City Council will decide whether to approve Phil Washington as DIA chief tonight

Washington would replace Kim Day, who is retiring after 13 years of leading DIA.

Phil Washington, candidate to become CEO of Denver International Airport, sits in an office in the City and County Building. June 23, 2021.

Phil Washington, candidate to become CEO of Denver International Airport, sits in an office in the City and County Building. June 23, 2021.

Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
(Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

staff photo

UPDATE: City Council approved Phil Washington’s appointment as CEO of Denver International Airport unanimously during its meeting on Monday.


Mayor Michael Hancock’s pick to lead Denver International Airport, Phil Washington, will learn today whether he’ll be hired for one of the city’s highest-paid positions.

Denver City Council is scheduled to consider Washington’s appointment during its weekly meeting. The former CEO of the Regional Transportation District most recently led L.A. Metro, which has been the target of a public corruption investigation led by the Los Angeles County sheriff this year. Washington has denied any connection to wrongdoings, but the issue was enough to give some council members pause about his appointment, and they had a chance to question him at a committee-level hearing last month.

Washington would replace DIA’s current CEO, Kim Day, who has served in that role since April 2008. Day is scheduled to receive a proclamation from City Council during Monday’s meeting.

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