Michael Johnston (Colorado)
2023 - Present
2027
1
Michael Johnston is the Mayor of Denver in Colorado. He assumed office on July 17, 2023. His current term ends on July 19, 2027.
Johnston ran for election for Mayor of Denver in Colorado. He won in the general runoff election on June 6, 2023.
Johnston was previously a Democratic candidate for governor of Colorado in the 2018 election.[1] Click here for more information on the June 26 Democratic primary election. Click here for more information on the November 6 general election.
Biography
Michael Johnston earned a B.A. in English and philosophy from Yale University in 1997, an M.Ed. in education policy and school administration from Harvard University in 2000, and a J.D. from Yale University in 2003. Johnston's career experience includes working as the president and CEO of Gary Community Ventures, the principal of Joan Farley Academy, and an English teacher with Greenville High School. He co-founded Mapleton Public Schools and New Leaders for New Schools.[2]
Elections
2023
See also: Mayoral election in Denver, Colorado (2023)
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 |
Total votes: 162,986 | ||||
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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 |
Total votes: 172,589 | ||||
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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)
2020
See also: United States Senate election in Colorado, 2020
United States Senate election in Colorado, 2020 (June 30 Republican primary)
United States Senate election in Colorado, 2020 (June 30 Democratic primary)
General election
General election for U.S. Senate Colorado
The following candidates ran in the general election for U.S. Senate Colorado on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | John Hickenlooper (D) | 53.5 | 1,731,114 |
![]() | Cory Gardner (R) | 44.2 | 1,429,492 | |
![]() | Raymon Doane (L) | 1.7 | 56,262 | |
![]() | Daniel Doyle (Approval Voting Party) | 0.3 | 9,820 | |
![]() | Stephan Evans (Unity Party) ![]() | 0.3 | 8,971 | |
![]() | Bruce Lohmiller (G) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 0 | |
![]() | Danny Skelly (Independent) (Write-in) ![]() | 0.0 | 0 | |
![]() | Michael Sanchez (Independent) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 0 |
Total votes: 3,235,659 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Gary Swing (Other)
- Joseph Camp (Independent)
- Veronique Bellamy (Socialist Party)
- Martha Wolf (Independent)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Colorado
John Hickenlooper defeated Andrew Romanoff in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Colorado on June 30, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | John Hickenlooper | 58.7 | 585,826 |
![]() | Andrew Romanoff | 41.3 | 412,955 |
Total votes: 998,781 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Danielle Kombo (D)
- Erik Underwood (D)
- Denise Burgess (D)
- David Goldfischer (D)
- Lorena Garcia (D)
- Trish Zornio (D)
- Michael Johnston (D)
- Diana Bray (D)
- Stephany Rose Spaulding (D)
- Michelle Ferrigno Warren (D)
- Critter Milton (D)
- Keith Pottratz (D)
- John Walsh (D)
- Dan Baer (D)
- Ellen Burnes (D)
- Alice Madden (D)
- Angela Williams (D)
- Derrick Blanton (D)
- Dustin John Leitzel (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. Senate Colorado
Incumbent Cory Gardner advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Colorado on June 30, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Cory Gardner | 100.0 | 554,806 |
Total votes: 554,806 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Margot Dupre (R)
Libertarian primary election
Libertarian primary for U.S. Senate Colorado
Raymon Doane defeated Gaylon Kent in the Libertarian primary for U.S. Senate Colorado on June 30, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Raymon Doane | 62.8 | 4,365 |
![]() | Gaylon Kent | 37.2 | 2,583 |
Total votes: 6,948 | ||||
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Unity Party convention
Unity Party convention for U.S. Senate Colorado
Stephan Evans defeated Joshua Rodriguez in the Unity Party convention for U.S. Senate Colorado on April 4, 2020.
Candidate | ||
✔ | ![]() | Stephan Evans (Unity Party) ![]() |
![]() | Joshua Rodriguez (Unity Party) ![]() |
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2018
General election
General election for Governor of Colorado
Jared Polis defeated Walker Stapleton, Scott Helker, and Bill Hammons in the general election for Governor of Colorado on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Jared Polis (D) | 53.4 | 1,348,888 |
![]() | Walker Stapleton (R) | 42.8 | 1,080,801 | |
![]() | Scott Helker (L) | 2.8 | 69,519 | |
![]() | Bill Hammons (Unity Party) | 1.0 | 25,854 |
Total votes: 2,525,062 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Korey Paul Starkey (Independent)
- Veronique Bellamy (G)
- George Allen Cantrell (Constitution Party)
- Michael Wilbourn (Independent)
- Kathleen Cunningham (Unaffiliated)
- Paul Willmon (Unaffiliated)
- Richard Osada (Independent)
- Matthew Wood (Independent)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of Colorado
Jared Polis defeated Cary Kennedy, Michael Johnston, and Donna Lynne in the Democratic primary for Governor of Colorado on June 26, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Jared Polis | 44.5 | 283,340 |
![]() | Cary Kennedy | 24.7 | 157,396 | |
![]() | Michael Johnston | 23.5 | 149,884 | |
![]() | Donna Lynne | 7.3 | 46,382 |
Total votes: 637,002 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Noel Ginsburg (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of Colorado
Walker Stapleton defeated Victor Mitchell, Greg Lopez, and Doug Robinson in the Republican primary for Governor of Colorado on June 26, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Walker Stapleton | 47.7 | 239,861 |
![]() | Victor Mitchell | 30.1 | 151,585 | |
![]() | Greg Lopez | 13.2 | 66,432 | |
![]() | Doug Robinson | 9.0 | 45,327 |
Total votes: 503,205 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Barry Farah (R)
2016
- See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2016
Elections for the Colorado State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 28, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 4, 2016.[3] Incumbent Michael Johnston (d) did not seek re-election.
Angela Williams defeated Raymon Doane in the Colorado State Senate District 33 general election.[4][5]
Colorado State Senate, District 33 General Election, 2016 | ||||
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Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
Democratic | ![]() |
81.95% | 57,049 | |
Republican | Raymon Doane | 18.05% | 12,564 | |
Total Votes | 69,613 | |||
Source: Colorado Secretary of State |
Angela Williams defeated Jon Biggerstaff in the Colorado State Senate District 33 Democratic primary.[6][7]
Colorado State Senate, District 33 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
Democratic | ![]() |
82.05% | 12,837 | |
Democratic | Jon Biggerstaff | 17.95% | 2,808 | |
Total Votes | 15,645 |
Raymon Doane ran unopposed in the Colorado State Senate District 33 Republican primary.[6][7]
Colorado State Senate, District 33 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
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Party | Candidate | |
Republican | ![]() |
2012
- See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2012
Johnston won re-election in the 2012 election for Colorado State Senate District 33. He ran unopposed in the Democratic primary on June 26, 2012. He defeated Jason DeBerry (R) and Courtney Kolva (L) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[8]
2010
- See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2010
Johnston sought re-election to the 33rd District seat in 2010. He faced no opposition in the primary election. He defeated Lisa Ringle (R) in the November 2 general election.
Colorado State Senate, District 33 General election (2010) | ||||
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Candidates | Votes | |||
![]() |
33,634 | |||
Lisa Ringle (R) | 7,276 |
2009
Johnston was appointed to the 31st District seat in the Colorado State Senate.
Campaign themes
2023
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Michael Johnston did not complete Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Michael Johnston did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
- See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Mike Johnston participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on June 4, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Mike Johnston's responses follow below.[9]
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
" | At a time when the world can seem hopelessly divided, I’m running for Governor because we can only get big things done in Colorado if we have the courage to cross those divides. I’m proud of the fact that as a state Senator, 100 of the 120 bills I passed had Republican co-sponsors. As Governor, I will continue to promote progressive values by building coalitions across our state. My top three priorities as Governor are as follows: 1. Go to the ballot to repeal the worst parts of TABOR so that the state can keep excess revenue generated in good economic times to reinvest it in the areas that need it most. I’ll dedicate much of these funds to strengthening the education system, including increasing teacher pay. |
” |
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?
" | As a former school leader and principal, I am passionate about education and ensuring that every child in our state has access to a high quality education. That's why, as a senator, I passed Colorado's ASSET bill, giving undocumented students in Colorado access to in-state tuition for higher education. I also passed the largest legislative investment in K-12 in recent history, including funding for at-risk students in early elementary, to ensure we provide them the supports they need to become readers by the time they enter fourth grade. I launched my campaign with a policy idea called the Colorado Promise, which gives all Coloradans - of any age and any stage in their career - access to up to two years of debt-free college or skills training in exchange for service to the state. We know the economy is changing and the demands of tomorrow will require new skills and training for Coloradans to provide for their families with a good-paying job, and the Colorado Promise will help make that possible.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[11]
|
” |
Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Mike Johnston answered the following:
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
" | The candidates running for office will tell you the things that they care about, but I want to tell you a few things that I don't care about, because I think these are the types of values and characteristics that matter most. I don't care who you love, or how you worship. I don't care where you were born, or what your status is. I don't care if you're a Republican or a Democrat or don't belong to any party at all. If you're looking to divide Colorado, I will stand in your way. But if you want to do right by the families who live here, then let's stand together.[11] | ” |
" | Some of our best Governors in recent history have come from the State Legislature and because they know the people and the rules of those two houses, they are more effective and getting things done alongside state Legislators. I believe a Governor should be active in laying out priorities and using his or her pulpit to prioritize those. I also believe that a Governor and and should call upon the deep coalitions created during a campaign to bring constituents into the governing process so they have a voice in setting priorities and working with their elected officials to get things passed.[11] | ” |
" | People ask me all the time what it’s like to run for Governor. When I tell them it is an unspeakable gift, they look at me like I’m crazy. Back in May, we completed our tour of all 64 counties in Colorado, and if you had the chance to join me along any part of that journey, you would understand why this campaign has flown by in an instant, like a whirlwind romance that sweeps you off your feet and eliminates all sense of space and time.
I can only say that if you've ever seen 6 deer crossing a street in Ridgway on your way to dinner at the Colorado Boy, seen the sun set over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Westcliffe, seen a show at the Creede Repertory Theatre, or watched your kids place bets on how long it takes to make an old truck engine explode at the Baca County Fair, you would know. Or if you visited the last grocery store in Walsh, saved by the community when they had none, or listened to man in Routt County talk about how he worked all day in the fields on December 7, 1941 just so he could make enough money for the bus fare to Denver to join the U.S. Army in the war against Hitler, you would know. If you've driven a harvesting combine in Byers, visited the Overland Trail Museum in Sterling, dug yourself out of a snowbank on Red Mountain Pass in a blizzard, eaten both cherry and apple cobbler for breakfast at Pagosa Baking Company, had the breakfast special at Moose Creek Cafe in Walden, been to the Wolf and Wildlife Center in Teller County, ridden the giant canyon swing in Glenwood Springs or climbed into a wind tower in Fleming, visited Doc Holliday’s grave in Garfield County or Oscar Wilde’s favorite bar in Leadville or Teddy Roosevelt’s favorite room at the Meeker Hotel, been to the Palisade Peach Festival or seen the sunrise launch of the Creede Balloon Festival in Mineral County, eaten the flat enchiladas at All Gon in Fort Garland, or the burger at 4th Street Diner next door to the haunted Saguache Hotel, or been to the Hippodrome Arts Centre in Julesburg, had the stuffed jalapeños at the Dish Room in Burlington, been to the Turtle Race in Cheyenne Wells, or tried the whiskey at Elkins Distilling Co. in Estes Park, you would know. If you had joined us at any of those stops, you would wake up every day breathless at how grateful you are to live in Colorado, just like me.[11] |
” |
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
State legislative tenure
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Colorado scorecards, email suggestions to [email protected].
2020
In 2020, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 8 to June 15.
- Legislators are usually scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. However, in 2020 the organization released this more detailed overview of the legislative session.
- Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability."
- Colorado Voters for Animals: U.S. Congress and General Assembly
- Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes related to public health issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Legislators are scored on their stances on women's issues.
2019
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 4 through May 3.
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2018
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the 72nd Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 10 through May 9.
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2017
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the 71st Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 11 through May 10. There was also a special session from October 2-3.
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2016
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the second session of the 70th Colorado General Assembly was in session from January 13 through May 11.
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2015
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the first session of the 70th Colorado General Assembly was in session from January 7 through May 6.
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2014
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, the 69th Colorado General Assembly was in session from January 8 to May 7.
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2013
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
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In 2013, the 69th Colorado General Assembly was in session from January 9 to May 9.
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Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Committee assignments
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Johnston served on the following committees:
Colorado committee assignments, 2015 |
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• Education |
• Finance |
• Legal Services |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Johnston served on the following committees:
Colorado committee assignments, 2013 |
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• Finance, Chair |
• Education, Vice Chair |
• Legal Services |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Johnston served on these committees:
Colorado committee assignments, 2011 |
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• Education |
• Finance, Chair |
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Johnston served on these committees:
Colorado committee assignments, 2009 |
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• Business, Labor and Technology |
• Education |
• Finance |
See also
2023 Elections
- Governor of Colorado
- Colorado gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018
- Colorado State Senate
- Colorado Senate Committees
- Colorado State Senate District 33
- Colorado State Legislature
External links
Candidate Mayor of Denver |
Officeholder Mayor of Denver |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "2018 Primary Election Candidate List," accessed May 3, 2018
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Mike Johnston," accessed July 7, 2023
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Elections & Voting," accessed October 6, 2015
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "General election candidates," accessed August 16, 2016
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "2016 General Election results," accessed December 14, 2016
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Colorado Secretary of State, "2016 Primary Election Candidate List," accessed May 3, 2016
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Colorado Secretary of State, "June 28, 2016 Primary Election," accessed August 22, 2016
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Official 2012 Primary election results," accessed April 14, 2014
- ↑ Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
- ↑ Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "Mike Johnston's responses," June 4, 2018
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
Political offices | ||
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Preceded by Michael Hancock |
Mayor of Denver 2023-Present |
Succeeded by - |
Preceded by - |
Colorado State Senate District 33 2009-2017 |
Succeeded by - |
|