DENVER -- Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper could face opposition from two current Denver leaders in the 2011 mayoral election, according to Friday's Denver Post.

Denver Councilman Michael Hancock said community members and business leaders are urging him to challenge Hickenlooper in 2011 after complaints about the mayor's lack of focus and temperament.

"People say that if you're not the wealthy elite, you don't get his attention," Hancock told the Post. "That has been brought up with me."

Hancock said he's hearing complaints that the mayor is distracted.

"I'm hearing he has great ideas but there is a lack of follow-through," he said.

Hickelooper's second possible opponent is Penfield Tate III, who currently serves as the president of the Denver Board of Water Commissioners. Tate is a former state legislator and has worked for the administrations of former Mayor Frederico Pena and Gov. Roy Romer. Hickenlooper defeated Tate in 2003, when he won his first term in office.

"I've just talked and listened to people," Tate told the newspaper. "I haven't committed to doing anything."

James Mejia, the chief executive of the Denver Preschool Program, said he was also urged to run, but has ruled out the possibility of a race against Hickenlooper.

Hickenlooper's office released a statement to the Denver Post saying he plans to focus on strengthening Denver's economy and continuing to improve the way the city delivers services. The office said Hickenlooper wants to steer away from political battles.

"We can't and won't be distracted by partisan politics -- we've got serious work to do," Hickenlooper said in a prepared statement for the press.

According to the mayor's political advisor, David Kenney, Hickenlooper still enjoys high favorability ratings and plans to run for re-election.

"I've never seen a politician in office after six years who enjoys such high favorability ratings," Kenney said. "And that's because he puts politics aside and focuses on managing the city well. Voters appreciate his common-sense, smart approach to government."

Kenny’s firm conducted a poll for a private client in April that put Hickenlooper's favorability rates at 78 percent for the seven-county metro area and 85 percent in Denver.

Neither Hancock or Tate has formally committed to the race.

"I'm very flattered," Hancock said. "I don't know that I'd say I'm actively considering it, but I haven't said that I'm not considering it."

Hickenlooper easily won the 2007 re-election. If he wins the 2011 election, it would be his last four years in office because of term limits.