The Denver Book Society is moving forward without Kwame Spearman, the former CEO of Tattered Cover and a 2023 candidate for Denver mayor. The departure, announced by Spearman in an op-ed published by Westword, follows a period of community backlash stemming from past comments he made regarding immigration policy.
Spearman’s exit comes as the newly-opened independent bookstore seeks to establish itself as a welcoming community space. Owner Rich Garvin stated the business is committed to inclusivity and announced that 25% of proceeds from a curated selection of books highlighting immigrant voices will be donated to the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition. The decision to sever ties with Spearman, Garvin said, was ultimately his.
The controversy centers on statements Spearman made during his mayoral campaign. According to reporting by 9News, Spearman suggested on conservative talk radio KNUS that Denver should re-establish collaboration with immigration officials. He withdrew from the mayoral race three weeks before the election, after ballots had already been mailed.
In his op-ed, Spearman did not directly address the criticism, but reflected on the challenges of public life. “Part of doing that is a willingness to step into the public arena,” he wrote. “When you do that, you accept that sometimes you will be misunderstood, mischaracterized, or simply get things wrong.”
Unauthorized Posts and Shifting Roles
The Denver Book Society likewise revealed that Spearman had made unauthorized posts from the store’s social media account. “Posts and comments were made directly by Kwame (without authorization) in regard to his personal and political views,” the bookstore stated in a comment. “We didn’t approve him posting from this account, how he approached this messaging, or how he engaged with our community.”
Spearman initially presented his departure as part of a pre-planned transition. “The Denver Book Society is in a really fine place, and it has reached the point we always intended, where I transition out of my role in the business and Rich Garvin alone leads it forward,” he wrote. He characterized the shift as a continuation of the original plan, not a change in direction.
However, Garvin clarified that he made the decision to end the working relationship and acknowledged it should have happened sooner. “I initially valued the perspective he brought to the project,” Garvin said in a statement provided to Denver7. “However, over time it became clear that his continued involvement was not aligned with the direction or needs of Denver Book Society.”
Past Criticism and Role Clarification
Spearman’s tenure at Tattered Cover, which ended with the bookstore’s sale to Barnes & Noble in 2024, has also drawn scrutiny. He told Denver7 in February that he hoped to learn from what he termed a “failure” at Tattered Cover with his new venture.
The exact nature of Spearman’s role at the Denver Book Society prior to his departure had been a point of confusion. Although some outlets, including Denver7, had reported he was a co-owner, Garvin stated in Instagram comments that Spearman was a consultant. Spearman’s op-ed described them as co-founders, with Garvin as the “sole financial investor.” Garvin later clarified to Denver7 that Spearman “presented himself publicly as a partner” but was always a consultant in a leadership capacity. “I regret that I allowed confusion around the word ‘partner’ as being the same as having an ownership interest to persist,” Garvin said.
Spearman did not respond to a request for comment from Denver7 at the time of publication.
The Denver Book Society’s future now rests solely with Garvin, who expressed his commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment. The store aims to be a community hub, and Garvin has pledged to donate a portion of proceeds to support immigrant voices in Colorado.
What comes next for both Spearman and the Denver Book Society remains to be seen. The bookstore’s ability to move past this controversy and establish itself as a vital part of the Denver community will be a key indicator of its long-term success.
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