Denver Mayor-elect Michael Hancock came to his first and most important decision, about whom to appoint as chief of staff, while on a Florida vacation with his family.
He talked to former chiefs of staff and political advisers, and he interviewed some of the best and brightest in Denver for the position.
Then he asked his wife.
They agreed Janice Sinden was the one.
Sinden, 39, for four years has been executive director of Colorado Concern — a consortium of more than 100 business leaders that advocates on issues such as business growth and the state’s economy. She also has been a lobbyist and a staffer for former U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard and is a registered Republican.
Hancock said he was most impressed with Sinden’s ability to bring conflicting factions together — “to bridge the labor interests and business interests and nonprofit interests together to develop public policy strategies to move Colorado forward.”
“Her knowledge and strategic relationships throughout Denver and the state will be a true asset,” Hancock added.
Some could see the appointment of a business-friendly chief of staff as a signal to organized labor that the Hancock administration won’t be union-friendly.
But Hancock said that is far from the truth.
“What you will find is a relationship-building administration that won’t just wait until it’s time to negotiate but will be working diligently to keep those relationships alive and active,” Hancock said.
Union officials said they have no qualms about Sinden.
“I’m willing to work with her because she is willing to work with us,” said Ed Bagwell, a business agent with Teamsters Local 17, which represents more than 1,000 city employees. “She really doesn’t have any negatives that I can see. She told us that she can’t wait to meet the Teamsters.”
John Fleck, president of the Denver Area Labor Federation, said Hancock appears to be surrounding himself with quality people who will represent the working class.
And Mike Cerbo, executive director of the AFL-CIO in Colorado, said he worked with Sinden on a number of issues when he was in the legislature and she was a lobbyist.
“We have agreed, and we have disagreed,” he said. “But we can work with Janice.”
Former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb said Hancock would have every reason to be resentful to some labor organizations who funded attack ads during the campaign.
“But it’s a big city, and you have to take the mayor-elect by his word when he says, ‘The election is over. We all need to work together,’ ” Webb said.
Hancock said Sinden will help him choose the other members of his administration, including city attorney.
Sinden, who lives in Evergreen, said she intends to move to Denver. She said Hancock offered her the job Friday.
She is a fourth-generation Coloradan, raised in Fort Collins, and is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado, with a degree in political science.
Business leaders and politicians who have worked with Sinden say the choice is good.
“She knows how to bring groups together to resolve issues,” said attorney Steve Farber, a Colorado Concern board member. “She doesn’t let politics or ideology enter into it.”
Pat Hamill, who will serve as co-chairman of Colorado Concern, said the choice sends a message to the community that Hancock’s administration is serious about economic development.
Tami Door, president and chief executive of Downtown Denver Partnership Inc., said Sinden is politically astute, promotes collaboration and can work with a wide array of stakeholders.
“Much of that role is relationship-building and making sure you work together on opportunities,” Door said.
Councilman Charlie Brown called the choice “excellent.”
“I see it as a balancing approach,” he said. “You have a pro-union council and now you have a pro-business chief of staff. It’s a good balance. That’s what good governing is all about.”
The chief of staff job is the most important in the administration, behind the mayor.
The chief helps the mayor with policy and running the city government.
Previous chiefs of staff have included now-U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, Roxane White and Cole Finegan.
“Of all the jobs I have held in government, that was the most demanding and draining,” said Finegan, who was one of former Mayor John Hickenlooper’s chiefs of staff.
“You are working with the Cabinet, the mayor and every aspect of city government. My advice to her is get some sleep and some exercise now because she is going to get very little of that for the next four years.”
Staff writer Margaret Jackson contributed to this report.
Jeremy P. Meyer: 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com
Janice Sinden
New job: Chief of staff for Denver Mayor-elect Michael Hancock
Age: 39
Residence: Evergreen
Hometown: Fort Collins
Party affiliation: Republican
Education: Rocky Mountain High School, University of Northern Colorado (degree in political science)
Current position: Executive director of Colorado Concern
Past experience: Founder of Pinnacle Public Affairs, manager of corporate communications for Sharp HealthCare in San Diego and a staffer for former U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard
