Denver’s Mayor Mike Johnston Receives Free Super Bowl Tickets Amidst Budget Cuts and Ethical Concerns
In the midst of Denver facing a self-inflicted "migrant crisis" and implementing significant budget cuts, Mayor Mike Johnston found himself enjoying the highly anticipated Super Bowl in Las Vegas last Sunday.
According to 9News, Mayor Johnston was the special guest of former Denver Broncos quarterback Brian Griese, who is currently an assistant coach with the San Francisco 49ers. The two have been friends for about 20 years, as confirmed by the mayor's office.
While accepting Super Bowl tickets may raise eyebrows, apparently Denver's permissive ethics policy allows for it.
The policy only limits gifts in cases where the recipient holds a position that can directly influence the donor and the donor is involved in city business. So, Mayor Johnston's “gifted” Super Bowl tickets falls within the bounds of this policy.
Johnston’s free luxury getaway stings many manciple workers who are grappling with budget cuts, which included reductions in funding for essential services like the police department and the animal shelter. For many Denver residents, Mayor Johnston's attendance at this weekend’s Super Bowl raises questions about priorities.
As you can imagine, Super Bowl tickets for two are well out of the price range for the vast majority of Coloradans or Denver residents. The average price leading up to the Super Bowl reached nearly ten grand per person, minus hotel, airfare and food.
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Critics argue that even though Mayor Johnston's acceptance of the tickets may be technically permissible under Denver's ethics policy, it sends the wrong message to the public. At a time when the city is facing budgetary constraints and making difficult decisions regarding funding allocation, attending an extravagant event like the Super Bowl raises concerns about the mayor's priorities and the city's ethical standards.
While Mayor Johnston's friendship with Brian Griese and the opportunity to attend the Super Bowl may be enticing, it is crucial for elected officials to consider the optics and the potential impact on public perception.
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