For the first time since 2003 when then-Mayor John Hickenlooper was inaugurated, Denver has a fresh set of eyes looking at the Mile High City.
Fresh, in the sense that Mayor Mike Johnston and Hickenlooper were both outsiders, not part of city government when they were sworn in as Denver mayor, arguably the most powerful political job in Colorado.
Johnston delivered an inspirational inaugural speech about creating a new dream for Denver’s future with a call for each of us to also take an oath “to dream, to serve, and to deliver”. As he aptly noted, “Today, we dedicate ourselves to two essential American ideas: That every problem we face is solvable and we are the ones to solve them.”
Fresh eyes can introduce powerful ideas. We have all experienced the opportunity that comes with bringing a unique perspective to a new job or responsibility. Mayor Johnston is stepping into his new role with this in mind, and I applaud him for it.
Following his inauguration, Johnston wasted no time in declaring a state of emergency on the issue of homelessness and housing insecurity, which will open the door to additional financial resources.
Johnston should look under the hood of Denver’s finances and examine whether the city is getting the right return on investment necessary to address this thorny issue and simultaneously increase affordable housing.
There is a need to analyze whether the homeless tax and other city initiatives are delivering results. He should examine and determine whether the city’s resources could be deployed differently to better address homelessness and housing. But he shouldn’t stop there, looking at other key issues such as reducing gun violence, crime and addressing our behavioral health needs.
And, while he is there, let’s evaluate the effectiveness and increased size of our city’s workforce. What jobs do we need? Can we shift resources, streamline services and create efficiencies across departments and agencies?
Johnston’s team should comb through the Denver Auditor’s independent audit reports, like the June 2023 Police Operations and Staffing Report and the April 2023 Multi-Agency Homeless Encampments Audit Report to improve the city’s performance through the audit’s analysis and recommendations.
Johnston and the City Council can also help improve Denver Public Schools. Denver’s public education system is broken. From the quality of education to providing safe learning environments, it is in a crisis mode, which has been exacerbated by the district’s poor leadership coupled with the board’s lack of accountability, transparency, and overall incompetence.
Johnston’s unique perspective can help DPS meaningfully address this challenge. His vast experience includes being an English teacher, co-founding a national non-profit that recruited and trained urban principals, and as a principal for two alternative high schools. One school served students held in state custody and the other became the first public high school in which 100% of seniors were admitted to four-year colleges. He has been an adjunct professor of education law at the University of Denver as well as an advisor to President Barack Obama on educational issues.
Even though Johnston has no formal role in Denver’s education system, he can lean in and use his experience and subject matter credibility to help find solutions to the problems our Denver school children and their parents face. Solutions could include appointing an education czar who coordinates city efforts with DPS, creating a non-profit to raise private money for education initiatives, re-examining a formal role between the city and DPS, or even recruiting or encouraging qualified candidates to run for the DPS Board.
Johnston should rip a page out of Mayor Hickenlooper’s playbook in bringing other city leaders together. In 2003, Hickenlooper unified 34 metro mayors to roll up their sleeves and work better together. One of the successes was FasTracks, an ambitious transit initiative that added 119 miles of new track. Mayor Johnston should work with the Metro Mayors Caucus and its other 38 mayors to renew their efforts to deal with today’s core challenges and collaborate to develop regional solutions. And, he should bring that same new energy to foster his relationship with state and federal leaders as well.
Johnston has a great opportunity to look at ways he can beautify, animate and create a new Denver culture. I would examine how we can improve the nightlife that goes beyond drinking. What museums, galleries and attractions can we highlight? How can we create more space for all types of artists to perform and engage the public? What role can technology play in improving Denver’s experience? How can we better activate neighborhoods and create a stronger sense of community?
These crucial observations will be essential in transforming Denver into America’s best city. We, the citizens, are here to be your thought partner and support you, Mayor Johnston. Good luck.
Doug Friednash grew up in Denver and is a partner with the law firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber and Schreck. He is the former chief of staff for Gov. John Hickenlooper.
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