Allegra “Happy” Haynes

Allegra “Happy” Haynes has served since 2015 as the Executive Director of Denver Parks and Recreation and was also appointed in 2017 and 2019 to serve as the Deputy Mayor. Happy was twice elected and served from 2011 to 2019 as an at-large member of the Denver Public Schools Board of Education, following six years as the District’s Chief Community Engagement Officer. During a 40-year career in state and local government, Happy served thirteen years on the Denver City Council and was president from 1998 to 2000. She serves on several non-profit boards, including the Colorado Trust for Public Land, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and the Denver Botanic Gardens, and she is a member of the Denver Chapter of Links INC. She was a founding board member of Mile High Youth Corps, Colorado Black Women for Political Action, and the Foundation for Education Excellence. Happy is a Denver native, attended Denver East High School, and received a BA in Political Science from Barnard College at Columbia University and an MPA from the University of Colorado at Denver.