Denver Mayor Mike Johnston gave his first State of the City address today. Referring to Denver as the capital of the “New West,” he detailed a comprehensive vision for Denver, focusing on solutions to homelessness, public safety, economic revitalization and inclusivity. He also reflected on his administration’s achievements in his first year and outlined ambitious goals for the year ahead. Below we’ve outlined the accomplishments Mayor Johnston touted and his specific goals for the future:

Homelessness

Transitional Housing Initiative (All in Mile High)

• The city has successfully moved 1,600 individuals off the streets into transitional housing, surpassing any other U.S. city in terms of housing people per capita.
• The initiative involved constructing 1,200 units of transitional housing in eight different council districts, providing comprehensive wraparound services.
• Some councilmembers have expressed concerns with the cost of these programs. The city is expected to spend approximately $150 million from the beginning of the Johnston administration through the end of 2024 on homelessness.
   
  • $100 million of that money is for hotels bought or leased by the city.
  • $35 million is for micro-communities.
  • The remainder is miscellaneous expenses like programs for permanent housing and overhead expenses.
  • The costs are expected to draw down as one-time expenditures are completed, but there will be tough conversations about funding in the 2025 budget talks City Council and the mayor will be having in September.

Future Goals

• Aiming to end street homelessness for veterans by the end of 2024, making Denver the largest American city to achieve this milestone.
• Continued focus on expanding transitional housing and moving individuals into permanent housing.

Asylum Seeker Program

Implementation

• Denver launched the first asylum seeker program in the United States to provide migrants with legal support and job training while they await asylum hearings.
• Thousands of migrants have been housed and integrated into the community, preventing the formation of encampments.

Public Safety

Comprehensive Plan

• Mayor Johnston aims to make Denver the safest big city in America through a multifaceted approach that includes law enforcement, social work, economic development and community engagement.
• Initiatives such as improved street lighting, arts activation, youth summer jobs and community events are planned to enhance neighborhood safety.

Crime Reduction

• Crime rates have already begun to decline, with auto theft down 31%, shootings and homicides down 27% and property crime down nearly 30%.
• A large initiative Mayor Johnston will implement is the introduction of trust patrols where officers engage with community members to build trust and prevent crime.
• Work remains to be done on this front as the Denver Police Department still struggles to recruit officers, having fewer now than when Mayor Johnston took office.

Economic Revitalization

Vibrant Downtown Campaign

• The campaign aims to transform downtown from a central business district into a central neighborhood district, featuring affordable housing, public parks, retail, restaurants, arts and music.
• The reopening of the 16th Street Mall by next year is expected to revitalize the area, making it a hub for both locals and tourists.
   
• The primary tool at play will be tax increment financing. The city is working to expand the borders of the Downtown Development Authority (which helped finance Union Station’s revival) to include much more of downtown. The plan would generate around $500 million to redevelop downtown into the central neighborhood district the mayor envisions. This would not be an increase in taxes to existing businesses or landowners.

Affordability

Affordable Housing Initiative

• Proposal for a $0.005 sales tax to fund the construction of 45,000 affordable housing units over the next decade.
• Polling the administration has conducted has said this new tax is favorable to Denver voters and is likely to pass.
• The initiative is designed to keep Denver affordable for all residents, including families, retirees and young professionals, ensuring that they can continue to live and thrive in the city.
   
  • Denver City Council will vote to send this to the ballot on Monday, Aug. 5, and would be on the November ballot if passed by the council.

Community Engagement

Give Five Mile High Program

• Launched by Mayor Johnston’s wife, Courtney, the program encourages every Denverite to volunteer five hours per month.
• Each month, the program will focus on different citywide needs, starting with supporting Denver Public Schools in August and a citywide cleanup in September.

Looking Ahead

Mayor Johnston’s address highlighted Denver’s resilience and collective effort in tackling critical issues. His vision for the future is rooted in community collaboration, innovative solutions and a commitment to making Denver a city where everyone can thrive. Mayor Johnston has shown himself to be a big-picture leader with ambitious goals and is willing to look for solutions to problems anywhere they can be found. He has shown his effectiveness in achieving these solutions over the course of his first year and his success has emboldened him to take on even bigger challenges. With an approval rating around 60% and a potential new nine-figure source of funding, the mayor looks poised to tackle the biggest problems facing Denver in his time in office.