John Hickenlooper: Coining a new governor at the State Capitol, and keeping the change

The most moving sight in a day filled with eye-popping activities surrounding the inauguration of John Hickenlooper: the lineup of former governors -- Dick Lamm, Roy Romer, Bill Owens, Bill Ritter (and on video, John Vanderhoof) -- on the stage of the Fillmore Auditorium. The oddest sight? Another lineup...

By Patricia Calhoun

January 12, 2011

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The most moving sight in a day filled with eye-popping activities surrounding the inauguration of John Hickenlooper: the lineup of former governors -- Dick Lamm, Roy Romer, Bill Owens, Bill Ritter (and on video, John Vanderhoof) -- on the stage of the Fillmore Auditorium.

The oddest sight? Another lineup.

Along with an InaugurAle glass, this commemorative coin -- etched with the visages of Governor Hickenlooper and Lieutenant Governor Joe Garcia -- was handed to revelers as they left the Fillmore. In his sixteen-minute speech earlier that day, Hickenlooper made it clear he plans to make changes -- but we didn't expect to pick up change at the door.

At least the likenesses of the governor/lieutenant governor are better than those on the coin commemorating the upcoming nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

From the Denver City and County Building to the State Capitol to...Buckingham Palace?

Could just be a flip of the coin.

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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