False claims. Quiet deals. Missing millions.
The big picture: Mayor Mike Johnston is facing growing criticism over what some call a pattern of secrecy and spin — fueling doubts about his honesty just as he asks voters to trust him with $950 million for his Vibrant Denver bond package.
Why it matters: The timing couldn't be worse. With revelations piling up about backroom land swaps, misleading statements and hidden debts, the mayor's credibility is becoming a key question on the November ballot.
Driving the news: In the past week alone, Johnston has faced mounting scrutiny over:
A secret land swap: A CBS4 investigation found Johnston quietly gave a developer 20 extra acres of Denver International Airport land — 14% more than the public deal City Council approved — in exchange for the Park Hill Golf Course.
A defiant surveillance renewal: Last week, Johnston unilaterally renewed the city's contract with the controversial Flock license plate reader system, despite overwhelming opposition from City Council.
A damaging false claim: In defending Flock, Johnston falsely claimed in a 9News interview last week that the technology...
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