CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER

DEPARTMENT OF LAW 1437 Bannock Street
Kirsten J. Crawford
Legislative Counsel

Troy C. Bratton
Deputy Legislative Counsel

Room 353
Denver, Colorado 80202
Phone: 720-865-8600
FAX: 720-865-8796

April 3, 2018
Sent via U.S. Mail and email to: slane@lanelawpc.com
Dear Mr. Lane:
I write on behalf of President Brooks and the Denver City Council. This letter is in response to
your March 27, 2018, letter, and your previous letters and media statements calling for the City
Council to investigate the conduct of Mayor Michael Hancock as it relates to your client,
Detective Leslie Branch-Wise.
I want to state at the outset that each member of the Denver City Council takes allegations of
sexual harassment very seriously. I can tell you that each individual Councilmember is incredibly
sensitive to your client’s statements. I also want to state that Council in no way condones the
Mayor’s behavior.
Even so, Council is unable to fulfill your client’s request for an investigation. Your letter
essentially askes Council to “investigate” whether the texts at issue and the information you and
your client have provided to the media meet the legal definition of sexual harassment. As you
know, this is a legal conclusion to be determined by a court of law. When Detective BranchWise entered into the Settlement and Release with the City in 2013, she waived any opportunity
to avail herself of the process where these types of legal conclusions are made.
Before this current situation came to light, Council had already begun working on a policy for
the reporting of sexual harassment claims against elected Council members. That work continues
and is indeed viewed by Council as more urgent now. In addition, Council is researching the
historical data surrounding employment cases and settlements, as well as crafting a policy going
forward that will ensure Council has more information regarding these settlements.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
/s/ Kirsten Crawford
tcb