Gov. John Hickenlooper. (Andy Cross, The Denver Post file)
Gov. John Hickenlooper recovered well after being late for his cue Wednesday morning at the Downtown Denver Partnership’s annual breakfast meeting.
David Kenney, a lobbyist and Democratic campaign consultant who is the new chairman of the downtown development nonprofit, introduced his longtime friend midway through the program. Trouble is, Hickenlooper, who planned to stop in to speak, was running a little behind.
After 10 seconds of applause — and no Hickenlooper — Kenney cleared his throat. “OK,” Kenney said, to chuckles. “Well, if he was here, this is what he would probably say…”
Just then, the governor walked into the ballroom.
“The problem with having a very successful downtown is the traffic is horrendous,” he quipped. “I apologize. I’m happy to be here. This is the favorite welcome or greeting I can do in any given year because it is a moment when we come together and recognize just how far we’ve come.”
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper speaks Wednesday, July 30, 2014, to the annual meeting of the Downtown Denver Partnership at the Hyatt Regency hotel near the Colorado Convention Center. (Jon Murray, The Denver Post)
The partnership’s membership consists of movers and shakers from government, business and the nonprofit world. It also oversees the business improvement district that maintains the 16th Street Mall, and it serves as an advocate for development and downtown’s other amenities.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, right, poses after the Downtown Denver Partnership annual meeting with city planning and development director Brad Buchanan, who was honored by DDP for his service to the group, and DDP President and CEO Tami Door.
