For those of you, like me, who’ve known Wynkoop founder John Hickenlooper for a number of years, this is potentially great news. By all accounts, he’s been a very effective mayor for Denver, and has for some time been urged to run for Governor of Colorado, though so far he’s declined.
The most likely candidate for the next election had been thought to be Ken Salazar, currently Secretary of the Interior in the Obama administration. But according to the Denver Post today, Salazar will not be running, preferring to stay at his cabinet post, and has endorsed John Hickenlooper as a candidate for Colorado governor. There’s a picture on the Post’s website of both Salazar and Hickenlooper at the press conference where he made the announcement, fueling further speculation that the Denver mayor may indeed choose to run this time.
In a statement released by Salazar, he said of Hickenlooper. “John Hickenlooper is a uniter. He transcends political and geographic divides to bring people together to develop solutions. If he decides to run, he will make an excellent Governor for the State of Colorado.” Still no official word from Hickenlooper, but I assume he’s giving it careful consideration and we should know something soon. Finger crossed, I think a (former — he’s divested himself of Wynkoop) brewery owner governor would be great.
I think Hickenlooper would be a popular candidate here in Colorado. He even enjoys showing up to beer fests. I ran into him at the Beer Drinker of the Year awards at the Wynkoop last year. He’s very amiable. He’d at least fight to protect our craft beer economy here in the Centennial state.
I think “Hick” would be a great governor. Hopefully, he’ll decide it’s time to move up/on from mayor.
It’s official – http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_14172465