Michael Hancock delivers final speech as mayor after 12 years in office
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock is saying farewell after 12 years in office and despite all of the city's problems, he says he believes it is on the right track.
He was sworn into office back in July 2011 when he was 41 years old.
Over three terms, Hancock led Denver through two recessions, a pandemic, social unrest, an opioid epidemic and a homeless crisis.
RELATED: Denver Mayor Michael Hancock reflects on 12 years in office
It is the end of an era in Denver as Hancock prepares to leave office. Hancock took office during the Great Recession, as the National Western Stock Show and United Airlines were poised to leave the city.
He not only convinced them to stay but expand, along with the convention center. He also led the transformation of Union Station and Brighton Boulevard and the restoration of the South Platte.
"Those are things that I look back on and I say, 'yeah, I'm proud of those moments,'" he said.
Hancock delivered a parting message to Denverites in his farewell address Wednesday evening. Late last month Hancock sat down with CBS News Colorado political specialist Shaun Boyd to reflect on his tenure as mayor.
"There are a lot of things I look forward to," he said. "One of them is waking up on July 18 and not feeling the weight of the city on me. It's an unbelievable honor and privilege to serve but it is also an awesome, awesome burden to make decisions that affect the lives of over 70,000 people."
During his final speech as mayor, Hancock pointed out that the political climate has also changed with toxic and hateful messaging often getting the most attention.
"Far too often, polarization, partisan in nature or not, drowns out the honest debate in exchange of ideas and points of view. Its fostered toxic mistrust in our systems of governance, shaped by the loudest voices and extremes," Hancock stated.
Hancock also shared advice for Mayor-elect Mike Johnston: always be honest, don't pay attention to social media and know you're not alone. He praised his staff and the city's 11,000 employees.
Johnston will be inaugurated on Monday at 10:30 a.m.