 Benjamin F. Stapleton was the mayor of Denver , Colorado , for two periods , the first from 1923 to 1931 and the second from 1935 to 1947 . Stapleton was responsible for many civic improvements during his term , notably during his second stint as mayor when he had access to funds and manpower from the New Deal . During this time , the park system was considerably expanded and the Civic Center completed . His signature project was the construction of Denver Municipal Airport , which began in 1929 amidst heavy criticism . It was later renamed Stapleton International Airport in his honor . Today , the airport no longer stands , but has been replaced by a neighborhood also named Stapleton . Stapleton Street continues to bear his name . 
