After a grueling and contentious election that started late last year, Michael Hancock today finally assumed the honor he has been shooting for most of his life.
Hancock, 41, was formally sworn in as Denver’s 45th mayor in an 11 o’clock ceremony at Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre in the Denver Performing Arts Complex.
It is a role that for decades Hancock sought, even famously telling a television reporter when he was in high school about his intentions to be mayor of Denver one day.
Hancock, a two-term member of Denver’s city council, replaces Guillermo “Bill” Vidal, who was appointed mayor after John Hickenlooper became Colorado’s governor in January.
Hancock won a contentious election that started with a field of more than a dozen and ended up in a runoff between Hancock and former state Sen. Chris Romer.
Hancock, who announced his run for mayor in November, beat Romer by about 20,000 votes.
Today’s transfer of the city government’s power also included six new council members: Debbie Ortega and Robin Kniech in the at-large seats; Albus Brooks in District 8; Chris Herndon in Hancock’s District 11 seat; Susan Shepherd in District 1; and Mary Beth Susman in District 5.
Council members who retained their seats were also sworn in for their next terms: Charlie Brown, Paul Lopez, Jeanne Faatz, Jeanne Robb; Chris Nevitt, Peggy Lehmann and Judy Montero.
Also, auditor Dennis Gallagher and new clerk and recorder Debra A. Johnson were also sworn in.
Hancock is expected to announce more appointments to his team today.
So far, Hancock’s team has announced a handful of positions, including Janice Sinden as chief of staff, Wil Alston as communications director and Cary Kennedy as chief financial officer along with Ed Scholz as deputy finance officer.
Jeremy P. Meyer: 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com
