Denver City Council members opted for the status quo Monday, selecting Albus Brooks as president and Jolon Clark for the No. 2 leadership position for another year.
A year ago, Brooks had sought the top position — which carries $11,000 in additional pay on top of council members’ $91,915 salary — with . Two years has been a typical tenure for presidents, but Brooks said he wanted to give other members a chance to lead the chamber.
“I had a couple members ask me to run again, to keep the continuity,” Brooks said before Monday’s council meeting, explaining the change. “Members felt like I listened and was fair, so they supported me. And I did not have an opponent.”
Several members said as much Monday, praising Brooks’ leadership.
Brooks, whose District 9 includes most of downtown and northeast neighborhoods, recalled missing the leadership vote last year while on medical leave for cancer surgery and treatment. His father also died unexpectedly on the eve of Brooks’ second surgery.
Unlike last year, Brooks received support from all 12 colleagues, as did Clark’s unopposed nomination for president pro tem. Councilman Rafael Espinoza abstained from the presidential vote last July, but he said in voting for Brooks on Monday that he had shown a receptiveness to minority viewpoints during debates.
Clark represents District 7 in south Denver.
