If you’re walking through downtown Denver right now, past the ongoing construction on the 16th Street Mall or near the newer micro-communities for the unhoused, you might be asking yourself exactly who is mayor of Denver and what, precisely, is his plan?
Mike Johnston is the man in the hot seat. He’s the 46th mayor of the Mile High City, and honestly, his first two years have been a whirlwind of high-stakes experiments and some pretty heavy-duty budget math.
Johnston isn't a career bureaucrat in the traditional sense. He’s a former school principal and state senator who jumped into the mayor’s office in July 2023 after a massive, 22-candidate pile-up of an election. He eventually beat out Kelly Brough in a runoff by promising something that felt almost impossible: ending street homelessness in his first year.
The Man Behind the Desk
Mike Johnston isn't just a face on a campaign poster. He’s a Colorado native, a dad of three, and someone who spent a good chunk of his life in the education world. You’ve probably heard people mention his time as a senior advisor to President Obama or his stint as CEO of Gary Community Ventures. That background matters because it explains his "all-in" style. He treats city problems like a school project that needs an immediate, data-driven solution.
He speaks Spanish, lives in East Denver, and is married to Courtney, who works as a Chief Deputy District Attorney. It’s a "power couple" vibe, but with the grit of someone who started their career teaching English in the Mississippi Delta.
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What has he actually done lately?
When people ask who is mayor of Denver, they aren’t just looking for a name; they’re looking for results. As of early 2026, Johnston is navigating some of the toughest fiscal waters the city has seen in a decade.
- The Budget Crunch: In late 2025, Johnston had to present a 2026 budget that included the largest spending cuts Denver has seen in years. We're talking about real-world stuff—like reducing the discounts on rec center passes and switching from letters to postcards for property tax notices just to save on postage.
- Homelessness: His "All In Mile High" initiative is his signature move. He’s moved thousands of people off the streets and into converted hotels and tiny home villages. Critics say it's too expensive; supporters say it's the first time the city has actually done something other than "sweeping" camps from one block to the next.
- The Migrant Crisis: Denver became a focal point for the national migration conversation in 2024 and 2025. Johnston spent a huge amount of political capital managing the influx of over 40,000 asylum seekers, often clashing with federal authorities to get work permits for people so they could support themselves.
Why people are still talking about the 2023 election
It’s weird to think about, but the way he won still shapes how he governs. He wasn't the "business as usual" candidate. While his opponent, Kelly Brough, had the backing of the Chamber of Commerce, Johnston pulled in a weirdly diverse coalition. He had the "urbanist" crowd, the teachers, and even some of his former rivals like Lisa Calderón and Leslie Herod.
Because he was elected on such a platform of "change," the scrutiny is constant. If a single tent pops up on a sidewalk, people are on Twitter (or X, whatever we're calling it this week) asking who is mayor of Denver and why isn't this fixed yet? It’s a tough gig.
The 2026 Legislative Push
Just a few days ago, in mid-January 2026, Johnston teamed up with the mayors of Aurora and Colorado Springs to push a pretty aggressive agenda at the state capitol. They’re focusing on "competency" laws—basically trying to fix a loop in the justice system where people with mental health issues are cycled in and out of jail without getting treatment or being held accountable for retail theft.
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He's also been vocal about AI. While he’s a tech-forward guy, he joined other mayors in urging the state to slow down on some AI regulations that they think might kill innovation in Colorado. It’s a delicate balance. He wants the tech jobs, but he also needs the city to function without "algorithmic discrimination."
Is he doing a good job?
That depends on who you ask in the Highlands or down in Five Points.
- The Pros: He’s energetic. He actually meets with people in the camps. He got the "Vibrant Denver" bond measures passed in late 2025 with huge support—nearly 60% of voters said "yes" to funding parks, libraries, and health services.
- The Cons: The 2026 budget is tight. He tried to pass a sales tax increase (Ballot Issue 2R) for affordable housing in 2024, and the voters shot him down. People are feeling "taxed out," and Johnston has to figure out how to keep his promises without a blank check.
Real Talk on the Future
If you want to keep tabs on who is mayor of Denver and what he’s up to, you have to look at the "All In" dashboard on the city's website. It’s where he tracks how many people have been housed. It’s his report card.
The next few months are going to be about "rightsizing" the government. You’ll see more digitizing of city services and probably fewer city employees as he tries to close that budget gap. He’s betting big that he can make the city "vibrant, affordable, and safe" even while the wallet is a bit thin.
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Actionable Steps to Stay Informed
If you live in Denver or just care about the city's direction, don't just take a headline's word for it.
- Check the 2026 Budget: Look at the "denvergov.org/budget" portal to see how the cuts affect your specific neighborhood's services, like trash pickup or library hours.
- Volunteer with Give5: Johnston's administration launched "Give5 Mile High," asking residents to volunteer five hours a month. It’s a good way to see the "All In" sites firsthand.
- Watch the City Council: The Mayor and Council don't always agree. Watching their Monday night meetings (usually streamed on Denver 8) gives you a much better picture of the friction between the Mayor’s vision and the neighborhood realities.
- Track the 16th Street Mall: This project is the bellwether for downtown's recovery. If it finishes on time and local shops return, it’ll be a massive win for Johnston. If it drags, it’ll be his albatross.
Ultimately, Johnston's tenure is a test of whether a "big ideas" guy can handle the "small details" of a city that's growing faster than its infrastructure can sometimes handle. Stay tuned, because in a city like this, things change with the weather.
Next Steps for You
To get a better feel for the city’s direction, search for the "Vibrant Denver 2025" goals. These are the specific metrics Johnston set for himself regarding public safety and economic growth. Reviewing these will help you decide if the 46th mayor is actually hitting the mark or just talking a big game.