The first meeting between Denver's mayoral candidates got off to a splash Tuesday.

Danny Lopez, who is challenging Mayor John Hickenlooper in the May election, spilled beer on Hickenlooper's lap when the two rivals met for lunch at Pints Pub, a couple blocks south of City Hall.

Lopez, a supervisor in the city's Public Works Department, said he didn't do it on purpose.

"No, it was an accident," he said. "I have the utmost respect for him, both as the mayor and as my boss, and just as a fellow human being out there."

Hickenlooper, a brewpub owner turned politician, said only a small amount of beer went onto his tan suit.

"It was just like old times, like going home to the brewpub industry," the mayor said, laughing.

After their meeting, which Hickenlooper initiated, both candidates had only nice things to say about each other.

"He's what makes Denver and the American system of democracy great," Hickenlooper said. "He felt that since there was no one else running, that people ought to have a choice. I'm not sure I would agree with him completely, but I certainly respect his sentiment."

Said Lopez: "There's no bad blood between the two of us. We each respect each other's right to disagree on issues."

Still, both remain competitive.

"I know it's a David versus Goliath type of thing, but I believe in miracles," Lopez said.

Hickenlooper, a political newcomer four years ago, didn't offer Lopez, also a novice, any advice.

"The one thing I learned in elected office is: If people don't ask for advice, you shouldn't be giving it," he said. "I've learned that the hard way."

chacond@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5099