Business savvy and understanding of the new tech oriented residents made an impact in Denver Mayorial Race

John Hickenlooper is Denver’s next mayor because he tapped into the new power base of the city: the pro-business, college-educated urbanite, say many in Denver’s business community.

"John understood this period of historic change in Denver. John, in fact, embodies that change," said former Denver Mayor Federico Pena.

By Louis Aguilar, Denver Post Business Writer

Hickenlooper, more than any other candidate, knew how to reach the educated transplants that fill the city – and speak to their entrepreneurial spirit, business leaders said.

Time and again, Denver’s business leaders were impressed with the restaurateur’s ideas on how to lift the city out of its current economic doldrums. Thousands of jobs have disappeared from the city in the past two years. The city government is expecting a deficit of $50 million in 2004.

"I didn’t see a political neophyte. I saw a candidate with incredible ideas and someone (who has) a true love for Denver," said Linda Alvarado, owner of Alvarado Construction and co-owner of the Colorado Rockies baseball team.

She recalls meeting Hickenlooper during the Rockies’ opening day this season. Hickenlooper was there to woo her support. The candidate also knew that Alvarado, who is Hispanic, was friends with Don Mares.

"I remember his incredible energy," Alvarado said. "I just thought this was a guy who knows how to think out of the box. He knew Denver so well and he was so well-informed.

"I think most of us expect a new streamlined approach to dealing with government," Alvarado added. "Who more than a business person knows how to make changes quickly? Who knows how to deal with a bad downturn better than a business person? We need a smart bottom-line approach to government."

Many expect Hickenlooper to surround himself with business-savvy people in his administration. His campaign gathered many powerful friends and supporters, and Hickenlooper will have a wide array of business talent to choose from.

A key Hickenlooper economic adviser is Michael Bennet, a former counsel under U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno who now invests money for Qwest founder Phil Anschutz.

Bennet signed on early in Hickenlooper’s campaign. So did Frederic Hamilton, president and chief executive of Hamilton Oil, who will have the new wing of the Denver Art Museum named in his honor.

Hickenlooper had sought Pena’s advice ever since the brewpub owner began considering running for mayor. So had Don Mares and other mayoral candidates. Pena, who is currently a venture capitalist, did not endorse any candidate.

"I told (Hickenlooper) to be specific," Pena said. "I told him to think boldly. I told him write position papers."

Hickenlooper has done all of this.

Hickenlooper sought Pena’s advice as recently as Monday night, when the two had a lengthy phone conversation.

During the campaign, Hickenlooper had often said he intends to uphold Pena’s vision of turning Denver into the "City-Beautiful," which is a phrase actually coined by another former mayor, Robert Speer, early in the 20th century.

And in Hickenlooper’s campaign, Pena saw shades of the coalition that helped him become a two-term mayor, Pena says.

When Pena was first elected in 1983, the city’s Hispanic community amounted to 18 percent of the population. He reached out to Hispanics, but he also reached out to the growing Asian-American community, the gay community and a small group of civic-minded young professionals who expressed interest in renovating downtown Denver.

"The voting composition in Denver has changed tremendously. While there are a large number of Hispanics, a good number of those Hispanics are recent immigrants," Pena said. About a third of Denver residents are Hispanic, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

"But what John also saw – I think better than any other candidate – is the large number of young professionals who have moved to this city," Pena said. "These are young people involved in the high-tech, aerospace and telecommunications industry.

"And they have moved here for the urban experience. They often came here from other parts of the country, and John understood they want to feel a part of this city. They want to celebrate Denver’s successful downtown and its vibrant neighborhoods.

"John understands that so well, and he campaigned to them. But he did it with a message of inclusiveness and with the innovative approach of an entrepreneur," Pena said.

http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~11~1433360,00.html