Eight years after leaving Denver’s Community Planning and Development division, Brad Buchanan is set to take over as permanent leader of the office once again.

Mayor Mike Johnston on Thursday nominated Buchanan to lead the department. Buchanan, a former architect, rancher and the current CEO of the National Western Center Authority, has also been serving as the interim head of CPD since June.

Buchanan previously was the city’s planning director from 2014 to 2018 under Mayor Michael Hancock, and has led the NWCA since then.

If approved by Denver City Council, Buchanan would transition to the planning job full-time in 2026.

“I’m honored to continue serving Denver and to support Mayor Johnston’s bold vision for our city’s future,” Buchanan said in a press release. “By accelerating speed t

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