Best Political Appointment -- City 2004 | Roxane White, Denver Department of Human Services | Best of DenverĀ® | Best Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Music and Stores in Denver | Westword
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Best Political Appointment -- City

Roxane White, Denver Department of Human Services

With appointment after appointment, Mayor John Hickenlooper has brought a stellar lineup of talent to the city -- and a stellar lineup on the cheap, since he'd vowed to cut the mayor's budget by 25 percent. But even in this embarrassment of riches, Roxane White, the city's new manager of human services, stands out. With the current budget crunch, all jobs are tough -- but hers could be the toughest, since social services have taken a huge hit on both a federal and statewide level, even as the number of those in need rises daily. But White's up to the task. As director of Urban Peak, a nonprofit serving homeless youth, for eight years, she proved herself both a tireless fighter for the underclass and a creative administrator who figured out how to do more with less. Or, in some cases, nothing at all. With White in charge, human services suddenly became a lot more human.

Best Political Appointment -- City

Roxane White, Denver Department of Human Services

With appointment after appointment, Mayor John Hickenlooper has brought a stellar lineup of talent to the city -- and a stellar lineup on the cheap, since he'd vowed to cut the mayor's budget by 25 percent. But even in this embarrassment of riches, Roxane White, the city's new manager of human services, stands out. With the current budget crunch, all jobs are tough -- but hers could be the toughest, since social services have taken a huge hit on both a federal and statewide level, even as the number of those in need rises daily. But White's up to the task. As director of Urban Peak, a nonprofit serving homeless youth, for eight years, she proved herself both a tireless fighter for the underclass and a creative administrator who figured out how to do more with less. Or, in some cases, nothing at all. With White in charge, human services suddenly became a lot more human.

Best Save by the City

Denver Police Mounted Patrol

When Monday Night Football came to town a few years ago, that national broadcast featured shots of Denver's mounted police on the 16th Street Mall. City Councilman Charlie Brown remembered that -- and he's not about to let you forget it. So when budget cuts threatened to put the Denver Police Department's mounted patrol out to pasture, Brown came riding to the rescue. Armed with a great poster of the patrol by artist William Matthews, whose studio/gallery borders the mall, Brown lobbied loud and hard for the four-footed crime-fighters, and two of the five positions were saved.

Best Save by the City

Denver Police Mounted Patrol

When Monday Night Football came to town a few years ago, that national broadcast featured shots of Denver's mounted police on the 16th Street Mall. City Councilman Charlie Brown remembered that -- and he's not about to let you forget it. So when budget cuts threatened to put the Denver Police Department's mounted patrol out to pasture, Brown came riding to the rescue. Armed with a great poster of the patrol by artist William Matthews, whose studio/gallery borders the mall, Brown lobbied loud and hard for the four-footed crime-fighters, and two of the five positions were saved.

Best New Voice at the State Capitol

Representative Andrew Romanoff

Colorado Democrats have been looking for energetic new leaders, and they've found a promising one in Romanoff. As leader of the perpetual minority party in the Statehouse, Romanoff's managed to stir things up under the Capitol dome. He's made far-reaching proposals to solve the state's budget crisis and gotten Democrats into the limelight -- not an easy thing to do when Republicans control both the legislature and the governor's office. Romanoff, who represents east Denver, also writes an intelligent, amusing e-mail letter every week for constituents and supporters that's becoming a must-read (subscribe at [email protected]). With Colorado in a fiscal mess, we'll need people like Romanoff to show the way out -- and maybe even lead us into the future.

Best New Voice at the State Capitol

Representative Andrew Romanoff

Colorado Democrats have been looking for energetic new leaders, and they've found a promising one in Romanoff. As leader of the perpetual minority party in the Statehouse, Romanoff's managed to stir things up under the Capitol dome. He's made far-reaching proposals to solve the state's budget crisis and gotten Democrats into the limelight -- not an easy thing to do when Republicans control both the legislature and the governor's office. Romanoff, who represents east Denver, also writes an intelligent, amusing e-mail letter every week for constituents and supporters that's becoming a must-read (subscribe at [email protected]). With Colorado in a fiscal mess, we'll need people like Romanoff to show the way out -- and maybe even lead us into the future.

Best Scandal

University of Colorado's Rapecruitment Program

Beat 'em, bust 'em, that's our custom! Some schools are steeped in athletic traditions that include such gaudy honors as national championships and future pro zillionaires. But that's nothing. CU already had a rich history of unsportsmanlike misbehavior, and with the current tales of alcohol-fueled recruiting rape parties, alleged sexual assaults by team members, reported Buff brass coverups and a cast of characters ranging from CU prez Betsy Hoffman to coach Gary Barnett to Boulder DA Mary Keenan to scribe Rick Reilly, the University of Colorado has reached its number-one ranking in sleaze! And such sleaze that Representative John Conyers (a Democrat, no less!) asked the House Judiciary Committee chair to schedule hearings into misconduct by CU's football program, noting that "reports have detailed, at a minimum, a widespread culture of disrespect toward women within the Colorado athletic department, producing an atmosphere where sexual assaults are condoned and covered up by university officials."

But here's the big news. The lawmaker recognizes that this stuff goes on "at other universities as well." Which means the rest of the nation is taking its cue from CU. At last. Forget CU being the number-one party school. The Buffs land us at the top of the scandal heap, too.

Best Scandal

University of Colorado's Rapecruitment Program

Beat 'em, bust 'em, that's our custom! Some schools are steeped in athletic traditions that include such gaudy honors as national championships and future pro zillionaires. But that's nothing. CU already had a rich history of unsportsmanlike misbehavior, and with the current tales of alcohol-fueled recruiting rape parties, alleged sexual assaults by team members, reported Buff brass coverups and a cast of characters ranging from CU prez Betsy Hoffman to coach Gary Barnett to Boulder DA Mary Keenan to scribe Rick Reilly, the University of Colorado has reached its number-one ranking in sleaze! And such sleaze that Representative John Conyers (a Democrat, no less!) asked the House Judiciary Committee chair to schedule hearings into misconduct by CU's football program, noting that "reports have detailed, at a minimum, a widespread culture of disrespect toward women within the Colorado athletic department, producing an atmosphere where sexual assaults are condoned and covered up by university officials."

But here's the big news. The lawmaker recognizes that this stuff goes on "at other universities as well." Which means the rest of the nation is taking its cue from CU. At last. Forget CU being the number-one party school. The Buffs land us at the top of the scandal heap, too.

Best Comment on the CU Recruiting Scandal

Joyce Lebra

When retired University of Colorado history professor Joyce Lebra learned that she'd be receiving the University Medal, a service award given by CU, she sent a letter to the Board of Regents. It was not a thank-you note. "The massive concrete stadium structure looming over the campus stands as a symbol of the gross distortion of priorities at the university and moreover is incongruent with the architecture of the campus," Lebra wrote. "The football program has proven, moreover, to foster a culture of sexism and misogyny where harassment and rape of women has occurred repeatedly."

She turned down the award.

Best Comment on the CU Recruiting Scandal

Joyce Lebra

When retired University of Colorado history professor Joyce Lebra learned that she'd be receiving the University Medal, a service award given by CU, she sent a letter to the Board of Regents. It was not a thank-you note. "The massive concrete stadium structure looming over the campus stands as a symbol of the gross distortion of priorities at the university and moreover is incongruent with the architecture of the campus," Lebra wrote. "The football program has proven, moreover, to foster a culture of sexism and misogyny where harassment and rape of women has occurred repeatedly."

She turned down the award.

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