Boulder lawyer Jim Windholz, a specialist in municipal and urban-renewal law, died Tuesday while in California to attend services for his sister, who died Christmas Day.
Windholz, 65, suffered an apparent heart attack. Memorial arrangements are pending.
His death stunned clients of his law firm, Windholz & Associates, which include the cities of Golden, Sheridan and Lafayette; the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District; and several urban-renewal agencies.
“He kept a cool head, knew his business and kept things in perspective,” Golden City Manager Mike Bestor said.
“Jim had a winning record in court that would make any football coach jealous,” said Bestor, who worked with Windholz 14 of the 17 years that Golden had retained him.
Among Windholz’s cases in Golden was the battle over broadcast-tower construction on nearby Lookout Mountain.
“He was a fine lawyer. He had a keen sense of humor. He was gentle, bright and he wasn’t afraid of a fight,” said Debra Carney, attorney for Canyon Area Residents for the Environment, who worked with him on the tower case.
After helping Sheridan write its home rule charter in 2001, Windholz was hired as city attorney the next year.
The Sheridan Redevelopment Agency, which is nurturing the buildings popping up along Santa Fe Drive, was Windholz’s work, Sheridan Mayor Mary Carter said. “We still have some ways to go. This is quite a blow for us.”
Survivors include his companion, Martha “Dru” Dunham; his mother, Alice Windholz of Hays, Kan.; brothers Frank of Arvada and Kenneth of Hays; sons Eric and Grant, and a daughter, Amy Lawrence, all of the metro area; and four grandchildren.
Ann Schrader: 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com
