Allegra "Happy" Haynes facts for kids

Allegra "Happy" Haynes, born on March 4, 1953, is a well-known politician and advisor from Denver, Colorado. She used to be a member of the Denver City Council and also worked as an assistant for two different mayors.

Happy Haynes' Early Life and Education

Happy Haynes was born in Denver, Colorado. She finished high school at Denver's East High School in 1971.

College and Advanced Studies

Happy Haynes went to Barnard College and earned a degree in political science in 1975. Later, in 2002, she received a master's degree in public affairs from the University of Colorado Denver. She also completed special leadership programs, including Leadership Denver and the Rocky Mountain Program. She even studied at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Happy Haynes' Career in Denver

Happy Haynes has worked for the City of Denver for 26 years, starting in 1979.

Working with Mayors and City Council

She began her career as an assistant to Councilman Bill Roberts. From 1983 to 1990, she was a key assistant to Federico Peña, who was Denver's first Latino Mayor.

In 1990, Happy Haynes was elected to the Denver City Council. She was the first African American woman to serve on this council. She served three terms and was the Council President from 1998 to 2000. During her time on the Council, she helped create city rules that supported families, children, and better education. From 2003 to 2005, she worked as an advisor to Mayor John Hickenlooper. She also helped with the growth of Denver International Airport.

Happy Haynes and Denver Public Schools

In October 2005, Happy Haynes joined Denver Public Schools (DPS). She worked as an assistant to the Superintendent, focusing on community partnerships.

Improving Schools and Student Programs

She worked with Superintendent Michael Bennet to lead programs for parents, school partnerships, and volunteer efforts. In 2008, Governor Bill Ritter chose her to be part of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education. Happy Haynes also helped increase student involvement in debate programs. In 2009, she helped six high schools start debate teams and organized their first tournament. Later in 2009, she became the Chief Community Engagement Officer for DPS. Her job was to make connections stronger between schools and local businesses or groups.

In 2011, she left the school district to work for CRL Associates, a company that advises on politics and public services. She then decided to run for the city school board.

Serving on the School Board

In November 2011, Happy Haynes was elected to the Denver Public School's Board of Education. She served on the board until 2019. She was the President of the board from 2013 to 2015. In 2015, she was also chosen to lead Denver's Department of Parks and Recreation. In 2017, while serving as the board's secretary, she was appointed as Deputy Mayor by Mayor Michael B. Hancock.

Leading Denver Parks and Recreation

In September 2015, Happy Haynes was chosen to be the executive director of the Denver Parks and Recreation department. In this role, she helped manage and improve Denver's parks and recreational areas for everyone to enjoy.