A solid majority of Denver voters hold a favorable view of Mayor Mike Johnston’s performance in the first five months of 2024, while less than half similarly regard the City Council, according to a poll released earlier this week. 

The poll from Keating Research stands in stark contrast to a previous survey that found 50% of voters disapproved of Johnston’s performance.

The two surveys differed in some of their methodology. Notably, the Magellan Strategies surveyed 1,600 respondents over a week and used MMS text. Its data was weighted to match the voter demographics for a presidential election cycle in Denver. 

Keating Research actually conducted three polls — surveying 800 people in January, 500 in April and 500 in May — via live interviews. The surveys were based on a sample of verified voters.   

Notably, the Keating Research polls had a higher number of respondents who said they were unfamiliar or didn’t know (an average of 16% on Johnston) (average of 26% on the council) when asked the job performance question. In the Magellan Strategies poll, 7% said they had no opinion of Johnston and 15% said they same of the City Council.     

While they diverged on Johnston’s performance, both polls affirmed citywide dissatisfaction with the Denver City Council.

Keating Research found that an average of 45% have an unfavorable view of the council. The Magellan Strategies poll said only 35% of respondents approved of the councilmembers’ performance. 

In the Keating Research survey, Johnston enjoyed broad support from Democrats, with 73% of respondents giving him a favorable view of him. Black (65%) and Latino (62%) voters also eyed the mayor favorably. 

Meanwhile, 57% of unaffiliated voters gave him high marks. 

Denver voters also cited familiar problems as the city’s biggest challenges. Homelessness dominated voters’ concerns — 63% cited it as the most important issue in the January survey, while 49% did so in May. 

In second place was housing affordability — 28% in January and 37% in May. Rounding out the top three was immigration — 14% in January and 19% in May.

The poll noted the decline in the number of residents who said homelessness was the most pressing issue in Denver. The pollster attributed that decline to Johnston’s “swift action to help the homeless get access to housing and supportive services.”