Denver Mayor Mike Johnston still hasn’t filled critical cabinet posts

Four months into his tenure as Denver’s mayor, Mike Johnston still has holes to fill on his administration’s leadership chart and is trailing his predecessor in building out his cabinet.

Johnston’s slower pace of naming appointees — including several for key cabinet-level positions charged with helping shape public safety, development and infrastructure in the city — has caught the attention of political observers.

“It’s surprising,” said Paul Teske, the dean of the University of Colorado Denver’s School of Public Affairs. “Watching Mike over the years, he’s always had smart people working with him. He’s a very well-networked guy.”

Of 60 appointed positions under the mayor’s control, 11 were either vacant or occupied by interim or acting leaders as of…