DENVER – Outgoing Mayor Michael Hancock says Denver is a very different city than it was when he first took the helm 12 years ago.
“A recession when we entered, a pandemic, social unrest. And in the midst of all this, Denver experienced the most unprecedented growth in the history of the city,” he recalled.
Hancock has seen a lot in his hometown. He grew up in Denver, the youngest of 10 children of a single mother. A busy home, he said, prepared him well for a political life.
“You know, really, if you think about it, being a 1-10 is all I needed. Every tool, survival skill, negotiation skill, organizational skill I needed to be mayor. You know, you have to learn to negotiate, you have to learn to build alliances, you know, friendships. You have to learn to read the room, and you have to learn to have good organizational skills,” he said. “You know, my mom was very much our general, but we all had to figure out a lot of things in that system. And being the youngest, I got to watch everybody, and I learned what not to do or what to do. And I learning what worked, what didn’t work. So, you know, frankly, being a big group like that was huge, very helpful for my development as an individual and as a leader of organizations and people.”
Michael Hancock
Hancock graduated from Manual High School in 1987. His image adorns a mural at the school’s entrance in Denver, along with other notable graduates such as Wellington Webb, Denver’s only other black mayor.
Hancock said he is ready to step down and take a vacation. He consulted with former mayors, who gave him advice to take a breath and take a step back. He also has three grandchildren that he is willing to bond with.
“The oldest is only 3, and the ability to connect with them, because I haven’t really had the opportunity, is something I’m really looking forward to,” she said.
Michael Hancock
When he looks back over the past 12 years, he’s confident that Denver’s future is bright, noting how Denver is a more competitive city globally, has an unemployment rate of less than 3 percent and has the third-busiest airport in the world.
When asked about the best thing he’s done as mayor, Hancock’s answer involved Denver’s youth.
“Open all the recreation centers to the youth of this city,” he said. “I’m very proud that we’ve gone from less than 1,000 kids being members of the recreation center program to over 100,000 kids being members.”
Hancock also laments how he doesn’t move fast enough to understand what doesn’t stay in the city.
Another lament he can laugh off more easily now came at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic during what he calls “Hancock’s Prohibition,” when the city shut down liquor stores and dispensaries for two hours.
“Probably chapter one of my book, you know, my ban. How that came about was fun. But then to see the immediate aftermath of that, it was even funnier,” Hancock said. “When we first look back, it was horrible. They were like, I mean … literally within an hour, they were like, ‘Major lines are forming at the liquor stores and dispensaries.’ And I mean not just a line, more like lines down the block. And we’re like, ‘You’ve got to be kidding.’ it”.
Michael Hancock
Hancock knows it’s time for new ideas for Denver. As Mike Johnston prepares to take the helm, Hancock offered this advice.
“Number one, you love this city more than you love being mayor, and that keeps people’s interest in the forefront. And two, don’t forget who put you here. It’s not the media. It’s not the editorial board. It’s the people, and those are the people you always answer to,” Hancock said. “The third, of course, is that it’s not about you … the moment it becomes you, the city loses. It’s about the people and those three values. When I’ve stepped outside those boundaries these have been the worst days of my life in this office.”
Is Michael Hancock done with politics?
“I don’t think so,” he replied. “One way or another, I’ll be involved. I love the city too much.”
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