Mayor Mike Johnston paid Denver’s transportation leader $22,000 to resign

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston asked Amy Ford, director of the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, to resign on Oct. 9, 2026, and the city agreed to pay her $22,500. The separation agreement, obtained by The Denver Post, included a non-disparagement clause and was announced one day before the midterm election. According to the document, Ford agreed not to make any statement that might “disparage, discredit or reflect negatively on Mayor Johnston” and waived her right to file lawsuits against the city. The separation agreement, signed Oct. 9, stipulates the city will pay Ford $22,500, equivalent to six weeks of her annual salary of approximately $195,000. Johnston’s office instructed Ford to announce her departure on Nov. 2, one day before the midterm election, according to The Denver Post. Officials announced Ford’s resignation this week without providing further explanation. 9News first reported Johnston’s resignation request and the terms of the paid agreement.

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