to have 3 days summit with the police department and other stakeholders. Recommendations from that summit will be implemented.

What policies would you have implemented in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic? Why did you select those policies?

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

In an ideal world, we would have been able to pay everyone to stay home and have specific young adults safely deliver food across the city. I'm glad vaccines and tests were free, and I would have liked to see free masks as well. I believe if we had been more effective in our early response, we would not have had to suffer such prolonged economic devastation and "lockdowns" that were financially devastating but not strict enough to actually stop the spread, especially for those expected to continue to work in person. Today I believe our local governments have a responsibility to continue providing masks and advocate for the populations disabled by long COVID and mental health services for the trauma we've collectively endured.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

I would have implemented a masking mandate and incentivized but not mandated vaccinations. I select these policies because they are the sound science-based approach to an epidemic.

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

I will have implemented the policy of caution by taking decisions. I will have not followed the public mainly based on rumors overplayed press coverage. I will have followed recommendations from health experts and professionals having a stake. I will have worked with business owners, landlords and other stakeholders to put in place a contingency plan the crisis and the aftermath.

How would you set priorities and develop plans in a way that will reflect community values and goals?

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

My goal is to bring people together and call in all four directions. My entire reason for running for Mayor is to bring our communities together to build a new table, together.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

I will be in close touch with neighborhood associations, community and cultural leaders, and arts-based organizations to bring new voices to policy-making spaces, particularly those directly impacted by policies.

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

First make community leaders the first partners of my administration with the people forum.

Second take into consideration suggestions and ideas from that people forum Third take into consideration the findings of studies conducted by experts in every field of development goals and objectives.

Bring all those data to a workable plan to be implemented.

What do you think about the city's environmental health? Would you make any changes to current policy?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

My vision for our environment is to build a city that serves the natural world. Equity must be a core grounding throughout in developing and implementing all of our plan for a growing city that must assume its responsibility to climates.

Many sustainability efforts can make near term, perceptible improvements in local climate conditions. Among the most important is air quality, in which the Front Range region collectively has grappled with for decades and threatens to undo progress in shifting to more active mobility modes. Mitigating and reversing this trend in challenging conditions of geography and rapid growth in emissions producing activity, including development, will take long range planning, implementation and collaboration with our region of the state and US. At the same time, private sector industry is pushing forward with exciting innovations in sustainable products and services. Some areas that I will prioritize in addition to and in concert with the Climate Action Plan include the following.

The emerging development of self-driving technology when combined with electric or hybrid mass transit vehicles has the potential to reduce emissions per vehicle mile traveled and improve the transit service frequency and coverage. As mayor, I will position Denver to specifically attract this innovation industry as a long term play in our future development.

Channeling markets through setting public/private investment targets, coordinating with cities that have similar climate approaches as a purchaser, investor and partner.

My administration will initiate our climate strategy to substantial economic development, operational, planning and direct expenditure efforts in high impact areas. DEN, DOTI, DEDO and our regional intergovernmental relations present unique opportunities.

Though efforts to enhance comprehensive mobility investments that were widely supported by public and private sector leaders and planners throughout the Front Range did not pass at the ballot box, now is the time for his administration to step forward as a leader in planning solutions that support our regional goals for mobility.

Unlocking the potential for Denver to grow much more of its own healthy produce is critically important. Having researched urban agriculture for nine months, including growing in a community supported agriculture farm, I’ve seen that it can be an opportunity for so many more in our community to begin to offset the negative impacts food industries have on our climate and health while achieving greater equity.

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

Denver has some of the most polluted neighborhoods in the country. I've organized for local ballot initiatives like Waste No More and statewide laws like the Environmental Justice Act. This is my life's work. It’s about power to the people–literally! I have plans to use public banking, state and federal funds to support local workers through a just transition. We’ll replace lead pipes, lower energy bills, expand public transit and develop sustainable housing for working families. We’ll plan neighborhoods to be walkable and bikeable with plenty of parks and urban gardens. With the right investments, communities can even own their own solar gardens. Throughout this transition we'll support workers, investing in local jobs replacing lead pipes and in construction, while helping workers in transitioning industries.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

Yes, I would incentivize use of EV's and E-bikes, expand bike lanes and make RTD free. I would also press for environmental regulations to be strictly enforced.

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

The environment health policy is great on paper but there is zero leadership to implement the recommendations.

Did the COVID-19 pandemic change your approach to local policy issues? If so, please give us an example. If not, why?

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

I think COVID-19 laid bare the inequities that our communities have always been aware of. It was just another situation when the working families, the immigrants, the communities of color were hit hardest. But it was also inspiring how our communities came together through mutual aid networks and creative solutions to our problems. We have to sustain those networks and that organizing to build to a better world.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

Yes, it opened my eyes to making street spaces more open to pedestrians and less car-dominated.

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

No one had previously experienced such type of global pandemic. Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic was a learning moment for everyone. A preventive plan should be put in place how to protect public health, how to protect individual and collective freedom, how to make sure we don't close down the economy machine of production, and so on.

How should record requests from the public be handled? Do you have any policies around transparency and accountability you want to enact?

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

There must maximum transparency and accountability.

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

Not specifically although I strongly believe in transparency and accountability and believe public information requests should be met as quickly as possible.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

FOIA and CORA are wonderful examples of public right to transparency. Requests should be expedited more than they are currently.

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

While transparency is the backbone of good governance, we need to ensure the protection of sensitive information for the safety at individual and collective level.

Do you believe crime rates are changing? Where do you get your crime rate data from? Would you make any changes to existing public safety policy?

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

The Denver police department shows some crime rates increasing and some decreasing in the last few years. While I get my crime data from the police department it's important not to completely equate crime rates with safety. Crime is socially constructed. Some crime rates are really a reflection of poverty rates. Meanwhile some undesirable behaviors, like wage theft, aren't factored into the crime rate statistics. I support the recommendations of the Denver Taskforce to Reimagine Policing & Public Safety, including decriminalizing poverty (for example, crimes like loitering or the camping ban) and investing in community-led non-police anti-violence programs. I support consistency of care for mental health and addiction, including safe use centers, access to NARCAN and medication for Opioid Abuse Disorder. I believe strongly in the power of restorative justice as an alternative to incarceration for resolving many community disputes. I also support youth mentorship, extracurriculars, conflict resolution education and community care that can teach our youth to move forward in a healthy way. I hope when we address the root causes of poverty, addiction, mental health crises and other issues, we free up our law enforcement to address serious violent crime like the Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

I accept that covid led to an increase in crime due to increased desperation, but I reject the idea of beefing up and re-militarizing police departments. Civil Rights movements are often followed by Law and Order backlashes and we need to be cautious in allowing this to harm low income communities.

Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan)

I will make change to the existing public safety policy to involve the active collaboration of the community.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Chris Hansen (Nonpartisan)

-Former Colorado Governor Roy Romer

-Former U.S. Congressman David Skaggs -Mayor of Fort Collins Jeni Arndt -Former State Senator Lois Court -Former State Senator Joyce Foster -Former State Rep. Joe Miklosi -Former President of Denver Public Schools Board of Education Mary Seawell -Teamsters 17 -Teamster 455 -Colorado Cleantech Industries Association

-314 Action

Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

Helen Thorpe: Former First Lady of Denver, author

Carol Hedges: Former Policy Director, Governor Roy Romer; former ED of Colorado Fiscal Institute Andrew Hudson: Former Communications Director/Press Secretary, Mayor Webb; Founder AH Jobs List Verónica Figoli: Former DPS Foundation CEO; former Chief of Community Engagement at DPS; Chief Development Officer Gary Yamashita: In personal capacity only. Ismael Guerrero Jack Blumenthal: Independent Director Sandi Paiz Garcia: CFO, Financial Planning Association, former CFO Denver Museum of Nature and Science Wendy Chao: CEO, Colorado Chinese News Christina Habas: Colorado 2nd Judicial District Court Judge, retired Craig Archibald: Former Urban Peak Interim CEO and board chair Cynthia Lynn Diaz: Tonantzin Casa de Café Christopher Sanchez: BBA Water Consultants, Principal; Chair of the Board, Colorado Board of Examiners - Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Contractors

Joey Gentry: AltaMira Foods

Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan)

Colorado NORML

Veronica Barela is my Treasurer Lucy Molina - Adams 14 School Board Member Renee Millard-Chacon - Commerce City Councilmember Krisiti Douglas - Commerce City Councilmember Steve Douglas - Former Commerce City Councilmember and Union Leader Juan Madrid - President CO Public Health Association* as individual Patricia Garcia-Nelson - Environmental Justice Advocate Liz Rosenbaum - Environmental Justice Advocate

James Walsh (Nonpartisan)

workers and students across this city.

### Issues and candidate positions[edit]

Candidates described the topics of public safety, homelessness, and housing affordability as key issues in this race.[9][10][11][12][13] The table below includes candidates with links to any relevant pages or position papers on these topics. If you know of a link that should be added or sources for candidates not listed here, please email us.

Issues and candidate positions

Candidate  | Public safety  | Homelessness  | Housing affordability
Kelly Brough | Link | Link | Link
Lisa Calderón | Link | Link | Link
Al Gardner | Link
Chris Hansen | Link | Link | Link
Leslie Herod | Link | Link | Link
Michael Johnston | Link | Link | Link
Aurelio Martinez |  | Link
Deborah Ortega | Link | Link | Link
Terrance Roberts | Link | Link
Trinidad Rodriguez | Link | Link |
Andy Rougeot | Link | Link | Link
Kwame Spearman[90] | Link
Ean Tafoya | Link | Link
Robert Treta | Link |  |
James Walsh |  | Link
Thomas Wolf |  | Link |

### Campaign advertisements[edit]

This section includes a selection of up to three campaign advertisements per candidate released in this race, as well as links to candidates' YouTube, Vimeo, and/or Facebook video pages. If you are aware of other links that should be included, please email us.

#### Kelly Brough[edit]

March 14, 2023

March 6, 2023

Nov. 16, 2022

View more ads here:

* YouTube
* Facebook

#### Lisa Calderón[edit]

View more ads here:

* Facebook

#### Chris Hansen[edit]

Feb. 28, 2023

Feb. 14, 2023

View more ads here:

* YouTube
* Facebook

#### Leslie Herod[edit]

March 2, 2023

Feb. 17, 2023

Sept. 16, 2022

View more ads here:

* YouTube
* Facebook

#### Michael Johnston[edit]

View more ads here:

* Facebook

#### Deborah Ortega[edit]

March 22, 2023

March 10, 2023

View more ads here:

* YouTube
* Facebook

#### Andy Rougeot[edit]

Feb. 28, 2023

July 13, 2022

View more ads here:

* YouTube
* Facebook

### Debates and forums[edit]

This section includes links to debates, forums, and other similar events where multiple candidates in this race participated. If you are aware of any debates or forums that should be included, please email us.

#### March 23 candidate forum[edit]

Calderón, Fiorino, and Herod participated in part two of a candidate forum hosted by the Denver Task Force to Reimagine Policing & Public Safety.[21]

* Click here to watch a recording of the event

#### March 22 candidate forums[edit]

There were two candidate forums held on March 22, 2023, with details for each shown below:

The Denver Gazette forum
Fourteen candidates participated in a candidate forum hosted by The Denver Gazette.[23]

* Click here to watch a recording of the event

Click on the links below for summaries of the event:

* The Denver Gazette: here and here

Denver Task Force to Reimagine Policing & Public Safety forum
Six candidates participated in part one of a candidate forum hosted by the Denver Task Force to Reimagine Policing & Public Safety.[24]

* Click here to watch a recording of the event

#### March 15 candidate forum[edit]

On March 15, 2023, 10 candidates participated in a candidate forum hosted by Delta Sigma Theta and Community Works.[29]

* Click here to watch a recording of the event

#### March 14 debate[edit]

On March 14, 2023, 11 candidates participated in a debate hosted by 9News.[30]

* Click here to watch a recording of the event

Click on the links below for summaries of the event:

* 9News
* The Denver Gazette
* Denverite
* Westword

#### March 13 candidate forum[edit]

On March 13, 2023, 16 candidates participated in a candidate forum hosted by Commún Denver.[32]

* Click here to watch a recording of the event[91]

#### Earlier debates and forums[edit]

Click "Show more” below" to view earlier debates and forums.

Show more

#### March 10 candidate interviews[edit]

On March 10, 2023, Axios Denver published a summary of the mayoral race, including interviews with candidates, as available.[34]

* Click here to view the interviews

#### March 9 candidate forum[edit]

On March 9, 2023, 15 candidates participated in a candidate forum hosted by the Montbello Organizing Committee.[35]

* Click here to watch a recording of the event

#### March 7 candidate forum[edit]

On March 7, 2023, seven candidates participated in a candidate forum hosted by Denverite and Colorado Public Radio.[40] On the same day, Denverite also began publishing short biographies of all candidates and questionnaire responses, when available, here.

* Click here to watch a recording of the event

Click on the links below for summaries of the event:

* Colorado Public Radio
* Denverite

#### March 5 candidate forum[edit]

On March 5, 2023, Brough, Calederón, Herod, Johnston, Ortega, and Roberts participated in a candidate forum hosted by the Great Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance.[41]

* Click here to watch a recording of the event

#### March 4 candidate forum[edit]

On March 4, 2023, Brough, Calederón, Herod, Johnston, Spearman, and Tafoya participated in a candidate forum hosted by the GES Coalition, East5ide United, and Metro Caring.[42]

* Click here to watch a recording of the event

#### March 2 candidate forum[edit]

On March 2, 2023, 19 candidates participated in a candidate forum hosted by the City and County of Denver.[43]

* Click here to watch a recording of the event

Click on the link below for summaries of the event:

* Denver7

#### March 1 candidate forum[edit]

On March 1, 2023, Behrens, Brough, Calderón, Herod, and Ortega participated in a candidate forum hosted by Town Hall Collaborative.[46]

* Click here to watch a recording of the event[92]

#### February 24 candidate forum[edit]

On Feb. 24, 2023, 10 candidates participated in a candidate forum hosted by PBS 12.[49]

* Click here to watch a recording of the event

The same day, PBS 12 published a series of interviews with the 14 mayoral candidates listed below.[50]

* Brough
* Calderón
* Hansen
* Herod
* Johnston
* Martinez
* Ortega

* Roberts
* Rodriguez
* Rougeot
* Spearman
* Tafoya
* Walsh
* Wolf

|

#### February 20 candidate forum[edit]

On Feb. 20, 2023, 13 candidates and a surrogate for Brough participated in a candidate forum hosted by Mutual Aid Monday and the Housekeys Action Network Denver.[57]

* Click here to watch a recording of the event

Click on the links below for summaries of the event:

* Denver Voice
* KDVR
* NewsBreak
* Westword

#### Denver7 candidate interviews[edit]

On Feb. 20, 2023, Denver7 published a series of interviews with all 17 mayoral candidates appearing on the ballot.[56]

* Click here to view the interviews

#### February 16 debate[edit]

On Feb. 16, 2023, 13 candidates participated in a debate hosted by 9News and Metropolitan State University of Denver.[64]

* Click here to watch a recording of the event

Click on the links below for summaries of the event:

* 9News
* Axios Denver
* Colorado Politics
* Denverite
* The Denver Gazette
* The Denver Post

#### 9News candidate interviews[edit]

On Feb. 14, 9News began publishing interviews with all mayoral candidates. Those released are linked below:[93]

* Behrens[66]
* Brough[67]
* Calderón[65]
* Gardner[51]
* Hansen[68]
* Herod[58]
* Johnston[59]
* Martinez[36]

* Ortega[60]
* Roberts[69]
* Rodriguez[70]
* Rougeot[71]
* Spearman[53]
* Tafoya[47]
* Treta[37]
* Walsh[31]
* Wolf[72]

|

#### February 9 debate[edit]

On Feb. 9, 2023, 16 candidates participated in a debate hosted by CBS News Colorado and Regis University.[74]

* Click here to watch a recording of the event

Click on the links below for summaries of the event:

* Axios Denver
* CBS News Colorado
* Denverite
* The Denver Post

#### El Comercio News candidate interviews[edit]

On Jan. 12, El Comercio News began releasing interviews with candidates. Those released are linked below:

* Brough[86]
* Calderón[38]
* Hansen[22]
* Herod[61]
* Johnston[39]

* Ortega[75]
* Rodriguez[55]
* Rougeot[76]
* Tafoya[81]

|

## Noteworthy endorsements[edit]

Click the links below to see endorsement lists published on candidate campaign websites, if available. If you are aware of a website that should be included, please email us.

* Kelly Brough
* Lisa Calderón
* Chris Hansen
* Leslie Herod
* Deborah Ortega
* Terrance Roberts
* Kwame Spearman

This section lists noteworthy endorsements issued in this election, including those made by high-profile individuals and organizations, cross-party endorsements, and endorsements made by newspaper editorial boards. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. If you are aware of endorsements that should be included, please email us.

Noteworthy endorsements

Endorser |  Kelly Brough |  Lisa Calderón |  Chris Hansen |  Leslie Herod |  Michael Johnston |  Deborah Ortega |  Kwame Spearman |  Ean Tafoya
Government officials
State Sen. Jessie Danielson (D) source |  |  |  |  |  | ✔ |  |
State Sen. Kevin Priola (D) source |  |  | ✔ |  |  |  |  |
State Rep. Judy Amabile (D) source |  |  | ✔ |  |  |  |  |
State Rep. Elisabeth Epps (D) source |  | ✔ |  |  |  |  |  |
City Councilwoman Candi CdeBaca source |  | ✔ |  |  |  |  |  |
Denver Board of Education President Xochitl Gaytan source |  | ✔ |  |  |  |  |  |
City Councilman Christopher Herndon source | ✔ |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Colo. State Board of Education member Lisa Escarcega (D) source |  | ✔ |  |  |  |  |  |
Individuals
Frmr. mayoral candidate (2023) Anna Burrell source |  | ✔ |  |  |  |  |  |
Frmr. mayoral candidate (2019) Jamie Giellis source |  |  |  |  |  |  | ✔ |
Colo. Poet Laureate Bobby LeFebre source |  |  |  | ✔ |  |  |  |
Frmr. Gov. Bill Ritter source | ✔ |  |  |  |  |  |  |
DNC Committeman Mannie Rodriguez source |  |  |  |  |  | ✔ |  |
Frmr. Gov. Roy Romer source |  |  | ✔ |  |  |  |  |
Frmr. mayoral candidate (2023) Kwame Spearman source | ✔ |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Frmr. Denver Mayor Bill Vidal source | ✔ |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Frmr. Mayor Wellington Webb source |  |  |  | ✔ |  |  |  |
Newspapers and editorials
El Semanario source |  |  |  |  |  | ✔ |  |
The Denver Gazette source | ✔ |  |  |  |  |  |  |
The Denver Post source |  |  |  |  | ✔ |  |  |
Organizations
314 Action Fund source |  |  | ✔ |  |  |  |  |
American-Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee Colorado source |  |  |  |  | ✔ |  |  |
Colorado Cleantech Industries Association source |  |  | ✔ |  |  |  |  |
Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition source |  | ✔ |  |  |  |  |  |
Colorado NORML source |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ✔
Colorado Professional Firefighters source |  |  |  |  |  | ✔ |  |
Colorado State Conference of Electrical Workers source |  |  | ✔ |  |  |  |  |
Denver Democratic Socialists of America source |  | ✔ |  |  |  |  |  |
Denver Metro Association of Realtors source | ✔ |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 27 source |  |  |  |  |  | ✔ |  |
Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance source |  |  |  | ✔ |  |  |  |
LGBTQ+ Victory Fund source |  |  |  | ✔ |  |  |  |
Metro Housing Coalition source |  |  |  |  |  | ✔ |  |
Teamsters Local 17 source |  |  | ✔ |  |  |  |  |
Teamsters Local 455 source |  |  | ✔ |  |  |  |  |
UFCW Local 7 source |  |  |  |  |  | ✔ |  |
UNITE HERE Local 23 source |  |  |  |  |  | ✔ |  |
Working Families Party of Colorado source |  | ✔ |  |  |  |  |  |

## Election competitiveness[edit]

### Polls[edit]

See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls

Polls are conducted with a variety of methodologies and have margins of error or credibility intervals.[94] The Pew Research Center wrote, "A margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points at the 95% confidence level means that if we fielded the same survey 100 times, we would expect the result to be within 3 percentage points of the true population value 95 of those times."[95]

Below we provide results for polls when available. We only report polls for which we can find a margin of error or credibility interval. If you know a poll that should be included, please email us.

Mayor of Denver, 2023: General election polls

Poll  | Date  | Behrens  | Brough  | Calderón  | Gardner  | Hansen  | Herod  | Johnston  | Martinez  | Ortega  | Roberts  | Rodriguez  | Rougeot  | Spearman  | Tafoya  | Treta  | Walsh  | Wolf  | Undecided/
Other  | Margin of error  | Sample size[96] | Sponsor[97]
SurveyUSA[44] | Feb. 21-28 | 1% | 5% | 5% | 3% | 4% | 3% | 5% | 1% | 4% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 0% | 0% | 3% | 58%[98] | ± 4.9 | 594 LV | Multiple
Cygnal/Chism Strategies[54] | Feb. 9-10 | - | 8% | 3% | - | 4% | 6% | 5% | - | 4% | 2% | 1% | 3% | 2% | 0% | - | - | 1% | 64%[99] | ± 4.9 | 405 LV | A Denver for Us All

## Election spending[edit]

### Campaign finance[edit]

Candidates in this election submitted campaign finance reports to the Denver Clerk and Recorder. Click here to access those reports.

### Satellite spending[edit]

See also: Satellite spending

Satellite spending describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[100][101][102]

Satellite spending organizations in this election submitted campaign finance reports to the Denver Clerk and Recorder where they are referred to as independent expenditures. Click here to access those reports.

#### Spending news[edit]

* A Better Denver spent $984,284 supporting Brough, which includes the following expenditures:
* $10,000 on media buys on April 3.
* $40,000 on media buys on March 28.
* $16,007 on advertisements and $13,327 on media buys on March 22.
* $129,884 on media buys and $108,750 on canvassing on March 17.
* $103,181 on media buys on March 13.
* $246,392 on media buys on March 3.
* $139,172 on media buys on Feb. 24.
* $6,663 on media buys on Feb. 21.
* $116,533 on media buys and $54,375 on canvassing on Feb. 17.

* A Better Denver! spent $31,000 supporting Hansen, which includes the following expenditures:
* $5,000 on digital advertisements on March 31.
* $26,000 on digital advertisements on March 21.

* Advancing Denver spent $2,234,680 supporting Johnston, which includes the following expenditures:
* $23,894 on postage on March 31.
* $380,000 on media buys, $50,000 on media production, and $16,964 on postage on March 29.
* $50,000 on media buys on March 27.
* $209,000 on media production on March 22.
* $50,000 on media buys and $43,018 on postage on March 21.
* $380,000 on media buys and $100,000 on media production on March 15.
* $68,672 on postage and $3,132 on data on March 7.
* $380,000 on media buys and $100,000 on media production on March 6.
* $380,000 on media buys on Feb. 27.

* Colorado Working Families Party spent $23,159 supporting Calderón, which includes the following expenditures:
* $4,801 on text messages on March 30.
* $18,358 on mailers on March 23.

* Communications Workers of America spent $6,184 supporting various candidates and $1,427 opposing various candidates, which includes the following expenditures:
* $4,757 on candidate information—$1,189 each supporting Calderón, Hansen, Herod, and Ortega—on March 28.
* $2,854 on candidate information—$357 each supporting Calderón, Hansen, Herod, and Ortega and $357 each opposing Brough, Johnston, Rougeot, and Spearman—on March 21.

* Denver Firefighters IAFF Local 858 spent $120,397 supporting Ortega on March 1.

* Protect Denver's Future spent $90,730 supporting Ortega, which includes the following expenditures:
* $80,730 on direct mail on April 3.
* $10,000 on digital advertisements on Nov. 16, 2022.

* Ready Denver spent $167,600 supporting Herod, which includes the following expenditures:
* $40,000 on advertisements and $5,250 on canvassing on March 16.
* $120,000 on advertisements on Feb. 28.
* $2,350 on advertisements on Feb. 27.

* Save Denver Now spent $30 supporting Rodriguez and $6,563 opposing various candidates, which includes the following expenditures:
* $60 on digital advertisements opposing Calderón on March 31.
* $200 on administrative services opposing Herod on March 27.
* $40 on digital advertisements opposing Herod on March 26.
* $200 on administrative services opposing Herod on March 25.
* $30 on digital advertisements supporting Rodriguez on March 23.
* $60 on digital advertisements opposing Calderón ($21), Herod ($21), and Tafoya ($18) on March 21.
* $100 on digital advertisements opposing Calderón ($50) and Herod ($50) on March 20.
* $1,983 on advertisements opposing Calderón ($661), Herod ($661), and Tafoya ($661) on March 13.
* $3,720 on advertisements opposing Herod on March 2.
* $200 on administrative services opposing Herod on Feb. 23.

## Election context[edit]

### Denver mayoral election history[edit]

* 2019 (click to expand)

#### General runoff election

##### General runoff election for Mayor of Denver

Incumbent Michael Hancock defeated Jamie Giellis in the general runoff election for Mayor of Denver on June 4, 2019.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

| Michael Hancock (Nonpartisan) |

56.3

| 91,675

| Jamie Giellis (Nonpartisan) |

43.7

| 71,069

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2

| Total votes: 162,744

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

#### General election

##### General election for Mayor of Denver

The following candidates ran in the general election for Mayor of Denver on May 7, 2019.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

| Michael Hancock (Nonpartisan) |

38.7

| 69,271

| Jamie Giellis (Nonpartisan) |

24.9

| 44,543

| Lisa Calderón (Nonpartisan) |

18.5

| 33,100

| Penfield Tate (Nonpartisan) |

14.7

| 26,370

| Kalyn Heffernan (Nonpartisan) |

2.5

| 4,481

| Stephan Evans (Nonpartisan) |

0.7

| 1,325

| Marcus Giavanni (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) |

0.0

| 83

| Kenneth Simpson (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) |

0.0

| 23

| Paul Fiorino (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) |

0.0

| 7

| Leatha Scott (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) |

0.0

| 4

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 179,207

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

* 2015 (click to expand)

Mayor of Denver, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Michael B. Hancock Incumbent | 80.2% | 75,774
Marcus Giavanni | 8.5% | 8,033
Paul Noel Fiorino | 5.7% | 5,379
Seku | 3.1% | 2,973
Write-in  | 2.5% | 2,366
Total Votes | 94,525
Source: City of Denver, "Official general election results," accessed May 19, 2015

## Mayoral partisanship[edit]

Denver has a Democratic mayor. As of November 2024, 63 mayors in the largest 100 cities by population are affiliated with the Democratic Party, 25 are affiliated with the Republican Party, one is affiliated with the Libertarian Party, four are independents, five identify as nonpartisan or unaffiliated, and two mayors' affiliations are unknown. Click here for a list of the 100 largest cities' mayors and their partisan affiliations.

Mayoral elections are officially nonpartisan in most of the nation's largest cities. However, many officeholders are affiliated with political parties. Ballotpedia uses one or more of the following sources to identify each officeholder's partisan affiliation: (1) direct communication from the officeholder, (2) current or previous candidacy for partisan office, or (3) identification of partisan affiliation by multiple media outlets.

## About the city[edit]

See also: Denver, Colorado

Denver is a city in Denver County, Colorado. As of 2020, its population was 715,522.

### City government[edit]

See also: Mayor-council government

The city of Denver uses a strong mayor and city council system. In this form of municipal government, the city council serves as the city's primary legislative body while the mayor serves as the city's chief executive.

### Demographics[edit]

The following table displays demographic data provided by the United States Census Bureau.

Demographic Data for Denver, Colorado

| Denver | Colorado
Population | 715,522 | 5,773,714
Land area (sq mi) | 153 | 103,636
Race and ethnicity**
White | 72.2% | 81.5%
Black/African American | 9.2% | 4.1%
Asian | 3.6% | 3.2%
Native American | 0.8% | 0.9%
Pacific Islander | 0.2% | 0.2%
Two or more | 7.1% | 5.9%
Hispanic/Latino | 29.5% | 21.7%
Education
High school graduation rate | 89.1% | 92.1%
College graduation rate | 50.3% | 41.6%
Income
Median household income | $72,661 | $75,231
Persons below poverty level | 11.9% | 9.8%
Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2020). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2015-2020).
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

## 2023 battleground elections[edit]

See also: Battlegrounds

This election was a battleground race. Other 2023 battleground elections included:

* Mayoral election in Wichita, Kansas (2023)
* Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District special election, 2023 (September 5 Democratic primary)
* Wichita Public Schools, Kansas, elections (2023)

## See also[edit]

Denver, Colorado | Colorado | Municipal government | Other local coverage

|
|
|

* 2019 Denver mayoral election

* Denver, Colorado
* Cities in Colorado
* Denver County, Colorado

* 2023 Colorado elections
* Public policy in Colorado
* Endorsers in Colorado
* Colorado

* Top counties
* 100 largest cities
* Current mayors
* Current council officials

* 2023 municipal elections
* 2023 school board elections
* 2023 local ballot measure elections
* 2023 local judicial elections

## External links[edit]

* Search Google News for this topic
* City of Denver

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ Denverite, "The Denver mayor’s race is a big deal for you and us. Here’s why we’re spending so much time and energy on it," Feb. 21, 2023
2. ↑ SearchLight Denver, "Denver Campaign Finance Dashboard," accessed March 8, 2023
3. ↑ The Colorado Sun, "Littwin: Late-breaking Denver mayoral race update — 17 candidates and not a single front runner," March 5, 2023
4. ↑ LinkedIn, "Kelly Brough," accessed Feb. 15, 2023
5. ↑ LinkedIn, "Lisa Calderón, MLS, JD, EdD," accessed March 7, 2023
6. ↑ LinkedIn, "Andre Rougeot," accessed Feb. 15, 2023
7. ↑ Denver Democrats, "A big field. And big decisions to make." March 10, 2023
8. ↑ Westword, "The Contenders: Andy Rougeot Wants to Become First Republican Mayor in Sixty Years," March 12, 2023
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9News, "Meet the candidates running for Denver Mayor: Kelly Brough," Feb. 14, 2023
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Leslie Herod's 2023 campaign website, "Issues," accessed Feb. 15, 2023
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Michael Johnston's 2023 campaign website, "Home," accessed Feb. 15, 2023
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Deborah Ortega's 2023 campaign website, "Issues," accessed Feb. 15, 2023
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Andy Rougeot's 2023 campaign website, "Home," accessed Feb. 15, 2023
14. ↑ The Denver Gazette, "CEO of Tattered Cover Kwame Spearman drops out of Denver mayor's race," March 16, 2023
15. ↑ Denverite, "What does Denver’s mayor do and how much power does the position have?" Dec. 12, 2022
16. ↑ In most of the nation's largest cities, mayoral elections are officially nonpartisan, though many officeholders and candidates are affiliated with political parties. Ballotpedia uses one or more of the following sources to identify each officeholder's partisan affiliation: (1) direct communication from the officeholder, (2) current or previous candidacy for partisan office, or (3) identification of partisan affiliation by multiple media outlets.
17. ↑ Facebook, "Kelly Brough for Denver Mayor," April 3, 2023
18. ↑ 18.00 18.01 18.02 18.03 18.04 18.05 18.06 18.07 18.08 18.09 18.10 18.11 18.12 18.13 18.14 18.15 18.16 18.17 18.18 18.19 18.20 18.21 18.22 18.23 18.24 18.25 18.26 18.27 18.28 18.29 18.30 18.31 18.32 18.33 18.34 18.35 18.36 18.37 18.38 18.39 Office of the Denver Clerk and Recorder, "SearchLight Denver," accessed April 3, 2023
19. ↑ Facebook, "Ethiopian Diaspora Politics," April 2, 2023
20. ↑ Facebook, "Chris Hansen for Denver Mayor," March 28, 2023
21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Facebook, "Jef Fard," March 23, 2023
22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 YouTube, "Chris Hansen: 'Aplicaré prohibición de acampar en calles de Denver,'" March 23, 2023
23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Facebook, "The Denver Gazette," March 22, 2023
24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Facebook, "Jef Fard," March 22, 2023
25. ↑ Facebook, "Leslie Herod," March 19, 2023
26. ↑ The Denver Gazette, "CEO of Tattered Cover Kwame Spearman drops out of Denver mayor's race," March 16, 2023
27. ↑ Facebook, "Lisa Calderón for Denver Mayor," March 16, 2023
28. ↑ Facebook, "Leanne Wheeler," March 16, 2023
29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Facebook, "Jef Fard," March 15, 2023
30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 YouTube, "Race for Denver mayor: Watch the second live debate," March 14, 2023
31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 9News, "Meet the candidates running for Denver Mayor: James Walsh," March 14, 2023
32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Instagram, "commundenver," March 13, 2023
33. ↑ The Denver Post, "Endorsement: Mike Johnston for Denver mayor," March 12, 2023
34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Axios Denver, "Denver mayor's race: What you need to know about the candidates," March 10, 2023
35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 Zoom, "State of the Streets 2023 Denver Mayoral Forum," accessed March 10, 2023
36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 9News, "Meet the candidates running for Denver Mayor: Aurelio Martinez," March 9, 2023
37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 9News, "Meet the candidates running for Denver Mayor: Robert Treta," March 9, 2023
38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 YouTube, "Lisa Calderón: 'Es hora de elegir un Sheriff en Denver,'" March. 9, 2023
39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 YouTube, "Mike Johnston: 'Construiremos 25 mil casas a precio accesible en Denver,'" March. 9, 2023
40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 Facebook, "Denverite," March 7, 2023
41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 Facebook, "Jeff Fard," March 5, 2023
42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 Facebook, "GES Coalition," March 4, 2023
43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 Facebook, "City and County of Denver Government," March 2, 2023
44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 SurveyUSA, "Results of SurveyUSA Election Poll #26734," accessed March 3, 2023
45. ↑ Facebook, "Debbie Ortega for Mayor of Denver," March 2, 2023
46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 Instagram, "Town Hall Collaborative," March 1, 2023
47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 9News, "Meet the candidates running for Denver Mayor: Ean Thomas Tafoya," March 1, 2023
48. ↑ Facebook, "Chris Hansen for Denver Mayor," Feb. 27, 2023
49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 YouTube, "CIO Special Edition: Mayoral Forum," Feb. 24, 2023
50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 PBS 12, "Season 2023: Humanize: Denver's Mayoral Candidates," Feb. 24, 2023
51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 9News, "Meet the candidates running for Denver Mayor: Al Gardner," Feb. 24, 2023
52. ↑ Facebook, "Denver Metro Association of Realtors," February 24, 2023
53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 9News, "Meet the candidates running for Denver Mayor: Kwame Spearman," Feb. 22, 2023
54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 Axios Denver, "New poll shows Denver's mayor's race is scrambled," Feb. 21, 2023
55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 YouTube, "Trinidad Rodríguez: 'Urge reconstruir la policía para tener seguridad en Denver,'" Feb. 21, 2023
56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 Denver7, "2023 Denver mayoral race: Meet all 17 candidates on the ballot," Feb. 20, 2023
57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 Facebook, "Housekeys Action Network Denver," Feb. 20, 2023
58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 9News, "Meet the candidates running for Denver Mayor: Leslie Herod," Feb. 20, 2023
59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 9News, "Meet the candidates running for Denver Mayor: Mike Johnston," Feb. 20, 2023
60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 9News, "Meet the candidates running for Denver Mayor: Debbie Ortega," Feb. 20, 2023
61. ↑ 61.0 61.1 YouTube, "Leslie Herod: 'Debemos construir viviendas en terrenos baldíos de Denver, DPS y RTD,'" Feb. 20, 2023
62. ↑ The Denver Gazette, "ENDORSEMENT: Kelly Brough for Denver mayor," Feb. 19, 2023
63. ↑ YouTube, "DENVER IS READY - BOBBY LEFEBRE," Feb. 17, 2023
64. ↑ 64.0 64.1 YouTube, "The Race for Denver Mayor: 9NEWS debate (FULL)," Feb. 16, 2023
65. ↑ 65.0 65.1 9News, "Meet the candidates running for Denver Mayor: Lisa Calderón," Feb. 16, 2023
66. ↑ 66.0 66.1 9News, "Meet the candidates running for Denver Mayor: Renate Behrens," Feb. 14, 2023
67. ↑ 67.0 67.1 9News, "Meet the candidates running for Denver Mayor: Kelly Brough," Feb. 14, 2023
68. ↑ 68.0 68.1 9News, "Meet the candidates running for Denver Mayor: Chris Hansen," Feb. 14, 2023
69. ↑ 69.0 69.1 9News, "Meet the candidates running for Denver Mayor: Terrance Roberts," Feb. 14, 2023
70. ↑ 70.0 70.1 9News, "Meet the candidates running for Denver Mayor: Trinidad Rodriguez," Feb. 14, 2023
71. ↑ 71.0 71.1 9News, "Meet the candidates running for Denver Mayor: Andy Rougeot," Feb. 14, 2023
72. ↑ 72.0 72.1 9News, "Meet the candidates running for Denver Mayor: Thomas Wolf," Feb. 14, 2023
73. ↑ The Denver Gazette, "Teamsters Local 17 and 455 endorse Chris Hansen for Denver mayor," Feb. 13, 2023
74. ↑ 74.0 74.1 YouTube, "Watch Denver mayoral debate at Regis University," Feb. 9, 2023
75. ↑ 75.0 75.1 YouTube, "Debbie Ortega: 'Declaré la emergencia por caso de desamparados,'" Feb. 9, 2023
76. ↑ 76.0 76.1 YouTube, "Andy Rougeot: 'Prohibiré campamentos de desamparados,'" Feb. 9, 2023
77. ↑ CBS Colorado, "Big endorsement could shake up Denver's mayoral race," Feb. 7, 2023
78. ↑ El Semanario, "El Semanario Endorses Debbie Ortega for Denver Mayor," Feb. 2, 2023
79. ↑ LGBTQ Victory Fund, "LGBTQ Victory Fund Endorses 26 More LGBTQ Candidates," Jan. 26, 2023
80. ↑ [pfbid026994E8nQUGmhNnRNHMFQorBpikZE5pzxPWUuUapAY4yDB4jBeXAa1wRpJWrNdFNRl Facebook, "Debbie Ortega for Mayor of Denver," Jan. 26, 2023]
81. ↑ 81.0 81.1 YouTube, "Ean Tafoya: 'Debemos construir viviendas accesibles junto con la comunidad,'" Jan. 26, 2023
82. ↑ 9News, "Wellington Webb endorses Leslie Herod for Denver mayor," Jan. 25, 2023
83. ↑ Facebook, "Debbie Ortega for Mayor of Denver," Jan. 20, 2023
84. ↑ Facebook, "Debbie Ortega for Mayor of Denver," Jan. 17, 2023
85. ↑ Facebook, "Jamie Giellis," Jan. 13, 2023
86. ↑ 86.0 86.1 YouTube, "Kelly Brough: 'Podemos construir una ciudad donde todos podamos vivir,'" Jan. 12, 2023
87. ↑ 314 Action, "314 Action Endorses Senator Chris Hansen for Denver Mayor," Dec. 28, 2022
88. ↑ Facebook, "Kelly Brough for Denver Mayor," Nov. 18, 2022
89. ↑ Denverite, "Off to the race: Most mayoral candidates had a busy Wednesday night in Denver," Nov. 17, 2022
90. ↑ Spearman withdrew on March 16, 2023.
91. ↑ This link directs to a recording posted on Instagram, which does not allow users to skip through the video. As such, you must open the video and wait for the forum to begin. The organization posted clips of the forum on its Facebook page here, here, and here, which allow you to control the recording.
92. ↑ Ballotpedia could only identify a recording posted on Instagram, which does not allow users to skip through a video. As such, you must open the video and wait for the forum to begin. If you know of a recording hosted on some other platform, please email us.
93. ↑ 9News, "Denver Race for Mayor: Get to know the candidates," Feb. 14, 2023
94. ↑ For more information on the difference between margins of error and credibility intervals, see explanations from the American Association for Public Opinion Research and Ipsos.
95. ↑ Pew Research Center, "5 key things to know about the margin of error in election polls," September 8, 2016
96. ↑ RV=Registered Voters
LV=Likely Voters
97. ↑ The sponsor is the person or group that funded all or part of the poll.
98. ↑ Undecided: 58%
99. ↑ Another candidate not listed: 5%
Undecided: 59%
100. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed December 12, 2021
101. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed December 12, 2021
102. ↑ National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," December 12, 2021

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