Jefferson Territory
In 1859, he was elected Territory Representative from the 1st District. He was elected mayor of Denver of Jefferson Territory on December 19, 1859. In January 1860, he began to work with the City Council to establish a municipal government, which was part of the provisional government of Jefferson Territory and subject to laws of Kansas Territory. The three towns of Auraria, Denver, and Highland were consolidated into the city of Denver, which was finalized in March 1860.