2023 Denver mayoral election

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The 2023 Denver mayoral election was held on April 4, 2023, to elect the mayor of Denver, Colorado, with a runoff held on June 6.[3] The election was officially nonpartisan and was held concurrently with elections for the Denver City Council, as well as city auditor and city clerk and recorder. Incumbent mayor Michael Hancock was term-limited and could not seek a fourth term in office. A historic field of seventeen candidates filed to run in the race to succeed Hancock.[4]

Quick facts Turnout, Candidate ...
2023 Denver mayoral election
← 2019
April 4, 2023 (first round)
June 6, 2023 (runoff)
2027 →
Turnout33.49% (first round)[1]
31.13% (runoff)[2]
 
Candidate Mike Johnston Kelly Brough Lisa Calderón
First round 42,273
24.45%		 34,627
20.03%		 31,493
18.21%
Runoff 89,889
55.15%		 73,097
44.85%		 Eliminated
 
Candidate Andy Rougeot Leslie Herod
First round 19,927
11.52%		 18,506
10.70%
Runoff Eliminated Eliminated
Mayor before election

Michael Hancock
Democratic

 Elected mayor

Mike Johnston
Democratic

Close

Since no candidate won a majority in the first round, former state senator Mike Johnston and former Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce CEO Kelly Brough advanced to a runoff. Candidates eliminated in the first round included Emerge Colorado executive director Lisa Calderón, maintenance executive Andy Rougeot, and state representative Leslie Herod.[5][6] Brough and Johnston were considered to be two of the more moderate candidates in the field, with the more progressive candidates like Calderón and Herod losing in the initial primary.[7]

Although Brough and Johnston shared similar ideological positions, Johnston was supported by leading progressive figures in the runoff, including Calderón and Herod, while Brough was supported by more conservative groups, including the local police union and the Denver Republican Party.[8][9] Johnston won the runoff by a comfortable margin, with Brough conceding the race on the night of the election.[10]

Candidates

Advanced to the runoff

These candidates advanced to the runoff election to be held on June 6.

Eliminated in the first round

These candidates qualified to appear on the ballot, but were eliminated in the first round.[4]

  • Renate Behrens, retired caretaker[14] (endorsed Brough in runoff)[15]
  • Lisa Calderón, executive director of Emerge Colorado, former chief of staff to city councilor Candi CdeBaca, and candidate for mayor in 2019 (Party affiliation: Democratic)[16] (endorsed Johnston in runoff)[17]
  • Al Gardner, information technology professional and Denver Civil Service Commission member (Party affiliation: Democratic)[18] (endorsed Johnston in runoff)[19]
  • Chris Hansen, state senator (Party affiliation: Democratic)[20] (endorsed Brough in runoff)[21]
  • Leslie Herod, state representative (Party affiliation: Democratic)[22] (endorsed Johnston in runoff)[23]
  • Aurelio Martinez, tech worker and former boxer[24]
  • Debbie Ortega, at-large city councilor (Party affiliation: Democratic)[25]
  • Terrance Roberts, community organizer (Party affiliation: Democratic)[26] (endorsed Johnston in runoff)[19]
  • Trinidad Rodriguez, financing executive and former Denver Housing Authority commissioner[27]
  • Andy Rougeot, maintenance executive (Party affiliation: Republican)[28]
  • Ean Tafoya, community organizer and former Colorado Environmental Justice Action Task Force co-chair (Party affiliation: Democratic)[29] (endorsed Johnston in runoff)[19]
  • Robert Treta, property builder (Party affiliation: Independent)[30] (endorsed Brough in runoff)[15]
  • James Walsh, University of Colorado Denver professor[31] (endorsed Johnston in runoff)[19]
  • Thomas Wolf, investment banker and candidate for mayor in 2011[32] (endorsed Brough in runoff)[33]

Disqualified

  • Abass Bamba, data consulting firm president (ran a write-in campaign)[4]
  • Matt Brady (ran a write-in campaign)[4]
  • Alex Cowans[34][4]
  • Paul Noel Fiorino, dance teacher and perennial candidate (Party affiliation: Independent) (ran a write-in campaign)[4]
  • Sean Gallegos[35][4]
  • Marcus Giavanni, perennial candidate (ran a write-in campaign)[36][4]
  • Sylvia Herring[37][4]
  • Jesse Parris, community organizer (ran a write-in campaign)[4]
  • Ken Simpson, tech consultant and perennial candidate[38][4]

Withdrew

Declined

First round

Fundraising

More information Campaign finance reports as of March 14, 2023, Candidate ...
Campaign finance reports as of March 14, 2023[58]
Candidate Contributions Fair Elections
Fund payouts		 Expenditures Cash on hand
Renate Behrens $429 $0 $408 $21
Kelly Brough $644,299 $750,000 $790,625[a] $382,544
Lisa Calderón $69,013 $195,351 $127,457[b] $58,161
Al Gardner $13,770 $0 $8,682 $5,088
Chris Hansen $200,675 $375,187 $440,197[c] $18,532
Leslie Herod $332,646 $587,057 $608,704[d] $162,726
Mike Johnston $547,004 $613,539 $580,999[e] $220,684
Aurelio Martinez $12,124 $37,259 $15,645 $33,744
Debbie Ortega $144,186 $249,705 $254,685[f] $81,326
Terrance Roberts $26,482 $73,908 $78,870 $11,043
Trinidad Rodriguez $58,166 $120,243 $80,735 $72,696
Andy Rougeot $806,000[g] $0 $752,359 $46,951
Kwame Spearman $100,266 $188,406 $206,524 $17,182
Ean Tafoya $47,556 $153,713 $144,029[h] $11,796
Robert Treta $125 $0 $0 $125
James Walsh $15,521 $51,219 $26,034 $33,991
Thomas Wolf $21,485 $105,329 $111,805 $7,324
Close

Endorsements

Kelly Brough (D)
Statewide officials
Local officials
Individuals
Organizations
Newspapers
  • The Denver Gazette[62]
Lisa Calderón (D)
State officials
State legislators
Local officials
Organizations
Chris Hansen (D)
Statewide officials
State senators;
State representatives
Organizations
Leslie Herod (D)
Statewide officials
State legislators
Local officials
Individuals
Organizations
Mike Johnston (D)
Local officials
Individuals
Newspapers
Debbie Ortega (D)
State senators
State representatives
Newspapers
Labor unions
Andy Rougeot (R)
Organizations

Polling

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[i]		 Margin
of error		 Kelly
Brough		 Lisa
Calderón		 Chris
Hansen		 Leslie
Herod		 Mike
Johnston		 Debbie
Ortega		 Andy
Rougeot		 Ean
Tafoya		 Other Undecided
SurveyUSA/9News[75] February 21–28, 2023 594 (LV) ± 4.9% 5% 5% 4% 3% 5% 4% 2% 1% 13%[j] 58%
Chism Strategies (D)/Cygnal (R)[76][A] February 9–10, 2023 405 (LV) ± 4.9% 8% 3% 4% 6% 5% 4% 3% – 9% 59%
Searchlight Research (D)[77][B] January 11–14, 2023 500 (LV) ± 4% 4% 8% 6% 8% 6% 16% – 1% 3%[k] 47%
Close

Results

First-round turnout map by precinct
More information Candidate, Votes ...
2023 Denver mayoral election[1]
Candidate Votes %
Mike Johnston 42,273 24.45
Kelly Brough 34,627 20.03
Lisa Calderón 31,493 18.21
Andy Rougeot 19,927 11.52
Leslie Herod 18,506 10.70
Chris Hansen 8,309 4.81
Debbie Ortega 7,739 4.48
Ean Tafoya 2,700 1.56
Terrance Roberts 1,757 1.02
Thomas Wolf 1,747 1.01
Trinidad Rodriguez 1,240 0.72
Aurelio Martinez 755 0.44
Al Gardner 725 0.42
James Walsh 722 0.42
Renate Behrens 184 0.11
Robert Treta 169 0.10
Write-in 45 0.03
Valid votes 172,918 98.48%
Invalid or blank votes 2,670 1.52
Total votes 175,588 100.00
Turnout 33.49%
Close

Runoff

Endorsements

Endorsements in bold were made after the first round.

Kelly Brough (D)
Federal officials
Statewide officials
State senators
State representatives
Municipal officials
Local officials
Party officials
Individuals
  • Kwame Spearman, CEO of Tattered Cover and former 2023 mayoral candidate[42]
  • Renate Behrens, retired caretaker and former 2023 mayoral candidate[15]
  • Robert Treta, property builder and former 2023 mayoral candidate[15]
  • Thomas Wolf, investment banker and former 2011 and 2023 mayoral candidate[33]
Labor unions
Newspapers
  • Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle[83]
  • La Voz Bilingüe Colorado[89]
  • The Denver Gazette[62]
Organizations
Political parties

Mike Johnston (D)
Federal officials
U.S. representatives
Statewide officials
State senators
State representatives
Local officials
  • Aaron Brockett, mayor of Boulder (2021–present)[78]
  • Albus Brooks, former Denver City Council president (2015–2019) from the 9th district (2011–2019)[50]
  • Erin Brown, Denver Office of Children's Affairs executive director (2014–present)[78]
  • Lisa Flores, Denver Board of Education member from the 5th district (2015–2019)[78]
  • Al Gardner, Denver Civil Service Commission member (2022–present) and former 2023 mayoral candidate[19]
  • Gloria Prioleau Neal, former Denver Department of Public Affairs director (2018–2022)[78]
  • David Olguín, Denver Latino Board of Commissioners vice chair (2020–present)[78]
  • Theresa Peña, former at-large Denver Board of Education member (2003–2011)[78]
  • Mary Beth Susman, former Denver City Council president (2012–2014) from the 5th district (2011–2019)[78]
  • Jordan Sauers, former Northglenn city councilor from Ward 1 (2015–2019)[78]
  • Mary Seawell, former at-large (2009–2013) Denver Board of Education president (2011–2013)[78]
  • TommyRay Sena, Denver Latino Commissioner (2023–present)[78]
Individuals
Organizations
Labor unions
Newspapers

Declined to endorse
U.S. representatives
State legislators
Local officials
Individuals
  • Andy Rougeot, maintenance executive and former 2023 mayoral candidate (Republican)[90]

Polling

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[m]		 Margin
of error		 Kelly
Brough		 Mike
Johnston		 Undecided
Cygnal (R)[105][A] April 11–12, 2023 410 (LV) ± 4.8% 34% 39% 27%
Close

Results

Runoff turnout map by precinct
More information Candidate, Votes ...
2023 Denver mayoral election[2]
Candidate Votes %
Mike Johnston 89,889 55.15
Kelly Brough 73,097 44.85
Valid votes 162,986 99.36%
Invalid or blank votes 1,054 0.64
Total votes 164,040 100.00
Turnout 31.13%
Close

Notes

  1. [a]
    Brough also benefitted from $904,950 in independent expenditures by the group A Better Denver.
  2. [b]
    Calderón also had $731 spent against her by the group Save Denver Now.
  3. [c]
    Hansen also benefitted from $26,000 in independent expenditures by the group A Better Denver.
  4. [d]
    Herod also benefitted from $167,600 in independent expenditures by the group Ready Denver. She also had $4,651 spent against her by the group Save Denver Now.
  5. [e]
    Johnston also benefitted from $1,411,803 in independent expenditures by the group Advancing Denver.
  6. [f]
    Ortega also benefitted from $120,397 in independent expenditures by Denver Firefighters (International Association of Fire Fighters Local 858) and $10,000 by the group Protecting Denver's Future.
  7. [g]
    $750,000 of this total was self-funded by Rougeot.[59]
  8. [h]
    Tafoya also had $678 spent against him by the group Save Denver Now.
  9. [i]
    Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  10. [j]
    Al Gardner and Thomas Wolf with 3%; Trinidad Rodriguez and Terrance Roberts with 2%; Renate Behrens, Kwame Spearman, and Aurelio Martinez with 1%; James Walsh and Robert Treta with 0%
  11. [k]
    Alex Valdez with 2%; every other candidate combined for 1%
  12. [l]
    AFSCME Council 76 was absorbed by AFSCME Council 18 between endorsements.[100]
  13. [m]
    Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  1. [A]
    This poll was conducted for A Denver for Us All, a business coalition.
  2. [B]
    This poll was conducted for Debbie Ortega

References

External links

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