You’ve probably never heard of him. He’s not as well-known as the governor, the speaker of the House, or Colorado’s new U.S. senator. But for four decades, he’s had a positive influence on the life of virtually every person in Colorado.
This fall, Ken Bueche (Boo-shay) will be closing out a long career as the executive director of the organization that represents Colorado’s cities and towns, the Colorado Municipal League. Bueche first came to the league as a law clerk in 1963. After a brief stint in private practice, he returned to the league as general counsel in 1968, and was appointed executive director in 1974.
Since he took the reins, the league has grown: Today, it counts 265 municipal members and represents all but six of the state’s smallest towns. While the group’s influence with the legislature has grown during his tenure, Bueche says that now there are far more groups, organizations and business interests clamoring for legislators’ attention. “I can remember committee hearings in the early ’70s where I’d be the only one testifying,” he says with a grin. “That wouldn’t happen today.”
Bueche has also seen a significant increase in the number of women in local government. In the early years, the league itself was “run by men, mostly businessmen,” he says. It wasn’t until 1976 that the league’s executive board finally elected a female president, Aurora councilwoman Ruth Fountain. Since then, the league has had 12 female presidents, myself among them.
Over the years, Bueche has consistently stood for leaving local decisions in the hands of local elected officials and citizens. He has assembled a talented staff of lobbyists who have fought to protect the taxes that fund local services, to retain local land-use decisionmaking, and to ensure that cities and towns receive a fair share of the state’s gasoline taxes.
Quality of life in local communities is high on Bueche’s list of priorities. In 1975, he sought to establish a lottery to fund parks and open space. That effort ultimately led to the establishment of Great Outdoors Colorado, which pumped $97 million into parks, trails and open space across the state this year alone.
In 1977, he led a study that resulted in the full funding of police and fire pension plans, preventing long-term fiscal disaster for local governments. Two years later, he launched a feasibility study that led in 1982 to establishment of a self-insurance pool that saves tax dollars and provides affordable insurance for cities, towns and special districts. And in 1985, he led Colorado cities to voluntarily streamline their local tax collection systems.
Sam Mamet, long-time lead lobbyist for the Municipal League, will fill Bueche’s position. Bueche recalls that he almost didn’t hire Mamet in 1979. Mamet “had several strikes against him,” he said. For one thing, Mamet had been lobbying for Clark County, Nevada, and Bueche wasn’t sure Mamet could change his focus to lobby for municipal interests. Mamet also had held a series of jobs in the previous five years and Bueche was concerned that he might be a “job-hopper.” Now, 26 years later, Bueche jokes that the league “can’t get rid of him.”
The two men share a passionate belief that Colorado citizens are best served by local control. Mamet will no doubt put his own imprint on the league’s activities. But he is certain to maintain the league’s emphasis on working with the legislature to craft laws that strengthen Colorado municipalities. No doubt the league will also continue its tradition of providing accurate information, technical assistance and education to local officials.
In his retirement, Bueche says he is looking forward to spending time with his wife, Bernice, their five children and four grandchildren. He also would like to “keep his oar in the local government scene,” providing assistance to cities and towns from his vast well of experience.
The league will host a tribute to Bueche (including, no doubt, some good-natured ribbing) at the Four Mile House in Glendale on Sept. 22. Friends of local government are invited to come and say “job well done” to Ken Bueche, a quiet Colorado legend.
Susan Thornton (smthornton@ aol.com) served 16 years on the Littleton City Council, including eight years as mayor. She writes on suburban issues on alternate Thursdays.
