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greenprint in the news
Sky's the limit for Denver mayor
By: Eli Stokols
CW2 - Channel 2 News
July 15, 2007
Popular Hickenlooper starting second term
DENVER (KWGN) - Five years ago, when John Hickenlooper was just a successful restaurateur and a member of several community organizations, his friend Cole Finegan tried to talk him out of running for mayor.
"It's a good thing he didn't listen to me," said Finegan, who was for a time Hickenlooper's chief of staff and city attorney. "I thought he'd be good at it. But, did I think he'd have an 88 percent approval rating after four years? No. I don't think John ever thought that."
After coasting to re-election in May without so much as a viable challenger, John Hickenlooper has ascended to a levels of popularity that may enable him to make his mark on the city like few mayors in its history.
"He is a true believe in Denver," said Finegan. "And like a great restaurateur, he wants to make everyone happy."
In his first term, Hickenlooper pulled the city out of four years of budget shortfalls, sold ambitious plans to end homelessness, to make Denver more sustainable from an environmental perspective, and to fund childhood education; he led a campaign to build a $378 million jail and court complex, oversaw the passage of referenda C and D, and led a successful campaign to bring the 2008 Democratic National Convention to Denver.
"You can't even begin to measure the amount of political capital that the mayor has amassed," said political observer and radio host Aaron Harber.
Harber also points to Hickenlooper's ability to shake off crises, the likes of which have done in past mayors.
"There were terrible problems during last November's election with hundreds of people unable to vote," Harber said. "But no one blamed the mayor for it. Then there were six weeks of snowstorms -- an absolute debacle as far as the city and its ability to handle it goes.
"Hickenlooper should have been blamed. He took the blame. But it didn't affect him electorally at all."
Finegan thinks that's because of Hickenlooper's straightforward approach and his willingness to hold himself accountable.
"If he makes a mistake or if things don't go well, he's the first to admit it and say, 'hey, that didn't work out, lets try something else'," Finegan said. "It's quite a contrast to how our president behaves, insisting that everything is going well in Iraq when it clearly isn't. I think people in this day and age appreciate when you're human."
Hickenlooper, who in 2005 parachuted out of a plane for a television commercial in support of referenda C and D, is nothing if not human.
"He's made hardly any enemies," Harber said. "Even if you disagree with the guy, it's impossible to sit down with John Hickenlooper and not like the guy. He's very genuine."
As Hickenlooper gets set to take the oath of office Monday, his second term agenda is already packed with his signature priorities.
As part of Greenprint Denver, the mayor's sustainability program, Hickenlooper has floated the idea of implementing a tax on those who use too much energy.
In the next 12 months, Denver voters are likely to see a bond issue and tax increase for as much as $630 million in infrastructure improvements, maintenance and new projects on the ballot in November. Included in that bond issue would be roughly $20 million to provide permanent housing for the homeless.
"That's going to require a lot of political capital," Finegan said. "But he's got plenty to spare."
And, perhaps the most high-profile and high-risk item on Hickenlooper's agenda will be next summer's DNC convention.
"Fundraising for that is not going well right now," Harber said. "Of course, there's still time."
Hickenlooper has vowed not to spend public money on the event, set for August 2008; and he is working with Democrats to raise millions. As of June 1, that effort was $2 million short of it's $7.5 million goal for the quarter.
"It's a great opportunity for Denver, but it's a big risk for the mayor," Harber said. "If things don't go well, Hickenlooper will get the blame."
Perhaps no one believes in the mayor as Finegan does.
"I wouldn't bet against him," Finegan said. "What he's done has been remarkable. He's not only affected change by growing our city and our economy. He's changed the culture of this city, which I think will be the legacy of his that lasts the longest."
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