Meet Paul

Paul Pazen is a Denver native and lifelong resident, Marine Corps veteran, former Denver Police Chief, husband, who holds a graduate degree in Emergency Management from the US Naval Postgraduate School, and father who has spent his life serving the city that has given so much to him. Born and raised in Denver by a single mother - the hardest-working person he’s ever known - Paul learned early that leadership is about showing up. His mother often brought him to community meetings after her work day, telling him, “If you care about your city, you show up for it.” That lesson shaped his life.

“If you care about your city, you show up for it.”

Paul and his wife, Shirley. Paul = Marine Corps

Paul during his time in the US Marine Corps

A graduate of Denver North High School and a member of the school’s Hall of Fame, Paul went on to serve in the United States Marine Corps during the Gulf War. The Marines instilled in him discipline, integrity, and teamwork, values that guided his 28-year career with the Denver Police Department, where he rose through the ranks to serve as Chief of Police.

A LIFETIME OF SERVICE

Paul coaching his sons soccer team

Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen marches and speaks with demonstrators on Monday, June 1, 2020, as they peacefully protest the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. (Hart Van Denburg/CPR News)

As Chief, Paul worked to make public safety in Denver smarter, more humane, and more effective. Paul worked with community leaders to create nationally recognized programs like the Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) program, which sends mental health professionals — not armed officers — to people in crisis. He expanded the mental health co-responder program, launched the Domestic Violence Prevention Program, strengthened Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) to connect people to treatment instead of jail, and created specialized units to combat human trafficking and hate crimes. He also expanded officer training from 24 hours to 80 hours annually, emphasizing de-escalation, accountability, and compassionate service.

In addition to his work, he has volunteered extensively in the community, serving on the boards of multiple non-profits including NAMI Denver, Servicios de la Raza (including as the board President), and The Center for Trauma & Resilience. He is a proud graduate of the Latino Leadership Institute.

Paul and his wife Shirley, who immigrated to the U.S. at age eleven, have been married for over 30 years and have lived in District 2 for more than three decades. They raised their three now grown sons in Southwest Denver, where Paul spent weekends and evenings coaching their soccer teams and building lasting relationships with neighbors. Their family’s roots run deep in the community.

After retiring, Paul settled into the private sector and watched his sons move on to the next phases of their lives. But as more families in District 2 expressed concerns about safety, affordability, and feeling unheard, he felt called to step forward once again.

As a candidate for Denver City Council District 2, Paul is focused on the fundamentals that strengthen neighborhoods: safer streets, improved infrastructure, responsive city services, support for small businesses, expanding and protecting open spaces, parks, and trails, and cutting red tape that delays housing solutions. He believes public safety and compassion go hand in hand, and that Denver must work for everyone: families, seniors, young people, long-time residents, and newcomers alike.

For Paul Pazen, service has never been about a title. It’s about protecting what makes Denver special and ensuring that every family in District 2 feels safe, valued, and at home.