November 15, 2010 09:02 PM UTC

Hancock Formally Announces Mayoral Bid

• 1 Comments
• by: Colorado Pols

Denver city council member Michael Hancock made formal today what was long expected: He is running for Mayor of Denver.

Hancock made the announcement today, along with a short list of campaign advisors (full press release follows). Evan Dreyer, Press Secretary for Gov. Bill Ritter, is handling Hancock’s communications.

Michael Hancock announced today that he is running to become Denver’s next mayor, kicking off his “We are Denver” campaign surrounded by scores of supporters and endorsed by more than 100 influential business, education and community leaders.

With his wife and family by his side, Michael said his top priorities will be partnering with the private sector to create jobs, preparing Denver’s young people to succeed in a global economy, restoring trust in Denver’s public safety agencies, strengthening Denver’s diverse neighborhoods, and improving city services, operations and finances.

“Together, we have made Denver a great city, but our challenges have become greater than ever before,” Michael said, announcing his candidacy at RavenBrick, a LoDo startup business that develops innovative technologies and energy-efficient building materials.

“Today, we need renewed energy in Denver,” Michael said. “Today, we need leadership that is inclusive, collaborative, inspirational, prepared and decisive. Today, we need to bring people together to solve our greater challenges. It is for these reasons that I am running for mayor.”

Michael was introduced at today’s announcement by his campaign co-chairs, including Anna Jo Haynes, former president and CEO of Mile High Montessori Early Learning Centers; Nita Mosby Henry, president and CEO of the Kaleidoscope Project; and Bruce James, board chair for Downtown Denver Inc. and managing partner of Brownstein Farber Hyatt and Schreck.

Following the announcement, Michael kicked off his campaign by visiting residents and businesses in several different parts of Denver. The municipal election to replace Mayor and Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper is May 3.

The youngest of 10 children, Michael grew up in some of Denver’s toughest and poorest neighborhoods. From that challenged upbringing, Michael developed into a strong and determined leader dedicated to community service. Michael graduated as head boy from Manual High School in 1987 and with honors from Hastings College in 1991 and earned a master’s degree in public administration management from CU-Denver in 1995.

At the age of 29, Michael became the youngest CEO of an Urban League affiliate anywhere in America in 1999, overseeing day-to-day operations for the economic-empowerment and civil-rights organization while also developing long-term growth strategies and nationally-recognized programs.

Voters elected Michael in 2003 to represent northeast Denver’s fast-growing District 11, which includes Denver International Airport, Stapleton, Green Valley Ranch, Montbello and Park Hill. His colleagues selected him to serve as president of the council for two consecutive years. Re-elected by voters in 2007, Michael has driven initiatives to create private-sector jobs, improve public safety, reform schools, expand pre- and after-school programs, crack down on predatory mortgage lenders, strengthen neighborhoods and balance the city’s budget.

After spending much of this year on a citywide listening tour, Michael, now 41 years old, said his focus as mayor would be on:

·         Creating jobs, supporting businesses and strengthening the economy by establishing an ecosystem that nurtures startups, provides a stable business environment, and enables small companies to expand;

·         Leveraging existing assets like DIA, the National Western Stock Show site and other areas with high potential for greater economic activity;

·         Restoring trust, pride and accountability in the police and safety departments;

·         Working collaboratively with Denver Public Schools to provide an excellent education in every neighborhood, and;

·         Improving city services, operations and finances.

“Let me be clear: My top priority and our most immediate challenge is jobs,” Michael said at today’s announcement. “We’ve had a lot of success in the past, but our challenges have become greater. We cannot fall behind.

“We have to build an even better climate for creating jobs by shifting the focus to entrepreneurs and startups,” Michael said. “We will become the best city in America for startups and small businesses. We will nurture those small businesses by creating an ecosystem that allows them to grow and expand.

“Our schools also must become better partners to this new job-creation strategy as well. Our teachers need to help develop young entrepreneurs and instill in our children a spirit to succeed. And building a more secure economic future also means the city must be a better partner for its customers – the people of Denver – who should expect nothing less than city services that are delivered efficiently, cost-effectively and with the highest of standards and quality.

“The global economic challenges have not bypassed our city, but nor have they stopped us. I am running for mayor because I believe in this great city and its potential to be even greater. Together, we first imagined what a great city could be. Together, we will continue building that city, because ‘We are Denver.'”