michael hancock
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City contractor dismissed from lawsuit over Denver’s encampment sweeps
A federal judge has dismissed Denver’s hazardous materials contractor from the federal lawsuit that is challenging the constitutionality of the city’s encampment-clearing tactics and seeking to restrict future seizures of property. One of the defendants named in the lawsuit, Environmental Hazmat Services, is a Wheat Ridge company whose contract with Denver entails clearing encampments for…
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Mayors of Colorado’s largest cities press for harsher penalties for fentanyl possession
In a departure from the Democratic position at the state Capitol, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock pressed for harsher penalties for fentanyl possession, mirroring the position of the city’s police chief and other law enforcement officials. Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers also echoed Hancock’s plea, joining other state leaders and law enforcement officials in saying that…
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‘A mistake was made’: Calls grow louder to reverse 2019 law that lowered penalty for fentanyl possession
The deaths of five Commerce City residents, reportedly due to overdoses tied to fentanyl, prompted lawmakers on both sides of the aisle at the state Capitol to call for changes in state law Tuesday, with some calling the law that eased penalties for drug possession a “mistake.” “Clearly a mistake was made” to lower…
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Denver launches initiative to house 400 homeless residents in 100 days
Denver’s Department of Housing Stability and Mayor Michael Hancock launched a housing initiative Tuesday with a goal of getting 400 homeless residents housed in 100 days. Denver launched a similar initiative at the beginning of September with the goal of housing 200 people. Officials said 576 people were housed at 346 households during that initiative.…
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Denver’s chief financial officer tapped as deputy mayor for 2022
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock has appointed Brendan Hanlon, the city’s chief financial officer, as deputy mayor for 2022, the city announced Wednesday. This is the second time Hanlon will serve as deputy mayor after filling the position in 2018. Deputy mayor is an annual position, designated to serve as mayor when the actual mayor is…
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Polis, political leaders join hundreds in march through Denver for MLK Day
Colorado’s political leaders joined hundreds who took to the streets of Denver on Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day during the city’s 37th annual “marade” in honor of the civil rights leader. Denver’s marade – a combination of march and parade – is one of the largest MLK Day celebrations in the country. The…
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Judge tells construction contractors to explain why they can challenge Denver’s vaccine mandate
Organizations representing Colorado’s construction industry contractors are challenging the City and County of Denver’s vaccine mandate for workers who provide services to the city, schools and hospitals. The trade organizations are claiming the policy will “create chaos” for construction across Denver, forcing anti-vaccine employees out of the workforce and delaying city projects. Consequently, they are…
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Denver City Council fails to override mayor’s veto of flavored tobacco ban
Denver’s proposed ban against the sale of flavored tobacco products was officially shut down Monday after the City Council narrowly failed to override the mayor’s veto of the ban. Council members voted 8-4 in support of the ban on Monday with one council member absent; however, they needed nine votes to override Mayor Michael Hancock’s…
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Denver might lower some speed limits to 20 mph. Here’s where and why.
The default speed limit on Denver’s unposted streets may soon be lowered after the City Council safety committee advanced the change Wednesday. If passed, the measure would reduce the default speed on unposted city streets from 25 mph to 20 mph. This would apply most specifically to neighborhood streets with no center line. The full…
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Denver Mayor Michael Hancock to business leaders: It’s time to raise workers’ wages
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock told a group of business leaders Tuesday that the city needs to have “a tough conversation” about increasing wages for workers. “A good day’s work, no matter the job, should be compensated with a livable wage,” Hancock told about 600 people gathered for the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce’s annual State…