Hick hints at Guv run

'Greater impact' as governor cited

Alan Gathright And Stuart Steers, Rocky Mountain News

Published February 4, 2006 at midnight

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John Hickenlooper loves being Denver's mayor.

But he said Friday he has concluded he could have "greater impact" as governor.

Hickenlooper stopped short of making a formal announcement to run, but his spontaneous revelation during an affordable housing conference led many in the audience to infer that he has decided he can do the most for Colorado as governor.

"I don't think the governor's job could be as much fun as the mayor's job," Hickenlooper said after an audience member asked if he will run for governor. "But I do believe now it probably has greater impact.

"You know, my plan was only to give 10 or 15 years to public service. If you're going to look at it that way, you should probably try to be as useful and have (the) maximum impact as you can."

"So it's a balancing act of what you love and what you know (in the mayor's role) vs. maybe having more impact in a different place," Hickenlooper continued.

The mayor vowed to make the decision soon on the question people have been asking nonstop for nearly two months: whether he'll run or not.

"Certainly within the next few days I promise we will get it figured out," Hickenlooper said. "I know people are sick of talking about it."

The mayor's off-the-cuff comments came while taking questions following a brief address at the housing conference sponsored by the University of Denver and held at the Police Protective Association center.

The remarks caused a stir in the audience. Several attendees told reporters they interpreted Hickenlooper's comments as meaning he is leaning toward running.

"I think he put more than a toe in the water. I think he's up to his patella - that's the kneecap," said City Councilman Charlie Brown, who was among several council members in attendance.

"I turned to the people sitting at the table with me and they thought he was definitely going to run after his statement," Brown said, referring to several real estate bankers at the conference.

Democratic candidates already in the race are former Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter and state Rep. Gary Lindstrom, of Breckenridge. Republican candidates are U.S. Rep. Bob Beauprez and former University of Denver President Marc Holtzman.

Today, the mayor's top appointees will meet for their annual meeting at the Hyatt Regency Denver.

"I think tomorrow's staff meeting at the Hyatt will probably be the most well-attended staff meeting in the history of Denver," Brown said Friday. "I just think a lot of people are going to go there to find out what's gong to happen."

Brown added: "My hunch is that I think he's obligated to let (his Cabinet) know what his plans are and maybe make the big announcement on Sunday."

But a couple other City Council members at the conference Friday weren't so sure.

"I think by not committing he made it real clear that he had not made a decision and he was going to a make some kind of announcement early next week," said Councilwoman Elbra Wedgeworth. "The bottom line is that regardless of who's putting pressure on him, he has to want to do this."

She said it's clear the pressure is building on Hickenlooper because "it's kind of like water torture."

"People are after you and they're asking you questions," she said. "And there's a lot of other things going on with the city that need to be addressed and this is the main thing everyone is focusing in on right now.

"I think people are saying you've got to make a decision because it's only fair to yourself and your family, but also to Bill Ritter."

Said Councilwoman Peggy Lehmann: "I think the reason nobody knows (if Hickenlooper will run) is because I don't think he knows. . . . If he knew and he had told somebody (he was running), the rumor would be out there, and I hear none of that."

Of any pending announcement, Lehmann, like many people, said, "I am really looking forward to that."

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