Monte Pascoe, a prominent Denver lawyer, political activist and member of former Gov. Richard Lamm’s Cabinet, died Thursday. He was 71.
Pascoe, who spent his career at the downtown law firm of Ireland, Stapleton, Pryor and Pascoe, was considered a generalist lawyer but one with exceptional depth.
“He solved problems,” said K.C. Groves, a co-director of the firm. “He was a generalist in every sense, but he had an uncommon depth of knowledge and expertise in so many areas.”
Added lawyer Bill Tanis, who worked with Pascoe for 30 years: “He was a true Renaissance lawyer. He was so versatile, one of the most ethical, honest guys you’d ever run into.”
Pascoe represented United Airlines in a major employment-law case and one of the parties in the protracted Lowry landfill lawsuit, as well as clients in numerous complex real- estate and construction cases. He was considered an expert in complicated water-law issues as well as in land and construction law.
He served as chairman of the Colorado Democratic Party from 1973 to 1977, executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources from 1980 to 1983, a commissioner on the Denver Board of Water Commissioners from 1983 to 1995 and chairman of the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission from 1980 to 1981.
Said Lamm: “If you searched the world’s literature for the perfect citizen, it would be Monte Pascoe. He worked hard and successfully, but he was always there for good civic causes. He just kept giving.”
Pascoe and his wife, Pat, a former state senator, lived for 39 years in the same house near Cheesman Park, where they raised three children. For more than 30 years, he and close friend Ed Benton met almost every morning, snow or sunshine, and walked to work.
“We discussed probably every issue known to the human race,” Benton said. “It was very rewarding, both for the exercise and for the conversation.
“He was one of the most fundamentally decent human beings I’ve ever known. He had a deep compassion for his fellow human beings. This is a huge loss, not just for his family and friends but for the entire community.”
Pascoe graduated from East High School, where he made the All-State football team; Dartmouth College, where he made the All-East team; and Stanford law school.
He was a trustee for the Colorado School of Mines for 12 years and was president of the Iliff School of Theology Board of Trustees at the time of his death. He was a longtime member of the Cactus Club and was active in Montview Presbyterian Church.
In addition to his widow, he is survived by a daughter, Sarah, 45; and sons Ted, 43, and Will, 37, all of Denver; one grandchild; and a brother, Patrick, of Washington, D.C. Service plans were incomplete Thursday.
Staff writer Mike McPhee can be reached at 303-820-1409 or mmcphee@denverpost.com.
