A Mile High

Denver buys Peña's dream

In cavernous Currigan Hall, firecrackers exploded and blue and white balloons spelled out the winning name: PEÑA. Outside, young people cruised in cars down Denver's historic Larimer Street, chanting "Chicano power!" Echoing his campaign slogan, Federico Peña told the packed hall of supporters last week, "Let us create a great American city for the '80s."

Peña, 36, a wiry bachelor and former state legislator, topped former District Attorney Dale Tooley, 49, by fewer than 4,500 votes, out of the record 155,000 cast in Denver's mayoral runoff. His election makes him the Mile High City's first Hispanic mayor and augments a small but growing group of influential and visible Hispanic leaders across the U.S. All Democrats, the club includes New Mexico Governor Toney Anaya and Mayors Maurice Ferré of Miami, Henry Cisneros of San Antonio and Louis Montaño of Santa Fe. When Peña, a political unknown and son of a Texas cotton trader, is sworn in this week, it will end the 14-year reign of William McNichols Jr., 73. Tainted by ineptitude and scandals involving his appointees, Mayor Bill, as he was known, finished a poor third in a field of seven in a May bipartisan election.

Peña, a liberal Democrat, made the most of the city's 18% Hispanic vote, carrying some heavily Hispanic and blue-collar precincts by as much as 9 to 1. More important, he deftly built a broad coalition, largely of political outsiders, that included Asians, blacks, young white professionals, women, environmentalists and labor groups. Although earnest and nearly humorless, Peña showed a warmth and directness that excited crowds. He also took strong stands on issues ranging from an antidiscrimination law for gays to a promise to try to bring major league baseball to Denver.

His 4,000 volunteers helped to register thousands of new voters. They used special amplifier phones to reach the deaf, sent mailings in extra-large print to senior citizens and put up 8,000 yard signs with slogans that often changed weekly. It was a remarkably well-orchestrated effort. But Peña's biggest challenge begins as he takes control of the city's 14,000 workers and $630 million budget. Though Denver (pop. 490,000) has little debt and a sound bond rating, Peña cautioned: "We're on the verge of becoming great, or decaying. The warning signals—decaying neighborhoods, declining population, air pollution—they're all here."