Chuck DeMoulin was a dedicated Democrat, but he managed to make friends on both sides of the aisle at the state Capitol.
“His word was his bond, and that is critical for a good legislator,” said former House Speaker Carl “Bev” Bledsoe of Hugo.
DeMoulin, who served 12 years as a state representative from southwest Denver, died unexpectedly Aug. 2. He was 76.
“He loved politics and he loved his friends,” said his wife, Barbara Einspahr of Parker. “He was fundamentally fair to everyone. And he liked sharing his knowledge. He was a good teacher.”
DeMoulin was an electrician by trade and focused a lot of his legislative interest on safety and health issues for workers.
“He was always for the working man,” said his ex-wife, Patty Clark.
“He was vocal but not loud,” Bledsoe said. “A shrewd and intelligent man. He could cut through the clutter and get to the point of an argument.” They had some disagreements, Bledsoe said, “but we’d get together on the next issue” that came up.
After serving in the legislature (from 1965 until 1978), DeMoulin had several government jobs: director of the Denver Motor Vehicle office, board member for the Regional Transportation District, an administrator for the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, and associate director in the human relations department of Colorado Administrative Services. He was also a lobbyist for the Colorado State Patrol Protective Association and the Colorado Building and Construction Trades Council.
Vickie Armstrong, who was his boss at the Denver Department of Labor, called DeMoulin “a very honest man who would help anyone.”
The two have been good friends since 1981 “although I am a conservative Republican and he was a union Democrat,” Armstrong said.
Charles Joseph DeMoulin was born July 6, 1929, in Denver and attended East High School, where he was a champion swimmer. He dropped out to join the Marines. He later earned his GED.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Victoria DeMoulin and Theresa Roberts, both of Denver; a son, James DeMoulin of Arvada; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Raymond DeMoulin of Arlington, Texas, and William DeMoulin of Jefferson County. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Michelle DeMoulin, and a son, Charles DeMoulin III.
Staff writer Virginia Culver can be reached at 303-820-1223 or vculver@denverpost.com.
