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Denver Mayor's $22K Severance Deal with Ousted Transportation Director Includes Non-Disparagement Clause
Mayor Mike Johnston asked transportation director Amy Ford to resign in October, offering $22,525 in severance in exchange for a non-disparagement agreement. The deal, revealed in a separation agreement obtained by Axios, raises new transparency questions for an administration already criticized for withholding information.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston requested the resignation of his transportation director, Amy Ford, in October and secured her departure with a $22,525 severance package that includes a clause barring her from criticizing his administration, according to a separation agreement obtained by Axios and first reported by 9NEWS.
Ford, who served as executive director of the Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure for three years, agreed on Oct. 9 to step down effective Dec. 4. The agreement restricts her from making disparaging remarks about Johnston or his administration.
When the mayor's office announced Ford's departure on Nov. 2, it did not disclose the requested resignation or the severance deal, instead stating that Ford was leaving to pursue another role.
"The mayor and I are in agreement about my departure," Ford said in a text message to Axios on Thursday, adding that "the time was right for both of us to make a change." Johnston spokesperson Jon Ewing described the situation as a "mutual understanding" and confirmed that the mayor initiated the conversation.
The circumstances surrounding Ford's exit have renewed scrutiny of the mayor's office, which has faced repeated criticism for withholding information from the public. The transportation department has also come under fire for slow-moving projects and service complaints, including a reversed redesign of Alameda Avenue, poorly communicated street changes, and issues with the city's sole scooter operator, Veo.
City Council member Flor Alvidrez questioned who was truly responsible for the department's decisions. "Is she getting cut because of [Johnston's] decisions, or hers? That part is blurry," Alvidrez told 9NEWS.
Cindy Patton, the department's chief operating officer, will serve as interim director. The mayor's office said a permanent director will be announced "at a later date."
The severance agreement and the administration's initial silence on the forced resignation add to a pattern of transparency concerns that have dogged Johnston's office, including disputes over budget audits and public information. For residents who rely on the transportation department for safe streets and reliable service, the leadership shakeup raises questions about accountability and the direction of the city's mobility priorities.