Mayor Johnston Announces City Attorney Nomination

Published on September 28, 2023

Mayor Mike Johnston today announced Kerry Tipper’s nomination to continue as City Attorney for the Mayor’s Office, pending City Council approval. The City Attorney is a key position within the Mayor's leadership team.

"Kerry’s dedication and passion for Denver is apparent through her tireless work as City Attorney,” Mayor Mike Johnston said. “Her expertise and commitment to public service has strengthened our city's commitment to build a stronger, more vibrant future for all residents.” 

Kerry C. Tipper - City Attorney 

Kerry C. Tipper was first appointed as Denver’s City Attorney in 2022 by Mayor Michael B. Hancock, after previously serving as the Deputy City Attorney. She is the first Latina in Denver’s history to be appointed as City Attorney.

Tipper is a Uniform Law Commissioner, where she represents Colorado at the national level. She also serves on the non-profit boards of The Colorado Children’s Campaign, The Action Center, and the Caring for Denver Foundation.

Prior to her work in the City Attorney’s Office, Tipper was elected in 2018 to the Colorado House of Representatives. She was on the Judiciary, Finance, Appropriations, and Health and Insurance House Committees and was the Treasurer for the Democratic Latino Caucus.

Tipper was born in Colorado and spent her early childhood in Mexico and Costa Rica, alternating between her parents’ distinct cultures and languages. She hails from a legacy of deep public service and draws inspiration from her father, Ed Tipper, who served in WWII and taught in Jeffco Public School for decades.

The City Attorney’s Office serves as the legal adviser to the Mayor, City Council, City Auditor, City Clerk, Recorder and all City departments and agencies. Employing over 230 attorneys, paralegals, victim advocates, legal secretaries, and business operations professionals, the office handles a wide array of legal issues that impact the citizens of Denver and beyond.

Denver’s City Charter requires that Cabinet appointments be confirmed via a resolution passed by Denver City Council. The resolutions generally take three weeks to go through the full Council process.