Michael hancock delivers final speech as mayor after 12 years in office

He was mayor before the first legal recreational marijuana purchase was made in the city. When he first took office, there was real concern the National Western Stock Show would pull up stakes and move to Aurora. Hancock was mayor before older neighborhoods were widely remade with boxy apartment buildings. Before tents became much more common sights at parks and along public rights-of-way, despite his support of a camping ban more than a decade ago.

When one person holds power for three terms, unfolding over 12 years, his legacy and impact on a city takes many forms, some more outwardly visible than others. Efforts at police reform have made progress — but he acknowledges that much more hard work remains. But it takes a while to get away from some of the unsolved problems of Looking back on his time in office, Hancock talks about leading Denver both as a job that was deeply gratifying and one that could humble him on any given day.

Denver became one of the most desirable places to live in the country and grew by almost , people.

Michael hancock delivers final speech as mayor after 12 years in office: Denver Mayor Michael Hancock is saying

Under Hancock, the city ramped up its spending on housing and got more involved in the market than ever. But were his responses sufficient — or did they fall woefully short? That is a question that divides Denver.