Denver mayor to face ethics board over Thanksgiving travel amid pandemic

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock (D) will have to defend himself to Denver’s Board of Ethics over his trip to see his family over Thanksgiving after telling others not to travel over the holiday season.

The Denver Board of Ethics voted Wednesday to continue to look into this case and will discuss the situation at next month’s meeting, The Denver Post reported. Hancock must respond to the complaint before the meeting takes place. 

A complaint was sent to the Board of Ethics after the Democratic mayor flew to Texas and rented a car to drive to Mississippi to have Thanksgiving dinner with his wife and youngest daughter. 

Hancock was telling people on Twitter to avoid travel and to host virtual Thanksgiving as he was traveling to Mississippi to see his family. Mike Strott, a spokesman for Hancock’s office, told the Denver Post at the time that there wasn’t a contradiction between Hancock’s words and actions. 

“(Hancock) has told people to rethink their Thanksgiving plans. He has also said that if you do travel to follow health and safety guidelines and the mayor will still follow health and safety guidelines upon his return,” Strott said. Strott said Hancock was only going to see his daughter and wife when their family normally hosted 50 people.

“I made my decision as a husband and father, and for those who are angry and disappointed, I humbly ask you to forgive decisions that are borne of my heart and not my head,” Hancock said after receiving backlash. 

Health officials were advising everyone during the holidays not to travel and to limit gatherings in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus. There are still restrictions on travel and some areas of the country still do not allow indoor dining due to the pandemic.