The Denver Post asked readers to give feedback on Mayor Mike Johnston after his first two years in office for a story on his performance so far.
Here are some of the hundreds of responses, including comments from a variety of neighborhoods and from people who did and didn’t vote for Johnston in the 2023 election. Some responses have been lightly edited for clarity.
Ray Perry, Wellshire: “I did not vote for him but I would definitely support him in the future. I understand he is very controversial, but I completely believe his heart wants for what is best for Denver. I have never been more converted on a candidate before.”
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Rachel Feres, Central Park: “Mayor Johnston’s leadership is all optics and no substance. He hasn’t solved homelessness — he’s just relocated it. His fiscal choices are reckless, favoring insiders while burdening taxpayers. Denver voters were right to reject his affordable housing tax. He’s lost the public’s trust.”
Beth McCann, Congress Park (former Denver district attorney): “I think he is doing well. … He was thrown a curve ball with the migrants and he might have spent too much money, but he couldn’t let them stay in the cold with no food and water. … I think that sometimes, he has great ideas but maybe doesn’t think through how to accomplish them.”
Bill Winn, University Park: “Excellent job. He has vigorously addressed the homeless problem. He has stood up to federal overreach. He has a vision for Denver’s future. Nice to have an honest and compassionate public servant.”
Giovanni Gomez, Five Points: “The biggest glaring miss is the absolute disgrace that is the Denver Police, DOTI and City Council’s failure to rein in the Mad Max traffic behaviors and protect residents who choose to walk and ride instead of driving.”
Heidi Hemmat, South Park Hill: “I think he’s doing a great job. I see far less homeless people in City Park and Civic Center Park. I have also noticed more police officers patrolling the neighborhoods. Overall, crime is down and I feel safer. I recently dined in LoDo, after years of avoiding the area, and it felt cleaner and safer. I think he’s on the right track and doing a great job, despite the challenges he faces.”
Rob Greer, City Park: “Eviction filings are still near record highs. Johnston has made negligible progress on housing affordability. He’s also done far too little to combat car dependence and the pollution it causes.”
Mary Sue Kessler, Central Park: “He is very smart, extremely energetic and represented us well in the national congressional hearing on sanctuary cities.”
Aaron Knoll, LoDo/Ballpark: “I like his strategies on homelessness and his willingness to stand up for Denver on the national stage. I wish he did more or got the right people on city planning.”
Patrick Graham, Highland: “I think it is an incredibly mixed bag. On his signature issue — homelessness — it is undeniable that there are less encampments in and around downtown, but at what cost? The multiple attempts to drive the city further into debt are concerning, as are cuts to important services that all of us rely on.”
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