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AuthorJeremy P. Meyer of The Denver Post.

In a packed Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre filled with dignitaries and elected officials, Michael Hancock was sworn in today as Denver’s 45th mayor.

“No one ever thought that this skinny kid from northeast Denver and Manual High graduate would rise to achieve his dreams of becoming mayor,” Hancock said in his 20-minute speech. “But thanks to my faith and my family, thanks to the support of neighbors, schools and people all across our great city, I have become the person I am today.”

The change-over of the city administration also included six new council members and a new clerk and recorder.

Hancock, 41, started his campaign for mayor in November, faced off against a field of competitors that rose to more than a dozen and finally into a month-long runoff against former state Sen. Chris Romer.

Though he was outspent by Romer and didn’t have the name recognition of the son of a former Colorado governor, Hancock handily beat Romer by more than 20,000 votes.

Hancock, who’s been a city council member for eight years and before that headed up the nonprofit Urban League, said he has been pining to be mayor since he was a young man.

He was even videotaped at age 15 telling a television news reporter that he hoped to be Denver’s first black mayor. That honor went to Wellington Webb, but Hancock nonetheless had a vision.

Outgoing Mayor Guillermo “Bill” Vidal said in a humorous speech that received a standing ovation that at age 15 he was dreaming of being an astronaut.

Hancock, wearing a dark blue suit and flanked by his wife Mary Louise, was sworn in by Denver District Court Chief Judge Robert Hyatt followed by a standing ovation.

Hancock then took the stage that was adorned with a playground set, a painted cow statues and street signs.

He introduced two members of the Little Rock Nine — Ernie Green and Carlotta LaNier, who in the 1950s broke the color barrier in a segregated Arkansas school.

In his speech, Hancock talked about his administration’s plans, saying that he wants to build out FasTracks, find a “win-win-win solution” to the National Western Stock Show issue and “turn the entire 22-mile corridor between DIA and Downtown into a Corridor of Opportunity.”

Before his swearing in, City Council President Chris Nevitt noted a few momentous achievements in the inauguration.

“The longest serving mayor was a member of the Ku Klux Klan and today we swear in our second black mayor,” Nevitt said, also noting that the state infamously approved the anti-gay Amendment 2 that prevents protected status for homosexuals.

“But today we swear in our first openly gay member of the City Council,” Nevitt said about Robin Kniech for the citywide council position.

Politicians in the audience said the city is in good hands.

“He (Michael) doesn’t need my advice,” said Gov. John Hickenlooper. “He needs to keep doing what he already is. He is assembling a talented team. It’s never just your vision. It’s all the people around who who help to craft that vision.”

State Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver, said the Denver mayor is one of the most important politicians in the region.

“The Denver mayor is a leader for the entire Metro area, not just Denver,” he said. “If you ask someone in Wheat Ridge or Federal Heights who their mayor is they would be likely to name the Denver mayor. Many people say the mayor is the most powerful position in the state, and he has the opportunity to rise to that.”

Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia said he is looking forward to working with Hancock and his administration.

“Looking for a financial solution to cover the needs of the city with limited resources available will be one of his greatest challenges,” he said. “Hiring Cary Kennedy (as chief financial officer) is already a big solution.”

Today’s transfer of the city government’s power also included six new council members: Debbie Ortega and Kniech in the at-large seats; Albus Brooks in District 8; Chris Herndon in Hancock’s District 11 seat; Susan Shepherd in District 1; and Mary Beth Susman in District 5.

Council members who retained their seats were also sworn in for their next terms: Charlie Brown, Paul Lopez, Jeanne Faatz, Jeanne Robb; Chris Nevitt, Peggy Lehmann and Judy Montero.

Also, auditor Dennis Gallagher and new clerk and recorder Debra A. Johnson were also sworn in.

Hancock is expected to announce more appointments to his team today.

So far, Hancock’s team has announced a handful of positions, including Janice Sinden as chief of staff, Wil Alston as communications director and Kennedy as chief financial officer along with Ed Scholz as deputy finance officer.

Jeremy P. Meyer: 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com