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Michael C. Johnston Sworn In as 46th Mayor of Denver

Six new Denver City Council members were also sworn in.
Image: new mayor in tie raises hands
Mike Johnston greets the crowd. Evan Semón Photography

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This morning, July 17, Michael Johnston was sworn in as the 46th mayor of Denver, Colorado, by Judge Nicole Rodarte, presiding judge of Denver County Court, at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Six new members of Denver City Council were also sworn in.

Michael Hancock, who's leaving City Hall after three terms as mayor and two on city council, received a standing ovation and a hug from Johnston, who seemed eager to start his new job and ended his speech with "Now, let's get to work!"
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Michael Johnston's swearing-in ceremony on July 17 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.
Evan Semón Photography
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Denver City Council members and other newly elected officials joined Michael Johnston on stage.
Evan Semón Photography
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Members of the Spirituals Project sang the National Anthem.
Evan Semón Photography
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Denver City Council President Jamie Torres served as the emcee.
Evan Semón Photography
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Michael Hancock makes his last entrance as mayor.
Evan Semón Photography
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Mike Johnston moves center stage.
Evan Semón Photography
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Michael Hancock greets Mike Johnston.
Evan Semón Photography
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Mike Johnston surrounded by his family at the swearing-in ceremony.
Evan Semón Photography
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Poet Bobby LeFebre, the state poet laureate, prepared the crowd for Johnston's speech.
Evan Semón Photography
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Like JFK, Mike Johnston mentioned sending a man to the moon as a way to stay positive about the future.
Evan Semón Photography
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Denver's 44th mayor, now-Colorado U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, and his wife, Robin Pringle Hickenlooper, attended the inauguration ceremony.
Evan Semón Photography
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Denver's 42nd mayor, Wellington Webb, and First Lady Wilma Webb.
Evan Semón Photography
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Denver's 46th mayor speaks with Denver's 41st mayor, Federico Peña, after the inauguration.
Evan Semón Photography

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Mike Johnston hugs his mother, Sarah "Sally" Johnston, while his daughter looks on.
Evan Semón Photography