# 2023 Denver mayoral election

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vte :
The 2023 Denver mayoral election was held on April 4, 2023, to elect the mayor of Denver, Colorado, with a runoff held on June 6. The election was officially nonpartisan and was held concurrently with elections for the Denver City Council, as well as city auditor and city clerk and recorder. Incumbent mayor Michael Hancock was term-limited and could not seek a fourth term in office. A historic field of seventeen candidates filed to run in the race to succeed Hancock.
Since no candidate won a majority in the first round, former state senator Mike Johnston and former Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce CEO Kelly Brough advanced to a runoff. Candidates eliminated in the first round included Emerge Colorado executive director Lisa Calderón, maintenance executive Andy Rougeot, and state representative Leslie Herod. Brough and Johnston were considered to be two of the more moderate candidates in the field, with the more progressive candidates like Calderón and Herod losing in the initial primary.
Although Brough and Johnston shared similar ideological positions, Johnston was supported by leading progressive figures in the runoff, including Calderón and Herod, while Brough was supported by more conservative groups, including the local police union and the Denver Republican Party. Johnston won the runoff by a comfortable margin, with Brough conceding the race on the night of the election.

## Candidates
### Advanced to the runoff

These candidates advanced to the runoff election to be held on June 6.
* Kelly Brough, former Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce CEO and former chief of staff to then-mayor John Hickenlooper (Party affiliation: Democratic)
* Mike Johnston, former state senator, candidate for governor in 2018, and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2020 (Party affiliation: Democratic)

### Eliminated in the first round

These candidates qualified to appear on the ballot, but were eliminated in the first round.
* Renate Behrens, retired caretaker (endorsed Brough in runoff)
* Lisa Calderón, executive director of Emerge Colorado, former chief of staff to city councilor Candi CdeBaca, and candidate for mayor in 2019 (Party affiliation: Democratic) (endorsed Johnston in runoff)
* Al Gardner, information technology professional and Denver Civil Service Commission member (Party affiliation: Democratic) (endorsed Johnston in runoff)
* Chris Hansen, state senator (Party affiliation: Democratic) (endorsed Brough in runoff)
* Leslie Herod, state representative (Party affiliation: Democratic) (endorsed Johnston in runoff)
* Aurelio Martinez, tech worker and former boxer
* Debbie Ortega, at-large city councilor (Party affiliation: Democratic)
* Terrance Roberts, community organizer (Party affiliation: Democratic) (endorsed Johnston in runoff)
* Trinidad Rodriguez, financing executive and former Denver Housing Authority commissioner
* Andy Rougeot, maintenance executive (Party affiliation: Republican)
* Ean Tafoya, community organizer and former Colorado Environmental Justice Action Task Force co-chair (Party affiliation: Democratic) (endorsed Johnston in runoff)
* Robert Treta, property builder (Party affiliation: Independent) (endorsed Brough in runoff)
* James Walsh, University of Colorado Denver professor (endorsed Johnston in runoff)
* Thomas Wolf, investment banker and candidate for mayor in 2011 (endorsed Brough in runoff)

### Disqualified

* Abass Bamba, data consulting firm president (ran a write-in campaign)
* Matt Brady (ran a write-in campaign)
* Alex Cowans
* Paul Noel Fiorino, dance teacher and perennial candidate (Party affiliation: Independent) (ran a write-in campaign)
* Sean Gallegos
* Marcus Giavanni, perennial candidate (ran a write-in campaign)
* Sylvia Herring
* Jesse Parris, community organizer (ran a write-in campaign)
* Ken Simpson, tech consultant and perennial candidate

### Withdrew

* Anna Burrell, sustainability consulting executive (endorsed Calderón)
* Kwame Spearman, CEO of Tattered Cover (remained on ballot; endorsed Brough)
* David Stevens, language tutoring school founder
* Alex Valdez, state representative (Party affiliation: Democratic) (endorsed Brough in runoff)

### Declined

* Auon'tai Anderson, Denver Board of Education vice president (ran for re-election, endorsed Herod)
* Albus Brooks, construction executive and former Denver City Council president from the 9th district (endorsed Johnston)
* Candi CdeBaca, city councilor for district 9 (Party affiliation: Democratic) (ran for re-election, endorsed Calderón)
* Stephan Evans, activist and candidate for mayor in 2015 and 2019
* Kevin Flynn, city councilor for district 2 (Party affiliation: Democratic) (ran for re-election)
* Alec Garnett, former Colorado House of Representatives speaker (Party affiliation: Democratic)
* Stacie Gilmore, city councilor and former council president (Party affiliation: Democratic) (ran for re-election)
* Cary Kennedy, senior advisor to governor Jared Polis, former Colorado State Treasurer, former deputy mayor of Denver, and candidate for governor in 2018 (Party affiliation: Democratic)
* Robin Kniech, at-large city councilor (Party affiliation: Democratic)
* James Mejia, president of Denver Film and candidate for mayor in 2011
* Tim O'Brien, Denver City Auditor (ran for re-election)
* Paul Pazen, former Denver Police Department chief
* Penfield Tate III, former state senator and candidate for mayor in 2003 and 2019 (Party affiliation: Democratic) (ran for city council)

## First round
### Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of March 14, 2023 :
| Candidate | Contributions | Fair Elections Fund payouts | Expenditures | Cash on hand |
| Renate Behrens | $429 | $0 | $408 | $21 |
| Kelly Brough | $644,299 | $750,000 | $790,625 | $382,544 |
| Lisa Calderón | $69,013 | $195,351 | $127,457 | $58,161 |
| Al Gardner | $13,770 | $0 | $8,682 | $5,088 |
| Chris Hansen | $200,675 | $375,187 | $440,197 | $18,532 |
| Leslie Herod | $332,646 | $587,057 | $608,704 | $162,726 |
| Mike Johnston | $547,004 | $613,539 | $580,999 | $220,684 |
| Aurelio Martinez | $12,124 | $37,259 | $15,645 | $33,744 |
| Debbie Ortega | $144,186 | $249,705 | $254,685 | $81,326 |
| Terrance Roberts | $26,482 | $73,908 | $78,870 | $11,043 |
| Trinidad Rodriguez | $58,166 | $120,243 | $80,735 | $72,696 |
| Andy Rougeot | $806,000 | $0 | $752,359 | $46,951 |
| Kwame Spearman | $100,266 | $188,406 | $206,524 | $17,182 |
| Ean Tafoya | $47,556 | $153,713 | $144,029 | $11,796 |
| Robert Treta | $125 | $0 | $0 | $125 |
| James Walsh | $15,521 | $51,219 | $26,034 | $33,991 |
| Thomas Wolf | $21,485 | $105,329 | $111,805 | $7,324 |

### Endorsements

Statewide officials
* Bill Ritter, former governor of Colorado (2007–2011)
Local officials
* Chris Herndon, city councilor from the 8th district (2015–present)
* Bill Vidal, former acting mayor of Denver (2011)
Individuals
* Kwame Spearman, CEO of Tattered Cover and former 2023 mayoral candidate
Organizations
* Denver Metro Association of Realtors
Newspapers
* The Denver Gazette
State officials
* Lisa Escarcega, Colorado State Board of Education member from the 1st district (2021–present)
State legislators
* Elisabeth Epps, state representative from the 6th district (2023–present)
Local officials
* Candi CdeBaca, city councilor from the 9th district (2019–present)
* Xochitl Gaytan, Denver Board of Education president (2022–present) from the 2nd district (2021–present)
Organizations
* Colorado Working Families Party
* Denver Democratic Socialists of America
Statewide officials
* Roy Romer, former governor of Colorado (1987–1999), former National Governors Association chair (1992–1993), and former Los Angeles Unified School District superintendent (2000–2006)
State senators
* Lois Court, former Colorado Senate president pro tempore (2019–2020) from the 31st district (2017–2020)
* Kevin Priola, state senator from the 13th district (2017–present)
State representatives
* Judith Amabile, state representative from the 49th district (2021–present)
Organizations
* 314 Action
* International Brotherhood of Teamsters Locals 17 and 455
Statewide officials
* Wanda James, University of Colorado regent from the 1st district (2023–present)
* Dean Williams, former Colorado Department of Corrections executive director (2019–2022) and former Alaska Department of Corrections commissioner (2016–2018)
State legislators
* Faith Winter, state senator from the 25th district (2019–present)
Local officials
* Auon'tai Anderson, Denver Board of Education vice president (2022–present)
* Wellington Webb, former mayor of Denver (1991–2003) and former United States Conference of Mayors president (1999–2000)
Individuals
* Dottie Lamm, former first lady of Colorado (1975–1987) (also served as campaign treasurer)
* Bobby LeFebre, Colorado poet laureate
Organizations
* LGBTQ Victory Fund
Local officials
* Albus Brooks, former Denver City Council president (2015–2019) from the 9th district (2011–2019)
Individuals
* Reid Hoffman, co-founder and executive chairman of LinkedIn
Newspapers
* The Denver Post
State senators
* Irene Aguilar, former state senator from the 32nd district (2011–2019)
* Polly Baca, former state senator from the 25th district (1979–1987)
* Jessie Danielson, state senator from the 22nd district (2019–present)
* Joan Fitz-Gerald, former Colorado Senate president (2005–2007) from the 16th district (2001–2007)
* Lucía Guzmán, former Colorado Senate minority leader (2015–2018) from the 34th district (2010–2019)
State representatives
* Susan Lontine, former state representative from the 1st district (2015–2023)
Newspapers
* El Semanario
Labor unions
* American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 76
* International Association of Fire Fighters Local 858
* UNITE HERE Local 23
* Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 27
* United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Southwest Mountain States Regional Council
* United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7
Organizations
* Colorado Republican Party

### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Kelly Brough | Lisa Calderón | Chris Hansen | Leslie Herod | Mike Johnston | Debbie Ortega | Andy Rougeot | Ean Tafoya | Other | Undecided |
| SurveyUSA/9News | February 21–28, 2023 | 594 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 5% | 5% | 4% | 3% | 5% | 4% | 2% | 1% | 13% | 58% |
| Chism Strategies (D)/Cygnal (R) | February 9–10, 2023 | 405 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 8% | 3% | 4% | 6% | 5% | 4% | 3% | – | 9% | 59% |
| Searchlight Research (D) | January 11–14, 2023 | 500 (LV) | ± 4% | 4% | 8% | 6% | 8% | 6% | 16% | – | 1% | 3% | 47% |

### Results

2023 Denver mayoral election :
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Mike Johnston | Mike Johnston | 42,273 | 24.45 |
| Kelly Brough | Kelly Brough | 34,627 | 20.03 |
| Lisa Calderón | Lisa Calderón | 31,493 | 18.21 |
| Andy Rougeot | Andy Rougeot | 19,927 | 11.52 |
| Leslie Herod | Leslie Herod | 18,506 | 10.70 |
| Chris Hansen | Chris Hansen | 8,309 | 4.81 |
| Debbie Ortega | Debbie Ortega | 7,739 | 4.48 |
| Ean Tafoya | Ean Tafoya | 2,700 | 1.56 |
| Terrance Roberts | Terrance Roberts | 1,757 | 1.02 |
| Thomas Wolf | Thomas Wolf | 1,747 | 1.01 |
| Trinidad Rodriguez | Trinidad Rodriguez | 1,240 | 0.72 |
| Aurelio Martinez | Aurelio Martinez | 755 | 0.44 |
| Al Gardner | Al Gardner | 725 | 0.42 |
| James Walsh | James Walsh | 722 | 0.42 |
| Renate Behrens | Renate Behrens | 184 | 0.11 |
| Robert Treta | Robert Treta | 169 | 0.10 |
| Write-in | Write-in | 45 | 0.03 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | 172,918 | 98.48% |
| Invalid or blank votes | Invalid or blank votes | 2,670 | 1.52% |
| Total votes | Total votes | 175,588 | 100.00 |
| Voter turnout | Voter turnout | 33.49% | 33.49% |

## Runoff
### Endorsements

Endorsements in bold were made after the first round.
Federal officials
* Katherine Archuleta, former U.S. Office of Personnel Management director (2013–2015)
* Susan Barnes-Gelt, former President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities member (1993–1995) and former at-large city councilor (1995–2003)
* Denise Maes, former Executive Office of the President general counsel (2009–2010) and former Colorado American Civil Liberties Union public policy director (2012–2021)
* Amber McReynolds, U.S. Postal Service governor (2021–present)
* Rosemary Rodriguez, former Election Assistance Commissioner (2007–2009)
* John Walsh, former U.S. attorney for the District of Colorado (2010–2016)
Statewide officials
* Vicki Cowart, former Colorado Geological Survey director (1993–2003) and former Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains president (2003–2022)
* Lisa Escarcega, Colorado State Board of Education member from the 1st district (2021–present) (endorsed Calderón in first round)
* Wanda James, University of Colorado regent from the 1st district (2023–present) (endorsed Herod in first round)
* Bill Ritter, former governor of Colorado (2007–2011)
* Gail Schoettler, former lieutenant governor of Colorado (1995–1999)
* Larry Trujillo, former Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management director (2010–2011) and former Denver Fire Department chief (2003–2007)
State senators
* Joan Fitz-Gerald, former Colorado Senate president (2005–2007) from the 16th district (2001–2007) (endorsed Ortega in first round)
* Joyce Foster, former state senator from the 35th district (2009–2013)
* Lucía Guzmán, former Colorado Senate minority leader (2015–2018) from the 34th district (2010–2019) (endorsed Ortega in first round)
* Chris Hansen, state senator from the 31st district (2020–present) and former 2023 mayoral candidate
* Patricia Pascoe, former state senator from the 34th district (1989–2003) and biographer
State representatives
* Rosemary Marshall, former state representative from the 8th district (2001–2008)
* Alex Valdez, state representative from the 5th district (2019–present) and former 2023 mayoral candidate
* Wilma Webb, former state representative from the 8th district (1980–1993) and former first lady of Denver (1991–2003)
* Steven Woodrow, state representative from the 2nd district (2020–present)
Municipal officials
* Leslie Summey, Arapahoe County commissioner from the 4th district (2023–present)
Local officials
* Herb Atchison, former mayor of Westminster (2013–2021)
* Kendra Black, city councilor from the 4th district (2015–present)
* Carol Boigon, former at-large city councilor (2003–2011) and 2011 mayoral candidate
* Susan Casey, former city councilor from the 6th district (1995–2001) and 2003 mayoral candidate
* Kevin Flynn, city councilor from the 2nd district (2015–present)
* Perla Gheiler, Denver Office of Aging director (2017–present)
* Chris Herndon, city councilor from the 8th district (2015–present)
* Marcia Johnson, former city councilor from the 5th district (2003–2011)
* Al Lacabe, former Denver Department of Public Safety chief (2003–2010)
* Michelle Lucero, former Denver city attorney (2005–2006)
* Jackie Millet, mayor of Lone Tree (2016–present)
* Wayne New, former city councilor from the 10th district (2015–2019)
* Nick Nuanes, former Denver Fire Department chief (2007–2009)
* Adam Paul, mayor of Lakewood (2015–present)
* Jeanne Robb, former city councilor from the 10th district (2003–2015)
* Tim Sandos, former at-large city councilor (1989–1993)
* Amanda Sawyer, city councilor from the 5th district (2019–present)
* Bud Starker, mayor of Wheat Ridge (2017–present)
* Wade Troxell, former mayor of Fort Collins (2015–2021) and former Northern Colorado Regional Airport Board of Commissioners chair (2015–2021)
* Bill Vidal, former acting mayor of Denver (2011)
* Wellington Webb, former mayor of Denver (1991–2003) and former U.S. Conference of Mayors president (1999–2000) (endorsed Herod in first round)
* Laura Weinberg, mayor of Golden (2019–present)
* Marc Williams, mayor of Arvada (2011–present)
Party officials
* Beverly Benavidez-Ryken, former Colorado Democratic Party 1st vice chair (2011–2017)
* Howard Chou, former Colorado Democratic Party 1st vice chair (2018–2023)
* Marc Kamin, former Denver Democratic Party chair (2019–2023)
* Lisa Neal Graves, former Colorado Democratic Party 2nd vice chair (2022–2023)
* Rick Palacio, former Colorado Democratic Party chair (2011–2017)
* Susan Rogers, former Denver Democratic Party secretary (1999–2003)
* Patricia Shaver, former Colorado Democratic Party 2nd vice chair (2017–2019)
Individuals
* Kwame Spearman, CEO of Tattered Cover and former 2023 mayoral candidate
* Renate Behrens, retired caretaker and former 2023 mayoral candidate
* Robert Treta, property builder and former 2023 mayoral candidate
* Thomas Wolf, investment banker and former 2011 and 2023 mayoral candidate
Labor unions
* Denver United Association Locals 3 and 208
* Denver Plumbers Local 3
* Denver Police Protective Association
* Fraternal Order of Police Sheriff Lodge 27 (endorsed Ortega in first round)
* International Association of Fire Fighters Local 858 (endorsed Ortega in first round)
Newspapers
* Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle
* La Voz Bilingüe Colorado
* The Denver Gazette
Organizations
* Denver Metro Association of Realtors
* Hispanic Contractors of Colorado
* Home Builders Association of Metro Denver
Political parties
* Denver Republican Party
Federal officials
* Rick Garcia, former U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regional administrator (2010–2017) and former city councilor from the 1st district (2003–2010)
* Federico Peña, former U.S. Secretary of Energy (1997–1998), former U.S. Secretary of Transportation (1993–1997), and former mayor of Denver (1983–1991)
U.S. representatives
* Brittany Pettersen, U.S. representative for Colorado's 7th district (2023–present)
Statewide officials
* Celina Benavidez, former Colorado Department of Transportation director (1994–2009) and former state representative from the 5th district (1991–1994)
* Cole Chandler, Colorado Department of Human Services director of homelessness initiatives (2022–present)
* Ean Tafoya, Colorado Environmental Justice Action Task Force member (2021–present) and former 2023 mayoral candidate
State senators
* Irene Aguilar, state senator from the 32nd district (2011–2019)
* Polly Baca, state senator from the 25th district (1979–1987)
* Jeff Bridges, state senator from the 26th district (2019–present)
* Janet Buckner, state senator from the 29th district (2021–present)
* Morgan Carroll, former Colorado Senate president (2013–2015) from the 39th district (2009–2017) and former Colorado Democratic Party chair (2017–2023)
* James Coleman, Colorado Senate president pro tempore (2023–present) from the 33rd district (2021–present)
* Julie Gonzales, state senator from the 34th district (2019–present)
* Peter Groff, former Colorado Senate president (2008–2009) from the 33rd district (2003–2009)
* Doug Linkhart, former state senator from the 31st district (2001–2003), former at-large city councilor (2003–2011), and 2011 mayoral candidate
* John Morse, former Colorado Senate president (2013) from the 11th district (2007–2013)
* Kevin Priola, state senator from the 13th district (2017–present)
* Paula Sandoval, state senator from the 34th district (2003–2010) and former city councilor from the 1st district (2010–2011)
* Tom Sullivan, state senator from the 27th district (2023–present)
* Faith Winter, state senator from the 25th district (2019–present)
State representatives
* Jennifer Bacon, state representative from the 7th district (2021–present)
* Adrienne Benavidez, former Colorado House of Representatives speaker pro tempore (2021–2023) from the 32nd district (2017–2023)
* Terrance Carroll, former Colorado House of Representatives speaker (2009–2011) from the 7th district (2003–2011)
* Leslie Herod, state representative from the 8th district (2017–present) and former 2023 mayoral candidate
* Dickey Lee Hullinghorst, former Colorado House of Representatives speaker (2015–2017) from the 10th district (2009–2017)
* Junie Joseph, state representative from the 10th district (2023–present)
* Susan Lontine, state representative from the 1st district (2015–2023)
* Javier Mabrey, state representative from the 1st district (2023–present)
* Karen Middleton, state representative from the 42nd district (2008–2011) and executive director of Cobalt Advocates/NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado (2013–present)
* David Ortiz, state representative from the 38th district (2021–present)
* Mike Weissman, state representative from the 36th district (2017–present)
Local officials
* Aaron Brockett, mayor of Boulder (2021–present)
* Albus Brooks, former Denver City Council president (2015–2019) from the 9th district (2011–2019)
* Erin Brown, Denver Office of Children's Affairs executive director (2014–present)
* Lisa Flores, Denver Board of Education member from the 5th district (2015–2019)
* Al Gardner, Denver Civil Service Commission member (2022–present) and former 2023 mayoral candidate
* Gloria Prioleau Neal, former Denver Department of Public Affairs director (2018–2022)
* David Olguín, Denver Latino Board of Commissioners vice chair (2020–present)
* Theresa Peña, former at-large Denver Board of Education member (2003–2011)
* Mary Beth Susman, former Denver City Council president (2012–2014) from the 5th district (2011–2019)
* Jordan Sauers, former Northglenn city councilor from Ward 1 (2015–2019)
* Mary Seawell, former at-large (2009–2013) Denver Board of Education president (2011–2013)
* TommyRay Sena, Denver Latino Commissioner (2023–present)
Individuals
* Chauncey Billups, Portland Trail Blazers head coach (2021–present) and former professional basketball player
* Lisa Calderón, executive director of Emerge Colorado and former 2019 and 2023 mayoral candidate
* Reid Hoffman, co-founder and executive chairman of LinkedIn
* Dottie Lamm, former first lady of Colorado (1975–1987) (endorsed Herod in first round)
* Terrance Roberts, community organizer and former 2023 mayoral candidate
* James Walsh, University of Colorado Denver professor and former 2023 mayoral candidate
Organizations
* Colorado Black Women for Political Action
* Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights Action Fund
* Colorado Sierra Club
* Moms Demand Action
Labor unions
* American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 18 (endorsed Ortega in first round)
* Communication Workers of America Local 7750
* Denver Area AFL-CIO
* International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Local 9
* International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 7
* International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 68 and 111
* International Brotherhood of Teamsters Locals 17 and 455 (endorsed Hansen in first round)
* Laborers' International Union of North America Local 720
* Service Employees International Union Local 105
* UNITE HERE Local 23 (endorsed Ortega in first round)
* United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7
Newspapers
* The Denver Post
U.S. representatives
* Diana DeGette, U.S. representative for Colorado's 1st district (1997–present) (Democratic)
State legislators
* Steve Fenberg, Colorado Senate president (2022–present) from the 18th district (2017–present) (Democratic)
* Dominick Moreno, Colorado Senate majority leader (2022–present) from the 21st district (2017–present) (Democratic)
Local officials
* Michael Hancock, outgoing mayor of Denver (2011–2023) (Democratic)
Individuals
* Andy Rougeot, maintenance executive and former 2023 mayoral candidate (Republican)

### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Kelly Brough | Mike Johnston | Undecided |
| Cygnal (R) | April 11–12, 2023 | 410 (LV) | ± 4.8% | 34% | 39% | 27% |

### Results

2023 Denver mayoral election :
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Mike Johnston | Mike Johnston | 89,889 | 55.15 |
| Kelly Brough | Kelly Brough | 73,097 | 44.85 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | 162,986 | 99.36% |
| Invalid or blank votes | Invalid or blank votes | 1,054 | 0.64% |
| Total votes | Total votes | 164,040 | 100.00 |
| Voter turnout | Voter turnout | 31.13% | 31.13% |