In an interview with Next 9NEWS reporter Kyle Clark, Denver City Councilwoman Shontel Lewis said the misdemeanor theft conviction she received in 2008 actually prepares her to run the city's $750,000‑plus population.
Lewis, who is the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) endorsement holder for the April 6 mayoral election, pleaded guilty after using her position at the Colorado Department of Human Services East Food Stamp Office to reissue Electronic Benefit Transfer cards meant for other recipients. The cards were then used by her roommate and herself, resulting in thousands of dollars in public benefits being diverted.
The court sentenced Lewis to 18 months of probation and ordered full restitution, which she later confirmed she paid. Since that plea, she has been elected twice, first to the state House of Representatives and later to the Denver City Council, despite the conviction.
When Clark asked whether a conviction involving public money disqualifies a candidate, Lewis replied, "I actually think that experience is what actually qualifies me." She added that as a young mother grieving at the time, she "did something really silly, paid my restitution, did my time and navigated all the ills of poverty."
Colorado's constitution, however, lists embezzlement of public monies, bribery, perjury, solicitation of bribery and subornation of perjury as offenses that bar a person from holding "any office of trust or profit in this state." Legal scholars note that the language does not explicitly mention misdemeanor theft, leaving a gray area that has not yet been tested in court. Clark pointed out that the issue "hasn't really been sorted out in court," and Lewis has not commented further.
The mayoral race pits Lewis against incumbent Democrat Mike Johnston, who was first elected in 2023 after serving as a state senator. Johnston's administration faces a $200 million budget shortfall, prompting cuts across a range of services. Lewis criticized those cuts, especially the decision not to trim the Department of Safety, which includes the Denver Police Department (DPD). She suggested that "there was an opportunity to prioritize the people when we're talking about our budgets" and hinted that overtime spending could be reduced.
When pressed for specifics, Lewis said she would review the entire budget and noted that the public safety portion "didn't see any cuts." She stopped short of outlining a concrete plan, instead emphasizing the need for "relationships and conversations" with police officials before proposing reforms. The DPD chief, Ron Thomas, testified before the council in March, and Lewis has previously called out police misconduct and costly settlements as a drain on municipal resources.
Lewis's stance on "defunding" the police aligns with broader DSA policy goals, though she stopped short of endorsing a wholesale elimination of the department. She framed the issue as a budgetary decision rather than an ideological crusade, saying she would look at "the entire budget comprehensively." The nuance reflects a growing trend among left‑leaning candidates who seek to reallocate funds toward youth programs and affordable housing while maintaining public safety.
The Denver mayoral contest features nine candidates, a field that has not been seen since the city's 2023 race. Historically, an incumbent mayor who seeks a second term has never been defeated since 1963, a statistic that underscores the uphill battle facing any challenger. A poll released in August gave Lewis a 15 percent favorability rating, far behind Johnston's double‑digit lead.
Lewis's candidacy arrives amid a wave of socialist victories in Colorado. In June's Democratic primary, DSA‑backed congressional hopeful Melat Kiros unseated 15‑term incumbent Diana DeGette by 13 points, positioning her for a likely win in November. State Senator Julie Gonzales, also endorsed by DSA, lost her statewide bid against Governor John Hickenlooper but won Denver with more than 54 percent of the vote.
The surge of DSA‑aligned office‑seekers reflects a shift in Denver's electorate, where progressive policies on housing, climate and policing have gained traction among younger voters. Yet the city's fiscal challenges and the incumbent's name‑recognition advantage present formidable obstacles. Analysts note that even if Lewis does not win, her campaign could push the mayoral debate toward more aggressive budgeting for social services.
For voters in the Mountain West, the race offers a glimpse of how local politics can intersect with national conversations about criminal justice reform and public‑sector accountability. While the issue of a past misdemeanor may not directly affect federal policy, it raises questions about eligibility standards that could influence similar debates in other states.
Lewis has not responded to a request for comment since the interview aired. The city's election officials have not indicated that her conviction violates any statutory bar, but legal experts say a challenge could be filed if she wins the primary. Such a challenge would likely be decided by the Colorado Supreme Court, which has previously ruled on the interpretation of "embezzlement" in the context of public office.
As the April 6 primary approaches, Denver's electorate will weigh Lewis's claim that personal experience with poverty equips her to manage a city facing a massive budget gap. Whether that argument resonates enough to overcome the historical advantage of incumbency remains to be seen.