Mayor Mike Johnston
Coverage of Mayor Mike Johnston in the Nexus archive.
- Denver County Court judge censured earlier this year resigns from the bench
Denver County Court judge Barry Schwartz resigned after being censured earlier this year for paying a defendant's bond during a hearing. He submitted his resignation on June 29 and will leave the bench by August 18, following disciplinary actions including a week-long unpaid suspension and reassignment to civil court.
- RTD could kill the free 16th Street shuttle and several rail lines under budget cut proposals
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) is proposing budget cuts that could eliminate the 16th Street FreeRide shuttle and several rail lines, including the Free MetroRide and B Line to Westminster, to save up to $62 million. The cuts, which could reduce service by 5-20%, face opposition from Mayor Mike Johnston and transit advocates, with potential changes set for 2027 after public review.
- Denver reduces some criminal punishments after Colorado Supreme Court ruling
Denver City Council passed a bill reducing maximum penalties for certain crimes to align with state laws following a Colorado Supreme Court ruling. The bill lowers sentences for low-level offenses like off-leash dogs and curfew violations, creating a five-tiered sentencing structure and establishing a commission for future reforms.
- Denver taps emergency funds to pay growing settlements in police excessive force cases
Denver is using $3 million from its contingency fund to cover unexpected legal settlements related to police excessive force and civil rights cases, particularly those from the 2020 protests. The city's emergency savings account has dropped to $30.5 million after the transfer, and the mayor's 2027 budget faces financial challenges with flat revenue and rising costs.