Wellington Webb: The Man, the Mayor, and the Making of Modern Denver

Wellington Webb was Denver's first African American mayor and is a nationally recognized political figure. "I am the most unlikely person to have been elected mayor," said Webb, who described himself as a former sickly child with asthma who faced family problems and personal tragedy. In 1991 he beat the odds of an underdog candidacy to win the mayoral race. During the campaign he walked the entire city, meeting voters and sleeping in the homes of residents. Among his many accomplishments during his 12 years as mayor were the opening of Denver International Airport, the transformation of the Central Platte River Valley from abandoned rail yards to a thriving community, adding the most new parks and open space than any other mayor, and the redevelopment of former Stapleton International Airport and former Lowry Air Force Base.