DENVER — Michael Hancock took a moment to reflect on his time as Denver mayor in his final State of the City address on Monday, as he nears the end of his third and final term.
"I want to begin with a sincere thank you to the people of Denver," Hancock said at the Montbello Recreation Center. "You all love this city as much as everyone up here does, even when times are tough. Your support, encouragement and resilience over the past 11 years has sustained and inspired me. Thank you."
His first area of focus was the danger of "divisive, pervasive rhetoric" in the political landscape, especially directed toward the LGBTQ+ community and women impacted by the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision that protected abortion rights.
"We must remain a city that is welcoming to all, a city that celebrates the contributions of our LGBTQ+ community," he said. "A city that champions women and their right to choose. We all were devastated by the Supreme Court’s unprecedented decision to roll back rights afforded under Roe v. Wade."
Hancock then turned his attention to Denver's economy, highlighting the importance of continuing to build it up while ensuring the workforce doesn't get priced out due to rising rent and real estate prices.
"Since I took office in 2011, we’ve rehoused more than 13,000 of our homeless neighbors," he said. "We’ve created or preserved nearly 9,000 affordable homes and delivered hundreds of permanent supportive housing units. We’ve expanded our shelter system to operate year-round."
Hancock also highlighted other transition programs established to provide assistance to people experiencing homelessness, including the Tiny Home Village and Safe Outdoor Spaces.
He also said he will propose to the City Council an investment of $2 million in federal funding in the Denver Basic Income Project, which would provide 140 women and families currently in shelters with $1,000 a month for a year.
"Homelessness is a complex issue, but at the end of the day, lasting solutions are built on a foundation of housing stability and supportive services," he said. "We’re now committing more than $240 million every year to resolve episodes of homelessness, to deliver more affordable housing and to put homeownership within reach for more and more families."
Hancock also addressed public safety, which continues to be an ongoing concern, by saying better policing is needed.
"I’m proud Denver has been a leader and innovator, requiring body-worn cameras, rewriting use-of-force policies and promoting de-escalation tactics," he said. "We all recognize the benefits of alternative responses that don’t require an armed police officer. We must continue to expand our nationally recognized STAR program and redirect police away from calls better handled by public health responders when someone needs help, not handcuffs."
Hancock also announced that an Assessment, Intake and Diversion Center will open in the coming months to provide an alternative to jail for issues better addressed by treatment and behavioral health resources.
The availability of guns is a driving factor in the prevalence of violent crime in the city, Hancock said.
"DPD took nearly 2,100 guns off our streets last year, and more than 1,200 guns so far this year," he said. "We’re being held hostage by those who believe unrestrained access to guns is a good thing. The solution to gun violence isn’t more guns. That’s why we banned concealed carry in our parks and city buildings. It’s why we banned ghost guns. It’s also why I’m asking City Council to fund a new partnership with the U.S. Attorney to prosecute violent felons found with guns in violation of federal law."
The availability of fentanyl also continues to be an increasing concern, with overdose deaths quadrupling in Denver since 2019, Hancock said.
"Over the next two years, Denver will receive its first $8 million from the national opioid settlement," he said. "I’m committed to seeing these dollars directed toward supporting service providers and improving capacity at treatment programs. Our public health officials are also preparing to help expand services, including counseling and medicated assisted treatment."
Hancock also mentioned efforts being taken by the city to impact climate change, including Climate Protection Funds work to reduce emissions.
"This fund has already shown its value through low-cost, community solar for schools and low-income families; 2,000 new trees in climate vulnerable neighborhoods; incentives to install sustainable electric heating systems; a micro-shuttle right here in Montbello, and a popular rebate program for e-bikes," he said.
Hancock said the city has made a $200 million commitment over the next five years to address climate change, including a South Platte River restoration project that will remove hundreds of homes from flood plains.
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