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Mike Johnston: “I will be a mayor who is a friend to the Hispanic community”

SWORN IN ON JULY 17th | Mike Johnston, the new mayor of Denver. (Photo/El Comercio Colorado)

NEW DENVER MAYOR SWORN IN

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

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We spoke with Mike Johnston, the new mayor of Denver, who will be sworn in on July 17th. Johnston stated that he will utilize his Spanish-speaking ability to communicate more effectively with the Hispanic community. “I will always listen to what people want and need. They have a mayor who can speak Spanish and understand them,” said Mayor Johnston.

What will be your first decision as mayor of Denver?

Mike Johnston: I believe it is the same priority we had six months ago. We want to help people who are homeless. We have over 2,000 individuals sleeping on the streets every day, and we know we can improve that. We can provide them with access to housing, services, and create a time when the streets can be used by everyone to walk, visit someone, or go dancing with their families. No one should have to sleep on the streets. Resolving this issue will be our top priority.

How do you plan to empower the Hispanic community?

MJ: I will be a friend to the Hispanic community and seek to work together on the things we need to do. I will always listen to what people want and need. They have a major who can speak Spanish and understand them. Federico Peña told me that I am only the second bilingual mayor in Denver’s history. So, I want to use that ability to communicate with people more and more.

What other priorities do you have as major?

MJ: We need to make this city more affordable. We have to build more homes that are within reach for many. We need to ensure that people can earn enough money to live here in Denver. We want to make sure that people who work in Denver can also live in Denver. We need to build a city where all neighborhoods feel safe, and people can walk with their children in any neighborhood, ensuring everyone’s security.

What is your message to the immigrant community?

MJ: I want to work with the Hispanic community and also with DACA students and beneficiaries. I understand that they are concerned because a Supreme Court decision could eliminate this program and its benefits. We will work with those 14,000 individuals [recently arrived immigrants] to ensure that if they want to stay in Denver, they can work and support their families. And that is what we will do together as well.

What do you still need to do with your family before being sworn in as mayor?

MJ: We already took a short vacation. I traveled to Alaska for seven days with my family – my children and my wife. It was fantastic. There, the phones didn’t work, there was no wireless connection, and internet access was not possible. I was able to relax with my family, and it was incredible.