Denver's mayor will visit Amsterdam next week partly to learn about marijuana regulation in the country that led the way in marijuana liberalization, according to The Denver Post.
The city announced Thursday that Michael Hancock and other officials plan to meet with representatives of Amsterdam's municipal government during a trip mainly focused on economic development, the Post reported.
"The focus of the London portion will be on innovation, infrastructure and energy," Washington said, according to the Post. "Denver is growing exponentially. That's going to put enormous pressure on our infrastructure, and we want to remain smart in how we invest."
The Netherlands recently has taken a harder line toward marijuana, including banning tourists from visiting coffee shops where pot is sold, according to the Post. Amsterdam still allows tourists in the shops but has been closing ones near schools.
The mayor and his delegation also will tour the Netherlands' main international airport and visit London during the trip, the Post reported.
Hancock plans to meet with London Mayor Boris Johnson to talk about the city's experience hosting the Summer Olympics and learn more about its "Tech City" initiative, according to the Post.
London officials have expressed interest in how Denver moved its international airport from landlocked Stapleton to undeveloped land to the east. London Heathrow needs to expand but is hemmed in by the city, the Post reported.
