Former Denver City Councilman Jolon Clark will rejoin the city hall fold as Mayor Mike Johnston’s pick to lead the parks and recreation department.
Clark, who left office in July after two terms representing south Denver’s District 7, was one of two appointees announced Tuesday. Johnston also tapped Adeeb Khan, most recently the chief brand and impact officer for Delta Dental of Colorado, to serve as executive director of the Denver Economic Development and Opportunity office.
The mayor’s office credited Clark for his work on major parks and climate initiatives in the city while serving on the council, which included proposing sales taxes dedicated to each issue that won voter approval.
He has briefly served as Colorado state director for the Environmental Defense Fund since leaving council, and earlier he worked for the Greenway Foundation in Denver.
Clark, whose appointment is subject to City Council approval, is slated to take over his role on Oct. 30. Former council colleagues Jamie Torres, Amanda Sandoval, Amanda Sawyer, Stacie Gilmore, Kevin Flynn, Chris Hinds and Paul Kashmann are among current members who will have a say on Clark taking the position.
Khan will join the city on Nov. 6, according to Tuesday’s news release. His experience includes work for Delta Dental, Colorado’s largest dental insurance company. He also co-chairs Colorado’s Early Childhood Leadership Commission after being appointed by Gov. Jared Polis.
Johnston has been slower than his predecessor, Michael Hancock, to name appointees to city roles. He has yet to formally nominate a police chief, a sheriff, a fire chief and a planning director, among other department leaders.
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