Denver mayor's popularity slips as city leans further left
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston speaks during a press conference in September 2025. Photo: RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images
Denver's becoming even bluer just as Mayor Mike Johnston begins his pitch for a second term, and a new poll suggests he'll have some convincing to do.
Why it matters: Johnston's popularity is slipping even as nearly 60% of voters say he's making progress on Denver's biggest challenges — a disconnect that could complicate his 2027 reelection bid.
The big picture: Johnston will be campaigning in an increasingly left-leaning city, a new bipartisan Colorado Polling Institute survey finds.
- 17% of voters now identify as socialist, up from 11% in 2024 and surpassing the 14% who identify as conservative.
- Socialism is viewed favorably by 55%, versus 47% for capitalism.
By the numbers: Just 39% of likely voters view Johnston favorably, compared with 50% unfavorably, per the poll.
- That's down from an even 46%-46% split last year and nearly reverses his 48%-38% positive rating in 2024.
Yes, but: 59% say Johnston has made significant headway or started confronting the city's challenges.
Zoom in: Homelessness — Johnston's signature first-term issue and voters' top concern at 36% — is his clearest bright spot.
- 56% say he's moved the needle, including 16% who see "significant progress." That's double the share in 2024.
- Voters' views of downtown are more mixed. 87% say a thriving downtown is important to the city's future, but they're split on its recovery, with 41% optimistic and 39% pessimistic.
What they're saying: Johnston's falling favorability appears driven partly by impatience, Democratic pollster Kevin Ingham of Aspect Strategic told reporters Thursday.
- "Even if people can see some things moving in the right direction, they don't feel like things have moved fast enough," he said.
The other side: Johnston's office told Axios Denver that residents agree "the city is better today than it was before Mayor Johnston took office … and believe the city is moving in the right direction, even as they expect us to keep delivering."
- Mayoral rivals Lisa Calderón and Shontel Lewis, who was just endorsed by Denver's Democratic Socialists of America chapter, register 27% and 15% favorability, respectively — though both remain relatively unknown.
What to watch: Whether Johnston leans further left as he campaigns for a second term.
- He's already made universal child care a centerpiece of his affordability agenda and backed a temporary moratorium on new data centers, another priority of the city's progressive wing.
Reality check: The poll surveyed 400 likely 2026 voters and has a ±4.8-point margin of error. It's not necessarily representative of Denver's 2027 municipal electorate.