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Michael Johnston (Colorado)
2023 - Present
2027
2
Michael Johnston is the Mayor of Denver in Colorado. He assumed office on July 17, 2023. His current term ends on July 19, 2027.
Johnston was born in Vail, Colorado, in 1974.[1][2] He earned his bachelor's degree in English and philosophy from Yale University in 1997, his master's in education policy and school administration from Harvard University in 2000, and his juris doctorate from Yale University in 2003.[3] Johnston was a school principal for Joan Farley Academy in Denver and for Marvin Foote Detention Center in Centennial.[4] He later established Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts. During his tenure at the school, he was the education advisor for Barack Obama's (D) presidential campaign in 2008.[4]
Johnston won the vote of a vacancy committee to become state Senator in 2009, after incumbent Peter Groff (D) resigned to accept a role in the Obama administration.[5][6] During his tenure in the Senate, he introduced a bill that tied teacher evaluations to students' success on tests and changed how teachers would receive tenure.[7][8] The bill was signed into law by Gov. Bill Ritter (R).[9] He also supported a bill which allowed students who were residing in the country without legal permission to pay state tuition rates for college if they attended Colorado high schools for three years. The bill was signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper (D).[10]
Johnston ran for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Colorado in 2018.[11] He came in third place in the primary. In 2020, he ran for U.S. Senate, but withdrew after John Hickenlooper's (D) entrance into the race.[12] In 2020, Johnston became chair of Gary Community Ventures, a nonprofit.[13] During his tenure, the group worked to get Proposition EE on the ballot in 2020. The measure passed and increased taxes on nicotine products to pay for universal preschool in Colorado.[14]
In 2023, Johnston ran for mayor of Denver in a nonpartisan election. He campaigned on reducing homelessness, building affordable housing, and increasing police spending.[15] According to an article by KUNC Radio, Johnston was "considered a centrist, [but] he was able to line up endorsements from housing and reproductive health advocates, labor unions and progressive politicians."[16]
In 2023, Johnston declared a state of emergency in Denver over homelessness, allowing the city access to state and federal money to provide housing for homeless individuals.[17] In 2024, Johnston announced the creation of the Denver Asylum Seeker Program, a program which focused on attempting to integrate individuals residing in the country without legal permission into the city with housing and job training.[18] Also in 2024, he announced the creation of the Trust Patrol, a program that intended to improve relationships between communities and police by increasing interactions.[19] In 2025, Johnston supported a pay raise for police officers.[20]
Biography
Michael Johnston was born in Vail, Colorado, in 1974.[1] He earned a B.A. in English and philosophy from Yale University in 1997, an M.Ed. in education policy and school administration from Harvard University in 2000, and a J.D. from Yale University in 2003. Johnston's career experience includes working as the president and CEO of Gary Community Ventures, the principal of Joan Farley Academy, and an English teacher at Greenville High School. He co-founded Mapleton Public Schools and New Leaders for New Schools.[3]
Elections
2023
See also: Mayoral election in Denver, Colorado (2023)
General runoff election
General runoff election for Mayor of Denver
Michael Johnston defeated Kelly Brough in the general runoff election for Mayor of Denver on June 6, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Michael Johnston (Nonpartisan) | 55.2 | 89,889 |
 | Kelly Brough (Nonpartisan) | 44.8 | 73,097 | |
| Total votes: 162,986 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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General election
General election for Mayor of Denver
The following candidates ran in the general election for Mayor of Denver on April 4, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Michael Johnston (Nonpartisan) | 24.5 | 42,273 |
| ✔ | | Kelly Brough (Nonpartisan) | 20.1 | 34,627 |
 | Lisa Calderón (Nonpartisan) | 18.1 | 31,164 | |
 | Andy Rougeot (Nonpartisan) | 11.5 | 19,927 | |
 | Leslie Herod (Nonpartisan) | 10.7 | 18,506 | |
 | Chris Hansen (Nonpartisan) | 4.8 | 8,309 | |
 | Deborah Ortega (Nonpartisan) | 4.5 | 7,739 | |
 | Ean Tafoya (Nonpartisan) | 1.6 | 2,700 | |
| Terrance Roberts (Nonpartisan) | 1.0 | 1,757 | ||
 | Thomas Wolf (Nonpartisan) | 1.0 | 1,747 | |
 | Trinidad Rodriguez (Nonpartisan) | 0.7 | 1,240 | |
| Aurelio Martinez (Nonpartisan) | 0.4 | 755 | ||
 | Al Gardner (Nonpartisan) | 0.4 | 725 | |
 | James Walsh (Nonpartisan) | 0.4 | 722 | |
| Renate Behrens (Nonpartisan) | 0.1 | 184 | ||
| Robert Treta (Nonpartisan) | 0.1 | 169 | ||
 | Abass Yaya Bamba (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 24 | |
 | Jesse Parris (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 11 | |
 | Paul Fiorino (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 5 | |
| Matt Brady (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 4 | ||
 | Marcus Giavanni (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 1 | |
| Danny F. Lopez (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 0 | ||
| Total votes: 172,589 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Sylvia Herring (Nonpartisan)
- Kwame Spearman (Nonpartisan) (Unofficially withdrew)
- Anna Burrell (Nonpartisan)
- Alex Valdez (Nonpartisan)
- Sean Gallegos (Nonpartisan)
- Kenneth Simpson (Nonpartisan)
- Alex Cowans (Nonpartisan)
- David E. Stevens (Nonpartisan)
Mike Johnston defeated Kelly Brough in a runoff election for mayor of Denver, Colorado, on June 6, 2023. They advanced from a field of 22 candidates in the April 4 general election.
Incumbent Michael Hancock (D), first elected in 2011, was term-limited. This was Denver's fifth open mayoral election since 1959.
Denverite's Kyle Harris wrote that residents "are worried about the city's affordability ... public safety and rising crime ... [and] homelessness. People want solutions, and it's clear that the people of the city understand that the mayor's seat can try to tackle many of these issues." Click here to view candidates' stances on these topics.[21][22]
Harris said Brough and Johnston were "centrist candidates ... [who] cleaved toward the middle, offering an optimistic vision while gently pushing for using policing in their homelessness solutions."[23] While the election was officially nonpartisan, Brough and Johnston were Democrats.[24]
Brough was chief of staff to former Mayor John Hickenlooper from 2003 to 2009 before becoming president and C.E.O. of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, a post she held until 2021.[25] Brough received an endorsement from The Denver Gazette.[26]
Johnston was a former educator and school administrator who served in the Colorado Senate from 2007 to 2019. Johnston was the third-place finisher in the state's 2018 Democratic gubernatorial primary. Johnston received an endorsement from The Denver Post.[27]
Denverite's Harris wrote, "The mayor is powerful ... [and] often described as the strongest elected position in the state."[28] Denver has a strong mayor government, where the mayor serves as chief executive and the city council operates as a legislative branch. The mayor sets the city budget, nominates department heads, and appoints more than 700 officials citywide. The mayor also oversees the Denver International Airport, police and sheriff departments, and the community planning and development department.[29]
For coverage of the April 4, 2023, general election, click here.
2020
See also: United States Senate election in Colorado, 2020
United States Senate election in Colorado, 2020 (June 30 Republican primary)
United States Senate election in Colorado, 2020 (June 30 Democratic primary)
General election
General election for U.S. Senate Colorado
The following candidates ran in the general election for U.S. Senate Colorado on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | John Hickenlooper (D) | 53.5 | 1,731,114 |
 | Cory Gardner (R) | 44.2 | 1,429,492 | |
 | Raymon Doane (L) | 1.7 | 56,262 | |
| Daniel Doyle (Approval Voting Party) | 0.3 | 9,820 | ||
 | Stephan Evans (Unity Party) | 0.3 | 8,971 | |
| Bruce Lohmiller (G) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 0 | ||
 | Danny Skelly (Independent) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 0 | |
| Michael Sanchez (Independent) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 0 | ||
| Total votes: 3,235,659 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Gary Swing (Other)
- Joseph Camp (Independent)
- Veronique Bellamy (Socialist Party)
- Martha Wolf (Independent)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Colorado
John Hickenlooper defeated Andrew Romanoff in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Colorado on June 30, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Hickenlooper | 58.7 | 585,826 |
 | Andrew Romanoff | 41.3 | 412,955 | |
| Total votes: 998,781 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Danielle Kombo (D)
- Erik Underwood (D)
- Denise Burgess (D)
- David Goldfischer (D)
- Lorena Garcia (D)
- Trish Zornio (D)
- Michael Johnston (D)
- Diana Bray (D)
- Stephany Rose Spaulding (D)
- Michelle Ferrigno Warren (D)
- Critter Milton (D)
- Keith Pottratz (D)
- John Walsh (D)
- Dan Baer (D)
- Ellen Burnes (D)
- Alice Madden (D)
- Angela Williams (D)
- Derrick Blanton (D)
- Dustin John Leitzel (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. Senate Colorado
Incumbent Cory Gardner advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Colorado on June 30, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Cory Gardner | 100.0 | 554,806 |
| Total votes: 554,806 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Margot Dupre (R)
Libertarian primary election
Libertarian primary for U.S. Senate Colorado
Raymon Doane defeated Gaylon Kent in the Libertarian primary for U.S. Senate Colorado on June 30, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Raymon Doane | 62.8 | 4,365 |
 | Gaylon Kent | 37.2 | 2,583 | |
| Total votes: 6,948 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Unity Party convention
Unity Party convention for U.S. Senate Colorado
Stephan Evans defeated Joshua Rodriguez in the Unity Party convention for U.S. Senate Colorado on April 4, 2020.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Stephan Evans (Unity Party) |
 | Joshua Rodriguez (Unity Party) | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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2018
General election
General election for Governor of Colorado
Jared Polis defeated Walker Stapleton, Scott Helker, and Bill Hammons in the general election for Governor of Colorado on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jared Polis (D) | 53.4 | 1,348,888 |
 | Walker Stapleton (R) | 42.8 | 1,080,801 | |
| Scott Helker (L) | 2.8 | 69,519 | ||
 | Bill Hammons (Unity Party) | 1.0 | 25,854 | |
| Total votes: 2,525,062 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Korey Paul Starkey (Independent)
- Veronique Bellamy (G)
- George Allen Cantrell (Constitution Party)
- Michael Wilbourn (Independent)
- Kathleen Cunningham (Unaffiliated)
- Paul Willmon (Unaffiliated)
- Richard Osada (Independent)
- Matthew Wood (Independent)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of Colorado
Jared Polis defeated Cary Kennedy, Michael Johnston, and Donna Lynne in the Democratic primary for Governor of Colorado on June 26, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jared Polis | 44.5 | 283,340 |
 | Cary Kennedy | 24.7 | 157,396 | |
| Michael Johnston | 23.5 | 149,884 | |
 | Donna Lynne | 7.3 | 46,382 | |
| Total votes: 637,002 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Noel Ginsburg (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of Colorado
Walker Stapleton defeated Victor Mitchell, Greg Lopez, and Doug Robinson in the Republican primary for Governor of Colorado on June 26, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Walker Stapleton | 47.7 | 239,861 |
| Victor Mitchell | 30.1 | 151,585 | ||
 | Greg Lopez | 13.2 | 66,432 | |
 | Doug Robinson | 9.0 | 45,327 | |
| Total votes: 503,205 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Barry Farah (R)
Rep. Jared Polis (D) was the winner of Colorado's Democratic gubernatorial primary, receiving 44.4 percent of the vote to former state Treasurer Cary Kennedy's (D) 24.7 percent. The four candidates in the Democratic primary were divided on education policy and funding.
While all four opposed vouchers for charter schools, a group affiliated with Cary Kennedy (D) ran an ad criticizing both Polis (D) and former state Sen. Mike Johnston (D) for what it called their insufficient support for public education.[30]
Polis led in most polls. He promised free preschool and kindergarten as well as energy independence by 2040.[31] National political figures including Rep. John Lewis (D) and interest groups such as NORML PAC and the Sierra Club endorsed him.
EMILY's List and labor unions such as the Communications Workers of America and the Colorado Education Association endorsed Kennedy, who called for increased funding for public schools and the creation of a public option for health insurance.[32]
Johnston supported providing two years of tuition-free community college to state residents, the establishment of a civilian work corps, and the expansion of Medicaid to all state citizens.[33] Former Sen. Gary Hart (D) and former Gov. Dick Lamm (D) endorsed him.
Incumbent Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne (D), a former insurance executive, ran on her private sector experience and her two years serving alongside term-limited Gov. John Hickenlooper (D).[34]
Potential trifecta control of the state was on the line. At the time of the 2018 elections Democrats controlled the state House and governor's office. Republicans controlled the state Senate. Because the Democratic Party held the governorship and state House while taking the state Senate, Colorado became a Democratic trifecta.
The next governor would of also had a hand in redistricting following the 2020 census, with veto power over proposed Congressional district maps and the ability to appoint members of the commission responsible for drawing state legislative district maps.
2016
- See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2016
Elections for the Colorado State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 28, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 4, 2016.[35] Incumbent Michael Johnston (D) did not seek re-election.
Angela Williams defeated Raymon Doane in the Colorado State Senate District 33 general election.[36][37]
| Colorado State Senate, District 33 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Angela Williams |
81.95% | 57,049 | |
| Republican | Raymon Doane | 18.05% | 12,564 | |
| Total Votes | 69,613 | |||
| Source: Colorado Secretary of State | ||||
Angela Williams defeated Jon Biggerstaff in the Colorado State Senate District 33 Democratic primary.[38][39]
| Colorado State Senate, District 33 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Angela Williams |
82.05% | 12,837 | |
| Democratic | Jon Biggerstaff | 17.95% | 2,808 | |
| Total Votes | 15,645 | |||
Raymon Doane ran unopposed in the Colorado State Senate District 33 Republican primary.[38][39]
| Colorado State Senate, District 33 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Raymon Doane (unopposed) | |
2012
- See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2012
Johnston won re-election in the 2012 election for Colorado State Senate District 33. He ran unopposed in the Democratic primary on June 26, 2012. He defeated Jason DeBerry (R) and Courtney Kolva (L) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[40]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Mike Johnston Incumbent |
82.3% | 51,357 | |
| Republican | Jason DeBerry | 13.6% | 8,456 | |
| Libertarian | Courtney Kolva | 4.1% | 2,579 | |
| Total Votes | 62,392 | |||
2010
- See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2010
Johnston sought re-election to the 33rd District seat in 2010. He faced no opposition in the primary election. He defeated Lisa Ringle (R) in the November 2 general election.
| Colorado State Senate, District 33 General election (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Michael Johnston (D)
|
33,634 | |||
| Lisa Ringle (R) | 7,276 | |||
2009
Johnston was appointed to the 31st District seat in the Colorado State Senate.
Campaign themes
2023
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Michael Johnston did not complete Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Michael Johnston did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
- See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Mike Johnston participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on June 4, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Mike Johnston's responses follow below.[41]
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
| “ | At a time when the world can seem hopelessly divided, I’m running for Governor because we can only get big things done in Colorado if we have the courage to cross those divides. I’m proud of the fact that as a state Senator, 100 of the 120 bills I passed had Republican co-sponsors. As Governor, I will continue to promote progressive values by building coalitions across our state. My top three priorities as Governor are as follows: 1. Go to the ballot to repeal the worst parts of TABOR so that the state can keep excess revenue generated in good economic times to reinvest it in the areas that need it most. I’ll dedicate much of these funds to strengthening the education system, including increasing teacher pay. |
” |
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?
| “ | As a former school leader and principal, I am passionate about education and ensuring that every child in our state has access to a high quality education. That's why, as a senator, I passed Colorado's ASSET bill, giving undocumented students in Colorado access to in-state tuition for higher education. I also passed the largest legislative investment in K-12 in recent history, including funding for at-risk students in early elementary, to ensure we provide them the supports they need to become readers by the time they enter fourth grade. I launched my campaign with a policy idea called the Colorado Promise, which gives all Coloradans - of any age and any stage in their career - access to up to two years of debt-free college or skills training in exchange for service to the state. We know the economy is changing and the demands of tomorrow will require new skills and training for Coloradans to provide for their families with a good-paying job, and the Colorado Promise will help make that possible.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[43]
|
” |
Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Mike Johnston answered the following:
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
| “ | The candidates running for office will tell you the things that they care about, but I want to tell you a few things that I don't care about, because I think these are the types of values and characteristics that matter most. I don't care who you love, or how you worship. I don't care where you were born, or what your status is. I don't care if you're a Republican or a Democrat or don't belong to any party at all. If you're looking to divide Colorado, I will stand in your way. But if you want to do right by the families who live here, then let's stand together.[43] | ” |
| “ | Some of our best Governors in recent history have come from the State Legislature and because they know the people and the rules of those two houses, they are more effective and getting things done alongside state Legislators. I believe a Governor should be active in laying out priorities and using his or her pulpit to prioritize those. I also believe that a Governor and and should call upon the deep coalitions created during a campaign to bring constituents into the governing process so they have a voice in setting priorities and working with their elected officials to get things passed.[43] | ” |
| “ | People ask me all the time what it’s like to run for Governor. When I tell them it is an unspeakable gift, they look at me like I’m crazy. Back in May, we completed our tour of all 64 counties in Colorado, and if you had the chance to join me along any part of that journey, you would understand why this campaign has flown by in an instant, like a whirlwind romance that sweeps you off your feet and eliminates all sense of space and time.
I can only say that if you've ever seen 6 deer crossing a street in Ridgway on your way to dinner at the Colorado Boy, seen the sun set over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Westcliffe, seen a show at the Creede Repertory Theatre, or watched your kids place bets on how long it takes to make an old truck engine explode at the Baca County Fair, you would know. Or if you visited the last grocery store in Walsh, saved by the community when they had none, or listened to man in Routt County talk about how he worked all day in the fields on December 7, 1941 just so he could make enough money for the bus fare to Denver to join the U.S. Army in the war against Hitler, you would know. If you've driven a harvesting combine in Byers, visited the Overland Trail Museum in Sterling, dug yourself out of a snowbank on Red Mountain Pass in a blizzard, eaten both cherry and apple cobbler for breakfast at Pagosa Baking Company, had the breakfast special at Moose Creek Cafe in Walden, been to the Wolf and Wildlife Center in Teller County, ridden the giant canyon swing in Glenwood Springs or climbed into a wind tower in Fleming, visited Doc Holliday’s grave in Garfield County or Oscar Wilde’s favorite bar in Leadville or Teddy Roosevelt’s favorite room at the Meeker Hotel, been to the Palisade Peach Festival or seen the sunrise launch of the Creede Balloon Festival in Mineral County, eaten the flat enchiladas at All Gon in Fort Garland, or the burger at 4th Street Diner next door to the haunted Saguache Hotel, or been to the Hippodrome Arts Centre in Julesburg, had the stuffed jalapeños at the Dish Room in Burlington, been to the Turtle Race in Cheyenne Wells, or tried the whiskey at Elkins Distilling Co. in Estes Park, you would know. If you had joined us at any of those stops, you would wake up every day breathless at how grateful you are to live in Colorado, just like me.[43] |
” |
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.
State legislative tenure
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Colorado scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2020
In 2020, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 8 to June 15.
- Legislators are usually scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. However, in 2020 the organization released this more detailed overview of the legislative session.
- Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability."
- Colorado Voters for Animals: U.S. Congress and General Assembly
- Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes related to public health issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Legislators are scored on their stances on women's issues.
2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2019, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 4 through May 3.
|
2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the 72nd Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 10 through May 9.
|
2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
|---|
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In 2017, the 71st Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 11 through May 10. There was also a special session from October 2-3.
|
2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2016, the second session of the 70th Colorado General Assembly was in session from January 13 through May 11.
|
2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
|---|
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In 2015, the first session of the 70th Colorado General Assembly was in session from January 7 through May 6.
|
2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, the 69th Colorado General Assembly was in session from January 8 to May 7.
|
2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
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In 2013, the 69th Colorado General Assembly was in session from January 9 to May 9.
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Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Noteworthy legislation
- Senate Bill 033 (2013): Johnston sponsored Senate Bill 033, which allowed students residing in the country without legal permission to pay state tuition rates for college if they attended Colorado high schools for three years.[10] Johnston said, "If we don’t stop to help these young people, what will happen to us as a state?"[44]
- Senate Bill 10-191 (2010): Johnston sponsored Senate Bill 10-191, which tied teacher evaluations to students' success on tests and changed how teachers would receive tenure. Johnston said, "What we are saying is this is an honor that our great teachers earn. They have it because they earned it, and they keep it because they are continuing to demonstrate effectiveness."[45]
Committee assignments
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Johnston served on the following committees:
| Colorado committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Education |
| • Finance |
| • Legal Services |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Johnston served on the following committees:
| Colorado committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Finance, Chair |
| • Education, Vice Chair |
| • Legal Services |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Johnston served on these committees:
| Colorado committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Education |
| • Finance, Chair |
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Johnston served on these committees:
| Colorado committee assignments, 2009 |
|---|
| • Business, Labor and Technology |
| • Education |
| • Finance |
See also
2023 Elections
- Governor of Colorado
- Colorado gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018
- Colorado State Senate
- Colorado Senate Committees
- Colorado State Senate District 33
- Colorado State Legislature
External links
|
Candidate Mayor of Denver |
Officeholder Mayor of Denver |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Vail Symposium, "Speaker: Michael Johnston," accessed January 16, 2025
- ↑ Post Independent, "Biographical information on Mike Johnston," June 11, 2018
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 LinkedIn, "Mike Johnston," accessed July 7, 2023
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 The Denver Post, "Big dreams and big promises — but can Mike Johnston deliver for Denver?" May 19, 2023
- ↑ Colorado Independent, "Obama education advisor Johnston joins race for Groff’s Senate seat," April 22, 2009
- ↑ Colorado Independent, "May 12, 2009
- ↑ The Denver Post, "Mike Johnston announces 2018 bid for governor with the flair of Bernie Sanders," January 17, 2017
- ↑ The Denver Post, "Colorado teacher bill ignites firestorm of support, opposition," May 6, 2016
- ↑ Colorado Legislature, "Senate Bill 10-191," accessed January 16, 2025
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 The Denver Post, "Colorado governor signs bill for illegal immigrants' in state tuition," April 29, 2013
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "2018 Primary Election Candidate List," accessed May 3, 2018
- ↑ Denver Gazette, "Meet Mike Johnston, Denver's new mayor," June 7, 2023
- ↑ PR Newswire, "Gary Community Ventures Announces Resignation of Mike Johnston," November 17, 2022
- ↑ The Denver Post, "Denver mayoral candidate Mike Johnston says city’s toughest problems are “deeply fixable”," February 26, 2023
- ↑ Colorado Newsline, "Mike Johnston defeats Kelly Brough to win election as mayor of Denver," June 6, 2023
- ↑ KUNC, "Mike Johnston claims victory in Denver mayoral race," June 7, 2023
- ↑ Axios, "Mike Johnston issues emergency declaration for homelessness in Denver," July 18, 2023
- ↑ Denver 7, "Denver Mayor Mike Johnston announces budget cuts as part of new immigration program," April 10, 2024
- ↑ 9News, "Denver Police announce program meant to reduce crime," July 23, 2024
- ↑ Denverite, "Denver prepares to raise police pay amid hundreds of city job cuts," September 3, 2025
- ↑ 9News, "Meet the candidates running for Denver Mayor: Kelly Brough," Feb. 14, 2023
- ↑ Michael Johnston's 2023 campaign website, "Home," accessed Feb. 15, 2023
- ↑ Denverite, "The winners of a Mike Johnston vs. Kelly Brough runoff: Denver’s political and business establishment and Michael Hancock," April 6, 2023
- ↑ Denver Democrats, "A big field. And big decisions to make." March 10, 2023
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Kelly Brough," accessed Feb. 15, 2023
- ↑ The Denver Gazette, "ENDORSEMENT: Kelly Brough for Denver mayor," March 28, 2023
- ↑ The Denver Post, "Endorsement: Mike Johnston for Denver mayor," March 16, 2023
- ↑ Denverite, "The Denver mayor’s race is a big deal for you and us. Here’s why we’re spending so much time and energy on it," Feb. 21, 2023
- ↑ Denverite, "What does Denver’s mayor do and how much power does the position have?" Dec. 12, 2022
- ↑ ChalkBeat, "Where candidates in the Colorado Democratic primary stand on education issues," June 14, 2018
- ↑ Polis for Colorado, "Home," accessed June 14, 2018
- ↑ Cary Kennedy for Governor, "Why I'm Running," accessed June 14, 2018
- ↑ Mike Johnston for Colorado, "Home," accessed June 14, 2018
- ↑ Lynne for Colorado, "Home," accessed June 14, 2018
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Elections & Voting," accessed October 6, 2015
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "General election candidates," accessed August 16, 2016
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "2016 General Election results," accessed December 14, 2016
- ↑ 38.0 38.1 Colorado Secretary of State, "2016 Primary Election Candidate List," accessed May 3, 2016
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 Colorado Secretary of State, "June 28, 2016 Primary Election," accessed August 22, 2016
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Official 2012 Primary election results," accessed April 14, 2014
- ↑ Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
- ↑ Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "Mike Johnston's responses," June 4, 2018
- ↑ 43.0 43.1 43.2 43.3 43.4 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Colorado Community Media, "Immigrant tuition bill clears panel," January 26, 2013
- ↑ Denver Post, "Colorado teacher bill ignites firestorm of support, opposition," April 24, 2010
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Michael Hancock |
Mayor of Denver 2023-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Colorado State Senate District 33 2009-2017 |
Succeeded by - |
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