Johnston's credibility called into question at a critical time
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston in his City Hall office. Photo: RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images
False claims. Quiet deals. Missing millions.
The big picture: Mayor Mike Johnston is facing growing criticism over what some call a pattern of secrecy and spin — fueling doubts about his honesty just as he asks voters to trust him with $950 million for his Vibrant Denver bond package.
Why it matters: The timing couldn't be worse. With revelations piling up about backroom land swaps, misleading statements and hidden debts, the mayor's credibility is becoming a key question on the November ballot.
Driving the news: In the past week alone, Johnston has faced mounting scrutiny over:
A secret land swap: A CBS4 investigation found Johnston quietly gave a developer 20 extra acres of Denver International Airport land — 14% more than the public deal City Council approved — in exchange for the Park Hill Golf Course.
- The city had been working on the expanded deal for months after discovering a buried fiber-optic line under the airport site but only disclosed the change to City Council after the Oct. 2 deal was done.
- The Federal Aviation Administration has since flagged "numerous abnormalities" in the transaction and asked for extra review time, CBS4 reports.
A defiant surveillance renewal: Last week, Johnston unilaterally renewed the city's contract with the controversial Flock license plate reader system, despite overwhelming opposition from City Council.
A damaging false claim: In defending Flock, Johnston falsely claimed in a 9News interview last week that the technology solved the murder case of Jax Gratton, a transgender hairstylist. Gratton's mother publicly blasted him this week, prompting an apology from the mayor's office.
A multimillion-dollar omission: The Denver Post's parent company has owed the city millions in rent on its downtown building for months — a financial hit to Denver's already-strained budget. Johnston's team knew but said nothing to council members or the public until CBS4 exposed it, council members told the news station.
What they're saying: "Denver's Pinocchio Mayor is at it again," former mayoral candidate Lisa Calderón wrote on X on Wednesday, referring to Johnston's claim about Flock.
- Calderón joins a chorus of critics — including City Council members — accusing Johnston of eroding public trust and operating in the dark.
- Councilmember Flor Alvidrez told CBS4 that Johnston's "dishonest" handling of the Denver Post debacle could hurt the mayor's bond measure: "I think voters ... don't trust this administration."
Between the lines: Under Denver's strong-mayor system, Johnston is acting within his authority.
The other side: In a statement to Axios Denver, Johnston's office said the mayor "has led the most collaborative and transparent administration in city history," and his Vibrant Denver bond proposal reflects that.
- "It's the most transparent bond Denver has ever run," his office said, adding that Johnston has committed to creating a public-facing tool "so the public can keep track of the timelines and dollars committed to each and every bond project."
- "Denver trusts the mayor to get big things done, not invent new roadblocks," the statement continued, "and that's exactly why Park Hill is open, crime and homelessness are down, and the Broncos are staying in Denver."
What's next: Voters' faith in his leadership will be tested Nov. 4, when they decide whether his word — and nearly billion-dollar bond plan — are worth trusting.