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From Army Kid to Denver’s First Female District Attorney: Meet Beth McCann
Beth McCann was elected as Denver’s first female District Attorney in November 2016 and served until her retirement in January 2025. She brought extensive legal and managerial experience to the role, launching several key programs, including the Elder/At-Risk and Human Trafficking Units, and overseeing the office’s public-facing dashboard and employee operations. Prior to this, she served as a four-term state representative and held leadership roles in criminal justice, animal welfare, and healthcare reform.
Tell us About Your Personal and Professional Journey:
My father was in the Army, so we moved often in my youth, sparking my love of travel. He retired as the Assistant Commandant of Cadets at Virginia Tech in my eighth-grade year, and I spent my high school years in Blacksburg, Virginia, where I even walked to school. I made lasting friendships, and my mother, who had been a math teacher before marrying, resumed teaching special education when I was in high school.
My passion for public service began in high school, influenced by my parents’ careers. I was Vice President of the Student Council and participated in many clubs. I vividly remember the day President Kennedy was shot during our production of Arsenic and Old Lace, followed by the assassinations of MLK Jr. and Bobby Kennedy. A high school highlight was seeing The Beatles in 1965 at Shea Stadium, thanks to my uncle, a composer in New York.
At Wittenberg University in Ohio, I majored in American Studies, unsure of my future path until I met a female lawyer, the dean of students at another college. Her influence led me to consider law, a field with very few women attorneys at the time. I was accepted into Georgetown Law Center in Washington, D.C., and had the opportunity to watch the Watergate trial, which further fueled my interest in law.
In law school, I was one of only 10 women in my section of 150 students, which was intimidating, especially with some professors who didn’t support women lawyers. Nevertheless, I excelled and won my first criminal jury trial during a clinic in D.C. After college, I worked a summer in Yellowstone National Park, which deepened my love for the West. I then spent a summer as a law clerk at a Denver firm and fell in love with the city. Upon graduation, I received a job offer from Judge Sherman Finesilver on the U.S. District Court in Denver.
After clerking, I was hired by the Denver District Attorney’s office under D.A. Dale Tooley and began my litigation career. As one of the only female trial attorneys, I faced challenges but received strong support from my male colleagues. After eight years, I moved to private practice with Cooper and Kelley, defending professionals in malpractice cases. During this time, I married and had two children.
The call to public service led me to apply for a position in Mayor Webb’s administration, where I became the first female Manager of Safety for Denver. This role, overseeing the police, fire, and sheriff’s departments, was never dull. I addressed many issues, including police shootings and jail deaths. I also fought for the revision of a discriminatory fitness test for female firefighters, which led to a public backlash, including a threatening letter with a dead fish and a bullet. The fire union sued me, but I won the case, and the test was revised..
I also worked to create the Safe City program during Denver’s “Summer of Violence.” The program aimed to prevent youth crime and successfully reduced juvenile crime by 22%. Later, I ran the Department of Excise and Licenses, dealing with liquor and cabaret licenses, and interacted with people like John Hickenlooper as he was starting the Wynkoop Brewery.
In 2000, I joined Attorney General Ken Salazar’s office as Deputy A.G. in charge of Litigation and Employment Law, supervising over 30 attorneys. After Salazar became a U.S. Senator, John Suthers retained me in the position, a gesture I appreciated despite political differences.
My career took another turn when I ran for District Attorney, challenging Mitch Morrissey. Although I didn’t win, the experience taught me valuable lessons about running for office. When my state representative position became open, I decided to run for the State House. I walked door-to-door, raised funds, and ultimately won. As a state representative, I passed important bills, including one that required a judge, not a D.A., to decide whether a young person should be tried in adult court. I also passed healthcare bills and founded the CLAW caucus for animal welfare.
After serving in the legislature, I ran for District Attorney again, this time with a larger base of support. I won and became the first female District Attorney of Denver, serving for eight years. During my tenure, I launched several important initiatives, including an adult diversion program and a Restorative Justice program. I also created the Behavioral Health Unit to provide alternatives for offenders with mental health issues and launched a Conviction Review Unit to assess claims of innocence and disproportionate sentences.
One of the key responsibilities of a District Attorney is community engagement. I asked deputy district attorneys to speak at neighborhood meetings and created a public-facing dashboard for transparency. I also started Human Trafficking and Elder/At-Risk Abuse Units to address critical issues affecting vulnerable populations.Throughout my career, I remained active in physical pursuits. I run four to five times a week and enjoy hiking, backpacking, and bicycling. I’ve climbed 42 of Colorado’s Fourteeners and plan to climb more.
I retired as District Attorney in January 2025 and I am now looking to explore new ways to stay productive, continue meaningful work, and enjoy travel.
What pivotal experiences shaped your current path?
As I noted above, meeting a woman lawyer when I was still in college, at a time when there weren't many female lawyer role models, was pivotal. It was at that point that I began to even think about being a lawyer. Certainly, working for a summer in Denver helped me decide where I wanted to live and practice law. Judge Finesilver was a great supporter and mentor, as was D.A. Dale Tooley. My experience prosecuting a pimp/trafficker really prompted my interest in working to eradicate human trafficking.
Working as a litigator in the D.A.'s office was certainly life-changing for me because I loved the work and realized that at some point, I'd like to be the elected district attorney. The job fed my interest in public work.
Starting the Safe City effort for the city was pivotal in encouraging me to work to prevent youth violence and educating me about the challenges inherent in those efforts.
Certainly having two children to raise while working was pivotal. I think most working mothers often feel they're not doing either job well, but we do our best. Meeting other parents and engaging in many activities with the children opened my eyes to the struggles of young parents and single mothers, and also to the joys of raising funny, talented children.
As Manager of Safety, I learned the hard way that to make significant change, it's best to build a coalition if possible, but also that it's important to do what you think is the best course of action, even if it means you're going to anger some people.
Running for office the first time was very pivotal because it made me realize that it was doable, and I could do this. Even losing the first time didn't deter me, although that was a hard lesson.
Winning my first election was quite pivotal as you realize that people have put their trust in you to be a good representative of the people and to do the job ethically and effectively. It's a heavy responsibility and one not to be taken lightly.
Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro with my two kids got me back into climbing Colorado's Fourteeners at a later stage in my life. Retirement is another pivotal time—a transition to a new stage of life that I'm still trying to navigate.
What are the most valuable lessons you've learned about yourself through your life and career?
I believe that it's important for us to follow our dreams and make every effort to achieve them. We won't always be successful; there will be painful failures, but we need to keep trying. Hard work generally does pay off.There are many paths to follow that can bring happiness and satisfaction, so trying new things is important and challenging.
I like this quote from Helen Keller: "Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all." Take risks; seek adventure; life is short; travel and see the world if you can; try new things before you can't. I've learned that I have limitations; I'm not as good at some things as I wish I were, and there are goals that I won't achieve. So I'll set some new goals. I think it's important to keep challenging yourself and learning.
What drives your desire to contribute and make a difference?
As noted above, I come from a family of public service; I was interested in government and policy from a young age. I have a fair amount of energy, so I need to find ways to use it productively. I've always wanted to make my community better and help people reach their potential. I get personal satisfaction from feeling that I'm working for a goal or a purpose that is meaningful.
What are your highest hopes for democracy to unite, uplift, and inspire?
Democracy is a fragile thing. My hope is that despite our different opinions, people can listen to each other respectfully, compromise and collaborate and find solutions to the major issues of the day. People who lead through collaboration and respect will inspire and uplift.
How can GlobalMindED support leaders like yourself in achieving your goals and advancing your aspirations?
GlobalMindED does a great job of supporting young and up-and-coming leaders who can take the reins, and whom more experienced individuals like myself can mentor. GlobalMindED is a great forum for networking and meeting other like-minded folks who are interested in making the world a better place. I'd say to continue the great work!
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