Former Colorado Senate President Ray Powers died this morning in Colorado Springs. He was 79.
Powers, a Republican who represented El Paso County, served in the legislature for 22 years.
“He had his critics, but he also had some real fans,” said Fred Brown, former chief of The Denver Post’s statehouse bureau.
Powers stepped down as Senate president in 2000. Toward the end of his political career, he had the reputation of being a “coalition builder,” Brown said.
Powers broke his back several months ago and had been in and out of the hospital since, said Kathy Oatis, a family friend.
“He was a wonderful man,” Oatis said. “He gave so much wisdom to everybody.”
Powers is survived by his wife, Dorothy.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at First Church of the Nazarene, 4120 E. Fountain Blvd., in Colorado Springs.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com
