Allegra “Happy” Haynes retired in October 2023 after serving for eight years as Executive Director of Denver Parks and Recreation and three years as the Deputy Mayor. Happy was elected at-large to the Denver Public Schools Board of Education in 2011 and served two terms. During a 48-year career local government, she was the first African American woman elected to serve on the Denver City Council from 1990 – 2003. Happy is a Denver native, received a BA in Political Science from Barnard College at Columbia University and an MPA from the University of Colorado at Denver.
In retirement, Haynes continues to focus much of her energy and attention on increasing quality and funding for parks and access to nature, advocating for equity and diversity in outdoor spaces, and promoting nature-based solutions for climate change and healthy, thriving communities. She serves on several non-profit boards, including the Trust for Public Land, City Parks Alliance, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Salazar Center for North American Conservation, and Colorado’s Early Childhood Leadership Commission. She is a member of Links Incorporated and was a founding board member of Mile High Youth Corps and the Foundation for Sustainable Urban Communities. Happy is single, an avid jazz fan and loves gardening, sports, and outdoor adventure.
