Evolving DENVER (CBS4) – Denver Mayor Michael Hancock is currently in Mongolia on a cultural exchange and business development mission.
Hancock is visiting Denver’s sister city of Ulaanbaatar with the Office of Human Rights and Community Partnerships and a Denver Sister Cities and Trade delegation.
“The Denver-Ulaanbaatar relationship is the city’s 10th and most recently established sister city, and the visit by Mayor Hancock will mark the first time a sitting mayor of Denver will travel to the Mongolian capital city,” Amber Miller with the mayor’s office said in a statement.
Denver is home to one of the largest Mongolian populations in the United States. The mayor’s mission is to strengthen ties between the two cities.
“Global connectivity is imperative for cities to compete and succeed in the 21st century economy,” Hancock said. “Planting our flag in south China and elevating the importance of our sister city connections gives us ample opportunity to expand Denver’s global reach.”
The mayor’s Facebook page shows a photo of Hancock with Mongolian Prime Minister Chimediin Saikhanbileg with a Denver Broncos shirt and hat.
Mayor Michael Hancock iwth Mongolian Prime Minister Chimediin Saikhanbileg (credit: Facebook)
“Denver and Mongolia have had several cultural and educational exchanges over the years, but one of our most fun exports is the number of Denver Broncos fans we’ve created over there, including Mongolian Prime Minister Chimediin Saikhanbileg, who I presented with some team gear during our meeting. #BroncosWorld in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia,” the Facebook post states.
Hancock also appeared on a national talk show called “Jargal DeFacto” while in Ulaanbaatar with Derek Okubo, who got his MBA at the Daniels School of Business at the University of Denver.
Mayor Michael Hancock poses with Derek Okubo (second from the left) who studied at DU (credit: Facebook)
Hancock will also participate in a trade roundtable discussion. It will “focus on Denver’s past efforts to redevelop the former Stapleton Airport site as Ulaanbaatar seeks to do the same with their current airport.”
The mayor, along with Colorado university representatives, will also meet with government officials on strengthening and growing education exchanges.
Travel and accommodations are being paid for by Denver International Airport and the Denver Sister Cities International fund.