Mike Johnston sworn in as Denver’s 46th mayor

By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

Last July 17, former Colorado state senator Mike Johnston, 48, was inaugurated at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House as Denver’s 46th mayor.

It was a full day for the new mayor as the inauguration started at 10 a.m., followed by a meet and greet ice cream social with the city and county employ ees of Denver. A block party, organized by Denver Vibes, included local bands, art ists, and food trucks, that ended the day of festivities at Union Station.

“Today, we dedicate ourselves to two essential American ideas: That every problem we face is solvable and we are the ones to solve them,” said Mayor Johnston during his inauguration speech.

Three former mayors—Frederico Pena, Wellington Webb, and John Hick enlooper—attended the inauguration.

As one of the most powerful political job in Colorado, Johnston brings a wealth of experience in the education arena, including working as an English educator, co-founding a national nonprofit on education, serving as an adjunct professor of education law at the University of Denver, and appointed as a senior advisor to President Barack Obama on educational issues.

Tran Nguyen-Wills, who worked on the the Mayor’s Inauguration Team, said: “Mayor Johnston has been a great mentor to me and to so many others. I am excited for his leadership for Denver.”

After working on Leslie Herod’s campaign, Nguyen-Wills joined Mayor-Elect Johnston’s campaign for the run off. She recently accepted a position as Senior Outreach Manager for Mayor Johnston’s Administration.

“I look forward to continuing to uplift and support our communities alongside Mayor Johnston and the entire administration. Denver is in great hands!”

Based on his experience, Denver residents will see changes in education. His campaign promises affordable housing, ending homelessness, and enforcing public safety. His speech promised hope.

“The essence of democracy is that it calls on our ability to do something that feels unnatural. To love those who are different from us. To believe in them, to work with them, to sacrifice for them, to deliver for them. That is our dream of Denver.”

“That is our promise to our people, that is our pledge to each other. That is how we put our arms around those stuck in a cycle of hurt and it is how we pull this city back into a cycle of hope. It is how we dream, serve, and deliver Denver as America’s best city.”

Mayor Johnston declared a State of Emergency on homelessness and housing security in Denver, which will place 1,000 individuals experiencing homelessness inside by the end of this year.

“Now, let’s get to work,” he said.