Webb, Wellington E. (Wellington Edward), 1941-

<p>Wellington E. Webb (born February 17, 1941) is an American politician. He served in the Colorado House of Representatives and was the first African American mayor of Denver, Colorado, serving from 1991 to 2003.</p>

<p>The Webb family relocated from Chicago to the Northeast section of Denver in August 1954, where the imposing six-foot, five-inch youth became active in sports. He is a graduate of the city's Manual High School. Webb was an all-conference basketball player at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado, in 1960. He obtained his B.A. in sociology from Colorado State College in 1964 and his M.A. in sociology from the same school, now known as the University of Northern Colorado, in 1971.</p>

<p>In 1972, Webb was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives, representing northeast Denver. In 1977, Webb was selected by President Jimmy Carter to serve as regional director of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. In 1981, Colorado Governor Richard Lamm appointed Webb to his cabinet as executive director of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). Webb was elected Denver city auditor in 1987 and served until 1991.</p>

<p>Wellington Webb was born in Chicago in 1941. He came to Denver at a very early age and before entering politics he was a forklift operator. Webb’s public service career began in 1972 when he was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives. In 1977, he was selected by President James Carter to serve as regional director of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Then in 1981, Colorado Governor Richard Lamm appointed Webb to his cabinet as Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. In 1987, he was elected as the Denver City Auditor.</p>

<p>In 1991, Webb became the first African American mayor of Denver. He won reelection twice, serving a total of twelve years. During his tenure he named the first Hispanic police chief, the first African American fire chief and the first Hispanic Clerk and Recorder. He also oversaw the construction of Denver International Airport and ensured that many of its concessions would be operated b women and minority entrepreneurs. Mayor Webb hosted nearly 200,000 people from around the world to celebrate World Youth Day with Pope John Paul II on August 11-15, 1993, and in 1997 welcomed President Clinton and eight world leaders at the Denver Summit of the Eight, the annual economic summit.</p>

<p>A new city office building was named the Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building in 2002 just before he left office. In addition, Denver Health and Hospitals named their primary care facility in his honor in 2006. Since leaving office, former Mayor Webb has partnered with a real estate developer to build affordable housing.</p>

<p>Wellington E. Webb, the first African American Mayor of Denver, was born on February 17, 1941, in Chicago. The Webb family relocated to the Northeast section of Denver, where the imposing six-foot, five-inch youth became active in sports. Webb was an all-conference basketball player at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado, in 1960. He obtained his B.A. in sociology from Colorado State College at Greeley in 1964 and his M.A. in sociology from the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley in 1971.</p>

<p>Webb was turned down twice for teaching positions in the Denver public schools. He was working as a forklift operator when he sought advice from his grandmother, Helen M. Gamble, who was active in the community affairs of northeast Denver. Following her advice, he went to city hall and was offered a job. She taught Webb about political involvement and political clout. Webb’s political career had begun.</p>

<p>In 1972, Webb was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives, representing his boyhood home in northeast Denver. In 1977, Webb was selected by President Jimmy Carter to serve as regional director of the U.S. Department of Health Education and Welfare. In 1981, Colorado Governor Richard Lamm appointed Webb to his cabinet as executive director of the Department of Regulatory Agencies. Webb was elected Denver city auditor in 1987, where his track record paved the way for his successful and historic mayoral bid in 1991.</p>

<p><b>RACES</b>
<ul>
<li> 05/04/1999 Denver Mayor Won 80.77% (+73.28%)</li>
<li> 06/06/1995 Denver Mayor - Runoff Won 54.10% (+8.21%)</li>
<li> 05/02/1995 Denver Mayor Won 42.72% (+0.00%)</li>
<li> 06/18/1991 Denver Mayor - Runoff Won 57.65% (+15.31%)</li>
<li> 05/21/1991 Denver Mayor Won 29.80% (+0.00%)</li>
<li> 06/16/1987 Denver Auditor - Runoff Won 63.36% (+26.72%)</li>
<li> 05/19/1987 Denver Auditor Won 47.97% (+23.36%)</li>
<li> 05/17/1983 Denver Mayor Lost 7.04% (-29.24%)</li>
<li> 11/02/1976 CO State House 08 Won 96.69% (+93.39%)</li>
<li> 11/05/1974 CO State House 08 Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li> 11/07/1972 CO State House 08 Won 82.14% (+71.17%)</li>
</ul>
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